Deviant Fixation

by Valencia Carmelita

  Katie groans, apparently irked and pauses midstep before glancing at Huxley for permission. He shakes his head in solemn decline. Arielle starts bawling. "But I wanna see santa!! You promised !!!"

  " Huxley, please can we just visit the mall briefly?" Katie entreats expectantly. "It'll only be 30 minutes. Rachael allowed Arielle to accompany us for that reason alone..come on just look at her.."

  Huxley exhales and sternly peers at Katie before shaking his head in decline again. "I'm sorry but that is impossible with your curfew. Mister Molotov's explicit orders were to escort you home before 4pm prior to reporting for duties to him. "

  Arielle proceeds wailing and stomping her feet in attempts of persuasion. Katie tries consoling her, the child merely flinches away. One of the Molotov men decides to hoist the child up and carry her to the parked limo.

  "I'm sorry.." Huxley commences curtly once we are settled in the limo with a weeping Arielle.

  "If uncle Vladdy were here he would have took me to see Santa!!!" The redhaired child shrieks with an equally reddened face moistened by tears. "I hate you all!!! I want uncle Vladdy!! I miss him!!!"

  "If Vladimir were here, then there would be no curfew my dear. " Huxley agrees pensively. " and nor would Mister Molotov necessarily require us to guard you while out."

  Katie slumps forward and props her elbows on her knees while wearily rubbing at her temples with her hands. "I hope Vladimir likes the limited edition box of Arturo Fuente Cigars I bought.."

  Then she let's out a sorrow filled exhale. "I hope he leaves his room for Christmas day..it's his favorite time of the year when he gets to spoil us more than usual.."

  Two and a half weeks had elapsed since Vladimir sealed himself away to his recluse. Everyone in the manor excluding myself, were eagerly expecting him to make an appearance already. However, the days transpired away into weeks without a sighting of him. Excluding myself, everyone else missed the jerk immensely. They had deemed it customary, that he should appear out in time for Christmas. Yet that was proving false as the days lapsed nearer to the 25th.

  Today Katie had desired to do some late afternoon extra shopping and entreated me to tag along. Beverly and Grigori would be arriving over to the Nielsen manor in two days. Over the month, the manor was bustling with holiday spirit which continues declining with each passing day in absence of Vladimir.

  The servants had set up the regal Christmas tree and decorated the foyer and corridors. Mrs.Agnelli and Lorna laboured in the kitchen till late hours of night, preparing delicious holiday cuisines.

  Under conventional circumstances, Rachael said she would host Christmas parties at the manor every year. However for this year, wasn't the case considering the chaotic events that transpired on Bev and Grigori's wedding day. In addition to that, Vladimir selected solitary confinement over the company of family.

  ◆◆◆

  When we reach the manor, I can't help but notice the increasingly melancholic tempers cemented on everyone. As the arrival of Christmas nears, the more sulkier they are developing.

  "What's wrong ?" I ask carefully, while we are in the midst of wrapping up some Christmas gifts in the lounge.

  "He still hasn't left that room." Rachael answers grimly as she tosses a twine of ribbon into the crafts basket.

  "Christmas seems so pointless this year." Katie remarks forlornly while handing Anya a gift-wrap to uncoil. "Pointless when the family is disunited."

  "I agree." Anya adds, embittered. "Without Mister Nielsen, there is no point."

  "I miss uncle vladddyyyy!!!" Arielle whines in an upsetting tone. " He would tooken us to ice skate !! And see Santa and visit toy shop and have fun!!"

  Charlie pauses eating a holiday butter cookie and weeps. "Uncle Vladdy come bacccck!!"

  My heart sinks viewing the kids in such a sullen condition. With an absent father figure, they reminded me of my dilapidated childhood. Eid holidays in a struggling single mother household. Visits to the mosque and spotting other kids dressed immaculately. They would boast regarding the amount of Eid money they collected from their fathers and other relatives.

  I would be the lonely kid standing in the corner, observing them shyly..hoping for them to befriend me. But they felt ashamed to be seen around another kid clad in worn out shabby garb when they were in their best attire. More than once I had been asked if I had a mom or dad.

  Suddenly Duffield rushes into the lounge, a bright smile plastered on his face and he asks. "Did Vladimir depart his room yet ?"

  Everyone shakes their heads in solemn decline at him and his smile wanes quickly. With slumped shoulders, he trudges back out. He's been enacting this once or twice for previous three days. I disliked spotting him in such a state, considering he's naturally recognized as a jovial individual.

  Soon enough Huxley enters and informs. "I was on call with Mister Molotov. With the exception of Vladimir, he requests everyone in the household to prepare for an excursion this evening on his behalf."

  "To where ?" Katie asks halfheartedly while resting her back against the cushions on the floor, finally setting aside her wrapped gifts.

  " For a viewing of the latest Christmas musical in town. Followed by Dinner at a five star. If there remains time after, visitation to the ice skate rink for the children." Huxley answers monotonously.

  Rachael let's out a miffed groan. " If that is Uncle's attempt at cheering us up, then inform him it's futile unless Vladimir reclaims his normality."

  Normal ?... I suppress the urge to scoff and roll my eyes. That demon is anything but normal.

  "Mister Molotov refuses a decline for an answer, be ready in three hours time." Huxley prompts with a sternness and then departs out of the lounge.

  A half hour later, I'm in the kitchen to apprise Mrs. Agnelli of Mister Molotov's stringent invitation. When he sets his mind to a matter, the man was conspicuously sanctioned for having his way. Yet oddly enough, he left Vladimir isolated throughout the past weeks.

  The kitchen permeates with the aroma of traditionally baked Christmas pastries. My stomach grumbles in starvation. I had skipped breakfast and lunch on account of Rachael's persuasion for me to accompany her at the shops. Then upon returning, Katie summarily requested my presence again to the shops.

  I was hoping the both of them cease spending any money on Christmas gifts for me. My free accommodation and meals on their behalf was more than enough of a gift. But now I recognized too well, they refuse to take no for an answer. The only issue I had, was of Rachael's prevarication initially regarding my safety. Currently its not as rebarbative for me since the demon had vanquished to his chamber.

  I had not an inkling of an idea that his demonic presence would be so vehemently missed by everyone. I have been quite relieved for his absence yet it was proving to be dismal for the rest. But how can I blame them, they are after all his relatives. They will evidently display sympathy towards him. Yet their melancholy was commencing to affect me negatively. I wasn't adjusted to viewing them in such gloomy demeanours.

  "I guess I'll accept this invitation after-all. I mean it's gotten miserable dwelling within these walls yet not seeing Vladimir around." Mrs.Agnelli says dolefully while slipping on oven mitts.

  She plucks out a tray of chocolate ginger bread brownies from the oven. Places them aside on the kitchen island I was sidled against. I inhale deeply the rich aroma from the steaming tray, and my mouth salivates.

  "Well you don't have any choice in the matter. " I remark aimlessly. "I mean Huxley has reported that Mister Molotov will not take no for an answer."

  "You see that ..." Mrs.Agnelli raises her brows while shaking her head disapprovingly. "That adamant attitude! Vladimir inherits it from his uncle! Oh the both of them are just so frustrating! Look at him now, hemmed to his room!"

  "I Didn't think the demon-I mean he's capable of having loved a woman so strongly." I state, hoping she disregards the vocalization of my selected nickname for the jerk. In distraction, I pour myself a glass of fruit juice
and take a sip.

  " He didn't love her! I disbelieve that!" Anya huffs, entering through the double doors while untying the apron on her dress. She hangs it in the diminutive kitchen closet before adding. "Honestly, how can any man be capable of loving that wretched hag ?"

  I observe Anya thoughtfully.

  Hmm she does have a point but then again he isn't exactly a saint himself so ....as the saying goes 'like attracts like'.

  "Ilona didn't deserve him, he is much too good for her to waste his time moping over." Mrs.Agnelli agrees pensively. "so many beautiful women with good character out there for him."

  "Yes.." Anya nods emphatically while accessing the fridge. "A girl like Sanam would be perfect for him."

  I nearly sputter out the fruit juice from my mouth. The women glance at me with concern.

  I start coughing while trying to regain a certain level of composure, before I raise my voice in alarm. "Whaaat?!!"

  Is she in the right condition of mind ????

  "Oh I'm sorry I know you're married already." Anya explains apologetically. " If you weren't, you would have been perfect for him but since you're married, I meant if there is another girl out there possessing a personality like yours then she would be perfect for him."

  Mrs. Agnelli nods her head in agreement. I discreetly shift against the counter top and raise a brow dubiously at Anya. "How did you figure that ?"

  Anya extracts out an unlabelled liquid carton from the fridge while she answers. "He's conservative and old fashioned compared to most men today. Esteems chivalry and honors his ancestors."

  I roll my eyes, if his terrible attitude and death threats towards me are definition of chivalry by her standards, then she isn't in the correct state of mind after all.

  "Right...well I'm sure that explains why he has locked himself away from his family." I don't bother masking the sarcasm.

  Anya shakes her head disappointedly. "She can't be the cause of it, no I refuse to believe that."

  "Besides.." I begin in apparent discomfort. "I don't perceive how you have come to the conclusion that someone like me would be perfect for someone like him. The both of us are as different as day and night. We hail from different backgrounds and faiths. Plus, he hates my kind for reasons which you all have refused to share with me. Reasons that don't qualify him to paint all muslims under a general brush."

  Quite abruptly, Anya sniffles and I realize she's crying. Worry percolates over me as I sidle upto her and touch her arms gently. "What's wrong ?..I'm sorry if I offended, I didn't mean to."

  Mrs. Agnelli pauses kneeding dough and peers over at us, then shakes her head knowingly. "Cara mia, don't stress too much."

  "It's-It's just that.." Anya croaks, holding back her sobs. "I wish he would atleast come out for the holiday week..it really pains me to know he's chosen loneliness."

  Damn, these people are so attached to a conspicuously detached killer.

  I thought it was incredible really, how close knit even the servants of the manor are to him. In all my stay here, I haven't witnessed him solidly display affection to any of them. For the exception a month ago of his kiss on Mrs.Agnelli's forehead.

  "Shhh don't cry.." I console, patting her back gently.

  "You know, he's saved me from a terrible life.." Anya clarifies somberly as she sets the plastic carton on the counter top.

  "He's not as bad as you think he is..I refuse to believe he means you harm deep down especially since you've rescued Arielle."

  I bite the inside of my cheek, suppressing to refute her opinion. Without noticing, she proceeds. "Before I was offered employment here..I-I was..a..sex slave in Russia..."

  "What ?!" I gape at her. She nods with eyes downcast. In complete shock I proceed. "That's awful ! I don't know what to say, oh my Allah, that's so messed up!"

  She lets out a small humorless laugh. " yes, it's beyond terrible.."

  Before I can prevent myself, I ask. "How did this happen..?"

  "A criminal organization masked as a modeling agency in Russia had lured me in..I was from a very poor village.." Anya divulges.

  "And I left for a prospect of a good paying job in the city. I manage to entrap myself into this seedy world."

  "How did you escape ?" I query expectantly.

  She sighs wearily and continues reminiscing. "Mister Nielsen was visiting Russia at the time, and there was some sort of a clash over drug sales between the Molotov Mafia and the organization that held me and scores of other women captive. Mister Nielsen was actually under disguise as a client and I was to serve him. But instead, he had inquired from me about the details of the edifice. The second time he arrived, he managed to kill a guard. Then exchanged his clothes with the guards uniform. After, he slipped into the surveillance room and just went about murdering them all till there weren't any left in that room . Once he was rid of them, he informed the Molotov's and it was cue for them to break in at the strategic areas which were rendered unguarded."

  Yet again I'm staring at her in alarm over this revelation. "Did he murder them with only his hands ?"

  She nods in confirmation. " yes and once the Molotov's were let in, he utilized machine guns on the remaining ones. None of us girls got hurt since we kept out of the way, but I had never seen so much blood spilled in my life. It was traumatizing for me. What occurred at Bev and Grigori's wedding was nothing in comparison."

  This man is truly something else...killing so many men with only his hands...I'm reminded of that day when he had murdered the masked intruder by only his gloved hands. I recall when he had cornered me in the kitchen, vocalizing his sick enjoyment of murder. I shudder, he's much more demonic than I had perceived.

  "When it was over, we were free to go. He asked if I needed anything in return for helping him and I requested that he safely escort me to my village...and..." Anya's voice cracks as tears resurface in her eyes. "..and once we got there..my..my parents home was..b-burned..down to the ground.."

  "Oh my Allah, how ? Why?!" I exasperate in horror. "Did they escape ?? Please tell me they escaped !!?"

  She shuts her eyes momentarily as the tears roll down her face. I enclose my arms around her, the terrible realization dawning on me. They were burned alive.

  I feel as if my heart shrivels while I suppress my own tears back. "I'm-I'm so sorry..about your loss..oh Allah, I'm so sorry.."

  She pats at my arms gently and reopens her eyes, a distant look in them as she proceeds. " Inorder to find me, my parents had enlisted the help of a nearby towns sympathetic government official. This lead to their murders by my captors. They were drawing media attention and posing a threat to their criminal organization."

  "This is awful, you've been through so much..its just awful." I feel irate over the evils that inhabit the planet. "Those monsters deserved the fate they received by the Molotov Mafia!"

  "Mister Nielsen took me under his wing, he understood my helpless situation." She remarks. "He could relate to how I felt..completely helpless and alone.."

  "Don't Mafias also deal in the evils of human-trafficking?" I question suspiciously.

  "Prior to Mister Nielsens involvement in the Mafia, the Molotovs did engage in it." Anya replies bitterly before a wistful smile tugs at her lips and she adds. "Mister Nielsen proved to be valuable and impressionable enough to his uncle, that Mister Molotov stamped out such an evil trade from his dealings."

  "Well that's a step in the right direction.." I comment approvingly. "Now all that remains is the drug trafficking business.."