Helsinki, Finland [2]

I found Valter waiting for me at the dining table with the breakfast he had prepared.

"Good morning Jade," he said first as if he had been waiting for me long enough in the dining room.

"Morning Valter."

"Sorry, I should have been here earlier," I said while busy looking at the small glass that I had been holding, making sure that my makeup was in perfect condition.

"There's nothing to be forgiven, Jade. You better have breakfast soon, I'll take you to the places you like after you eat," said Valter.

I nodded, looked at Valter and smiled as sweetly as I could. I wanted Valter to like me more and more.

I walked next to Valter out of the apartment, down the road to Kauppatori to the ferry port not far away. I looked at Valter wondering where we were going.

"Valter." A woman greeted Valter from behind, we both turned and looked at the speaker.

"Hi, Alla," said Valter kindly. Alla approached Valter and hugged him, whispering "I'm fine honey". The beautiful girl named Alla did not stop looking at Valter from top to bottom.

"I didn't expect you to be in Helsinki, I thought you were in Germany," she added again. while still not removing her hand from Valter's arm.

I know there is passion there, from the body language I feel like there is something more going on between them.

"I just arrived yesterday, and will be leaving again," said Valter.

I felt like a pile of trash standing between them, a beautiful blonde-haired woman, so tall, she didn't even glance at me, she was busy indulging in her charm at Valter making me feel nauseous, my blood rippled, my feelings were messy and my face heated up.

I slowly took a step away, a feeling of anger, and tightness filling my chest.

"Jade." Called Valter, stopped my walking.

"Alla, this is Jade" - "Jade this is Alla."

Alla looked down at me with a humble gaze and returned to focus on Valter.

"Looks like you're busy right now, I'm going to your apartment tonight, I have something to talk about. See you later" Alla left without giving any response about his introduction.

I stared at the boulders on the path...

I felt humiliated and jealous.

I felt betrayed when I learned to open my heart to him.

"Jade..."

"Jade..."

Valter turned my body to face him, "Jade, are you okay," he called again.

" Yes, I am doing okay ." I rasped back with teary eyes.

"Jade, what's wrong with you?" Asked Valter.

"Can we go back to the apartment? I'm suddenly not feeling well." I stepped back toward the apartment without waiting for Valter's approval.

I threw myself onto the sofa, trying to hold back the tears already forming, I felt so ashamed of my obvious emotions. why should I feel jealous?Am I not half-hearted towards Valter?

Valter walked over to me, sat beside me, and took my hand. we sat in silence for a few moments.

"What do you feel, you said you don't feel well," said Valter, opening a conversation that had been one of silence.

Whether it was him being insensitive or he didn't want to embarrass me with a question, a very irrelevant question was asked.

"I'm jealous" I stare at him with emotion. "I want you to explain who she is, and what do you have to do with her." My tone sounded a little selfish, but I had no other choice of words to stop the tightness in my chest.

"Alla is my friend, we met several years ago when I was on duty here, she was always overreacting like that, and several times approached me. We don't have a relationship more than friends," explained Valter, holding my hands.

"From her words, she seems like she's used to coming to this apartment. Maybe you guys spend a lot of time together." I said curtly and sarcastically.

"That's right, she's been to this apartment several times." He replied while still looking at me

"Have you ever had sex together?" I asked quietly. It seems that this question is excessive and too private, but I could not take it any longer to know in detail the relationship between them.

"Several times she had asked me to do it, but I refused. I do not want to get involved in anything that leads to emotional bonds with Alla."

"Alla is beautiful, how can you not be interested as a man," I said.

"Enough Jade, don't accuse me. I'm not that low. I've explained it. Now explain to me why you are so emotional." Valter looked straight at my face, it was hard for me to hide the cloudiness in my eyes which were soon wet with tears, "I do not want to lose you, and go with her. I want you to just look at me and love me "I said softly.

Valter hugged me tight, like a divider that limits and stiffens between us just disappeared with the expression of my feelings just now.

A gust of wind blew my hair and face on the ferry that took us to Suomenlinna Island, the air in early spring was still biting to the bone, it took about fifteen minutes to arrive at one of the Unesco world heritage sites.

Suomenlinna is a fortress in the middle of the sea built on six islands. From a distance you can see the six km long stone wall that fences the islands, there are a hundred cannons, tunnels, and a beautiful garden. There are only eight hundred people living on this island, most of them work for the island's tourism.

The feeling of discomfort due to the drama 'Alla' all day long paid off with consolation at Suomenlinna, time seemed to stop and we returned to the 18th century, all the houses, buildings, churches from the 18th century are all well-maintained so that they can continue to be enjoyed by generations to generation.

We walked through a pink stone gate with a clock tower on top that led to the main path through the island. On the left, there is a Russian orthodox church complete with a lighthouse at the top of the church, this fort was formed over 3 ages, Sweden, Russia, and then Finland. The name Suomenlinna comes from Finnish meaning 'Finnish castle' when the fort became the property of the Finnish government. Before being conquered by Finland, this fort was known as Viapori during the Russian era and was known as Sveaborg during the Swedish Era.

The atmosphere of Suomenlinna is so beautiful and calm, there are no motorized vehicles here, and we have to walk to be able to enjoy all the interesting places there are.

Inside the fort, there is a simple tomb of a Field Marshal during the Swedish kingdom named Augustin Ehrensvard who I later learned, that he was the one who built the fort on the islands near the city of Helsinki in the mid-18th century.

To my amazement, Suomenlinna even has a museum of toys and dolls, all of which date over two hundred years, the early 19th century. There are approximately hundreds of old dolls and hundreds of teddy bears, as well as toys with their own respective histories.

We sat in front of the Toy Suomenlinna Museum which is also a cafe to unwind after walking around, enjoying the evening, and a cup of coffee accompanied by delicious cinnamon buns.

"You look happy, Jade," Valter said.

"Very happy, I felt like taking all the dolls and toys home, watching them one by one, guessing where they came from and what they have been through for centuries," I said fantasizing.

Valter laughed at my answer. "Maybe I'll buy you a doll, instead of a bunch of flowers, to make you smile happily," he said again.

"That's acceptable," I said definitely.

"Ahh .. I understand why you joined the Matryoshka class in Russia," continued Valter, smiling seductively.

"One day I will come back here, bringing my children someday, teaching them to love history," I added.

"Does that mean my children too?" Said Valter trying hard to tease me.

This time I laughed at his words.

☕☕☕