"You look lovely today, Mrs. Vasilievna!" Laureli said as she placed my cup of tea next to me.
"Thank you Laureli, you look good yourself," I replied with a smile.
I had a simple, high neck black dress, with light orange, pink, and blue butterflies and a delicate belt.
I took a sip of the mint tea and closed my eyes. The memories of last night were vivid in my mind. Although I loved last night and Alexander's gentle and loving behavior, it was very strange.
Being the wife of the richest man in town was definitely rewarding. I had a job working right alongside Alexander, I had the best chefs, the best clothes, shoes, accessories, I had cars and houses if I wanted any of it.
I had everything that I could possibly ever need. I was spoiled with money.
But I didn't exactly have Alexander. Right after our honeymoon, he became extremely distant. He never hit me, or abused me, or yelled at me, but he limited all interactions with me. In public, he usually addressed to me as 'my wife' or 'Mrs. Vasilievna.' He would always open the doors for me and take my jackets, and let me hold his arm, but he would never kiss me, other than the cheek kiss before work.
He would never check up on me during work, or give me hugs or any sweet gentle words.
At home, almost instantly, we each separated into different bedrooms, and I was not allowed to come to his room or disturb him. He never really wanted to see me, so I would spend almost every night of the years alone in my room. He would kiss me incredibly rarely, and we had spent the night together only a few times during our marriage.
The phone rang, interrupting me from my thoughts.
"Vasiliev World Inc., how may I help?"
"Maria, clear my schedule for all of Saturday. We will be attending an evening ball."
"Yes."
He hung up and I frowned. Very unusual. Alexander never attended balls, no matter how important they were or who was hosting them. But I had to follow instructions and began to clear his schedule; rearranging meetings and events.
There were five days left before the ball, and that was short notice. As Mr. Vasiliev's wife, I had to be dressed according to his status, and according to his liking. He had a very distinct taste in style, and my appearance had to match him; I was his shadow.
I looked outside. It was already evening time, and I was waiting until he would end his work so that we could go home.
I stood up and walked to the windows. I looked down into the streets to see people laughing, talking, running, shopping. It was a very busy life down there, and thankfully, or with regret, Alexander didn't allow me to have that.
He did everything in his power so that my life would never resemble an ordinary New Yorker Life. I was not allowed to go walk around the city myself, shop in the stores or go out with friends.
'Everything you need is inside the house, in the office, or with me.' He told me and I couldn't argue.
He knew what I needed and I knew that I could trust him. He did it all because he cared for me, and he cared for my success.
I looked over at the clock. 9:00.
He seemed to be working a little late but at least this was usual and nothing that I could add to my list of strange things he'd done.
I sat back down at my desk and began to write the reports that he needed to be done.
I answered emails like I always do, and then created the worksheets and papers for the staff and for the meetings. I leaned back in my chair, and a yawn escaped my lips.
11:11
I smiled. I knelt my head down and folded my hands.
"Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for the many blessings that you have given me. My life is not perfect, but it is definitely one of the best lives I could hope for. I have everything I need. Thank you."
It was a tradition my mother started- whenever she saw 11:11 she would say a short prayer to remember God's love.
I thought about the words I said... I did mean it. I had a good life, and even if my husband did not show me the affection my heart desired, he was a good husband.
I yawned once more. What was Alexander working on?
Just then, the door opened and he said in a low voice, "Let's go home, Maria. That's enough work for tonight."
I gladly stood up and left the office without a word.
~ ~ ~
"Maria, I have many meetings today and have some places to visit. It's the last day before the McGreggor Evening Gala, and much has piled up." My husband said in a very calm voice, and composed manner.
I was often surprised to how patient and cool he was, even during stressful days.
I nodded. We were in the elevator, getting ready to start the new day.
"We cannot be late, and we'll need to take the car since there are too many of them. I also need you to bring one gift for an elderly woman... find me anything, it's your choice but it has to be elegant."
"Okay."
The elevator doors opened and we walked out.
He gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek, and whispered in my ear, "You got this Maria? You have to be extremely focused today."
I whispered, "I know," and we parted ways.
"Mrs. Vasilievna, one moment please!" Amy called to me as I walked by her.
"Yes, Amy?"
"There is a bouquet of flowers that came in for you. I could not obtain any information as to where they came from, but I set them on your desk."
I frowned.
"Thank you, Amy."
I walked into my office, and sure enough, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting on the desk. The bouquet was neatly arranged with lilac roses, light pink lilies, and lush greens, in a simple clear vase.
I walked over and noticed a note.
'Maria Vasilievna' it said in cursive printed letters.
This was definitely shocking, but I decided not to pay any attention to it since I was supposed to be extra focused today.
I began my work. The first meeting was scheduled at eight thirty, so I had an hour to get work done.
I called the only jeweler I bought jewelry from. He was an Irish jeweler, and Vasiliev's company had once helped him out and they became friends since then. I trusted him to give me the best jewelry.
"I need to find some pearl and diamond earrings. They must be extremely elegant, I'm thinking something for an elderly lady of high status, and they must be appropriate for an evening gala."
My husband never told me that, but I assumed with the gala being tomorrow, this must have been associated with it.
"Delivered today?"
"I need it delivered in an hour at most, to the main office building."
"Very well, Mrs. Vasilievna. Anything else for ye?"
"No thank you, that will be all."
I still hadn't received my dress or my accessories, but I was waiting for Alexander to give me specific instruction as to what my attire should be.
I received a knock on the door thirty minutes later.
"Mrs. Vasilievna, a package came from the jeweler," Laureli said as she handed me a silver box, with a large, white bow.
I opened it and found a pair of dangly earrings, perfect for an elderly woman who may attend a ball.
I took a deep breath, finished up some work, and headed down to the lobby to wait for my husband. I looked around and noticed the large white orchids that lined the tables.
I quickly walked over to Brandon.
"I need a white orchid, the largest you can find."
He nodded and rushed off to find me an orchid. He returned with the most beautiful white orchid, in a silver pot. I smiled. This will warm the heart of any elderly woman.
He arrived five minutes after, smiled as he saw the box in my hand, and we left the building.
It was around six o'clock and we were on the way to the last meeting.
"Maria, this old couple is extremely important and will benefit the company greatly. You see, their grandson is in close relationship to the governor of Iraq, and we have been trying to help immigrants from their country. It is crucial that tonight's meeting will go exactly as planned. Do you understand?" He spoke awfully calmly, but you could hear the warning in his voice clearly.
"Yes," was all I could whisper.
We pulled up and I looked at the beautiful house. It was way nicer than the one we had, there was a gorgeous fountain in the center, with roses growing near it, and a balcony above the doors, and many windows; but it also seemed extremely lonely, despite the two cars standing in front of it.
I took a deep breath, and with my hand intertwined with Alexander's, we stepped out of the car and onto the stone pathway and made our way to the large wooden doors, that were pulled open immediately.
"Good evening!"
A short, sweet elderly lady with a beautiful light blue dress greeted us with a large smile. She had short, curly hair and a beautiful pearl hairpiece.
An elderly man with a dark suit, but very kind and playful eyes stood beside her with an equally large smile.
"I am Bill Jonathan, and this is my wife, Carol Jonathan. It is the greatest pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
The atmosphere of the interior, as well as the kind hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan, forced a large smile to envelop my face as well.
"Alexander Vasiliev, and Maria Vasilievna, my wife." My husband introduced us, and I presented Mrs. Jonathan with the white orchid and earrings.
"Oh, sweetheart! I love this, especially those gorgeous orchids!" she exclaimed and threw her arms around me in a large hug.
"My wife adores orchids, thank you!" Mr. Jonathan said as he smiled at his wife's reaction.
"Really? How interesting, so does my wife. Our entire home and office are filled with them." Alexander smiled as well.
"That is so wonderful dear! Oh, we have so much in common! Come in, come in! Oh, let me get you some tea and we need to talk! Oh, I am so thrilled that you two could make it!" Mrs. Jonathan pulled us in and dragged me into the kitchen with her.
I turned around but did not see our husbands.
"Oh don't worry about them!" she said with a joyful voice as she noticed my frown, "let the men worry about their meetings and corporations themselves, but us wives deserve to settle down a little and have a chat!"
I smiled at her. She was a very sweet lady, one that I knew would be a very great person to know.
"Come on, darling! Let's go sit down and have some tea."
She led the way to a gorgeous living room, filled with gold rims and white paint, great paintings, comfortable, black and brown couches, and a massive chandelier hung on the ceiling.
"Mrs. Jonathan, this is a gorgeous room!" I said as I looked around the place.
It was truly magnificent, nothing compared to my simple living room.
"Oh, sweetie! This is nothing, I'm sure your husband spoils you much more than mine does."
"No, you are mistaken, Mrs. Jonathan. My husband does not like to spoil; he keeps things simple. Very much in style, but simple and delicate. He says that the most elegance is in simplicity." I said with a warm smile.
"Please, do sit down. Here's your cup of tea." She said, handing me a china cup full of steaming tea.
"Now, tell me, where is your accent from? I could hear your husband with a faint accent, and as I listen to you speak, you also share the same." Mrs. Jonathan asked with a twinkle in her eyes, as she began to sip the steaming hot tea.
"We are from Russia," I explained as I also took a sip of the tea. Lavender, one of my favorites.
"Oh, I love that beautiful country! Bill and I went up there a few times, it is truly a great beauty. You feel so small as soon as you step onto the land." She said with a little laugh.
I smiled in agreement.
"Oh, Maria, sweetheart! I'm sure you have heard about the McGreggor Evening Gala? Are you planning to attend with your husband?"
"Yes, we plan to attend."
"Oh, wonderful! That is wonderful, my dear! Come, come with me."
She stood up, placed her cup on the table, and hurried off, and I followed her. She was very quick for such an elder little lady, and I had to hurry to keep up with her.
We entered a little cozy room, full of books and shelves and plants, and of course, a comfy chair and table. There was a fireplace on the side, and a painting hung above it.
Mrs. Jonathan reached over to a little box lying on top of the mantle, and blowing off some dust, handed it to me.
"Here you go darling, I think you will love this."
I opened it and gasped. Inside lay a beautiful vintage diamond necklace with amethysts.
"It's gorgeous, Mrs. Jonathan!"
"Yes, it is, my dear. It is a vintage necklace my husband and I bought in Russia. I would like you to wear it at the ball tomorrow night." She said with a very kind smile.
I turned to her, shocked. "Mrs. Jonathan, I cannot accept your generosity! You are much too kind and this is extremely unnecessary. You should wear this necklace yourself."
"No, sweetheart, it is the right thing. This is from your country, and you must wear it! I have been to plenty of these, and it is not my time to shine anymore. But your family deserves to have this. Please, darling, wear it tomorrow."
I shook my head. "I do appreciate it, Mrs. Jonathan, I really do, but I just can't accept it! Your heart is too kind."
"Maria Vasilievna. I want you to wear this and that is final. I am not giving it to you forever, but only for a single night. I think the both of us can handle that. Now, you will take this, and tomorrow night I expect to find you wearing this gorgeous amethyst Russian necklace."
I shook my head with a laugh. "Alright Mrs. Jonathan... I appreciated it immensely."
She smiled with a satisfied 'hmph.' "Now that's more like it, now come, let us talk some more."
With a smile and a newly acquired black box, with a treasure inside, I followed Mrs. Jonathan out of the room.
~ ~ ~
"Darling! We are all done!" we heard Mr. Jonathan call.
Mrs. Jonathan stood up and gave a wide smile. "That's our cue. We must bid our farewells."
We both made our way to the front entrance, where the men were shaking hands. When we were within arm's length, Alexander took my hand and pulled me to him and placed an arm around my waist.
His possessive action released some butterflies in my stomach.
"Thank you for keeping my wife accompanied," he said with a small smile.
"Oh, it was no problem at all. We had a lot of fun, didn't we, darling?" Mrs. Jonathan said with a little playful grin.
"Of course we did. Thank you so much for everything, Mrs. Jonathan. I appreciate your kindness very much."
"Now, remember your promise, dear. I hope to see both of you tomorrow night."
"We will see you tomorrow night. Thank you very much," Alexander shook hands with Mr. Jonathan, we left.
"Look at what she gave me, Alexander," I said once we were home.
He took the black box from me and opened it. His eyebrows lifted, and I smiled.
"This is truly beautiful, Maria. I'm glad to see you've made such good friends with her."
I smiled and took the box. I turned to leave to my room and was half-way up the stairs when his voice stopped me.
"Maria."
I turned to face him.
"Have you already decided on your attire, for tomorrow's evening?"
"No." I replied, and stepped down a couple stair steps, "I thought you would have instructions as to what my attire should be."
"No, Maria, I trust you will be able to make your own decisions. You will wear the Russian necklace, will you not?"
The lights from the windows were once again casting shadows on his face, and memories of last night briefly replayed in my mind. His hands tugging at my golden hair, my arms glazing over his hard muscles, and his lustful kisses all over my body...
"Of course, Mrs. Jonathan didn't really leave me much of a choice." A small laugh escaped me.
"Very well. Let me know tomorrow morning what you have decided to wear since I will need to match my attire to yours. Which reminds me, we will not be headed out to work tomorrow, since we will need to prepare for the night."
He blinked, and the shadows of his eyelashes became slightly larger. I smiled at the detail and my mind reminded me once more of his lips placed gently on mine in that dark room.
"Goodnight Maria." He whispered it, but it echoed through the silent, dark room, and gave his voice much more power than it ought to have.
"Goodnight." I whimpered and stood at the stairs for a while longer after he had left.
I held the box tightly as the darkness enveloped me. I wanted nothing more than to run into his arms right now. I wanted him to wrap me tightly and keep me away from the darkness and from the cold... I wanted to be more than just Mrs. Vasilievna.
I wanted to be his love.
I sighed and continued up the stairs. I walked into my dark, empty bedroom and sat on the bed. I threw off my heels and lay down, and my eyes closed as I drifted off into a world where everything was just as good, but better.