We arrive at my father’s restaurant, well, now my restaurant, and head up to the top floor. Lantsov is sitting there like a king. As if this place is really his, and I came to ask for help.
- Good afternoon, Ms. Amanda. I wasn’t expecting you to be so young. - God, what a stupid statement. He wanted to see a forty-year-old woman, or better yet, a man.
- That doesn’t matter. Let’s get down to business. - I sit opposite him and take a glass of whiskey.
- You bear a resemblance to your father. - he says this with such a smug look that I want to punch him in the face. - Or did I just imagine it? - again that annoying smile that irritates me so much that I can barely hold back from saying everything I think about him.
- This, again, doesn’t really matter. We didn’t come here to chat. - I want him to understand that I’m not in the mood for any conversations. I’m only interested in the contract, nothing more.
- I don’t think we will be able to collaborate. - he no longer smiles and takes a sip of whiskey. I want to shove that glass deep down his throat.
- Are you sure of that, Mr. Lantsov? - I try to keep my face as relaxed as possible. Though inside, my heart is just racing. I didn’t think it would be this hard.
- I am sure, sweetheart. I’m not interested in working with kids. I did business with your father because I respected his authority and knew his capabilities. But you, you’re just a girl who received dangerous power that she simply cannot control. - the man looks at me like I’m dirt under his nails.
- What a pity. I didn’t think my father’s partners were so clueless about business. - I take another sip of whiskey and stand up. - Well, if we can’t collaborate, I think we can end this here. I’m about to leave when I hear a voice behind me:
- Do you think you can just walk away from me? - God, what is this man thinking? My bodyguards tense up while I turn back to him and notice that seven men behind him have drawn their weapons.
- Are you threatening me, Mr. Lantsov? - I look at him, keeping calm. Well, whatever will be, will be. In emergency situations, I've always been able to control my emotions.
- I'm not threatening; I'm merely warning. This business is not for you. So it’s better to hand a piece over to someone who can manage it properly. - is that a hint at yourself, you bastard?
- And what if I tell you, Mr. Lantsov, that you certainly aren’t that person? I know too much about you, - I see interest mixed with anxiety appear in his eyes. He probably suspects that Korneyev left me information he had gathered.
- You know nothing about me, Amanda. - A smile appears on my face; I can see that it annoys him greatly. I turn back and sit down at the table. This is where it will all be decided, but to my surprise, Adam walks in. Damn, I wasn’t expecting to see him, but fine, I need to keep my face emotionless. I invite Adam to sit down and pull out my phone, which displays a picture of his daughter. Lantsov had done a good job hiding her from the world. Nowhere in the press is it ever mentioned that he actually has a daughter living abroad, whom he protects like his greatest treasure. I can see that this is having an effect. The photo of his daughter playing in real-time activates something in Lantsov, and he cannot hold back. His threats don’t scare me at all. I know that the man won’t be able to do anything because he only understands the methods he uses himself. Of course, I don't plan to do anything to this innocent girl, but judging by Lantsov's reaction, I’m sure he thinks differently.
- So Lantsov believes you might kill his daughter if he doesn’t sign this contract? - Adam's eyes show sheer shock. He definitely didn’t expect this from me.
- Yes, that’s exactly what he thinks. I don’t think it will come to that. I’m sure he will sign this contract. - though, if I think about it, could I do that? Probably not. But still, a glimmer of doubt appears in my mind. How far am I willing to go for my business?
Adam lights a new cigarette and turns to me.
- Kitten, could you do that? - I didn’t expect such a question from him. I’m thinking about it myself, but does Adam really think I could do that? Or could I really?
- Honestly, I don’t know. - I don’t want to lie to him. Because there has always been too much dishonesty between us. He gives a sad smile and inhales from his cigarette.
- And what do you think, could I do it? - the man shifts his gaze, then says rather grimly:
- I don’t know. At this point, I’m not sure of anything. - I look at the man I love and see pain, regret, and disappointment in his eyes.
We ride home in silence. Each of us lost in our thoughts. I ponder what he said. I see in his gaze that he is also thinking about something. I don’t want to intrude into his mind. I have too much shit of my own to sort out without delving into his thoughts. We arrive and simply go to sleep. In the night, I feel him not holding me. He’s asleep. And I can’t sleep. I think. I think about everything that has happened in the last few months. I think about the unfinished story of my biological father. I think about Nazar's appearance and whether Lantsov will sign this contract. And what we will do if he doesn’t fall for our provocation. I have too many thoughts. For some reason, I also think about Adam and me. It seems to me that our relationship is beginning to crumble. And the only thing that could truly save us is having a child. Although, let’s be honest, a child never saves relationships. You can’t mend a marriage with the birth of a baby. No. Either we go through this together, or we just prove to ourselves once again that we are on different paths.
In the morning, I quickly gather my things and say goodbye to Adam.
- We’ll meet in the evening; we need to discuss the partners' ball, there are only two days left until it. - Adam kisses me, and I leave.
I arrive at work quickly. Victoria is already waiting in the office with an overly satisfied smile.
- So, what? - She puts down the contract. He signed it. We did it. We succeeded.
- God, honestly, I began to doubt that this would work on him. - Victoria pulls out a bottle of champagne.
- I think it’s worth celebrating, Ms. Amanda. Your first victory. - the woman opens the bottle and pours two glasses.
- To our new victories, Victoria. - We drink champagne and discuss future plans for the business, further development plans. And then I remember that Korneyev said his story isn't over, and I would learn the ending later, but not from Adam. And Victoria is probably the only person who knew Korneyev better than anyone else.
- Victoria, I have a question for you. - the smile disappears from the woman’s face, and I see her expression turn serious.
- Listen. - I exhale and lean back in the chair. - Korneyev told Adam the story of how he met my mother and their relationship. But he said it’s not the end of the story. And I know that journalists suspect him of what happened to my parents. Although he learned that he was indeed the one responsible for that accident. The only thing he didn’t expect was that my mother would be there. - I see Victoria understands where I’m going with this. So her body tenses, and she drums her fingers on the table. - And I want to know the ending of this story. What exactly did he not tell Adam? - the woman exhales, looks somewhere to the side.
- Ms. Amanda, it’s not time yet. I know you’re eager to find out everything, but the right time will come, and they will tell you everything. I can’t. It’s not my secret and not my story. - I realize that asking the woman anything further doesn’t make sense. She is too loyal to Korneyev. Although she is loyal to me now too, but still, she won’t tell me what happens next. So we finish our champagne, Victoria leaves for business, and I stay behind to review documents.