Chapter Twenty-One

Although having a private plane to jet around the world was great, there was nothing like planting his feet on solid ground. After several months of going from one place to the next, never having a meeting in the same place and constant situations to handle, Anatoly was actually glad to be back in Memphis.

The flight had been a tedious one. He didn’t want to see another customs agent or flight attendant for at least a week. All he really wanted was to rest his head in his own bed and see his dogs. A lot of people traveled with their animals, but he had taken a page from his father and decided against it. However, the torture of leaving them to other people’s care made him feel as though he was neglecting the only thing that was rightfully his in this world.

When he crossed the threshold of his front door, Vasily was behind him toting his luggage, and the maids were in the entrance way awaiting further instruction. In his normal fashion, he threw his backpack in the corner and waited for the sound of little feet tapping against the marble floor. It wasn’t long before he heard them. His dogs came rushing, nearly knocking each other over to greet their master.

He knelt down to hug them, allowing them to kiss him on his mouth as he checked them over before he stood to observe his home. Everything appeared to be as it should have been.

Walking quietly with the mail in his hand, he made his way to his office and sat down in the chair behind the wooden credenza that his father had spent many hours behind during his time as boss.

Today was not like any other day, however. It was Renee’s birthday. And while he did rush to get home, he had stopped to pick up a special gift for her in New York.

They hadn’t spoken since the night before. He had told her to take the day off from the boutique and get dressed up for their date. But she had insisted that it was imperative that she only take a half-day to wrap up some end-of-month obligations.

They finally agreed to meet at six. He had offered to send a car to pick her up from her apartment, but she said that she would meet him here after she was finished.

He couldn’t quite explain his excitement, but he felt it deep down inside of him. Tonight, he would finally tell her how he truly felt. It was odd that they had arrived at this point and ironic that he found himself finally understanding his father’s position with Royal only after going through the violent rollercoaster of emotions that he was faced with afer Victoria and Briggy. But he truly felt that now he was ready. If he was sincere enough with her, he hoped that she would consider staying on in Memphis as more than his shop girl.

Anatoly had never had a real girlfriend. In fact, the very title sounded utterly ridiculous to him, but he was attempting to try something normal, although he had never had much normalcy in his life before.

His father had given him advice once that he never had followed through on before now. Before buying Royal one of the most expensive diamond necklaces that Anatoly had every laid eyes on, Dmitry had explained to him one thing. “You cannot buy a real woman, he had said to him, but you woo her to the point of reason with fine things. And the one thing that all women respond to is jewelry. It’s in their genetic code to be responsive to diamonds,” Dmitry had said adamantly. “If you shower her with the best in life, she’ll shower you with the best in love.”

So, for once, he had tried his father’s approach. He stopped at Tiffany’s and bought Renee a diamond bracelet that was fit for a queen.

He dug into his pocket and pulled the blue box out. Setting it on the table, he opened it slowly, basking in the amazing brilliance of the perfect cut stones. He knew that she had never had anything as nice as this, and he couldn’t wait to see her face when he gave it to her. Maybe if his words didn’t quite convey his feelings, this would help him along.

***

Renee worked feverishly through the last of her tasks in the back office. Filing away paper and sending off the last of her emails, she jumped up from her desk and grabbed her purse. It was already noon. Time to go. There were still a hundred things to do before her date.

She smiled at the thought.

Anatoly hadn’t let her down. He had come as he had promised to be with her, and she had the distinct feeling that tonight would change the rest of her life. Butterflies began to flutter inside of her stomach again. How she wished that Royal was here today to talk to. It was strange not to be able to confide in anyone about what was going on, but after all that had happened, she had learned that it was always best to keep her own council.

“Miriam, I’m getting ready to leave,” she said, walking out of the back room with her purse in one hand and her dress for tonight in the other.

“Yes, ma’am. There’s someone here to see you,” her assistant said, moving towards her.

Renee looked up at the front to see the reporter, Destiny, standing by the counter flipping through a fashion magazine and waiting.

“What does she want?” Renee asked quietly.

“She didn’t tell me. All she said is that she needed to speak with you personally.”

Suddenly, Renee had a bad feeling in her stomach. It quickly took the place of the butterflies

“Can I help you?” Renee asked, moving towards Destiny.

Destiny looked up from the magazine and smiled. Grabbing the black, unlabeled CD from the counter, she stuck her hand out.

“Hey, do you remember me?” Destiny asked.

“Of course. You’re the reporter who did the great article on the restaurant,” Renee said guarded.

Destiny nodded. “That’s right.” She passed Renee the CD. “You’re a friend of Anatoly’s right?”

“Yes.” Renee took the CD and looked at it.

“Well, I made this for him, but I was hoping that you could take a look at it first. It’s a surprise – my last gift to him before I get out of here.”

“You’re leaving Memphis?” Renee asked, stuffing the CD into her purse.

“Yes. I’m looking to change careers thanks to Anatoly, but I know that he cares so about what you think. So, I was hoping that you’d take a look at it and tell me what you thought of it before I gave it to him.”

“What is it?” Renee asked.

“Just the book trailer for a new project. I’ve decided to sit down and write a memoir of sorts.”
“Wow, well congratulations.” Renee adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “I’m supposed to meet him tonight, so I can pass it to him, if you’d like.”

“That would be awesome, but could you take a look at it first. It’s really short and to the point. If you don’t like it, then don’t show it to him, but if you think it’s got potential, would you give it to him with my regards?” Destiny asked with a bright, almost innocent smile.

“Of course.”

Destiny looked at the dress. “What’s the occasion?”

“It’s my birthday,” Renee said, remembering herself. She pulled the plastic cover from over the dress and showed her. “Versace.”

“Oh, that’s beautiful,” Destiny said, touching the fabric. “I know you’re going to look amazing in it.”

“Thanks,” Renee said, checking her watch. “Well, I better go and get ready, but I’ll take a look at it tonight before I go over there. I have a hair appointment right now, and I don’t want to be late.”

Destiny nodded and turned towards the door. “Well, I don’t want you to lose your spot. But it would mean the world to me if you would do that for me.”

“No problem,” Renee said, walking to the door.

“And happy birthday,” Destiny said, finally as she walked out.

***

Vasily had never seen the mansion look as nice as it did tonight. Anatoly had ordered flowers and had them strategically placed along with candles all over the dining room, living room, foyer and especially the bedroom. Plus, he couldn’t recall ever seeing his boss so dressed up.

Anatoly stood looking at himself in the mirror, checking to make sure that every stitch was in the proper place. He was normally a jeans and t-shirt guy, but tonight, he had decided on an all-black, tailor-made designer suit. The barber had been over to cut his hair. The butler had helped him dress, and the maids had ensured that entire the house looked like something out of a fairy tale.

In truth, Vasily was afraid for Anatoly. He’d never seen his boss put so much effort into anything outside of the business, and he knew that if everything didn’t go perfect tonight for Anatoly, he might not ever do so again. Plus, this was just a first date. It was evident that his boss knew very little of such a thing, because he had the place set up like he was about to propose.

The sun had begun to set, casting a beautiful glow on the horizon. With the summer season slowly slipping away to fall, there was a hint of chill in the air. It was a perfect panoramic view. He had insisted that the maids open the windows and let the fresh air inside. He could hear the leaves on the trees rustling in the wind and feel the evening setting in. It was almost time. She would be here any moment and they could finally begin what they started on the phone two days ago in Prague.

Vasily stood in the corner watching his boss. When the text came over his Blackberry, he checked it quickly and cleared his throat. Anatoly looked back at him.

“Boss, she’s here,” Vasily said, opening the door to the bedroom for him. “They sent her to the solarium like you asked.”

“Better not keep her waiting then,” Anatoly said, feeling in his jacket pocket for the box.

“Good luck,” Vasily muttered.

“Thanks.” Anatoly hit Vasily on the shoulder as he passed. “Take the night off, eh. I’ll be fine.”