Chapter 2

VLADIMIR 

“Izbav'tes' ot tela, ono mne zdes' bol'she ne nuzhno( get this body out of here, I don't want to have it here any longer”, I said as I spat at the corpse, turning to clean my hand with the towel that had just been handed to me.

My phone rings and the caller is my dad, I hate two things; Badly done work and phone calls, particularly phone calls from my dad. 

“You have to get back to New York “ came the gruff voice from over the phone. “No” I replied undeterred. “You know what you did,” he said. The sudden realization that he may have figured out what I have done, took a cool on my obstinance. His figuring out is an indication of another badly done work and that's something I can't tolerate.

I called my pilot to ensure the plane was ready, then headed to my house to dismiss my staffs. I had told the driver back home to take my latest car purchase to the family’s hangar at John F Kennedy Airport.

I was welcomed with fairly humid weather, it was approaching summer so this was typical. My chauffeur was already by my car aside as I approached. He moved forward to get my luggage but noticed that I was with none, I never pack before traveling, and I think he just hopes to one day see a luggage in my hand to carry based on professionalism.

He handed over to me my car keys and I took off. I hate being driven, I'm neither aged nor a princess. I lived by my favorite saying; “if you want something done, do it yourself” and that included driving myself.

Upon getting to the door, I was given a cold welcome by my cousin, who considers himself my rival, but I don't rival myself with flukes or people pleasers. I may hate the sight of my dad, but Pavel’s sight? I hated it more. We were age mates but I was older with a day, and he just happened to like our house more than his. Well, not running into him was practically impossible when there's a whole estate just for the Igors.

“I underestimated your day ability to get you back home or maybe, I thought you to be tougher, I guess there's nothing under that armor you hide yourself in,” Pavel said, with a grin on his face, it was so long, I wished for nothing but to put a bullet right through his brain.

“One would think the years would have brought about some growth, but I guess that thought is lost on you. I see you’re still a puppet to my father…classic ”. Without waiting for a response, I took a strode to my room.

Everything in my closet was still neatly arranged as I had left it, each according to its colour. I packed the few I would be needing and instructed for them to be put in the car, I decided to spend the entirety of my stay at my penthouse in Hudson Yards. I called my ex while I was still in New York to meet me up there in 30 minutes, I knew she would without complaints.

I decided to stop over for coffee first, “Espresso” I said to the barista at the coffee shop as I handed over to her my American Express black card. The shock in het face and curious look in her eyes were quite evident, unlike the rest of my family, I'm off the media eyes and I rather it that way. I've never been a fan of the spotlight.

Once I stepped out, I saw a familiar face opposite the coffee shop close to the drugstore. I strained my eye to see if getting a closer look would bring the face to my rememberance.

The lady across was a petite curvy brunette with wavy hair, should be about 5’4, and…yeah! I just figured who she is, my younger brother’s weird friend’s sister, the one whose father’s company was said to have declared bankruptcy. I couldn't see her clearly but it was obvious, the change in status was taking a toll on her and she didn't seem to like it very much.

I pushed aside the thought to drop her off, but soon found my self driving over to the other side of the road to pick her and the moment I did that, I was washed with regret as she entered, I should have just drove past, but something held me from that. I heard her repeat herself twice and had to stop myself from telling her to step down, I was not having the best of days and her voice wasn't helping.

When I got to my penthouse, I noticed Irina had already settled herself in, I had informed the building to hand over the key to her upon her arrival, and that decision was another I regretted making.

“Hey baby, never would I think you'd be back in New York “ she says as she approaches to hug me. I give her a rather one-sided hug and she can tell I wasn't in the best of moods and immediately withdraws. This is what I like about her, she just gets me, we have known each other since we were kids, as my family and hers, the Volkov’s have maintained a certain level of solidarity.

“ Awful day already I see, should I brew you some coffee?”, “no thanks, I had one before getting here” I said, “would you want anything like…”, “ yes, I would want my space”, I said abruptly cutting her off. She stared at me, I could see the pain in her eyes, picks up her purse, and mutters “fuvk you “ as she angrily shuts the door behind her.

Irina’s exit from my appartment was the only satisfying thing I had experienced since I came back, well aside my coffee. I immediately had my bath, ordered for another coffee, I have a slight coffee addiction then went over to my laptop to check up the latest stock update and market analysis. My phone beeped and I saw a text from my dad;

“ we need to talk, 9:00pm. Don't be late”.