13: Zayka

KATHY

I woke up surprising refreshed the next morning.

Maybe it was the bed or maybe it was the good news I got from Gabby the previous night.

Nana was stable and was almost ready to be discharged too.

I felt like it was going to be a good day for me. I got dressed and came out of my room, closing the door quietly.

I had barely taken two steps when I slammed into something solid.

"Oof!" I exclaimed, stumbling backwards.

I rubbed my forehead and wondered who I bumped into that felt like a fucking rock.

I looked up.

Viktor.

Of course.

He didn't even look like he had felt the impact meanwhile it felt like I had a bruise on my forehead.

"You could at least pretend like that hurt" I muttered.

"Good morning to you too" He said before walking right past me.

"Seriously?"

No reply, he just kept on walking.

The man had the communication skills of a refrigerator.

I followed him immediately trying to get him to say more than a few words.

"Is ignoring people your hobby?"

He still kept quiet and I kept on following him through every corner and every turn. I was not going to let anyone, not even him ruin my good day today.

"You know most people respond when someone talks to them"

"And most people fuck off when nobody wants to talk to them" he finally responded still walking.

"Oh I get it" I stopped walking all of a sudden.

Somehow I felt embarrassed. I would have just ignored him like he ignored me.

"I bet you wouldn't have ignored the blondie. With the perfect skirt and neat hair" I suddenly said, raising my voice just a little as he was still walking while I stood.

That did it.

He finally stopped and turned around slowly. He lifted his brow and the corner of his lips twitched, almost like he was about to laugh.

Before he could respond to me a small voice echoed in the hallway.

"Uncle Vik"

Anya came running towards him, nearly crashing into his legs.

Viktor reacted immediately, lifting her into his arms.

His entire expression softened.

That was unexpected.

He said something to her in Russian and Anya giggled before responding.

The two of them continued talking in Russian and I just stood there, watching them.

After a few minutes, Viktor gently dropped her back on the floor and Anya turned to me with a bright smile.

"Ready" she said.

Impressive, she was already catching on.

"Let's go" I said, reaching for her hand.

We turned around about to leave when Viktor spoke.

"Be careful, Zayka"

I stopped, so did Anya. I turned around sharply.

"What?"

But he had already turned the corner and was no longer in sight.

I sighed.

Always acting like a fucking ghost.

What did he mean by Zayka?

"One day I'll make him answer all of my questions" I mumbled and Anya giggled like she understood me.

We started our lesson shortly after.

Today's focus was simple greetings. Or at least, it was supposed to be.

"Good morning," I said slowly.

Anya looked at me blankly.

I tried again.

"Good..."

Nothing.

I pointed at myself.

"Katherine."

Then pointed at her.

"Anya."

She nodded enthusiastically.

Progress.

Finally.

Then she answered... in Russian.

I stared at her.

She stared back.

This was going to take longer than I thought, and I thought she was already making progress.

I grabbed a notebook and began drawing pictures instead.

Apple. Book. Chair.

She immediately named every single one. In freaking Russian.

Wonderful.

"So..." I tried casually.

"Who lives here besides you and your Mama?"

She answered but in russian.

"How many guards does your uncle Vik have?"

Russian again.

I smiled through gritted teeth.

"Does your uncle always stay in the mansion?"

More Russian.

Motherf...

"Helpful. Very helpful" I smiled through the pain.

I rested my forehead against the table.

It was going to be impossible to get useful information from a kid. But then again, maybe I was asking the wrong questions.

"Office?" I said pointing towards the hallway.

Her eyes lit up. She nodded repeatedly.

Then jumped into another very enthusiastic explanation.

Entirely in Russian.

I wanted to scream. Even just a little.

Instead, I smiled politely.

"I have no idea what you're saying."

The door suddenly swung open.

The loud sound startled both of us.

Natalia was standing in the doorway.

Her sharp blue eyes landed on me immediately.

Then on Anya.

Then back to me.

"What are you asking my daughter?" She asked, voice cold.

Oh no!

Was she evesdropping on us?

I slowly stood up.

"We're having an English lesson." I said, my heart beating hard against my ribs.

I had screwed up.

Natalia's expression didn't change.

"I heard you questioning her." She said accusingly.

"It was part of the lesson." I lied.

She stepped farther into the room.

"I asked you a question."

Fear gripped me.

Was she going to tell on me? Or was she going to punish me herself. Kill me?

Anya lowered her head.

Her cheerful mood suddenly disappeared.

I noticed it immediately. It was interesting to know that the little girl wasn't afraid of Viktor.

But she was afraid of Natalia... her mother.

"I asked about vocabulary," I replied evenly. "And I asked who lives in the mansion so I could help her practice answering simple questions in English."

Natalia narrowed her eyes.

She didn't believe me.

Or perhaps...

She simply didn't want to.

She already judged me from day 1.

For several long seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then, without warning, a deep voice broke the silence.

"Is there a problem?"

Viktor.

Natalia looked away from me.

He gestured his head for her to leave the room.

She threw me a glance before walking out, her hills hitting the ground like it was a stampede.

Viktor walked into the room and I stepped back a little.

I was already giving myself away. I shouldn't show fear.

I rubbed my sweaty palms together and raised my chin up.

"What did you do?" He asked, his voice sending chills down my spine.