“Here is your keycard. In case you lose it, there is one at the front desk,” the man says as he walks towards the door.
“Your name?”
“Michael, oh and this is your private elevator, your key card activates it. You can go to the other floors on it, but only you can use it. There is an elevator outside the front door that others will use,” he says right as the doors close.
I immediately call my father.
“Really?”
“Ah, you’ve made it,” he chuckles.
“This is too much,” I say as I flop down on the grey sofa in the living room and look for the remote.
“You deserve it, take advantage of it. Take a break for a bit,” he says.
“Maybe I will. Though I’m sure Uncle will want me on the street,” I reply.
“Not too soon, he will need help getting the lounge off the ground. Tim is looking into the building permits and licenses you will need. I know you need the fighting, but just take a break for a bit. I’ll be sending you your first fight soon,” he says.
“You found a rat?” I ask him. For a while, he thought he had a rat amongst his ranks. Every move we made we were being watched. We were moving guns across the border and were overrun by masked me, lost some men. No one but the men in the truck and my father knew the route of the truck. Just felt off.
“I did. You can remind him of what happens when you make enemies of the Pakhan,” he states.
“I will, father. Let me know when the package is on its way,” I say before saying goodbye and hanging up. I will make that rat pay for his betrayal, no doubt about that.
My phone rings and I pick up, “yeah.”
“Tomorrow morning a car will take us to the lot where we are opening up a lounge, it’s right on the edge of the city,” my uncle says.
“What time?”
“Ten in the morning. We’re having breakfast downstairs in the restaurant off the lobby,” he says. My father had a restaurant put in, with a street entrance for locals to come and enjoy Russian food.
“See you at nine then,” I say and hang up. It’s still nice outside and I’m all alone up here, so I strip and jump into my pool, loving the refreshing water and nice view, relaxing before things get crazy around here.
Six
Adelina
I wake up to another beautiful day after a long night of good sleep. Sun is shining and I see birds hanging out on my window sill. I smile and roll out of bed right as there is a knock on my door.
“Come in,” I yawn, pulling on my robe as my father enters my room.
“I was hoping we could have breakfast together and talk. I know you expected the announcement, I just want to check on you,” he says with a tight smile.
“I’ll be down in a bit,” I smile at him, waiting for him to retreat so I can finish getting ready.
“You mean a lot to me,” he says before stepping back into the hall.
“I know,” I say, though he can’t hear me. He means a lot to me. Him and Adolfo are all I’ve had since my mother leaving. And I know they love me and mean well. Sometimes I hate traditions.
Not wanting to keep my father waiting, I shower and dress quickly. I don’t have anything planned today, but I still dress as if I do. Jeans and a nice sweater, designer of course since my father only wants the best for me. I don’t care what I wear, Walmart has really cute clothes as of late, and I would wear them, but my father likes to keep up appearances. I rush to the kitchen, slowing down right before so I walk in like a lady.
“Morning,” I greet Katherine and pour a cup of coffee before sitting next to my father at the table.
“Adelina, I know it was sudden,” he starts and I stop him.
“I knew it was coming and I know what is expected of me,” I tell him, hoping he feels better about letting me go.
