Chapter 11: Eleven

DINNNER FOR A GHOST

“Thank you” Katerina said to Serena, who had just brought in a tray of grilled Salmon, with steamed vegetables and a glass of chilled juice, neatly arranged for her in Ivan’s room.

“You don’t always have to thank me, I am only doing my job” Serena said with a soft smile.

“So well, at that”

Serena smiled.

“ Your dress should arrive any minute from now.

“Serena” Katerina called.

“Yes, ma’am”

“Do you have any idea what the meeting tonight is going to be about?”

“I wish I did, but I am afraid my work here is strictly to serve and serving is what I focus on. I'll take my leave now.” Serena said.

“Thank you once again”. Katerina said.

Serena smiled politely and took her leave.

Katerina picked up her meal and began to eat.

———-

“Do you really think it’s a great idea, Ivan, exposing Katerina to the rest of the family. “ Dimitri asked as they walked back toward Ivan’s room.

“Well, I think it’s an excellent idea.” Ivan replied.

“What if it triggers her memory, it’s going to be terrible. Especially knowing that no one knows what happened to her in that accident “

“Those are all just lies, uncle. I can’t believe even you are starting to believe her. All the family knows is that she went missing and this is more like a reunion than anything else”

“But….”

“Uncle, you worry too much. I assure you, they’d be no problems. And even if there are, I am a Morozov. I don’t get to be questioned” Ivan said walking away towards his room.

Inside, he found Katerina lying flat on the bed. He stepped into the bathroom and took a shower. Afterwards, he went into his dressing room and dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.

“Katerina” She didn’t respond,

He stepped closer to her seeing her eyes still closed, he tapped her gently.

“Katerina”

Katerina’s opened her eyes. For a moment she thought she was seeing doubles.

“Come on, get up. Go get dressed.”

Katerina turned on the bed.

“Ivan, I am so sorry. But i don’t think I am fit to go with you to meeting”

Ivan chuckled.

“It’s not up for debate.”

“But my stomach hurts and I feel dizzy.“ She pleaded.

“Since when?”

“Just…less than an hour ago.” She admitted, her hand pressing against her abdomen.

“Katerina, why do you insist on trying to ruin everything for me”

“Ruin everything for you…?” She paused. “All I am asking is to be excused from the meeting. I am really unwell. My sincere apologies”

“You’re such a liar Katerina. Orders remain the same. You’d put on that dress, wear a fake smile and meet me outside.”

“Ivan… I really can’t. If I go like this, I am afraid, it could ruin the dinner for everyone”.

“I’d decide what ruins the dinner and what doesn’t. Get dressed Katerina” He said, his tone final.

His phone rang. He answered.

“The limousine is ready now sir”

He hung up.

“Fifteen minutes “ Without saying another word, he turned and walked out the door, leaving Katerina staring at the door, frustrated.

—-

The limousine was parked outside. Dimitri and Yelena would ride in one vehicle while Ivan and Katerina would go in another.

Dimitri and Yelena were already waiting.

“I am guessing Katerina isn’t coming with us” Yelena said, inwardly pleased that her plan seemed to be working.

“She is.” Ivan replied concealing the doubt he had if she was actually getting dressed. “She just needed a little extra time to get ready”

Extra time to get ready? That bitch! Yelena thought.

Katerina came out of the house looking pale but Ivan didn’t care. The chauffeur opened the dor and she entered, alongside Ivan. Dimitri and Yelena got into their own limousines and the two limousines drove off.

There was silence in Ivan’s and Katerina vehicle.

“Can we uhm, have some music”

“I like it quiet” Ivan replied coldly.

Katerina was barely holding herself together on the way to the meeting and his refusal of her request just tipped her off the more .

“Ivan please, let’s just have some music playing.”

“No,” He insisted.

“Why are you so heartless and cruel? Have you ever for once stopped to think of the possibility that the guy you caught in my room… Sasha’s room was probably lying? What if I am innocent? What if Sasha is innocent? Have you ever considered that she could be caught in circumstances beyond her control. Instead all you’ve ever shown is hate, resentment… not once any compassion. When all this is over, I hope to never see you again.” Katerina flared up, her voice shaking in frustration.

She couldn’t believe she had settled for a man without a heart.

Had he gone too far or was she just trying to guilt-trip him. Ivan cared less for an answer. All that mattered to him at the moment was that they arrive at the dinner

together.

He pressed at a button at the limousine console and soft music began to fill the car. Katerina tilted her head against the window, staring at the city lights and the journey continued in uneasy silence.

——-

Morozov’s Heights was dressed in class and luxury. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the walls, adorned with potraits of the Morozov generations; each a testament of wealth and power.

Dimitri, Katerina, Ivan and Yelena walked in. They were greeted warmly, exchanged handshakes with the household’s esteemed guests.

In every passing moment, Katerina felt a growing ache, heavier than before, yet she forced herself to hide it. She accompanied Ivan as he greeted his father’s friends, business partners and allies, engaging in small talks over glasses of rare, expensive wine.

A gentle clink of glass signaled it was time to sit at the table.The main table, long, was reserved for the top mafia lords and their wives. Children and younger relatives sat at smaller side tables, a bit distant from the main business of the gathering.

Every glance around the table carried meaning; every nod, every gesture was deliberate. Small talks and the faint sound of cutleries filled the room. Katerina straightened her posture, her eyes observing everyone in the room. She had never been in such a gathering. The rate of her discomfort began to increase. Slavik who sat adjacent to them began to notice. Katerina hadn’t touched her food.

“Katerina, you’ve barely touched your food” Slavik said.

Oblivious to who he was, she responded softly, “I have.”

“Should I pass the bread”

“Oh no, I am okay.”

“You should take some more veggies,” he said, offering a tray of vegetables. Katerina collected it and scooped some veggies into her plate and handed it back.

Yelena’s eyes were on Ivan the whole time. Enjoying the display Slavik was putting on.

“I am hoping Ivan mentioned how amazing you look today” Slavik said.

Ivan set down his cutlery and cleared his throat.

“The last time we all gathered here like this was during Sergei’s wedding. It was a good day for all of us. I would have sworn the next gathering would be for Boris' wedding or perhaps Slavik.

Slavik nearly choked on his glass of wine.

“Rather what brings us here today is no happy matter but the attack on Morozov’s estate. So I ask who, amongst us here, has a problem with me and rather than come to confront me, you send weak incompetent men to my home.”

The room murmured in surprise.

“When did this happen,“ one of them asked.

“Just yesterday, around 3 am”

There were multiple reactions.

“I wondered who would want to attack my home, so I assumed it was just random men. So I had my men interrogate them, and to my great surprise, the name that came out of their mouth was… Slavik.”

“Oh dear brother. A little mischief here and there; what harm could it do? Aren’t we brothers?” Slavik said carelessly.

A low murmur filled the room. Katerina stared at Slavik, realizing that he was the man she had been friendly with a minute ago that tried to kidnap her.

“Brothers?” Ivan asked. “Brothers don't try to take what isn’t theirs”

More murmurs rolled through the main table.

“Come on guys, let’s calm down. It was nothing serious. I’d just returned and was bored. I thought to myself why not lighten up the mood” Slavik said.

“With guns and other weapons?” Ivan asked.

“Orders were clear, no use; only protection”.

“Would you care to explain why you sent one of your men to abduct my wife?”

“It was a joke brother, a bit of folly” Slavik defended.

“My wife is not a game for your entertainment. If you are restless, why not take a whore and do whatever it is you want with her”

Slavik got furious and got up, Ivan rose to meet him..

“You will not speak to me in that tone” Slavik warned.

“I will speak to you however I like. No one, and I mean anyone here gets to come after my wife “

Katerina's vision blurred, their voices began to become distant. Slowly her breath began to fade. She collapsed to the ground and everything went black.