Chapter 16 - Raisa

Oleg drives us out of the city and my confusion really kicks in when we arrive at the airport. He parks the car on the runway right next to a plane, then climbs out and opens my door for me. He tosses the keys to a man who comes to greet us.

“Park it in the hanger. Thanks, man,” Oleg says.

“What’s happening?” I ask.

“We are taking a short flight,” He grins, leading me towards the jet.

“You rented a jet for us?”

“No, little flower, this is my jet.”

I hold back from letting my jaw hit the floor.

We walk onto the plane and the hostess hands us each a glass of champagne. “Mr. and Mrs. Dubrov. Welcome,” she says, ushering us toward the back where there are very comfortable looking sofa style chairs, all cream leather and looking over the top extravagant.

I sit down next to Oleg, glancing out of the window.

“You didn’t have to go to this extreme, Oleg. Could we have gone to dinner somewhere in this city?”

“No, I thought you needed something special to relax a little. Let your hair down and enjoy the night, Raisa.”

My stomach flips as the plane takes off, I grip the edge of the seat tightly. I have never been that fond of flying. Not that I’ve flown much in my life. The longest flight I ever took was the one to come to this city.

Oleg reaches out and takes my hand during takeoff. It’s so strange how such a simple gesture can distract me from my anxiety.

“You don’t like flying?” he asks.

“I’m not really used to it. It is kind of crazy to be sitting in a metal tube hurtling through the air as though you weigh nothing.”

He laughs. “I guess you could look at it that way. I’ve flown so many times I don’t even notice how it makes me feel anymore.”

“You don’t even get excited?”

“All of my flights are for business. This is probably the first time I’ve used this plane for something personal.”

“Well, we had better make tonight extra fun then.” I grin, enjoying the chat and no longer worrying about the flight.

We climb into the car waiting for us, Oleg driving. That is when I find out he has a hanger here as well and keeps one of his cars here.

I can’t even comprehend how much money his family has. They must be doing so well at business. My brothers would be smart to make allies of them.

We drive through the city and I watch out the window, enjoying the new scenery, taking in the late afternoon as people walk along the pavements, talking, enjoying the last bit of sun before it sets.

Oleg stops outside a tall building right in front of a wide marble staircase.

A doorman opens my door for me and holds his hand out for me to take.

I climb out of the car and squint towards the overly lavish-looking venue.

People are arriving around us, all over-dressed in the same manner I am.

The women are giggling and gushing as their dates lead them through the ornate glass doors.

I glance towards Oleg. He looks stiff, but he holds his hand out to me and wraps his fingers through mine as we walk inside.

“Mr. Dubrov, your table is ready for you sir.” The hostess greets him straight away and he nods in polite response.

She leads us to a table near the window overlooking the waterfront and some very expensive-looking yachts.

Oleg still looks stiff. Sitting up too straight with his mouth tight as he looks around the room.

“Are you looking for someone in particular?” I tease him.

“No, I just know too many people here. It’s hard to go out in any city and not feel watched and judged because of who I am.”

“Is that why you look so uncomfortable?” I scrunch my nose. What is the point of going somewhere when you can’t relax and enjoy the evening? “Why did you pick this place?”

“Because, I thought you would enjoy the experience and the food is great. All of the mafia families come here.”

I shake my head. Mafia families. Did he not hear me when I said I was into the Bratva lifestyle? Also, I could swear I remember him saying the same thing.

“Oleg, you look like someone stuck an iron rod into your spine. You are so stiff. This place is beautiful, but it’s really over the top. Like it’s just about people showing off how much money they have or their status.”

‘Well—I guess that is exactly what it’s about—I thought—“

“No.” I stand up and hold my hand out to him. “I want you to show me who you really are, not who everyone else thinks you are . You would never come here by choice. I can see it all over your face.”

He stands up as well but looks hesitant. “You don’t want to eat here?”

“I want to eat somewhere where you can relax. Where is your favorite place in this city? If you wanted to take yourself out somewhere—to clear your mind—where would you go?”

“Are you sure?” he asks, tilting his head to the side and eyeing me seriously.

“I’m one hundred percent sure. I already know you aren’t a big fan of this lifestyle and I want to get to know the real you.”

Oleg chuckles at me, shaking his head. “Alright. Follow me then.”

He leads me through the restaurant, crowded and noisy, with a jazz band playing on the stage near the edge of the room. We walk around the dance floor, towards the big doors to leave.

We head back out to the car and climb inside. The hostess comes running after us, looking very worried. “Sir, was something not to your liking, I can have your table changed, we can—“

Oleg shakes his head and holds up his hand. “No, Sarah, thank you. Everything is perfectly fine. We just had a change of heart and decided we would prefer to do something else tonight.”

“Oh, um—“ she looks shocked. As though no one has ever walked away from a booking at this place. I wonder what it even took to get a table here. It’s so popular I bet it’s booked months in advance.

The engine revs to life and Oleg pulls away from the over-the-top restaurant and the crowds of mafia-connected families.

I am so curious about where he is going to take me, but I don’t ask—I want it to be a surprise. It’s more fun that way. All I know is that I would rather see his favorite place than some fancy overpriced restaurant full of snobs.

“When last were you in this city?” I ask instead.

“About two months ago. We host some of the bigger meetings here. When all the families need to connect and discuss important business. It’s always a bit chaotic. There is somewhere I go to get a break from the meetings.”

“That’s where you are taking me now?”

“Exactly.”

He reaches out and brushes his hand over my thigh. My heart stutters, my breathing gets a little faster. Then he pulls his hand back, leaving me wanting more.

We don’t drive far before Oleg pulls the car over in a parking space near the beach.

“Is your favorite restaurant here somewhere?” I ask, no longer able to contain my curiosity.

“Not quite,” he grins, enjoying the mystery he is creating.

When we are out of the car, he holds out his hand and I place my hand in his, smiling as I thread my fingers between his.

We walk along the promenade in the cool evening breeze until we reach a food truck. An old man leans out of the window. “Oleg, it’s been a while my friend.” He grins down at Oleg, his wild grey hair thinning and his smile creating deep cracks on his face.

“It has, I’ve brought my wife along—she wanted to know my favorite place in this city—so here we are.”

“Wow, your wife? That is a surprise. It’s lovely to meet you.” He smiles at me and nods his head then turns his attention back to Oleg. “So, two of the usual?” He chuckles.

“Two of the usual.”

The old man disappears from the window and Oleg pulls me against his side as he looks towards the ocean. The sounds of the waves are already relaxing me.

I look at him and ask, “what did you order?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” His entire posture has changed, being here instead of that restaurant. There is a smile on his face, a light shining in his eyes. He has taken off his jacket and slung it over his shoulder, the sleeves of his shirt are rolled halfway up his forearm.

He looks really good like this.

It’s not long to wait before the food truck owner hands Oleg two take away boxes. “Did you put extra salt and vinegar on?” Oleg asks. “Of course,” the gray-haired man replies as though the answer should be obvious and he’s even offended Oleg asked in the first place.

After saying thanks and good-bye, Oleg leads me down to the beach where the rock pools start. The wind is a little stronger here, but the air is still warm. He drapes his jacket over my shoulders. Then, he takes a seat on a large smooth rock at the edge of the smooth white sand. He taps the rock next to himself to invite me to sit as well.

When we are comfortable, he hands me one of the take away boxes. I lift the lid and laugh.

“Fish and chips,” I say with a wide grin.

“The chips are nice and soft too, with extra salt and vinegar all over them. The best way.”

I pick up a chip and pop it into my mouth. I can’t even remember when last I had fish and chips and damn, these are so good.

Looking out over the crashing ocean waves, the sun is busy setting over the ocean, creating orange and silver streaks across the water. I can see exactly why Oleg likes this place the most.

I look over at him.

He looks genuinely happy.

“This place is amazing, Oleg. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“I guess I should have just brought you here in the first place. I just thought you would want to see the fancier side of the city. Feel spoiled.”

“Being spoiled isn’t about being fancy, you know. It’s not about going to the most expensive place or even buying the most expensive gifts. It’s about doing something thoughtful for someone, even if it costs nothing at all. It’s about the thought that goes into it.”

Oleg stares at me for a long time, his dark brown eyes locked into mine.

I can’t look away, even when a soft smile traces his lips. I can’t drag my eyes off him.

“I think I haven’t heard more truthful words in a really long time, little flower.” He reaches out and tucks a stray curl behind my hair and I lean my cheek into the palm of his hand.

He stays like that for a moment, holding my face in his hand. His touch is warm and my heart feels happy to share this moment with him.

I kick off my shoes and wiggle my toes in the sand. Even though the stars are beginning to shine above us, the sand is still warm from soaking up the sunshine all day.

Oleg takes off his shoes as well and we eat our fish and chips with our hands, completely at ease while we chat about our lives.

There is no doubt that this experience is ten times better than the night we would have had if we’d stayed in that posh restaurant.

Seeing Oleg smile like this is priceless.