Right In There?

Everly lied down on the bed in her room, staring up at the ceiling.

She had spent most of the day lost in her thoughts, the unanswered questions about her mother's death still on her mind.

As she continued to stare blankly at the ceiling, Ivan entered the room, his presence pulling her back to reality.

He approached her carefully and sat down next to her on the bed, making Everly sit up.

"Everly, I know you've been going through a lot lately," He took a deep breath. "But I was thinking, maybe we could go out tonight. Just to take your mind off things, even if it's just for a little while."

Everly's groaned and fell back onto the bed with some of her hair covering her face. "I don't want to go anywhere right now, I just want to remain here and cry my poor eyes out,"

Ivan let out a small smile before poking her cheek. "Come on, little wife, It's just for a little bit. We'll be back before you know it." he continued poking her cheek playfully before pulling it slightly.

"Ow!" Everly grabbed his hand and moved it away. "Stop that, it's annoying, and no, I'm not going."

"Well, I won't stop if you don't agree, I can't let you stay in here crying forever," he said, pulling her cheek again but a bit harder this time.

"Ow ow ow!" She sighed before sitting up again "Fine, fine, Where do you have in mind?" Everly asked, finally agreeing to Ivan's suggestion.

Ivan smiled warmly, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "How about we go to the movies? We can watch anything you want, maybe even grab some popcorn. Sound good?"

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms "Fine. You say that like anyone watches a movie without popcorn."

Ivan's smile widened, relieved that Everly finally agreed, as he reached out to take Everly's hand. "Great. Let's get ready then,"

Once they were both ready, Ivan offered Everly his arm

She turned towards the mirror to get a final glance at herself "Breathtaking as always" she chuckled before accepting Ivan's arm.

Together, they made their way to the nearby cinema.

As they approached the cinema, Everly couldn't help but feel excitement bubbling within her.

Although she was trying to hide it, it was obvious. It's been so long since she went out to just relax and have fun.

Inside the cimena, they purchased their tickets and made their way to the concession stand, where Ivan insisted on buying Everly a large tub of popcorn and her favorite soda.

They settled into their seats in the darkened theater as the horror movie they had chosen to watch, started.

"Holy shit!" Everly yelled out when a jumpscare popped up, making some people glance over at her. She suddenly clutched Ivan's arm.

Ivan chuckled, looking down at her as she held his arm tightly "Are you scared?" He raised a brow, clearly wanting to tease her for it.

"Shut up, I'm not." Feeling embarrassed, she tried to avoid eye contact with Ivan.

When the movie ended and the lights came back on, Everly sighed in relief "Finally it's over. That was literally torture." They both got up and headed for the exit. "Thanks, Ivan," Everly whispered. "I guess i sort of needed this"

Ivan patted Everly's head slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he towered over her. "Sure thing, baby girl," he smirked teasingly.

Everly's face quickly turned red at the new name. "First It's little wife and now, baby girl?" her tone is a mixture of surprise and fluster.

Chuckling softly, Ivan leaned down to meet her gaze. "What? Can't I call my little wife a baby girl too?" He continued to tease her.

Everly's expression turned slightly serious. "That reminds me; I've been meaning to talk to you about something. It's about this whole marriage thing.."

However, before she could finish, Ivan's phone suddenly rang, interrupting their conversation.

Answering the call, Ivan listened for a moment before a mischievous smile played on his lips. "Oh, is that so? Well, I'll be right there," he responded before ending the call with a chuckle.

Turning his attention back to Everly, Ivan grinned.

"What?" she asked, curious about his sudden change in his demeanor.

"Would you like to go somewhere with me, little wife?"

Everly raised an eyebrow, somewhat intrigued by the proposition. "Where?"

"It's a surprise," Ivan replied. "So, what do you say? Yes or no?"

After a moment of hesitation, Everly nodded. "Yeah, sure. We're already outdoors anyway,"

"Very well, then," Ivan said with a smile as he gestured for Everly to follow him. They made their way to the car, and Ivan drove off to his 'surprise' location.

They arrived at a street in front of a large, seemingly abandoned warehouse, and Everly started to feel uneasy.

"Hey, Ivan… What are we doing here? This place doesn't look safe at all. It looks like one of those places in horror movies that screams 'you're in deep shit'" she wrapped her arms around herself against the chilly cold. "And it's so fucking cold, oh my god!"

Ivan turned to face her with a smile. "This is your surprise," he announced, pointing towards the warehouse.

Everly looked at him, confused by his words. "My surprise? My surprise is a cold and creepy area that possibly has a dead body lying around somewhere in it. How wonderful," she was unsure of what to even make of the situation.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from a car parked near the building and approached them. Everly squinted her eyes to get a better look at the person.

"Hello, brother," the woman greeted Ivan, revealing herself to be Ania.

"Brother? Hm, just when I thought I've seen it all.." Everly's eyebrows furrowed as she looked at both Ania and Ivan.

"Yes, Everly, this is my little sister, Ania. Ania, this is Everly," Ivan introduced them, prompting Ania to extend her hand for a handshake.

Everly hesitated before shaking Ania's hand, still feeling a sense of unease.

Ania suddenly pulled her close, whispering into her ear with a soft chuckle, "I like your eyes."

"Girl…What the fuck?" Everly replied awkwardly, pulling away from Ania. "I know you probably meant that as a compliment but the way you said it sounded so creepy"

Ania smirked and turned to Ivan "I think I'm gonna get along with her just fine"

Ivan chuckled at their interaction before explaining the purpose of their visit. "I know you must be confused, Everly, so I'm going to explain. This place… is where your mother's suspected killer currently is, just right inside this building,"

Everly swallowed the lump that had built up in her throat.

"Right…in there?"