Previously, Matthew gave us a great recap on why Alessia is terrible at being kidnapped.
The Mister Chapter 29 Summary:
I had blithely assumed they’d be going to the airport, which made no sense given Anatoli had driven his own car to kidnap Alessia. I suspect my reading comprehension skills have decreased dramatically since starting this blog.
As they drive, Alessia recalls her engagement to Anatoli and how she’s quickly realised he was an abusive man. Unsurprisingly, both incidents of physical abuse happened after another man dare speak to Alessia. Interesting how James seems to think that as long as the male love interest isn’t physically abusing the female love interest, it’s fine if he goes mad with jealousy every time another man speaks to her (I’m looking at you, Christian Grey.)
Anatoli and Alessia stop for food and she sasses him, and he seems to enjoy it. It’s bizarre in the sense that if you were reading this scene in isolation it would seem like a classic rom-com set up of flirtation.
Over in Maxim’s POV, he finds away to make Alessia’s kidnapping all about him.
I’ve been in a state of high anxiety since Alessia was taken from me.
James, E L. The Mister (p. 466). Random House. Kindle Edition.
The way Maxim frames this situation says it all.
Maxim has also decided that if Alessia hadn’t gone with Anatoli willingly (I’m not sure why he even wonders that–she was ultra clear with him about how awful this man was) then he’ll propose to her.
Back with Anatoli and Alessia, Anatoli continues to play dumb and begins asking Alessia again why she left Albania. She’s like, “Jesus fuck, dude. We have been over this 100 times.”
As the chapter “progresses”, for lack of a better word, it becomes clear that this book really need to be over. There’s a whole section where Maxim talks about his fucking rental car!
Alessia is forced into the trunk again as they head towards another border. Anatoli lets her out, but then of course tries to sexually assault Alessia. She slaps him, he slaps her back and then forces her into the trunk again. Poor Alessia!
Meanwhile, Maxim and his buddy Tom have a drink at their hotel bar and praise their Negronis. Over drinks, Maxim explains that he intends to marry Alessia. Tom is unconvinced.
‘You’re in mourning, Maxim.’ His voice is surprisingly gentle. ‘Have you considered that this sudden infatuation is part of your way of dealing with your brother’s death?’
James, E L. The Mister (p. 474). Random House. Kindle Edition.
This is not a totally misguided question.
‘This has nothing to do with Kit, and I’m not fucking infatuated. You don’t know her like I do. She’s an exceptional woman. And I’ve known countless women. She’s different. She’s not bothered by trivial shit … She’s smart. Funny. Courageous. And you should hear her play the piano. She’s a fucking genius.’
James, E L. The Mister (p. 474). Random House. Kindle Edition.
Oh, yes, I forgot! The classic “she’s different than all other women” point where we proceed to…shit all over other women and give extremely generic labels like “smart” and “funny” to set this woman apart.
Maxim finally convinces Tom that this is the real deal and also convinces Tom to do the “decent thing” and propose to his girlfriend too. Inspiring stuff!
He nods. ‘Okay. Let’s order another.’ He signals to the waiter for another round of drinks, and I wonder if I’ll have to deal with this level of doubt about Alessia from all my friends … from my family.
James, E L. The Mister (pp. 474-475). Random House. Kindle Edition.
I mean, probably. I just hope the next 10% of the book is not filled with identical conversations. Who am I kidding? Of course it will be.
Anatoli and Alessia stop at a fancy hotel for the night. They have dinner and Anatoli declares that Alessia will be his wife soon. BUM BUM BUMMM?