I had a horrible thought then.
What if he brought his women back here and I was forced to meet them or converse politely with them. I shuddered at the thought. I didn’t feel like admitting it even to myself, but the disturbing truth was I was wildly jealous of any woman who might touch Yuri.
Chapter 7
April
Eventually, I was shown to Yulia’s room. The young girl lived in a suite of rooms. Her bedroom was designed for a princess, and somehow that felt totally appropriate. She also had a closet; hers was filled with many formal designer clothes. There was an activities room filled with toys and books. In the room was everything I would need to teach Yulia. Desk, whiteboard, books, a laptop. In one corner, I noticed a keyboard and I wondered if Yulia played. Music might provide a way to break through the girl’s silence.
“Where is Yulia?” I asked.
“She is attending classes downstairs. You will meet her later.”
The tour ended in my bedroom.
“Mr. Volkov wanted you to lodge just down the hallway from Yulia,” Mrs. Henderson informed me.
The room was everything I could have ever hoped for. Tall windows invited in the blue skies of the elite neighborhood and the charm of London. A huge bed with lots of pillows, a heavenly Jacuzzi bath almost as big as the bed. A cream and gold walk-in closet that I could have happily moved into. My few possessions were going to look very sparse in there. There was a desk by the window that provided a lovely view of the garden behind the house.
I could see that Brain had already deposited my bag next to the door.
“I will leave you to unpack. Zelda, Mr. Volkov’s Head Personal Assistant will be along shortly with your schedule.”
I thanked her and she slipped away quietly. For a while, I did no more than sit on the luxurious bed and breathe in the sheer elegance of the space and the dreams that it promised.
It didn’t take me long to unpack. I reasoned it would make my getaway easy if necessary and if I needed more, I could always return to my apartment and get more. As I hung my clothes up, I sort of regretted that I didn’t bring at least one elegant dress. Just in case, I had to take Yulia somewhere formal. Everything I had packed was work clothes. No seduction wear since I was pretty sure I would never be able to seduce him, anyway. He seemed like the kind who took what he wanted.
I would have to keep in mind always that I was hired help, nothing more. I hoped Margot was on my side, and if I were lucky maybe in time, I would get the nod from Brain too. He seemed like a tough nut though.
The knock on the door was brisk.
“Come in,” I called, running my hands down my skirt.
A woman of indeterminate age, she might have been sixty or forty, stepped into the room. Her ramrod-straight, thin body was clothed in a beautiful olive-green suit and a baby-pink blouse. While the clothes were expensive and fashionable, they didn’t soften her appearance in the least. The severe spectacles only reinforced the image. She reminded me of a fairy tale character. Like a wicked witch in disguise.
“Good afternoon, April,” she began in a heavy Russian accent. “My name is Zelda Popov. I wasn’t here to meet you on the day of your interview and that is regrettable, since I am in charge of this house, everything, and everyone in it. As it pertains to you, my job is to make yours easier. I do not live here, and I am not always on site, but I will give you my mobile number, so you can reach me at any time. When you have requests, and you will, you must contact me.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you to, Ms. Popov.”
“You may call me Zelda,” she said with a wave of her bony arm.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
She took a few steps towards me and held out a folder. “Here is your copy of your contract, NDA, and your schedule. It is a simple one. Yulia has tutors, so your responsibility is only to take care of her. Make a list of whatever supplies you require, and I’ll see that it’s filled.”
“I will.”
“You can have Monday or Tuesday off. You are free on Sundays too. If you wish, you may join Yulia at church, it’s Russian orthodox, but you are not required to do so.”
“I’ll have Monday off and I’ll decide on Church later.”
She nodded. “I will let the other staff know. Now meals. Breakfast is served at eight, lunch at noon, tea at four, and dinner at seven. You will eat with the rest of the staff after Yulia has eaten, or you may decide to eat with her. This week’s menu is attached to the file so you can peruse through and if there’s anything of concern, or something you desire then just let me know so I can make the adjustments.”