Chap. 11: Mr. Ivanov
I couldn't sleep that whole night. All I could think of was how lucky I was to have made this decision.
" This might be the last chance you get to see him."
I shuddered. It really amazes me how far I would go just to see him once. Christ, not even old grannies who had their sons out somewhere over the rainbow chase after them. I came to conclusion that I was crazy.
I also tried figuring out how I was gonna save Tal from his stupid, obnoxious father. The son of a gun sure knows how to treat his kids with respect. Not. Tch, even mum's way better than him. At least she praises me, occasionally that is.
I sighed as I glanced at Tami who was sleeping beside me. She looked so troubled by family matters. I really pitied her. A crazy father on the loose, I wonder why he hasn't got himself a place in the mental hospitals. Oh yeah, I forgot he has his business and training for his son to dominate the world business.
Slowly, Tami's eyes fluttered open.
" Argh, my neck hurts." She groaned.
" My eyes sting." I sighed. I closed my eyes, trying to relax. I could feel my stomach tying up itself into countless knots; add more damage to my current state.
" You need water?"
" I guess so."
This sucked.
-
Finally, we landed. The bustling crowd was actually enough to push you around to your destination without having to walk actually, but I didn't care much, my mind was too messed up to think. Damn that throbbing pain…
" Shit, I'm late for the meeting," Tami cursed.
" What meeting?"
" I was supposed to meet dad an hour ago, but thanks to the fucking delay, my schedules all fucked up." Note to self, never anger a frustrated Tami.
" Easy there, pal."
" It's fucking not easy, you're supposed to fucking dress up and meet the fucking boss. I already got you a fucking appointment."
I groaned, what would I say to the geezer?! Argh, I should've written a brainwash speech during that super-duper long slight. Man, I screwed.
" I guess we'll just have to wait until the afternoon. I'll arrange you another appointment at three, which gives us four hours to get you all cleaned up." She rattled on as I listened half-heartedly. My mind was sole focusing on one thing, and that was Tala.
" Earth to Lizzie??" I snapped back to reality. " We're taking a taxi home, apparently the stupid chauffer got himself stuck in a fucking jam. C'mon Liz," she motioned me to follow, something I was more than happy to oblige to. As soon as we stepped out of the cooling, air-conditioned airport into the hot, sunny city, I stared. No, seriously, I just stared. The tall buildings, the congested traffic… wow.
" Welcome to the USA."
You mean, welcome to hell.
-
We went out to the nearest shopping center right after we dumped our bags at the ultra-super big mansion. I was on my way to buy some working clothes, courtesy of Tami. I didn't have any and hers was way to big for me. And this was how I got myself sucked up in this most sticky situation of choices for shoes. Everything in the shop looked dangerous. And I was clearly not gonna put myself at the risk of humiliating myself by tripping.
" Which one shall it be? The stilettos or the boots?"
In the end, I chose the stilettos, not caring if it was any higher than those old-looking boots. I gazed at my new pair of high-heels that only had slim leather straps to cling on to my leg.
" Now for the clothes!!" I have just realized, shopping actually helps to get your brains off those pressing matters. It was actually quite fun. But suddenly, the thinking of Tami showering the fitting room with a mountain of clothes put me off. I groaned.
" I don't see why I can't wear jeans and T-shirts there, I mean, it's not like I'm gonna work there."
" Tsk, tsk. If you're gonna meet father, you're gonna have to dress up like a proper lady instead of those riff-raffs Tala hangs out with like Tyson."
I smirked, trying to imagine Tyson wearing a Tux or something. Wait, to see the guy wear a tie or tuck in his shirt would already be a miracle!
" Now stop dreaming whatever nonsense you have in your head and follow me."
Curses… Tami you manipulative bastard!!
-
In the end, I picked a simple, plain white shirt with long sleeves and a knee-length skirt. I actually wanted to pick those nice, smexy pants that go down loose when it reaches your foot but Tami just had to say no. It felt really weird having to wear a skirt. If I wasn't mistaken, I hadn't even touched a skirt since elementary school. The only time I wore skirts most was when I was in kindergarten where they have these cute sailor uniforms for you. Ah well, forget it. I never looked good in it anyway.
" Now that the shopping's done, let's go home and dress you up."
" Yeah, yeah whatever. I'm too tired to go against you anyway." I yawned. Damn those stupid flights.
Tami smirked. " Good."
-
I never knew that meeting your beloved boyfriend's father could be so scary. I was gripping my shirt so hard until the extent where Tami had to slap my hand away before I tore a hole there. But later, my fidgety fingers found another thing to grab on –the seatbelts.
" Here." Tami handed me a pair of classy-looking sunglasses. I raised a brow.
" Uh, I don't need it?"
" Of course you do, silly. You don't expect some one as young as you to barge in there."
I frowned, " Tala's quite young."
" Yeah, well, he has some high position there so don't mind him. But you're only fourteen!!"
I stared at her as if she were some alien on earth. But then again, I couldn't blame her. My height has led to many misunderstandings after all…
" What? You're fourteen, aren't you?"
" Plus two more years, that's my age." I sighed before taking over the sunglasses that had an invisible 'break me and you'll pay' threat carefully. I sneered secretly at it.
" So," I cleared my throat, snapping Tami out of her shock, " What do I do with these??"
" Oh, err, you wear them, just to get your identity hidden."
" Why?" I asked, curious. It's not like I'm going for some undercover dangerous Sherlock Holmes detective work.
" Well, let's just say that we don't want Tal to catch you."
" Why?" And there goes my plan of having lunch with him…
" It's not good to cause a ruckus. We'll get into trouble."
" I don't see why he'll make a fuss out of it."
" Imagine Lizzie, if he sees you there and when he's already stressed and unable to face you, what will his reaction be? Trust me, boys aren't that simple to be read, they do unexpected stuff that you can never imagine."
" But with my height and ostentatious blue hair, I'm pretty easy to recognize." I pointed.
She grinned. " But not when you tie your hair in a different style and wear stilettos, right?"
I sighed for what looked to be like the millionth time for the day. " Fine," I groaned as I put on those sunglasses. I was really giving in to a lot of things lately.
-
I nearly stumbled my way out of the car. It seems that the high-heels practice wasn't enough… I groaned. I wonder how those shopholics or whatever you call them walk around in the mall 24/7 while wearing risky stilettos.
" Balance Lizzie, balance!!" Tami reprimanded. I rolled my eyes, but it was better than wearing those boots.
When I entered the building, I saw the most magnificent thing in my entire life. There, in front of my eyes, laid the most beautiful fountain I've ever seen. It was in the centre of the room, and the water was shooting up high into the air. I went forward to see if there were any coins inside the water but Tami just had to drag me away. I pouted.
" Good afternoon Ms. Ivanov," greeted the office lady behind the desk. She was another girl with red yet somewhat spiky hair.
" Good afternoon Sally, I'm here to see Mr. Ivanov."
" Mr. Ivanov junior or senior?" I tried my hardest to suppress a grin and remain an impassive face.
" Senior." Tami said, her voice trying to hide the amusement as well.
" Do you have a reservation, Miss Ivanov?" She asked while checking the records.
" Yes."
" That's weird, I couldn't find your reservation. Please wait a moment, Miss Ivanov." And again, the systematic voice.
" Is it there Sal?"
" Nope, but I'll make one now. Mr. Ivanov senior has just returned from his meeting."
" Ah that won't be necessary. I'll just barge in or somehow."
" Please wait!" We turned to look at her before entering lift.
" Her Identification Card please."
" And that will also be unnecessary." Tami smiled as we entered the lift.
" It'll be alright Lizzie, relax."
" Yeah." I hope everything will turn out fine.
-
Knock, knock.
" Come in."
I felt my whole body stiffen when I heard the old man's cold voice. Tami had to pinch me back to reality when she opened the door. The warmth and mischief could no more be seen on her face. Instead, a cold, unemotional expression replaced it.
" Good afternoon, father."
" Yes, good afternoon Tami. Sit down."
Tala's father had a worn-out expression on his face. Well, he had the typical rich-business man look, bespectacled, bags under his eyes and his head was almost bald. He paid no attention to me, perhaps he thought I was her body guard or something. I hope.
" Had a nice flight?"
" Yes, father."
" How's Andrew?"
" Perfect, thank you for your concern, father."
Damn, when was this conversation gonna go into the main thing??
" How's Tala, father?"
The old man stiffened. " Good." He replied after some time.
" I see."
Silence reemerged. I twisted my fingers behind my back as I gulped silently, praying that this would turn out well.
" When is he going to come back?" Tami finally asked, my heart skipped a beat. God, god, let this be okay, please?
" He will not go back. I will have him transferred to a school here." I bit my lip, a straightforward denial. Ouch.
" Why?"
" He is the successor, I shall not have him corrupted in that place." And again, with that pure and clean successor shit.
" Yeah, by locking him inside an office all day until he goes insane, and you blame him for it."
Shit, I DID NOT just say that. Fuck.
Tami blinked at me, the old man raised a brow. Shit.
" And who are you?"
" Lizzie Olenska."
" Hmm, I've checked some information about you, amusing past. I must say-"
" I must say that I'm flattered." I interrupted him, putting in all the sarcasm I could. He sure knows how to invade someone's privacy. He could run a detective agent, even though it wasn't him who was doing the work. Tami looked amused as she opened her mouth, but closed her mouth again.
" Yes, flattered. I suppose you have also come to oppose my idea of keeping my son by my side as well?"
" If you meant torturing him mentally by your side, then yes. If you didn't mean so, then we must have come to the wrong building I guess."
" Witty tongue you have there, Ms. Olenska."
" Thank you." This guy's really getting on my nerves.
" My, my, youngsters these days are rebellious aren't they? Opposing to a father's concern about his son, are you in the right position to say that I torture my son when he is with me, Ms Olenska?" He shot me a challenging stare, which just made me more excited. It's been a long time since I used sarcasm like this.
" My ass you're just concerned about him, you are more like concerning about your stupid business."
" You clearly do not understand Ms. Olenska, it is for his own good that he stays here rather than get influenced by his good-for-nothing 'friends'." I clenched my fist, restraining myself from grabbing the man by the collar and throwing him out of the building. I inhaled deeply as I compressed my anger.
" I understand very well, and I see it clearly that you're torturing him."
" Do you have any proof?"
" Yes, I do. His unhappiness. I feel it."
" It is impossible to feel. It is apparent that my son is very happy to have such a considerate father who cares about his future-"
SLAM!!
I slammed my fists on his table in front of him, sending him a death glare. " When the hell will you ever stop bragging about how considerate you are you old geezer?! Can't you see that you are robbing your son's freedom?! Can you bear to see him walk down that path of loneliness alone without anyone to share his burden with?! Excuse me sir but that's your own flesh and blood you're tormenting!! What kind of father does this to a child?! Forcing him to take upon something he hates, it's as if taking away his future!! Do you want to see your son plunge into darkness and never succeed?!"
I took a deep breath, and unclenched my fists. Even though I said all of that, he still seemed unfazed. I could only fall back into a chair in front of him as I took deep breathes to calm myself, preparing myself for a possible next time.
" Very well, Ms. Olenska. Let's have a deal, shall we?" his eyes were giving me that challenging look again. Without thinking, I agreed.
" Let's hear it then."
" My son has a lot of paperwork to do and I am aware that he is struggling with it a bit. So," he cleared his throat, I listened attentively. " If you are able to help him finish at least twenty files of paper work and organize them properly within a week alone without him realizing your presence, I shall not force him to stay; but if you fail to do so, he shall remain here in US forever."
I frowned as he extended his hand, I stared at it.
" Well?"
One week, twenty files of paperwork, it was now or never.
" Deal." I took his hand and gave a firm shake.
" You have until Friday. At Saturday morning, you are to report in this room and show me what you have done. I will send someone to monitor you a few times. You may leave now."
" Right."
-
" That was unbelievable…" Tami clutched her chest, gasping breathlessly as we exited the building.
" What?"
" First of all, you opposed him!! No one ever did so before!! And you called him without even addressing him!! Oh my god Lizzie you are a miracle!!"
" I'm not one, they just happen."
" Ah well, it's all the same." She smiled as she led me to a restaurant.
" You know, I can't pay for this. We should probably eat McDonalds or something."
" My treat, don't worry." She so goddamned rich…
Tami called for something expensive, I just called for a glass of coke.
" I still can't believe it Lizzie."
" Well, it happened, didn't it?"
" No, no, not the having a chance part, but the part where father actually made a deal with you."
" Huh?"
" In the past, we never got anything from him. We had to beg or ask when he is a good mood if we wanted something, and he would still scold us even if we get it. But today, he was different. It's the first time I see him making a deal with someone so happily. You're amazing, Lizzie, really amazing."
Before I could say anything, our food came.
-
" So, in order to not let him realize about you, your working hours must be different." Tami lectured as I listened to her drone on and on in the car.
We were on hour way back to the Ivanov Residence, and Tami was just about to tell me everything I needed to know.
" Yeah, and the normal working hours are until evening, so that makes me a night-worker. But how the hell am I supposed to sneak in at night?"
" Hmm, I'll ask Sally to make a temporary one for you, and you can go get it later. Make sure you go there a bit earlier."
" Yes ma'am."
It was our only chance of getting him back, and I couldn't screw up, or we'd lose Tala forever.
