by Ruff, K. S.
“They loved them. Your cousin was totally messing with them, though. She kept moving her glass around when they were pouring the wine.”
I laughed. “That sounds like Lexie, always stirring up trouble.” I softened my voice so Shae could get some sleep. “So, what are they doing today?”
“Kadyn is giving them a tour of the Pentagon and the 9/11 Memorial. I think he’s taking them to dinner afterwards. I’m taking them to see the Capitol and a couple of museums tomorrow. We’re going to a Washington Nationals game tomorrow night.”
I yawned as I slid under the covers. “I didn’t know you liked baseball.”
“Baseball’s okay. I like soccer more,” he confessed.
“When do you leave for Paris?” I asked, suddenly realizing I didn’t know.
“I’m leaving next Saturday. I thought I should stick around in case your cousin needs anything. She and Nate leave on Wednesday. I was going to fly out that same day, but I picked up an assignment.”
“Really?” I asked. “Who are you protecting this time?”
“Prince Harry.”
I shot up in bed. “The Prince Harry? Dang. I want you to start introducing me to some of your clients!”
Rafael laughed. “He’s just like any other guy. Well, he is rather fond of getting into trouble, but he’s still a very nice guy.”
“You’ve served on his security detail before?”
“Yes, back in February.”
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “I’m using an international calling card, and my time is nearly up. I head to Sevastopol next Saturday. Let me know if you want to meet up there or in Zurich, so I can secure another hotel room.”
“Sure thing, love. Travel safe tomorrow. Call or text when you get your SIM card.”
“I will. I love you,” I murmured softly.
“I love you too,” he responded in a husky voice. “Be safe.”
I sighed heavily as I hung up the phone. No amount of time with Rafael was ever enough. I couldn’t believe how much I missed him already, and we hadn’t even been apart for twenty-four hours.
Shae’s voice called teasingly from under her pillow. “Hey, sister. You got it bad.”
I pulled the pillow over my head and groaned. “I know.”
* * * * * *
I eyed our new hotel room with some serious trepidation. The dingy gray walls were stained. There were no pictures hanging on the walls, and the place was beyond tiny. Two single beds were pushed against opposite walls. The narrow space between the beds couldn’t really accommodate Shae and me at the same time. A small dresser sat on Shae’s side of the room, and the smallest desk I’d ever seen was perched precariously at the end of my bed. “This is a far cry from Frankfurt.”
Shae nodded. “It looks more like a dorm than a hotel room.” She pointed to a stain on the carpet. “Do you think that’s blood or red wine?”
My stomach turned. “I’m going with red wine.” I threw my suitcases on top of the bed I’d called dibs on, solely because it was furthest from the door. “What is that God awful smell?”
Shae leaned down to smell her bedding. “It’s alcohol, body odor, or both.”
I shuddered. “My skin will not be touching those sheets.”
Shae rolled her eyes. “What are you going to do… sleep on the floor?”
I eyed the red stain again. “Absolutely not.”
She laughed. “I guess we’ll just have to sleep with our clothes on.”
I nodded. “Good plan.” I started hanging clothes in the closet next to the bathroom. “What do you want to do for your birthday tomorrow?”
Shae unzipped her suitcase. “I was hoping we could go out for dinner and dancing. I’m curious to see what the dance clubs are like in Ukraine. I wonder what kind of music they dance to.”
I still couldn’t believe our birthdays were so close together. “That Hawaiian club in Frankfurt was a lot of fun. Do you really think it’s safe to go out dancing here?”
Shae nodded. “We should be fine as long as we stick close to Cory. We’ll use the buddy system to make sure none of us are ever alone.”
I set my shoes in the bottom of the closet. “I don’t think we should stay out too late.”
Shae began piling clothes inside the dresser. The bottom drawer fell apart when she tried to pull it open. She stood and scowled at the dresser. “What did you think of Nonna?”
I shrugged. “She seems nice enough. I’m kind of surprised the university sent the head of the international relations department to meet us at the airport.”
Shae shoved her empty suitcase under the bed. “Maybe she felt responsible for us. She is the professor who invited us to come. I think she and the dean both signed the letter of invitation that enabled us to enter the country.”
I plugged my international adaptor into the electrical outlet so I could charge my cell phone. “It was nice having her here to translate when we checked in, but I think it’s weird she wouldn’t take us to get SIM cards for our cell phones. Why would she insist we didn’t need them?”
Shae tore the comforter from her bed and shoved it under the bed, next to her suitcase. She sniffed at the dark gray blanket that lie on top of the sheets before she sat on the bed. “She was kind of dismissive about the SIM cards.”
I removed my comforter and perched on the edge of the bed. “I know she offered to let us use her cell phone, but I don’t feel comfortable using her phone for personal calls, and I told Rafael that I’d check in with him every night so he would know we’re safe.”
A knock sounded at the door. “Kri, Shae, it’s Cory.”
Shae sprang to her feet. She pulled the door open and waved Cory and Sammi inside our tiny room. “Are you guys done unpacking?”
Sammi nodded. “Yes. We’re going to go track down SIM cards and an Internet café before dinner. Do you guys want to join us?”
Shae and I exchanged looks. “Absolutely!” I responded as I reached for my purse. We followed Cory and Sammi out the door.
Shae nudged Cory as we walked toward the stairs. “What’s this dinner about… the one Nonna said we’re supposed to attend tonight? That wasn’t on our agenda.”
Cory shrugged. “I don’t know. It wasn’t anything we were given advance notice of. I think it’s just some sort of welcome dinner. Maybe we’ll get to meet some of the students.”
We exited the stairwell and filed into the lobby. Cory approached the clerk at the front desk to inquire about a cab and a place to purchase SIM cards.
I tugged on Sammi’s arm. “Look outside.”
Sammi looked out the front window. Nonna was still sitting outside the hotel. She was applying lipstick in her rearview mirror. Shae followed our gaze. “Is that Nonna?”
I nodded. “Why do you think she’s still here?”
Cory joined us. “What are you guys looking at?”
“Nonna,” we replied simultaneously.
Cory looked surprised. “Well, if she asks, don’t tell her we’re getting SIM cards. We’ll just tell her we’re going to the Internet café.”
I eyed her car nervously as we made our way outside.
She stepped out of her car as soon as she spotted us. “Do you need a ride somewhere?”
Cory shook his head. “No. We’re just walking to the Internet café. The hotel clerk said it’s only two blocks from here.”
She walked around the car and opened the passenger side doors. “I am happy to drive you.”
I leaned toward Shae and whispered, “How rude would it be to refuse?”
Shae sighed. “Just rude enough.”
We folded ourselves into the car. Cory sat in front with Nonna. “We really don’t want to impose. I’m sure you have a lot more important things to do than drive us around.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “I cleared my entire schedule for the day.” She paused as she turned into traffic. “We do not have much time for the Internet café. We should return to the hotel soon, so you can ch
ange for dinner.”
Sammi squeezed Cory’s shoulder as she leaned toward the front seat. “Will any of our students be joining us for dinner?”
Nonna smiled through the rearview mirror. “My two best students will be attending the dinner.”
“Who else is coming?” Shae asked curiously.
Nonna shrugged. “The dean, some professors, and a number of government officials are attending the dinner. There are a lot of people who want to meet the guests of honor.”
I met Nonna’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “Who are the guests of honor?”
She laughed as she pulled up to the café. “You are.”
My cheeks heated. I hadn’t realized we’d draw so much attention.
Cory stepped out of the car and opened the back door. “We won’t be long, Nonna. We can easily find our way back to the hotel, so you don’t need to wait for us.”
“I would prefer to wait for you,” Nonna responded. She picked up her cell phone and began texting, effectively ending the conversation.
Cory shrugged nonchalantly. “Okay. We’ll be done in thirty minutes.”
Nonna nodded absently. It appeared she intended to wait in the car.
The four of us filed into the café. My eyes widened in disbelief. A number of prehistoric computers sat on top of long rectangular tables, which ran down the center of the room and along every available wall. Each computer had a metal folding chair sitting in front of it. Extension cords were strewn all over the floor. “There’s no coffee… just computers?”
Shae laughed. “Were you expecting Starbucks?”
Cory pulled us into a huddle before I could respond. “Give me your cell phones. I’m going to find a back entrance, slip out, and go purchase our SIM cards. According to the hotel clerk, the place is just around the corner. If I’m not back in thirty minutes, just come up with some excuse to delay Nonna. Don’t tell her where I’ve gone. I don’t like this tight reign she’s trying to establish, and I’ll be damned if I let her restrict us from communicating with the outside world.”
We handed our cell phones to Cory. He spoke briefly with the sales clerk before disappearing down the hallway that led to the bathrooms.
Sammi watched Cory walk away. “I think we should get three computers since we only have thirty minutes to check our e-mail and send messages back home,” she said, shifting her attention toward Shae and me.
Shae nodded. “I agree. These computers will probably run slow.”
Sammi spoke as we walked up to the sales clerk. “Tri komp'yutera, tridtsat' minut kazhdyy, pozhaluysta.” She handed him hryvnia to pay for the computer time. Thankfully, we had already exchanged our money for hryvnia at the airport in Kiev.
We found three available computers sitting next to each other, so we quickly claimed those seats. I checked my work e-mail and responded to a couple of messages before typing a note to my boss to let him know we had arrived safely.
I logged onto my personal e-mail and typed a message to Rafael, Kadyn, Lexie, Cenia, and my mom. We’ve arrived in Simferopol. There’s been a bit of delay in getting SIM cards, but we should have them by the end of the day. I will text you as soon as I can. Know that I am safe. Love you! Kri.
I read and responded to personal e-mail while waiting for Sammi and Shae to finish up. Shae glanced over at my computer screen. “The Internet is crazy slow here.”
I leaned back in my chair and blew out a breath. “I know. The computer is taking so long to process everything, I’m not even sure these messages are being sent.”
Sammi scowled. “Have either of you been able to log onto Facebook? I think maybe it’s being blocked.”
Cory walked back into the room. He kneeled next to Sammi and discreetly handed us our phones. “SIM cards are already in there. Let’s get all of our cell phone numbers programmed in each other’s phones before we leave. That way, we’ll be able to call one another if we get separated. Don’t use your phones in front of Nonna just yet. I’m not sure if she has a hidden agenda or if she’s just oblivious to the fact that we may need our cell phones for security purposes.”
Shae, Sammi, and I logged out of our e-mail accounts and programmed our cell phones while Cory checked his e-mail on Sammi’s computer.
I waved at the sales clerk as we filed out of the café. “Spasibo.”
He smiled and waved. “Nyezashto!”
Nonna was on her cell phone. She ended the call when she saw us approaching the car. She flung her car door open and ran around the front of the car.
Cory smiled as he opened the rear passenger door. “I’ve got it, Nonna.”
Nonna ushered Sammi into the front seat. “Are you ready to go back to the hotel?”
Sammi slid into the seat. “Sure. That would be great.”
Cory joined Shae and me in the back seat as Nonna took her place behind the wheel.
“Do we need to dress up for dinner?” Shae asked as Nonna merged into traffic.
Nonna eyed Sammi’s pantsuit with obvious disdain. “Yes. You should wear dresses.”
Shae and I exchanged glances. We were all dressed in nicely tailored pantsuits, which should have been perfectly acceptable for a business dinner.
Nonna glanced at her watch as she pulled in front of the hotel. “Can you be ready in an hour?”
“Sure,” Cory replied. “Are you driving us to dinner or should we plan to take a cab to the restaurant?”
“I’ll drive you,” Nonna responded a little too cheerfully. “I’m going to run home and change, but I’ll be back in thirty minutes. I’ll wait for you in the lobby.”
I glanced back at Nonna as I stepped out of the car. “Spasibo.”
“Nyezashto,” she replied with an approving smile.
* * * * * *
The four of us followed Nonna into the restaurant. I glanced nervously at the two men standing guard just outside the door. I wondered whether that level of security was typical for restaurants in Ukraine or if they were there for the government officials who were attending the event.
Dean Bykov was standing just inside the door. He was a tall, wiry man. His dark gray hair blended seamlessly with his charcoal suit. He shook my hand enthusiastically. “Ms. Stone, thank you for coming. I’m sure you are exhausted from your travels, so we will try not to keep you too long.” His English was impeccable.
I shook his hand and smiled. “Spasibo chto priglasili nas. Thank you for inviting us, Dean Bykov. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” I moved to the side as I waited for my colleagues to shake hands with the dean. I chewed on my lower lip while studying him. He seemed to know us by sight. Nonna had identified who he was, but she hadn’t given him any of our names.
Nonna nudged me toward the two young people who were standing next to the dean. “This is Oni and Igor, two of my finest students. They are enrolled in our international relations program and will be attending your class.”
I shook Oni’s hand before extending my hand to Igor. “Mne ochen' priyatno s vami poznakomitca. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Igor responded cordially. He looked to be in his mid-twenties. He was nearly six feet tall and quite broad, although he wasn’t what I would consider muscular by any means. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a dark red tie.
Oni was a willowy blond with light green eyes. Her hair hung perfectly straight in a sheet that fell halfway down her back. She was wearing a skin tight dress in lipstick red. I suspected she was an inch or two shorter than me, but she was wearing five inch stiletto heels, which made it difficult to gauge how tall she really was.
I smoothed my dress over my hips as I waited for Shae to finish shaking Oni and Igor’s hands. I was wearing a jade lace dress and high heel sandals that were the color of tiramisu. It was one of the few outfits I had kept from Paris.
Shae joined me as she finished shaking everyone’s hand. She was wearing a pretty white dress with a red and black floral print. Sammi was wearing a black shea
th dress with patent leather heels. Cory had chosen a dark gray suit with a crisp white shirt and a black and gray paisley tie. Nonna rounded out our group with a bright green fitted dress, which was cinched at the waist with a thin black belt. Like Oni, she wore five inch heels.
The room fell quiet as we entered the main dining area. The center of the restaurant had been cleared of tables. A round table sat near the center of the far wall with two rectangular tables flanking either side. The two long tables were filled with men in a variety of gray and black dress suits. Every one of them sat facing the center of the room. They rose from their seats as we approached.
Nonna and Dean Bykov introduced each person by name and title before leading us to the center table. Every person in attendance appeared to be tied to the government or the university in some way. Aside from the waitresses, Nonna, Oni, Shae, Sammi, and I were the only women in the room.
Oni showed me to my seat. She encouraged Shae to sit next to me as she claimed the seat to my left. Igor sat next to Oni at the adjoining table. Nonna sat between Shae and Cory. Sammi sat next to Cory, and Dean Bykov took the chair next to her. I couldn’t help but notice that the seating arrangement ensured that each one of us was seated next to someone from Ukraine.
Two waitresses approached our table and immediately began pouring bottled water, wine, and champagne. I was a bit surprised by our place settings. We each had a drinking glass, a wine glass, a champagne flute, and a shot glass sitting at the top of our plates.
The dean stood once the drinks were poured. He reached for his champagne glass, and a number of chairs scraped against the floor as everyone around us stood. Nonna had already instructed us to remain seated and not to drink to the initial toasts, which would be honoring us specifically.
The dean turned to face us. “To our esteemed guests from the United States. We are honored to have you in our country and hope your stay here will prove so enjoyable that you will never want to leave.” There was a smattering of laughter from the far side of the room which drew my attention to a round table tucked just to the side of the door we had entered through. The dean continued. “We are pleased to have you working at our universities. We share your commitment for world peace and look forward to working with you toward this goal in the coming years. Za vas!”