AN1 Just a quick comment to offer my gratitude to everyone who read, reviewed, followed or favourited the story in the prologue.
AN2 I do understand the Ukrainian language difficulties to non-Russian speaking readers, which will be most of you, and especially those who have fanfiction voice-read to them (which I'd not considered until reading a review about it). However, I deem the Ukrainian language in its native form to be an integral part of the story. So I'm not prepared to remove it and have everything in English form because then Sarah loses a vital part of her character, as does the story later on down the line once Chuck learns Ukrainian too, which will create many unique, intimate moments that the tale would not otherwise afford if I showed all Ukrainian language in English because then all future intentions would be lost :)
Ukrainian Beauty
Chapter One: War in Ukraine
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Tonya's Apartment
Odesa
Ukraine
05:00 local time
Sarah is disturbed awake by the sound of an explosion at a relatively close distance to her location.
Flying up from her position of rest in bed, she turns to Tonya next to her. The best friends had opted to sleep in the same room last night after President Zelenskyy's address, with each woman knowing following it that Russia's invasion was only a matter of hours away from starting due to the message and tone from their president.
Tonya looks at Sarah in great sadness before she soon says in depression, "Почалося…." It has started…
Sarah nods. "Давайте вмикаємо телевізор на новини," Let's turn on the TV for news.
Sarah and Tonya hurriedly leave the bedroom and head to the living area, where Tonya turns on the television.
The TV is already playing the leading news station, which is live with a feed from a television studio in Kyiv.
The best friends listen in to the anchor, who appears to be very emotional, and he soon starts to speak, "З великим сумом я повинен підтвердити, що вторгнення почалося. Повідомляється про вибухи в Києві, Одесі, Харкові, на Донбасі. Ворог також почав наземне вторгнення в Україну через Крим і Донбас. Ми подолаємо злих загарбників. Слава Україні! Героям слава!" It is with great sadness that I must confirm the invasion has begun. Explosions are verified in Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Donbas. The enemy has also launched a ground invasion of Ukraine through Crimea and Donbas. We will overcome the evil invaders. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
Tears fill up and leave Sarah's eyes because her country is now under armed attack and invasion by a state which once proclaimed to be a 'brother'.
"Це так неправильно. Навіщо їм це робити?" This is so wrong. Why do they do this? Tonya asks.
Sagging her shoulders in grief and sorrow, Sarah says, "З тих самих причин вони забрали Крим і ввели проксі-сили на Донбас. Це не що інше, як проста російська жадібність і опортунізм. Вони вірять, що ми слабкі і перевернемося, як їхній захоплення землі в 2014 році. Вони хочуть відбудувати Радянську імперію, але ми ніколи не повернемося до СРСР. вони просто не усвідомлюють цього," For the same reasons they took Crimea and introduced proxy forces to Donbas. It's nothing more than simple Russian greed and opportunism. They believe we are weak and will roll over like their 2014 land grab. They want to rebuild the Soviet Empire, but we will never return to the USSR. They just don't realize that.
Tonya nods as the best friends watch the news for two minutes until suddenly, air raid sirens start to bellow out around Odesa.
"SUKA BLYAT!" FUCKING SHIT! Tonya exclaims in an intense mix of anger and fear.
Sarah quickly rushes to hug her best friend, and they tightly grip each other as the air attack warning blares throughout the city.
Sarah soon starts to sob, her heart bleeding as she says, "Я не можу повірити, що це відбувається знову, і від тих, хто називав себе нашими братами! МУДАКИ!" I can't believe this is happening again, and from those who claimed to be our brothers! ASSHOLES!
x-x-x-x-x-x
Thursday, February 24, 2022
41 Cadogan Square
Knightsbridge
London
United Kingdom
09:00 London time
I'm Mark Austin, live at 11am in Independence Square in Kyiv. We are now hours into a full Russian ground attack against Ukraine. Dozens of Russian missile strikes have been reported throughout large parts of the country, including Kyiv. Just after 5am local time, explosions occurred in multiple cities across Ukraine. While simultaneously, the Russian military launched a ground invasion in Donbas, Kherson, Sumy, and Kharkiv. We are also receiving reports that Russian forces have crossed through Belarus into Ukraine close to Chornobyl. In addition to the ground invasion, Ukrainian officials reported an amphibious landing in Mariupol and Odesa. There are already wide-ranging warnings that the war will create the largest refugee crisis the world has seen since the Second World War. In an immediate response to the invasion, the President of Ukraine declared martial law in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy clarified that all able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen to sixty are forbidden from leaving the country and that a general mobilization of all reserve forces has now been declared. One can only assume that with the country now under large-scale invasion, such a decision might already be too late and should have occurred several weeks ago…
Chuck mutes the TV in the family room of his apartment to register everything he'd heard in the past hour he'd been glued to the news.
The murderous dictator went ahead with his colonialism ambitions, then? I can't say I'm surprised. He always seemed the type considering many people believe he may have orchestrated the Moscow Bombings in 1999 to gain the Russian Presidency in the first place. Those poor people… In both countries. I hope the world eventually stops fighting these pointless wars, but I won't hold my breath…
Sighing aloud, Chuck turns off the TV before moving to stand.
I need to be at work in the studio today. Otherwise, I'll only enter depression over the suffering now unleashed on those poor people, but maybe I can help out. I don't want to open my home to an entire family because I like my own space. Plus, I work from home often and don't want a whole family stepping over me while attempting to work. But I could house a lone refugee seeking to escape the conflict
Chuck takes an extended moment in thought over his sudden idea until he says aloud, "Yep. I'm gonna do it and help out. Just as soon as I figure out how to go about it…."
A short while later
Titan Games Studio
Central London
Chuck enters the video game studio of Titan Games, of which he is the founder, manager, and CEO.
Walking along the office hallway, he stops at the desk of Anna Wu, his best worker, a friend, and a fellow Oxford graduate.
"Hey, Anna," he says, sighing because he's still feeling a loss of spirits over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"Hey, Chuckles," Anna replies with a vibrant smile.
Pausing to glance around the game studio at who is in attendance, of which he encounters Tyler Martin, Manoosh Depak, Laszlo Mahnovski, Mark Ratner, and Hannah all sitting at their workstations—each one of them friends of Chuck's just like Anna, and Oxford graduates too—he soon looks back at Anna. "No Jeff or Lester yet?"
Anna shakes her head in dismissal.
Chuck draws out a sigh. "I'm starting to regret hiring them," he admits. "Chase them up and call them in, and let's have a meeting in the conference area in twenty minutes."
Anna nods before she sets about the task detailed to her.
Chuck departs away from the main workspace area to enter his office.
Moving to take a seat on the office chair, he turns on the computer in the room and the monitor.
Twenty minutes later
Chuck enters the conference area of his video game studio. Anna, Tyler, Manoosh, Laszlo, Mark, Hannah, Jeff, Lester and multiple other artists, programmers and game developers belonging to Titan Games are in attendance.
Chuck takes a seat and starts the meeting, "I know we only had a meeting yesterday about our upcoming game, The Vengeful Assassin, but this meeting is not about the game. In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine this morning, if any of you are feeling a little dispirited today, or you can't focus your mind on development for our upcoming game and would closely like to follow the disturbing world events, then I would just like to say that you have my blessing to work from home, or even to take a few days off, and we will start again from Monday. The progress we've already made on the game has been great, but that's undoubtedly owed in part to most of us starting the idea for the game very early into our time at Oxford together, so we're well ahead of schedule for release, hopefully within the next year."
"Thank you, Charles!" Lester hastily says in giddy excitement. "We will do just that!"
Jeff quickly nods in immense approval. However, groans instantly erupt throughout the rest of the game designers of Titan Games, with almost none of the staff pleased with how much Jeffrey Barnes and Lester Patel slack off from their work. Every developer present inside the studio, except Jeff and Lester, is enormously passionate about their upcoming game, and most of the developers are starting to become annoyed by Jeff and Lester choosing a life of leisure at every opportunity instead of showing the same passion towards the project that everyone else does. Jeff and Lester are among the least qualified game designers in the room, with them not having attended Oxford, unlike most of them, or the other top universities from which Chuck had hired the rest of Titan Games staff.
"When will you two stop putting yourselves ahead of the rest of us?" Hannah complains, shaking her head in resentment. "Chuck didn't have to give you both jobs. You're both among the most talented game designers in the room, but you put twenty percent effort into the job, which is why you both dropped out of university."
"Twenty percent?" Tyler Martin asks, laughing. "More like ten percent, Hannah."
Many heads start nodding.
"Hannah and Tyler are right," Anna agrees. "You two don't care about what's happening in Ukraine. You just want to go and do fun things at the rest of our expense and at Chuck's, who is paying you very well. So I will stay in the studio today because I am passionate about our project, and if you both care and want to be in jobs long term, then you will stay too."
"I agree with Anna," Laszlo says before he turns his attention to Jeff and Lester. "You have added something to our game, but it is time for you both to earn your money and start showing us much more of what everyone in this room expects from you."
Everyone, including Chuck, quickly agrees with their colleague's remarks. For Chuck, if Jeff and Lester continue to perform below par compared to the other developers at Titan Games, then he will undoubtedly be docking their pay until they kick their asses into shape. He is kind and caring, but Chuck will never be a pushover, and he expects his employees to be just as hard-working and passionate about their projects as he is.
x-x-x-x-x-x
Tonya's Apartment
Odesa
Ukraine
16:00 local time
Sarah has been glued to the broadcast with Tonya for the whole day since they woke. For the best friends and most Ukrainians, the news is not good listening, with many parts of Ukraine now under Russian invasion, while missile attacks strike freely in other cities, including their own.
Sarah is in pause with her friend, sitting on the sofa, when a knock occurs on the entrance to Tonya's apartment.
Tonya moves to stand, and Sarah follows her as they move to the entrance, where she pauses briefly until Tonya opens the door.
Two men are standing just a few feet away. Sarah recognizes both of them instantly. They are two henchmen working for her father: Yuri Gobrienko and Hugo Panzer.
"Що ти хочеш?" What do you want? Sarah asks with disdain.
Hugo says, "Твій батько послав нас за тобою, щоб відвезти до своєї резиденції, де ти будеш у безпеці," Your father sent us to collect you to take you to his residence, where you will be safe.
Sarah shakes her head in dismissal. "Я залишуся тут зі своїм другом," I will stay here with my friend.
Yuri replies, "Це не прохання. Ви йдете з нами," This is not a request. You are coming with us.
"Я не буду!" I will not! Sarah shouts back in defiance.
Nodding Hugo at Sarah, Yuri says, "Тоді це буде найскладніший варіант. Хапай її!" Then it will be the hard way. Grab her!
On receiving the command, Hugo Panzer instantly lunges to grab hold of Sarah, who starts to resist, but she is powerless to stop it because both men are giants and are some of her father's most muscular and most loyal men.
Hugo quickly drags Sarah away from the apartment and away from her best friend. He then manhandles her towards the elevator, with Yuri following closely behind as Tonya can only stand and watch. For her to intervene and help Sarah would almost certainly result in her death.
"СВИНІ!" PIGS! Sarah curses at her father's goons as they enter the elevator.
Yuri promptly presses a button, and the elevator soon descends.
A short while later
Sarah is carried out of Hugo's car by Yuri Gobrienko as if she is a rug under his arm as they walk up the pathway of her father's home.
They soon arrive at the entrance to the property, and they enter inside.
Sarah shouts, "Відпусти мене! МУДАК" Let go of me! ASSHOLE!
Yuri takes no notice of her as he continues walking both he and Sarah until they arrive and enter inside her father's office room.
Now inside the office room that her father is working out of, Sarah and the two henchmen pause in place as Alexei Volkoff turns to receive them.
Alexei grins and says, "Чудова робота, Gobbler!" Excellent job, Gobbler!
Yuri Gobrienko nods at his boss before he finally puts down Sarah.
She instantly slaps at Yuri and Hugo's chests in rage at being forcefully taken away from her best friend in the way the pair of them had taken her.
Now chuckling in tremendous approval of his daughter's actions, Alexei soon says with pride in perfect English, "She's a Volkoff!"
Sarah ceases her attack on Yuri and Hugo to turn to face her father instead as Yuri and Hugo depart behind her and close the door after them.
Alexei extends his arms out in a greeting to Sarah, expecting his daughter to come and embrace him.
However, Sarah is seething in anger at the actions of her father's goons under his orders, and she clenches her hands to control her immense fury. "Father, what the hell do you think you are doing?!" she snaps in perfect English, just like her father.
"I am protecting my last remaining child and family member, who I love far more than anything else," Alexei says.
Sarah scoffs sharply. "Yeah, right!" she laughs in irony. "You love the mob, maybe, daddy. But not me."
Alexei steps towards his daughter. "Мій ангел, ти ранив моє серце цими коментарями," My angel, you hurt my heart with those remarks.
Still extremely pissed with her father, she says, "Можливо, це тому, що вони правдиві!" Maybe it's because they're true!
"Those remarks could never be true," he says as he arrives in her vicinity, takes hold of his daughter's hand, and kisses it. "My love for you is boundless. I have tried to show you my love for you many times, but you will not let me. Instead of being caught up in this pointless war, you could have been far away in London or New York. I would give every last bit of money I had to make you happy, and my angel, you would be worth it."
Sarah finds it hard to look at her father as she calms down slightly. "It's blood money, father," she says, now looking into his eyes. "I cannot live a life of luxury the way you want to give me and have it on my conscience, knowing it would be paid for by everything you and your people do."
"Then what else can I do to show you the depths of my love for you? Everything I do is never good enough for you and only makes you hate me more," Alexei says in a loss of spirit, feeling immensely despondent that his daughter hates his guts, who is the only person in the world who he would give away his organs without hesitation if she ever needed life-saving treatment.
Sarah sighs for a long moment. "I do not hate you, father," she says, forcing a smile which shows no teeth. "I could never hate you. Just like mother and Vivian couldn't. But we all hated your life choices, which ultimately killed Mother and Vivian."
"And I think about it every day, Sarah," Alexei says in shame. "That bomb in my car was meant for me. Your mother was never supposed to be driving, nor was Vivian expected to be around. I wish I could take it back and that I had insisted on sending you all away, which I tried so hard, I promise, but your mother refused to leave."
Sarah nods, forcing another smile. "Emma didn't leave because she loved you. Just like I love you. But father, you are forcing me to be in your criminal life that I don't wish to be in, and to marry somebody I don't want to. I was happy with Roman until you brought him into your world."
Alexei retakes his daughter's hand. "My angel, I would never force you to marry anybody. Roman has my blessing to marry you, but that is all he has. It is up to him to win your heart, but I will never force you to."
"I won't marry him, father. I now despise him with all of my passion. And you are now putting me in danger by allowing one of your goons to live and associate with me. What will you have left if I'm killed just like mother and Vivian?" she asks.
"There is no remaining feud which could put you at risk, my dearest angel. If there were, I would insist you leave Ukraine regardless of whether you wanted to or not, just like I had you brought here the same way," Alexei says.
Sarah shakes her head. "There's always a hidden risk, father. You just don't see it. And you will be a fool if you implicitly trust any of your men, including Roman, because they will stab you in the back if they get the slightest opportunity."
Alexei laughs intensely in approval. "My perfect angel, you would make a great head of the family!"
"I don't agree," she says instantly, jolting her head multiple times. "I don't want to be in your life of power, violence and murder, father. I want a normal life, just like my mother, who was happy to be an English language teacher in Kyiv. That's what I want too, a normal life, but with a normal guy and not someone connected to the Mafia or anything else like this."
"Light of my life, I can give you that. Just accept some help from me, and as soon as it is safe, you could be on the next flight to wherever you choose, living a normal life with whomever you desire," Alexei says.
Sarah narrows her eyes, and she becomes lost in thought. "What about Roman?" she asks after a few seconds.
Alexei scoffs. "Do you really think that loser is good enough for my daughter, Sarah Lisa Volkoff? My dear, you are fit to marry and fulfil a prince, not some small-time deadbeat like him."
Sarah's eyes narrow significantly tighter than earlier. She's not had a conversation like this with her father before, and she is quite frankly stunned by what she's hearing. "Then why did you bring him into your world if you feel that way, father? Please tell me the truth."
"Because he was never good enough for you without my intervention. I made him a man and something of himself. I also put him in a position where he can earn more than enough to give you the life I want for you," Alexei admits.
Sarah shakes her head. "He was good enough for me. Roman may not have been a prince, but he was stable and looked after and provided for me. Father, Roman used to be a great guy, but now he's an asshole. He cheated on me a few days ago. He already broke my heart after he became everything I loathe, and now he has crushed me again. I just want normal love. I don't care about how powerful a guy is. Тато (Papa), until you can accept that, we will always be at odds with each other."
Alexei thinks long and hard until he says, "I once had normal love with your mother. I first met your mother when my parents sent me to study in England. We met at university and fell in love. I was not always Alexei Volkoff, the powerful crime lord. Once upon a time, I did not want to return to Ukraine, nor did your mother want me to. But I felt honour-bound to serve my father and to take over the business after him. Your mother was appalled by my decision and would have left me had you not already been born. We are not so unlike, dearest daughter, no matter how much you believe we are."
Sarah's eyes start welling up as she looks at her father. "Then allow me to live that same life that you and mother once had, Papa, please," she begs as emotion seeps through her tone and she moves to hug him….
x-x-x-x-x-x
February 24, 2022
Odesa
Ukraine
22:00 local time
Sarah is lying in bed in her father's home with her mobile phone in her hand. She composes and sends a message on the Telegram platform to Tonya, which reads: "Я сумую за тобою. Мені дуже шкода, що мене забрали. Ви в безпеці?" I miss you. I'm very sorry I was taken away. Are you safe?
Tonya soon replies: "Я в безпеці і дуже щасливий, що ти теж. Новини пригнічують. Ворог у Херсоні, Маріуполь під бомбардуванням, а орки навколо Києва. Це буде довга ніч," I'm safe and happy that you are too. The news is depressing. The enemy is in Kherson, Mariupol is under bombardment, and the Orcs are around Kyiv. It's going to be a long night.
Sarah draws out a despondent sigh as she replies: "Так, буде. Але вони ніколи нас не зламають, Тоню. Український дух надто високий, щоб колись знову бути російськими рабами. Я не буду спати й розмовляти з тобою, поки хтось із нас не засне першим…" Yes, it will be. But they will never break us, Tonya. Ukrainian spirit is too high for us ever to be Russian slaves again. I'll stay up talking to you until one of us falls asleep first…
x-x-x-x-x-x
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Park Crescent Mews East, Marylebone, London
16:00 local time
Chuck arrives at his sister's home for traditional British Sunday roast dinner.
Exiting his car, he locks it before he moves to greet Ellie, who is standing outside to receive him.
The siblings move to hug.
Pulling back from the embrace after a few seconds, Chuck jokes, "I made sure I wasn't late today."
Ellie suppresses laughter. "How have you been since I last saw you when I came to your apartment with Devon for a Chinese a few days ago, Chuck?"
"Not too great," he admits, trying to smile, but failing.
Ellie's brows narrow as her lips crease in sadness. "Why not? What's wrong, little brother?"
Chuck sighs before he says, "Ukraine, Ellie. It's stuck in my mind. The suffering the Ukrainian people are experiencing is so terrible. Many Ukrainians are already fleeing. I want to do something to help out and maybe open my home for one, but I don't know how to go about doing it."
"I think I can help you with that, Chuck. But dinner is ready, so we'll talk about it after," Ellie says as she smiles at her brother's compassion.
"Ok," Chuck agrees as they enter inside…
18:00 local time
"So, Chuck, when you arrived, you spoke about maybe helping out a refugee and homing them?" Ellie asks.
Chuck nods. "Yeah. My apartment is more than big enough to house at least one. I don't want to take a family in or anything like that because I like my own space. Plus, I'm far too busy running my own company to devote as much time as would be necessary to look after a family, but I can easily take in one."
Ellie smiles in fondness and pride of her wonderful and kind brother. "It would require commitment and understanding," she cautions.
He nods. "I know. But I feel like it's the right thing to do. Spending twenty-five million on a five-bedroom apartment but only one bedroom in use feels like a waste. So I want to do this and can easily give enough time to help one person and financially support a modest, non-excessive lifestyle for them too."
"I'm so proud of you, Chuck," she says, holding her loving gaze towards him. "As to how I think I can help, during the Syrian refugee crisis seven years ago, groups started popping up all over the internet. The members of those groups were British homeowners interested in sheltering Syrians desperate to escape the war. I first encountered the groups when looking at Doctors Without Borders just before I started university. I still follow Doctors Without Borders closely because one day, Devon and I intend to take a sabbatical to go on it and help out somewhere, which is why I know that those groups still exist today and will undoubtedly already be shifting into providing a platform to offering support for the many Ukrainian refugees because I believe that this will create a crisis we have not seen in nearly 100 years."
Chuck processes everything Ellie said for a long moment and becomes lost in thought.
Ellie soon disturbs his thoughts by saying, "If you would like, I can look into it now for a few minutes and see if I can find something?"
Chuck nods. "Please do. That would be great. Thanks."
A few minutes later
Ellie returns to the living room of her home with a laptop.
She moves to sit next to Chuck on the sofa.
"This is the thing I was talking about, Chuck," Ellie says, gesturing at the laptop screen.
Chuck studies the Facebook group for a moment until he says aloud, "British Homes for Refugees."
"Mh-hmm," Ellie says.
"So, how does it work?" Chuck asks.
"Well, Chuck, I've not done it myself, nor do I know anybody who has, but from my understanding, you apply to join the group. Once accepted, you can write up a post stating your willingness to host a refugee as their sponsor, and then somebody looking for shelter will reach out to you. Because you have said that you are only looking to home just one, you should state that clearly, as well as any other requirements you might have," Ellie says.
Chuck quickly narrows his eyes. "So can anyone just do it?" he asks in shock. "That seems risky. Most of these refugees will be women and children, Ellie. I'm already concerned after learning this about the potential of predatory actions if the process is as simple as someone posting on Facebook offering their home up to unsuspecting refugees who are just trying to escape the war."
Ellie nods. "I agree. It's not without risk, but this group at least is a charitable one, and they won't just let anyone become a member and write up offers of help. They would require you to verify yourself before your post was approved, and if you need a representative who can vouch for your character, I would be happy to provide it, as would Devon."
Chuck considers his sister's words for a moment until he says, "And after my post is approved, and say a refugee does contact me, what will happen then?"
Ellie takes a moment until she says, "I'd assume that you will need to help acquire a visa for the refugee, and I'm sure the government is already working on setting up some form of a scheme to support Ukrainians wishing to take shelter in the UK, but I will tell you this, Chuck, I wholeheartedly disagree with people wishing to escape war needing to obtain a visa to take shelter in our country."
Chuck nods. "So do I, Ellie. But I will also say this: I will never seek to exploit any female refugee if it is to be a female who comes to live with me. I promise that I will never look to date her or take her in just to sexually exploit her by wanting sex from her. She would be coming to me to escape war, so to subject her to anything like that would be awful, and I would rather kill myself than ever look to exploit somebodies suffering by making an intimate advance onto them."
Ellie whimpers in overwhelming pride and love for her compassionate, caring, loving brother. "Aces, Charles. You're aces..."
x-x-x-x-x-x
February 28, 2022
Odesa
Ukraine
09:00 local time
Sarah is standing inside her father's residence when Roman enters the property.
Not wanting to speak with him anymore, she promptly turns and departs for another part of her father's home, but Roman quickly catches up to her.
He asks, "Можемо поговорити?" Can we talk?
Sarah pauses from walking and sighs. Shaking her head in irritation, she says, "Я більше не хочу з тобою говорити. Ти двічі розбив мені серце. По-перше, коли ти почав працювати на мого батька, а по-друге, коли займався сексом із стервою в моїй власній квартирі," I don't want to talk with you anymore. You broke my heart twice. First when you started working for my father, and second when you had sex with a bitch in my own apartment.
She turns to walk away from him again but stops once he starts speaking again, "Я не хотів тебе так зраджувати. Але ми давно не займалися сексом. Що я мав робити?" I didn't want to betray you like that. But we haven't had sex in a long time. What was I supposed to do?
Irritation continues to grow within Sarah. Stomping her foot into the floor, she says, "Ти міг поважати моє бажання припинити зустрічатися. Ти міг би виїхати та знайти когось іншого. Ти міг би дозволити мені продовжувати своє життя, а не перетворювати його на пекло протягом минулого року," You could have respected my desire to stop dating. You could have moved out and found someone else. You could have let me continue my life instead of making it hell for the past year.
"Звідки я міг знати, що ти ненавидиш усе в житті свого батька? Ти ніколи не говорив про нього зі мною. Я хотів порадувати твого батька, щоб порадувати тебе," How could I have known you hated everything about your father's life? You never talked about him with me. I wanted to please your father to please you.
Sarah shakes her head at him. "Ви справді ніколи цього не розуміли, чи не так? Можливо, вам слід було запитати себе, чому я ніколи не говорив про нього. Щойно ви зустріли мого батька, ви засліпилися відданістю, щоб бути прийнятим ним як частиною своєї команди. Ви жодного разу не запитали мене, як я до цього ставлюся. Ти навіть збрехав мені, вдаючи, що ще працюєш на будівництві, і весь час став соратником мого батька," You never did get it, did you? Maybe you should have asked yourself why I never spoke about him. As soon as you met my father, you were blinded by devotion to be accepted by him as part of his team. You never once asked me how I felt about that. You even lied to me, pretending you were still working in construction while all the while you became an associate of my father.
Roman sighs for a long moment. "Sara, вибач. Будь ласка, ми можемо почати знову? Я знаю, колись ти любив мене. Я завжди буду любити тебе. Я не розповідав тобі про роботу на твого батька, тому що він сказав мені не казати тобі," Sarah, I'm sorry. Can we start again, please? I know you once loved me. I will always love you. I didn't tell you about working for your father because he told me not to reveal it to you.
Sarah puffs out a long sigh, becoming more frustrated before she swallows air then says, "Чи відмовився б ти від цього життя заради мене, якби я попросив тебе зараз, тільки нас, втекти разом?" Would you give up this life for me if I asked you, just us, to run away together?
Roman says, "Уряд забороняє мені залишати країну," The government forbids me from leaving the country.
Sarah nods. "Я знаю. Але ми могли б переїхати до Львова. Там можна знайти роботу, поки все не проясниться. Ви завжди мали здібності. Я теж міг би влаштуватися там на роботу. Тільки ми, одні, як були перший рік. Мені знадобиться багато, щоб пробачити тобі після всього, що ти мені зробив, але якщо ти відмовишся від цього життя заради мене, я буду готовий спробувати. Що ти сказав?" I know. But we could move to Lviv. You could find work there until things clear. You always had the ability. I could get a job there too. Just us, alone, as we used to be in the first year. It will take a lot for me to forgive you after everything you have done to me, but if you give this life up for me, I will be prepared to try. What do you say?
Roman remains silent as a long moment passes, and he shows no signs of being willing to answer her proposal.
Tears fill up her eyes as Sarah shakes her head in disgust at him. "Тоді я маю вашу відповідь. Я дав тобі шанс компенсувати те, що ти один зробив нам, але ти обираєш мого батька та владу, яку він дає тобі. Ти мудак. А тепер залиши мене в спокої," Then I have your answer. I gave you a chance to make up for what you alone did to us, but you choose my father and the power he gives you. You're an asshole. Now leave me alone.
Sarah quickly walks off away from Roman, who no longer follows her.
She soon exits the property and gazes distantly at the open sky as she draws out a melancholy sigh.
I can't believe I even gave him another chance! I guess I wanted to prove that he is the asshole thug I now know him to be. He's not the guy I fell in love with when I first met him when he took care of me, made me laugh, and showed me love. I need to get away from this toxic world. I can't be around here anymore. It just reminds me of everything that I have lost…
Sarah takes her phone out of her jeans. Jabbing away at the screen, she navigates to the Telegram app and composes a message to her best friend: "Тоня, мені потрібно забратися звідси. Ви можете відмовитися від цього прохання, якщо хочете, оскільки це може наражати вас на небезпеку. Але чи можете ви приїхати і забрати мене на моїй машині?" Tonya, I need to get out of here. You may decline this request if you wish, as it may put you at risk. But can you come and pick me up in my car?
Sarah pauses idle until Tonya soon replies: "Так. Тільки, будь ласка, ніколи нікому не кажи, що це я допоміг тобі," Yes, just please never tell anyone that I helped you.
Sarah smiles with great joy. "Дуже дякую! Я обіцяю, що ніколи не скажу. І якщо хтось дізнається, я скажу, що погрожував тобі," Thanks so much! I promise I'll never tell. And if anyone finds out, I'll say I threatened you.
A short while later
Sarah is in pause when Tonya arrives in the street in Sarah's car, where she soon pulls to a stop a short distance from Sarah's father's home.
Looking around to ensure nobody will see her escape, Sarah soon becomes satisfied that nobody is paying much attention.
With intense nerves building every second over what she's about to do, she soon starts to bolt up the pathway and quickly onto the street.
Now outside her father's property, she races to where Tonya is parked and enters her vehicle's passenger side.
Sarah leaps to embrace her best friend and says, "Дуже дякую!" Thanks so much!
Tonya smiles but cautions, "Ви впевнені, що це те, що ви хочете? Подорож може бути небезпечною, і ви розлютите свого батька та Романа, а також ваш батько може послати всю свою організацію на ваші пошуки," Are you sure this is what you want? The journey could be dangerous, and you'd anger your father and Roman, and your father might send his entire organization to search for you.
Sarah nods. "Це те, що я хочу. Перебування тут просто нагадує мені маму, Вівіан, і те, що я втратила з Романом. Боже, Тоню, я просто дав йому ще один шанс зі мною, можливість, щоб ми обом втекли до Львова і знайшли там роботу, але він проігнорував мене і вибрав мого батька. Мені потрібно піти подалі звідси, незважаючи на небезпеку чи ризик. Відвези мене до моєї квартири, щоб зібрати мої речі, а потім я відвезу тебе назад у твою квартиру, якщо ти не хочеш піти зі мною?" It is what I want. Being here just reminds me of mother, Vivian, and what I lost with Roman. God, Tonya, I just gave him another chance with me, an opportunity for us both run to Lviv and find work there but he ignored me and chose my father. I need to get far away from here no matter the danger or risk. Take me to my apartment to collect my things, and then I'll drive you back to your apartment unless you want to come with me?
Tonya considers Sarah's proposal for a brief moment before she says, "Усе моє життя тут, Sara. Я не можу піти. Я підтримую ваше рішення, але я повинен залишитися," My whole life is here, Sarah. I can't go. I support your decision, but I have to stay
Sarah nods. "Тоді поспішаймо й підемо, поки нас не спіймали," Then let's hurry up and leave before we get caught.
Tonya nods before she sets Sarah's car in motion to head to Sarah's apartment so she can pack her things.
x-x-x-x-x-x
February 28, 2022
Odesa
Ukraine
10:30am local time
Sarah pulls her car to a stop outside Tonya's apartment block.
The best friends depart the car and move to link up, where they start to embrace as they hold each other so tightly.
With tears flowing freely from Tonya's eyes, she says, "Будь ласка, будьте в безпеці," Please be safe.
Sarah's eyes well up too as the longtime friends share their emotional goodbye, and she says, "Я спробую. І ти теж, Тоня. І на випадок, якщо ми більше ніколи не зустрінемось, я хочу сказати тобі, що ти був найкращим другом, який у мене міг бути. Ти завжди був зі мною, і я ніколи цього не забуду до кінця свого життя," I will try. And you too, Tonya. And just in case we never meet again, I want to tell you that you have been the best friend I could ever have had. You have always been with me, and I will never forget it for the rest of my life.
The best friends start to cry for a long moment as they continue to embrace until Tonya finally says, "ти повинен піти. Я не хочу, щоб тебе спіймали, і я не хочу, щоб мене спіймали, коли ти допомагав тобі втекти," You must go now. I don't want you to get caught, and I don't want to be seen helping you to escape.
Sarah nods as she shares a long farewell loving kiss with her best friend.
Pulling back from the action, she says, "Я подзвоню або напишу, щойно приїду до Львова. Румунія чи Молдова – надто ризиковано, тому що мій батько міг би відправити туди своїх людей. Польща — мій найкращий шанс втекти," I will call or write as soon as I arrive in Lviv. Romania or Moldova is too risky because my father could send his men there. Poland is my best chance to escape.
Tonya nods as the closest of friends share a final smile until Tonya says, "до побачення!" Goodbye!
"до побачення!" Sarah replies before she turns and enters her car.
She takes a moment to compose herself before she fires up the engine and departs the street to begin her long ten-hour drive.
Two hours later
Now safely cleared from Odesa Oblast, Sarah pulls her car over, and she soon takes out her phone.
Navigating to the contact details of her father, she spends a long moment composing a text message to him as tears stream freely from her eyes and she starts to sob over her decision to run away from him: Тату, будь ласка, не ненавидь мене. Вирішила виїхати до кордону у Львові. Я не повинен був повідомляти тобі місце, куди я прямую, але я зробив це, тому що я вірю в те, що ти поважаєш мій вибір і не намагаєшся мене зупинити. Тату, якщо ти любиш мене так сильно, як кажеш, ти відпустиш мене і не будеш переслідувати мене чи намагатися зупинити мене.
Я завжди буду любити тебе, так сильно, але я не можу бути поруч з твоїм життям, і я не можу бути з Романом ані на мить більше.
Я не звинувачую вас у своїй матері чи смерті Вівіан, але те, що я живу в оточенні ваших головорізів без зупинки, просто нагадує мені про це.
Мені потрібно звільнитися від цього, тату. Мені потрібне нормальне життя з нормальним партнером, як тоді, коли ви з мамою познайомилися.
Сподіваюся, ви це розумієте і що я не збентежив вас цим або будь-яким попереднім рішенням, яке я прийняв проти вас.
Я спробую знайти нове життя в Англії, де ви з мамою вперше зустрілися, якщо мені дозволять.
Я буду сподіватися і молитися, щоб ви пережили вторгнення і, можливо, одного разу ми знову зустрінемося, коли настануть кращі часи.
Я люблю тебе тато!
Sara.
(English translation)
Daddy, please don't hate me. I have decided to leave for the border in Lviv. I shouldn't have told you where I am going, but I did it because I trust in you to respect my choice and not try and stop me. Daddy, If you love me as much as you say, you will let me go and not come after or try to stop me.
I will always love you so very much! But I can't be around your life, nor do I wish to be with Roman for a moment longer. I don't blame you for my mother or Vivian's death, but being around your life and surrounded by your thugs non-stop reminds me of it. I need to be free from it, Daddy. I need a normal life with a normal partner similar to how you and my mother met. I hope you can understand this and that I have not embarrassed you in this action or any other one I have made.
If they let me in, I will try to find a new life in England, where you and Mother first met.
I hope and pray that you survive the invasion and that maybe one day we can meet again when times are better.
I love you, dad!
Sarah.
Ceasing from sobbing, she takes a long moment to compose herself and wipes away the many tears from her cheeks.
She then breathes out a long, audible sigh to control her emotions before she puts her phone onto the passenger seat, turns to her front, and sets her vehicle in motion again to escape Ukraine and begin her new life…
End of Chapter
How are you finding Ukrainian Beauty after the second instalment? A comment would be great. I would appreciate it very much :)
AN3 So many new scenes came to me in this chapter (that I didn't have until I started the chapter), so I had to prioritize the scenes, so no Chuck and Sarah meet today, although it is now very much set in stone and perfectly poised for next chapter :)
AN4 The facebook refugee group thing is actually a thing. As is the predatory concerns. I only know of the concerns in the United Kingdom, 'cos I live here, but I'm sure it's a concern for most governments in any country that is taking in Ukrainians. Here's a British post related to the issue in U.K., at least: In April 2022, The Times revealed that female refugees may be at risk of being exploited by UK men offering to be their hosts, with some proposing sexual relationship or even marriage. On 13 April, UNHCR asked the United Kingdom to stop pairing single British men with lone Ukrainian women refugees under the "Homes for Ukraine" scheme because the women were at risk of sexual exploitation.
AN5 Will Alexei respect Sarah's wishes and let her go? Find out, Next Chapter and so much more!