Natasha returned sullenly to her seat. Seeing the dull expression on her face, an opposite of the expression she had on her face when they were talking heartily a few moments ago, Naomi couldn’t help but question, “what happened?”
Natasha explained it all to Naomi.
“I do not understand, is it by force to marry someone?” Naomi finds it very illogical. “And how shameless is the father coming to threaten you.”
“It may be their way of life over there at Crying Sun. They want it, they have it. Maybe they live in a world where they have never been rejected.” Natasha said. Then she picked up her phone and called Kenji. Once he answered, Natasha said, “you are yet to return my money? I need the money to hire another bodyguard?” She asked, for they had had this conversation before.
“I haven’t sent it because I’ll be back in the city soon.” Kenji answered.
“And then you’ll run away again at any slight threat. You are fired from protecting me, Kenji, just send me my money.”
“That, I’ll do.”
“Now. I want the money transferred to my bank account now.”
“Alright.”
Then Natasha ended the call. “I need to get another bodyguard as soon as possible.”
“Why don’t you inform Mr. Dmitry about this?” Naomi suggested.
Natasha scoffed, “I know what his response would be- why should I help?”
She added, “in truth, why should he help? I’m not related to him in any way.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to inform him?” Naomi questioned. “At the mention of Mr. Dmitry, I can see your cheeks are turning red. I didn’t say you have a crush on him or anything, I’m only saying, it’s better he’s aware. You have nothing to lose if he knows. Remember he had come through for you more than once.”
Natasha didn’t like the fact that Naomi could see through her. Is she now like a teenager in love who couldn’t control her emotions? She swallowed, trying to maintain an expression that will not let Naomi see through her anymore.
Natasha exhaled, “I’ll know what to do.”
Naomi yawned, “I think I need to go to bed.”
“Sleep well, Naomi,” then she watched as Naomi walked away from the room.
Natasha decided to inform Dmitry about it the following morning. Then she turned on the TV and switched to Netflix. She wanted to watch a movie that can make her escape this current reality that she’s in.
The movie was almost starting when her home suddenly began to chirp, seeing that the caller ID was Pavel, she frowned deeply. The father had just come here, what did the son want?
As soon as she answered the call, Pavel spoke, “Hey Natasha, I’m just getting the information now that my father came around. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what in the world is wrong with him. Please I didn’t send him.”
“I’m not going to marry you and I’m not your friend anymore. Can you and your father stop pestering me please?” Natasha asked and ended the call angrily, then she blocked his line.
She was about to play the movie when she suddenly thought it was best to inform Dmitry now. What if these people suddenly appear at her doorstep and cart her away to Crying Sun.
But she didn’t have Dmitry’s direct line so she had to call Yuri. Hoping that he’s not already asleep.
Yuri answered the call to her surprise, “Yuri, can you please inform Dmitry I’ve got something urgent to tell him.”
“Sir, Miss. Natasha is on call. She said she has something to tell you.” Natasha heard Yuri say on the phone. Natasha wondered how they were both together at this time of the night.
Shouldn’t they be sleeping separately in their house?
“Busy.” Came Dmitry’s faint response.
“Mr. Dmitry is busy. You may try again tomorrow,” Yuri said.
“Oh… okay, thank you.” Then she brought the call to an end.
“Sir, what if it’s a matter of life and death cause she said it’s urgent,” Yuri said.
Dmitry and Yuri were still at work. Although all the workers had left, both men were still working. Dmitry loves to drown himself in work, as if it’s his only escape route out of his reality. He’s never really a fan of football nor of movies.
Dmitry paused his fingers that had been working tirelessly on the keyboard, then directed his gaze at Yuri who had also been working tirelessly beside him. “Call her!”
Yuri immediately called Natasha’s phone. However, the call wasn’t answered.
“Sir, she didn’t pick up.” Came Yuri’s response.
Took a few seconds before Dmitry spoke, “call her again.”
Yuri nodded and called again, this time, Natasha answered. “Hey, Mr. Yuri, I’m so sorry I missed your call. I went to get myself water.”
“Mr. Dmitry asked what the problem is?” Yuri asked.
Before Natasha could respond, Dmitry’s voice came through, “hand the phone over!”
Yuri stood at once and went to respectfully give him the phone, “I’m in the company. If you have something urgent to talk about, you should come!”
“Woza group of companies, right? Got it. I’m on my way,” came Natasha’s response. Then Dmitry handed the phone over to Yuri.
About fifteen minutes later, Dmitry said to Yuri, “Go home.”
Yuri was stupefied, for he and Dmitry always leave work together, “why sir? We are supposed to leave together?”
“I think you’ve suffered enough. You are not me! You have a family that needs your attention. Go home and rest.” Dmitry said.
“It’s okay, sir. They will understand.” Yuri said back.
Dmitry looked at him. From his look, Yuri could tell he was commanding him, then he shut down his computer, arranged the numerous files on the desk well and stood. “Okay, sir. I’ll have enough energy to play with my wife today.” He smiled faintly. For Yuri was always too tired to make out with his wife, it’s like they will never have kids.
Soon, Yuri was out of sight.
Seventeen minutes later, Natasha arrived. It was already 9:01PM and the streets of the city were already getting scanty. Natasha called Yuri’s line but he wasn’t answering it. He called it several times but he didn’t answer the call.
She huffed in frustration, could they still be inside? So she approached the security, “please I want to see Mr. Dmitry.”
“We didn’t receive any instructions to let anyone in.” Answered one of the security men.
“Please call him.” Natasha demanded.
“We only have access to Mr. Yuri and he had just left here,” the security man answered.
Yuri had gone home? But it seems Dmitry is still im. This is so frustrating. How in the world will she contact him?
While debating on what to do, a majestic voice spoke from the shadows, “let her in!”
The security guard paved the way at once. Natasha’s gaze locked up with that Dmitry. She didn’t know why her heart flew away from her chest. She carried her legs that suddenly became heavy and approached him nervously.
When she got before him, he simply made a gesture that signaled for her to come with him.
Soon, they were in his office. She saw how his desk had piles of files on it, a few computers were still on. She wondered if he was still working at this time of the night.
Dmitry went to sit on the couch and crossed his legs then she went to sit beside him, “I’m so sorry to bother you.”
Dmitry relaxed, his expressionless eyes on her. His silence made her even more nervous, “erm…”
She swallowed and started, “Pavel’s father came to me this night and threatened that if I didn’t marry Pavel, he’s going to hurt me.”
“I should have told you this tomorrow but I was worried that they may kidnap me or something before day break. I just need you to know.” Natasha said.
Five seconds passed and there was still silence. “What’s the relationship between us?” He finally broke the silence.
Took a while before Natasha was able to come up with a response, “Just a doctor finding solutions to your mom’s health issues.”
“Just that?”
Natasha thought and said, “and a brother to my friend, Titiana.”
“Is that all?”
Natasha couldn’t seem to think of any other thing that binds them together so she answered, “yes, that’s all.”
“I’m not your go to person in times of trouble.”
“I know that. But you are the most powerful man in the city and I think you can help me. I’m sorry If it feels as if I’m entitled.”
Natasha was the first woman, who despite not being related with Dmitry by blood, doesn’t disgust him. He is yet to find out why.
After another long moment of awkward silence, the kind of silence that made Natasha conscious of everything around her, including how she was breathing, how she was positioning herself on the seat, and many others. Dmitry spoke. “Your phone.” He demanded.
Natasha stood swiftly and went to hand over her phone to him then went back to set. Her eyes on him, wondering what he’s about to do.
“Have it.” He handed over the phone back to her. Natasha was stunned to find out that he had saved a new number on his phone as ‘Dmitry’ and had dialed that line with hers.
“If you ever need me, call me.” Came his voice.
Natasha almost cried. For his voice sounded so soothing and exhilarating.
“Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for everything.” Natasha didn’t know what she had done to deserve this level of favor from him.
“I can see you are busy with work. Is there something I can help with? Natasha asked. She felt so indebted to him.
“No.” Came his response.
Natasha nodded and stood. “I think I should take my leave.”
Dmitry also stood but quietly, soon, both adults were outside of the building. But Natasha noticed Dmitry wasn’t retreating. “I’ll order an Uber, sir.” She had to say.
“I’m already heading home, I’ll drop you.”
Oh! Natasha blushed. Soon, she was inside his car, seated right beside the driver’s seat. For it was Dmitry that was driving. Natasha was too nervous to utter a word all throughout the journey, she could only keep looking out through the window.
At the end, the journey came to an end.
“Thank you so much, sir ” Natasha said and at Dmitry’s gentle nod, Natasha opened the door and stepped down. He didn’t drive off until she was inside her lodge.