черешово вино.

Her eyes and words are so icy Oh but she burns Like rum on the fire Hot and fast and angry as she can be

[minkova]

leannerhodes​:

Bella Vita with @minkova

 I’m so happy we were finally able to make this work. I’m really excited, I think it’s gonna be a huge hit.”Leanne smiles from across the table is she flipped through the menu. She’d asked Mila out to discuss partnering for an upcoming charity event on conjunction with the winter festival Bridgeport would be hosting. She considered the woman a good friend, then running similar circles and she’s known her for a bit but with how busy they were it was hard to get together at times. Finally being back at work after her surgery, Leanne was xcited to get things moving.“ I hope work hasn’t been too crazy for you? We’ve been pretty busy at City Hall. My oldest daughters about to give birth to twins, so it’s been a bit hectic lately. I wouldn’t trade it for the world though.”

-

“I do too! And honestly, I’m excited. It’s been years since I’ve been able to be this involved in anything.” that was an understatement. her father didn’t like her doing things publicly only for the fact that it placed the entire family in the lime light, something he never wanted. But mila was making her own way in the world, and she was excited about the new possibilities. she picked up a glass of water, sipping before giving a light hum. “I heard! I ran into her at the pumpkin patch around halloween. That’s exciting! Work has been insane, but it’s starting to ease off now, thank god. I need a moment to breathe.”

[minkova]

thecoltsparks​:

“In that case, it might just be that you got unlucky. Or that whoever built the deck wasn’t paying enough attention to the materials they were using. Boards that are treated for the elements really should not rot that quickly.” Colton replied as he knew people who had the same decks for twenty years or more before they had issues. “I would suggest pulling up the offending board and replacing it. Which wouldn’t actually cost you that much, and isn’t hard to do.”

-

she twisted her features somewhat, a disapproving sigh leaving her. “Well. I guess it could be worse.” it always could be, and one board wasn’t a big deal. “I appreciate you taking the time to look over this.” she’d just have to enlist the help of all those years of yoga and pilates and make it to her front door for a while. “I won’t ask you to replace it. You’ve done more than enough to help and I’m sure you have way more exciting things to do with your time.” and truth was, she could just ask Cal, even though she was trying to avoid it. 

[minkova]

maddy-taylor​:

WHERE: Coral Cove Bar & Grille, Liberty Hills, Bridgeport WHO: @minkova​

After a long shift of work, Maddy hastily changed her police uniform for black skinny jeans and a loose, grey sweater. It was warm enough for her who survived the cold winters of New York. With boots to match, Maddy now sat at the bar at Coral Cove Bar & Grille nursing a Blueberry Mojito and a plate of coconut shrimp. Two of her favorites. When she noticed Mila nearby, she gave her a small smile and wave. She knew Mila through Calvin, but never really spent time with her. “Hey, Mila. Fancy meeting you here.” She joked, considering the upscale bar was not normally Maddy’s scene but she was trying to avoid the usual crowd tonight. “How’s life? Want some shrimp?” Maddy asked her, nodding towards the shrimp and taking a sip of her mixed drink.

-

lengthy conversations in Bulgarian were not mila’s favourite way to end her work day, but as it stood, her mother was not an easy person to get off the phone. She’d been sitting at the table, muttering a few words here and there in response to whatever outlandish statement her mother had made while ordering herself a drink and side of onion rings. “- mother.... mother I have to go. yeah I got a meeting.” she lied. “... yeah. yeah I know... tryabva da trŭgvam, maĭko! Dobre chao.” the speed of which she hung up the phone was likely a world record. her margarita was delivered before her food, and she sat blissfully child-free and ready to enjoy an evening of absolutely nothing. the woman’s voice pulled mila out of a little bit of a daydream, if she were honest, but a smile rolled over her lips at the sight of the other woman. “Hey! Nah- I’m good with the shrimp. Got some onion rings coming. You wanna join?” 

[minkova]

theharmonyjones​:

“I miss it, because where I lived there was always a great sense of togetherness. Although, I guess here in Bridgeport I am finding that too.” Harmony replied as in many ways things here did remind her of what she had grown up with. “I was always lucky when it came to family, my parents are great.” She added, but things hadn’t always been good with her ex-in-laws. Not that it was her problem anymore.

-

“I don’t think i’ve lived somewhere like that before.” though there was a pause as she thought over her current place of residence. “I’ve also just been so busy that I haven’t really had the chance to stop and pay attention to those aspects of town.” but maybe now she would take note of the place her late husband grew up, the place her daughter was now growing. “My siblings aren’t that bad, and the extended family is great.” 

[minkova]

thecoltsparks​:

Colton was the type of person who had been raised to help people. Which was why when Mila asked him to check out a board on her step, he had no issue coming over and giving it a look. The man poked at the board in question with his foot, and watched as it seemed to lower itself. “I suspect that it’s rotten underneath.” He told her as he then stepped on the boards on either side of it. “But since these two seem to be okay, I think it’s just the board itself and not the structural ones underneath. Which is a good sign.”

-

the natural drive to call cal for every little thing that went wrong in her life, was strong, but mila had to learn a long time ago that she can’t ask him to drop everything just for her. it was perhaps a comment her mother had made once upon a time that continued to burrow under her skin the longer she thought on it. so, she asked others for help. “rotten.” a light curse under breath before she shook her head. “the house isn’t that old. I’m hoping that it isn’t something too dire. whats your suggestion?”

[minkova]

@veritysinclair​ at Mila’s house

“I always wanted to do something like this for a job.” her dressing room was large, too large in some peoples opinions, but she had collected a lot of clothing, accessories, and makeup over the years, some of it not really even touched. “I know you probably have your own stuff but there’s a lot of unopened stuff in that drawer under the window. I don’t know if any of it’s useful, but I thought I’d offer it.” Mila had had the same woman doing her makeup for events since she was a teenager, this new experience of finding someone new was daunting, but she wasn’t in LA anymore. “Can I get you a drink? Coffee, soda?”

[minkova]

@thecoltsparks​ at Mila’s house.

“I really cannot tell you how much I appreciate this.” mila hummed as she stood on the path near the entrance to her home. the porch landing falling through before the holidays was not something Mila was needing, but there was that one little pesky board that seemed to be a little soft underfoot, and she was just one heavy decoration from it falling through. “Does it look bad?”

[minkova]

theharmonyjones​:

“I am from a city up in Eastern Canada. It’s called Halifax.” Harmony explained, as she knew that most people hadn’t heard of it. As far as cities go, it wasn’t particularly large, and most people in America only seemed to know about Toronto and Vancouver.   “That makes sense, I am sure it will be nice to have some family around either way.” Harmony added as family was big around the holidays in general. 

—

“Canada is beautiful. I really wish I could spend more time there.” it was an honest comment that she could make a reality, but her family hadn’t expanded much outside of Montreal business-wise. Maybe it would have to be a vacation rather than business. “I’m sure it will.” She smiled. “Family can be healing... depending obviously.” she teased. 

[minkova]

thelucaricci​:

“I will pretend I didn’t hear that.” Luca joked with a small chuckle. If her house did burn down he didn’t want to have to bare witness to the fact that she was making jokes about it. “Travelling sounds great honestly. I can’t remember the last time I was out of Bridgeport for more than a few hours.”

“I think I will pass on that one.” Luca added as he liked to live out of the spotlight. It surely made his life a lot easier. Not that it mattered too much to him anyway.  “I will definitely keep you in mind. I am sure in the meantime I will be able to come up with an idea or two.” Luca said, as he knew that with his job he was pretty connected to a lot of people. 

—

“Pretend away.” she replied. she had a tendency to take things too far. perhaps it what was considered part of her genes, perhaps not. she’d never bothered to figure it out. “Sounds like you need a break. it’s good to get out of town every now and then. It can all be... a little too much otherwise.” It was nothing against smaller towns, or bridgeport in general, but everyone knew everyone. In LA you could go unnoticed for weeks. It was a weird sensation. 

“Well I look forward to hearing your ideas. Give me a call when you’ve had time to think about it and we can set up a meeting?” She wasn’t sure what his business process was. she was more inclined to sort out a lunch meeting and sit down over a meal to discuss things, but everyone worked differently.  “Until then, I should get going before she decides to purchase every pumpkin on the lot.”

[minkova]

annistyngates​:

“Never apologize for being late!” Anni shook her head, letting her arm snake around the other in an attempt to hug the other, though the interaction was fast as her friend sat in the chair opposite her. “I know you, and I know you’re life, you never have to apologize for being late. I’m just thankful to have this time with you.” she smiled, looking at her friend. As the other stated that she needed the day to be over, Anni nodded. “It was a long morning on my end too, but, please, tell me what’s going on with you.” She spoke, encouraging her friend to talk about whatever was bothering her. 

—

“whatever time I have to give, is now officially yours.” mila smiled. “Until two o’clock when I will get a message from my daughter telling her that I’m late, but... we know I’m not.” mila waved her hand to dismiss the thought. “Anyway! Uh--” What was new? nothing? she wasn’t really sure herself, but she could surely make conversation out of that. “I’m looking for a new business venture? I guess that’s new! What about you?” 

[minkova]

livrhodes​:

Liv’s boys loved the holidays, too, which was very nice to see. They loved to dress up for Halloween, and put up Christmas lights, and also decorate Easter eggs. Kids were always about that stuff and it was special to be creating that holiday magic for children. “I would definitely say so! She’s got a good eye, that’s for sure,” Liv said with a smile. “Oh, definitely, but I don’t mind. It makes the kids happy.” Bridgeport always had fun activities for families to do. “Other business ideas? What are you working on?” Liv asked, quirking a brow in curiosity. “And best of luck with not going to your mother’s. You got this,” she laughed. 

-

“I’m looking forward to the town getting into the holidays. I’m glad we’ll be here.” thank god for that. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her family, most of them she did, but her mother had a way of grinding her down to a grain of sand and Mila was simply not about that this year. “Literally anything? I was just hoping to get out of the hotel development business, or at least take a break in that, branch out from under my family’s wing kind of thing. Maybe a bar might be a nice place to start? What do you think?” 

[minkova]

📲imessage. m&c

Cal: You're not solving this one by thrusting it onto the shoulders of your 9-year-old.

Cal: You? Nice? I think you're fitting a little too easily into the suburban soccer mom stereotype. Where's that Bulgarian fire I know so well?

Cal: You know. The Mila that steps on people with heels.

Cal: Toot suite? Verzin je woorden? Het klinkt als tot ziens. What shit is he into now?

Mila: I'm just gonna move on from this topic then, because I don't wanna answer it.

Mila: would you prefer I wear leather thigh-high boots and some PVC to the next PTA meeting to spice things up a bit? Maybe only shout loud Bulgarian family mottos like my father?

Mila: Smŭrt predi bezchestie, Lyudmila! Smŭrt predi semeĭno predatelstvo!

Mila: ... how do you even know that shit?

Mila: Cars? We can blame Aleks for that.

[minkova]

calxlucas​:

-

      The proof of Cal’s wealth had been sold when he backed away from his former life and purchased his (in his opinion) modest home in Bridgeport. The remnants of his Mulholland Drive house, all glass which sat atop a private hill overlooking the rest of the drive, were in boxes in the spare bedroom that had yet to be turned into anything at all. At times he found himself longing for the private nature of it all … the one place nobody else either knew ab out or had a standing invitation to, adorned with the private photos of the people he considered himself close to … had affection for. Life-stages of his friendship with Aleksandr Pavlov, of Mila throughout the years (both of her weddings, the birth of her children), the life-stages of those children as they grew from little beans to tiny people, and in one case into a whole adult of his own. Little chapters of Cal’s life that he documented and cherished quietly, packed neatly into boxes that had been stacked even neater than that … the last remnants of an opulent life that had never been flaunted, even when it was present. The surprising layers of Cal remained buried now, save to those who knew how or where to look.

      “ I know better than to bring your kid to a tragic crime scene, Mila. Give me more credit than that. ” He couldn’t blame her. He’d been the cause of more than one tragic crime scene in days past, and in any other instance the warning was warranted. If Cal was a more sensitive person he might have been insulted, but instead he rolled his eyes and swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “ Adult company? You’re making it sound filthy. But. I won’t say no to a drink or two if you’re insisting. ” He mused at Freya in the close distance, bee-lining for a pumpkin almost her height but said nothing in lieu of Mila noticing it on her own. “ And you are insisting. So sure. Just let me know when and where. ”

-

there had been many layers to the relationship that mila and cal had shared. years of childish teasing, of taking things too far. but that had always been how they were, the gently two and fro of a lifetime of missed chances and words left unsaid. Cal Lucas had always been at the forefront of Mila’s mind, and in her younger years, she’d had a crush on him that sometimes she felt would swallow her whole. It had taken her some time to chalk it up to just a simple schoolgirl crush, and she allowed her attention to be stolen away. life always came between them in some way or another, and while the pair had a brief romantic interaction after her divorce, it ended with Mila feeling as though the man she felt the most connected to didn’t see her as anything more than another woman on his list. she then distanced herself a little, and later allowed herself to push the experience to the back of her mind (as difficult as it was). But he was here now and he’d been there for her in so many other ways since that messy kitchen interaction during her brother’s birthday party. he’d been the most constant aspect of her life and she found her mind constantly drawing him into her thoughts, waking or otherwise. 

“I have faith in you, but I also know that child has you in the palm of her tiny hand.” something that warmed her more than anyone could ever know. Again, she rolled her eyes at the comment. “Everything gets filthy with you it seems.” a nonchalant comment. “I am. It’s been a while since you and I did anything without Aleks or any children.” been a while since Mila had done anything with anyone over the age of 9. “Good- so I’ll message you? And you can pick me up and be nice and everything.” 

[minkova]

📲 imessage. mila & sylv

Sylvie: That is a good idea. We are due for a night out together. I try to take him out once or twice a month just the two of us. You know how teenagers are, they don't usually want to hang out with their mom. even when they're young and cool like us.

Sylvie: I feel that. We are both going to have our hands full when the girls are teenagers.

Mila: eh. mines an adult now. and my 9 year old is too cool for me. so... you're lucky.

Mila: I'll say! but at least there'll be plenty of support.

[calxlucas]

@minkova

[minkova]

thelucaricci​:

“Well, that is good at least. You never know when it’s going to come in handy.” Luca replied as he was sure that it was a skill that Mila would be thankful to have, in case she needed it at some point. Luca enjoyed being able to cook, even if a lot of the time he was only just cooking for himself. “I hope you are able to find all of the ingredients you need. I feel like you might have to go to the city for some.”

“I mean maybe, but I’d have to go out of my way to do so. Scandals like that don’t really come naturally in my life.” Luca replied as he wasn’t up to much. The biggest scandal had been when his high school ex came back to town, but she’d left again and things had calmed down. “I will never turn down cookies, so that seems like a good deal for me.”

-

“And you never know when I’m gonna be in need of a new house due to a cooking fire... so best keep an eye open.” she teased. in reality she wasn’t as bad as she claimed, but she wasn’t about to be the one people came to for meals. “I’m happy with the travel. Sometimes I miss the city, if I’m being honest.” 

“Want some of mine? I’m sure I have enough to spare.” again, it was teasing but in actual fact a little bit of a sad reality, though half of it she’d never tell. “Well I’ll make some then and book an appointment. Keep me in mind until then, yeah? I’m open to any and all business ideas!” 

[minkova]

theharmonyjones​:

“Probably not a bad idea.” Harmony said a small chuckle. She knew that people  around here seemed to be big on anything that helped the community. “The holidays aren’t really big in my family. But even still, I will probably go home to see my parents for a while. Other than that, not too much.” She replied as while her holiday traditions were small, it would be nice to be home for a bit. She had a feeling the holidays were going to be hard for her this year. “How about yourself?” 

-

“where’s home for you?” not her business, but mila liked finding out where people were from. she called several places home, but this was the newest. “First year having christmas in Bridgeport. Last year we travelled back to the west coast to spend it with my family but this year freya’s grandparents asked if they could have her for the holidays so I figure I’ll stay close.” She wasn’t sure what the rest of her family would be up to, but she was almost certain she might con Cal into a drink or two.