Authors: Sarah Thorn
She was just dozing
off
when the phone rang. She picked it up, hoping it would be Pavel. He should have been back half an hour ago.
''Hello,'' she said. There was a long silence. ''Hello.''
''So he does have a bitch,'' the person at the other end said. He hung up.
Ella began to shake as she realized what the man had said. She instinctively put her hands
to
her belly in an act of protection. Where was Pavel,
she
thought. Five minutes later she breathed as sigh of relief when she heard the front door.
*****
''How was your flight?'' Ella asked the father of her child.
''Long and uncomfortable,'' he replied.
''So why was it so uncomfortable?''
''Firstly, because you weren't with me and secondly, a toy elephant kept poking me in the leg.
Really, I'll
have to have a word with the guys that load the plane with the stuff for the orphanage. They forgot to leave room for me this time.''
''Well you usually don't fly with all the toys, I suppose they forgot. Please Pavel, be careful, I am worried sick about you. I can't sleep for worry.''
''You know what we discussed. You will be safe at your parents'' Stay there until I come for you. I'm sorry you
are involved
in this, but nobody threatens the woman I love. I will put an end to in once and for all.''
''Oh my God, please don't do anything stupid and get yourself killed. I couldn't bear to lose.......''
''Ella, listen to me. Nothing is going to happen. I will be back in a few days. Get some sleep and look after our child.''
Pavel put the cellphone back in his pocket and walked out of the airport.
''Hello Pavel,'' Lilia said, holding a broom in her hand.
''Lilia, come here,'' Pavel said as he held out his arms. He hugged the
sixty-three-year-old
woman who looked after his apartment in his
home town
of Sochi. ''Thank you for looking after the place. It's a long time since I have been here.''
''It's my
pleasure,
and it's so
nice
to see you. I have stocked the fridge and made the bed.''
When Lilia left, Pavel looked around. He'd kept the small apartment he'd managed
to buy
after he'd left the army. He took a photo from the sideboard and looked at it. It
was taken
in Chechnya. Abram was in the middle, in his officers uniform and
Pavel,
and a few comrades were
huddled
around him. Pavel didn't want to remember his time there. It had been the most brutal of
wars,
and he'd considered himself lucky to escape with his life. Unlike a lot of his
comrades,
he'd been able to come home. His thoughts turned to Nikolai. Now he was going to avenge his unnecessary death.
Pavel showered and drank some coffee. When the taxi
arrived,
he was sitting on the wall in the street outside his apartment. He'd gone out early to get a feel for the place. It hadn't changed much at all. Everyone still hung their washing from wires on their balconies and the kids still rode around on rusty old bicycles.
The taxi, a battered Lada, arrived and took him to Gagarina Street, block 18. He got out and looked up at the dilapidated balconies. Some of them had
been repaired
and some of them looked as thought they were ready to fall down. He went into the building and climbed to the third floor.
''Katya,'' he exclaimed when the old woman opened the door.
''Pavel, my dear boy. How long it is since I saw you, How are you?''
''I'm
really
well. How are you?''
''Come in and I will give you a long list of my ailments,'' she chuckled. Inside it was a typical Russian apartment. A small corridor with a kitchen to the right and a living room to the left. At the end a bathroom and a single bedroom.
''This apartment hasn't changed at all,'' he remarked.
''No. I wanted to renovate it, but I only have a small pension. Now I'm too old to bother,'' she said as she showed him into the tiny sitting room.
''Please Katya, sit down. I'm afraid my visit today is not going to be a pleasant one.''
Katya was in her eighties and just five feet two. She had curly gray hair and for her age remarkably fresh looking skin. She
was dressed
in a flowery summer dress. Outside it was
thirty-two
degrees and inside the
stuffy
apartment,
not much cooler.
Katya instinctively put her hands up in the air when Pavel pulled out a
hand gun
and pointed it at her. ''I am sorry to have to do this Katya. But your son is a disgrace. He is one of the richest people in New
York,
and he's left you living in this hovel. I need him to come home and see what he has done, and there's only one way to do that.''
''Why are you pointing a gun at me and why are you talking so badly about my boy. He's a good
boy
.''
Pavel ignored her and pulled out his cellphone. When he got up and put the gun to her head, Katja closed her eyes. Pavel dialed the number and waited.
''Hello,'' Abram said.
''Abram, Abram, there's a man here and he's going to kill me. Please help me,'' Katya cried into the phone.
''Abram, you've got two days to get your ugly ass back to Sochi or your mother gets a bullet,'' he said. He put the phone down.
*****
''And what the hell do you want?'' he man said as he looked through the peephole in the wooden door.
''My name is Pavel Beljakov. I'm an old comrade of Dimitry's brother, Nikolai.''
''So what, what do you want?''
''I want to speak to him about his brother.''
''Wait,'' the man said. Pavel was standing outside what looked like a Hacienda. It had high walls on all
sides,
and they were finished off with red tiles. After a couple of minutes, the maroon door opened, and Pavel saw a man holding a Kalashnikov. He was just about the largest man Pavel had ever seen. ''Follow me,'' he said.
Behind the
walls,
there was a magnificent ranch house, with white walls, a veranda and red roof tiles. The man showed Pavel inside. They walked to a central courtyard and through a door into a sitting room. Pavel had never seen so many cushions on the giant sofa, and he had certainly never seen a
stag
as big as the one that hung
from
the wall above the fireplace.
''Mr Beljakov, please take a seat, I'm Dimitry Ilyin. You wanted to talk about my brother?'
Pavel sat down on the sofa and looked at him. He was about the same size as his brother had been, six five. He also had blonde hair and blue eyes just like Nikolai.
''I know what happened to Nikolai,'' Pavel said.
Dimitry sat down in
an arm chair
opposite him. ''I'm listening?''
''Before I begin can you perhaps tell me what you thought had happened to Nikolai?''
''All I know is that he didn't come back from Chechnya. His commanding officer Abram
Volkov
told me he had died at the hands of Chechen rebels when he'd become detached from his unit.''
''It's not true.''
''How do you know and who the hell are you?''
''I served with him in the 2nd Battalion.''
''Then tell me what happened to him?''
''Please remain calm when I
tell you
this.'' Dimitry nodded. ''He was shot by Abram Volkov.''
''What? How the hell do you know?'' Dimitry said as he jumped from his chair with his fists clenched.
''Nikolai was with me and some other comrades. It was the last night before we were due to leave for home. He and Abram were playing
cards,
and they were both pretty drunk.'' Pavel looked at Dimitry and thought he saw a tear in his eye. ''The sums they were betting were getting out of
hand,
and we told them to
stop,
but they didn't listen. Abram accused Nikolai of cheating and Nikolai got up and slugged him. He knocked him across the
room,
and Abram lost a tooth. Abram reached for his pistol and shot him. Just like that. No warning, nothing.''
Dimitry let out a roar that hurts Pavel's ears. ''And why did you keep silent about it for so many years?''
''We were all young and scared. Abram was well connected in the army and at home. He had some pretty
powerful
friends. It
was brushed
under the
carpet,
and we all went about rebuilding out lives.''
''Are you telling me, that but for Abram Volkov, my brother would have been alive today?''
''Yes, as I said it, was the evening before we were due to travel home.''
Dmitri got up and walked to a cabinet in the corner of the room. When he opened it, Pavel saw an arsenal of weapons he didn't like the
look of
. ''One more question before I make preparations to blow his head off. Why should I believe you?''
''Please come with me, if you would be so kind,'' Pavel said as he stood up and headed for the door. They crossed the courtyard
again,
and Dimitry nodded to the man to open the
door
. When they were on the
street,
Dimitry saw two men leaning against his wall. ''Alexander, Sergei, come over here,'' Pavel shouted. The two men dropped their cigarettes and stamped on them. ''Would you please tell this man who killed Nikolai.''
''Abram Volkov,'' they said in unison.
Pavel handed Dimitry a note. He looked at it. ''What is this?'' he said.
The address at which you will find Abram Volkov. He is on his way over from the USA. Please give him a day or so. And if I may make one request.'' Dimitry nodded. ''Please do not harm Katya, his mother.''
*****
''Pavel thank you for all you have done for my parents,'' Ella said. ''They are proud people, and they took so much persuading to move, I can't tell you. But their house is just right. Detached, not too big. Dad can't get enough of the yard and Mom loves the neighbors. I'll never be able to repay you.''
''You already have,'' he said as he looked down at their tiny daughter.
*****
THE END
The Russian’s Secret Love Child – Octavia’s Story
A BWWM Russian Romance
''
Mr.
President, ladies and gentlemen,'' the Russian Ambassador to the United States began. ''I am honored to welcome you to the Russian Embassy this evening.” The Ambassador glanced at his most special guests. “I am particularly pleased to be able to welcome you,
Mr.
President and your lovely daughter, Octavia.''
The President of the US, Daniel Wahlberg, nodded in recognition as the Ambassador continued. ''I am very grateful to you for your support in the initiative our two great countries have embarked upon together. As you all know, terrorism is the number one threat to civilization in modern times. That is why, it is so important that we have managed to
agree on
terms to
set up the Russian - US Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism. Now I am sure you don't want to hear me talking all evening, so I would just like to say, I hope you enjoy yourselves this
evening
.''
The Ambassador climbed down from the podium in the Russian Embassy in Washington DC and gratefully accepted a glass of champagne from a waiter.
''
Mr.
President, as I said in my speech, thank you for attending this evening.''
''Not at all, it is a
magnificent
initiative
that
deserves my support. If a terrorist got hold of one of these
weapons,
it would be the greatest disaster that has ever befallen us.''
Daniel Wahlberg looked at the Ambassador. He didn't like or trust him, but the President was an experienced politician who made everyone feel they were his friend. Stanislav Kuklov was a big man. Probably six feet two and very broad. He had a round face with a scar down his right cheek. His eyes were particularly noticeable because they were gray or very faintly blue if one
was being
polite. Unlike the President, he had a full head of black
hair
and
sun-tanned
skin.
''
Mr.
President, may I introduce you to my son, Slava. He's over here on vacation.''
''It's nice to meet you, Slava,'' the President said, as he shook the young man's hand.
''The pleasure is mine, sir,'' Slava replied.
''Have you met my daughter, Octavia?'' he said looking at his
twenty-year-old
daughter.
''No sir, I have not. It is a pleasure to meet you too Octavia,'' Slava said as he lifted Octavia's hand and kissed it.
Octavia laughed at the manner of his
greeting;
she thought it
old-fashioned
but extremely quaint. ''I can see you are a perfect gentleman,'' she replied, referring to the hand kissing.
''Ah, where I am from, that is quite
normal
.''
''
Mr.
President, shall we leave these two young people to chat? I would like to talk to you about a matter that has been on my mind for some time.'' The President nodded and Slava and Octavia found themselves standing alone.
''If I may say so Octavia, you look quite stunning this evening. I have of course seen many photos of you in the press, but in real you are even more beautiful.''
Octavia
looked
at him before she replied. He was her age, around twenty, tall and
dark, like
his father.
Unlike his father, Slava was handsome.
She took an instant liking to his
relaxed
manner and blue eyes. When he smiled, it made her want to giggle, like a school girl.
''It's very kind of you to say so. Is it customary in Russia to comment on a ladies beauty so soon after meeting her?''
''If I have offended you, I apologize. It wasn't my intention to....''
''No, you didn't offend me. Your remarks made me feel
wonderful
. I only ask because it happens so rarely in the US.
Mostly
people are more interested in criticizing what I have chosen to wear.''
''I have seen your photo in many magazines and
newspapers,
and I can say, I have never seen you wearing anything I didn't like. It must be
tough
being the President's daughter. In the US you are akin to royalty,'' Slava said.
''It is not easy, you are right. But I am privileged, and that is something I mustn't take for granted. Most people in the world are less fortunate than
me,
and I mustn't forget it.''
''That is an interesting comment, one I have often used myself. However, I believe everyone has their problems, and just because they don't have worse problems than others, doesn't make it any easier.'' Octavia was impressed by his thought. He seemed different, someone who rationalized, unlike most people she knew who were uptight and always ready to criticize.
Slava knew it was impolite to stare, but
he
couldn't drag his eyes from her. He loved black
women,
and he'd read many times about the President's beautiful daughter, but he hadn't realized quite how lovely she was. She was almost as tall as him, which made her five feet ten, although he noticed she was wearing heels. Her hair
was combed
to one side with long curls hanging down to her shoulder. He had the urge to kiss her neck. It looked so elegant and fragile. She was wearing a satin evening
gown
and a diamond necklace with matching earrings. He didn't want to look down at her body in case she noticed and moved away to talk to somebody else, but unable to resist, he afforded himself a quick glimpse. He'd seen many pictures of her in various magazines, and what he'd liked most about her, was her beautiful shape. Her breasts looked
heavy
and inviting, and her hips and bottom were curved just as he liked. All the women back home in his social circle, were tall and slender, with little bust and no hips. He was bored by them. Octavia was a real woman with all the attributes he craved.
In fact,
he would never admit it, but whenever he'd seen her picture in a magazine or newspaper, he'd stare at it for as long as he could.
''So what do you do Slava? I mean for a living?''
''My father wants me to be a career politician or a diplomat like him. I am studying politics and economics at Moscow University.'' Octavia noticed how his expression had changed when he'd mentioned his father's expectations.
''Your father wants you to be a politician. Is that what you want as well?''
''No I want to sail,'' he said as his eyes lit up and his smile returned. ''I love yachts,
or, in fact,
any boat. Most of all I would like to sail around the world and design
breathtaking
yachts.''
''And why don't you do that?'' Octavia asked. ''Sorry, that was rude of me,'' she added quickly. ''I'm afraid I already know the answer. You see I'm in the same boat,'' she stopped at the unintended
pun,
and they both laughed. ''I mean my life seems to have a similar pattern. I'm studying law at Harvard. But I
really
just want to be a writer.''
''Really? What kind of things do you want to write?''
''Romance books. I love getting lost in silly
romances
. Please don't tell
anyone,
though. If it got out, the press would call me a lightweight.''
''I would never think you
a lightweight,
whatever you did,'' he said. He was mortified to feel himself blush.
Octavia
noticed,
and she leaned to him. ''That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you so much.''
*****
''Hi Slava. How are you?'' Octavia asked as he appeared on her laptop. He looked every bit as handsome as he'd been when they'd met just a few short days before.
''I'm well, how are you? I can see you perfectly. Skype is amazing isn't it?''
''Yes. Did you get back from the US okay?''
''It's a long way and a long
flight,
but I managed. I read some books and looked at a few magazines. You were in one of them.''
''Oh really? What was I doing?''
''You were interviewed about what it's like to be the daughter of the President of the US. It was interesting to read, especially now I have met you in person. I liked the photos too.''
''Was I standing in front of a Christmas tree?''
''Yes that's the one. Standing in front of a Christmas tree with a red hat on. A bit like one of Santa's helpers,'' Slava joked.
''Thanks,'' she replied ironically. There was a pause in the conversation and then they suddenly tried to tell each other the same thing. ''Sorry Slava you go first,'' she said.
''I just wanted to say what a lovely evening I had at the Russian Embassy with you.''
''I enjoyed it very much as well,'' Octavia said. She wasn't wearing any of her expensive jewelry as she sat in her room at Harvard, but Slava found her just as stunning.
''Octavia?'' he
said
as if he
were going
to ask her something of the utmost importance. '' What are you going to do when this semester ends in June?''
''I don't know, I guess my parents will have all sorts of tasks lined up for me. Why do you ask?''
''Because I wanted to invite you onto my boat for a few days.''
''Oh that would be fantastic,'' she said spontaneously. ''But hang on,'' she said suddenly realizing something, ''I don't know if my security will allow me to travel to Russia and get on a boat before they have checked it out thoroughly.''
''That's a good point. I didn't think of that. I suppose you have far more security than me, after
all
you are the President's daughter. I'm just the son of an Ambassador.''
''It's a
perfect
pain in the butt, all this bodyguard stuff. I can't move without someone watching me.''
''I tell you what, I'll charter a yacht in the
US,
and we will sail along the Eastern Seaboard. Your security will be able to follow at a discreet
distance,
and they'll be much more accommodating
of
the idea if you are in the US.''
''That would certainly help. Oh, I'll
really
look forward to that. Thank you for asking me. I took a
boring
exam
today,
and I'm not sure if I passed, so you have brightened up my day no end.''
''Who needs stupid
exams
. You can sit on the boat and write your first
novel
while I sail us around. That sounds idyllic doesn't it.''
''Yes it does. How cruel reality is.''
*****
Octavia stood on the quay at the New York Yacht
Club
and watched Slava carry her bags on deck. ''It looks like you chartered a floating palace,'' she commented.
''She's a
sixty-five
feet motor cruiser. Six bedrooms and more luxury than enough,'' he shouted as he walked up the gangplank. The harbor was full of expensive boats, but it seemed Slava had managed to get his hands on the largest of them. Octavia watched him. His legs were long and thin in his white jeans. He was wearing a blue shirt
that
made him look every bit the sailor. His
boar
shoes were navy with white souls.
''Why do women always need so many clothes,'' he asked as he came back for the final two bags. ''You're going to be wearing shorts most of the time or swimwear. But I hope you didn't forget your cocktail dress,'' he joked.
''I know it seems like a lot, but you never know who we will bump
into
when we put into
harbor
. I am
a terribly
important
woman don't forget,'' she jested.
''What makes you think we'll put into a harbor, maybe I'll turn into a horrible pirate and keep you hostage on the high seas.''
''I couldn't think of anything better,'' she quipped, ''but I think my bodyguard may have something to say about it.''
Slava looked at her and smiled. When she smiled back, there was a moment. A moment when they knew what was going to happen on the yacht and were looking forward to it.
''Has my bodyguard spoken to you?'' she asked.
''Yes, he's briefed me. We are to stay in US
waters,
and we're not to exceed twenty knots, so he can easily keep us in his sights.''
''Okay. Then when are we leaving?''
''As soon as I have put your
extensive
baggage into your
bunk
.''