Chapter 24 24

Chapter 24 24

It was a solemn moment, as the priest delivered the farewell sermon. Amanda, Kendrick and Felix fiancee sat in the front row of the church alongside Ivan and Katerina.

Shortly afterwards, Ivan was called to speak about Felix. He rose and walked to the pulpit, his expression somber.

“Growing up, I never understood what it was to have a brother or a sibling.” Ivan began. “ But everything changed the moment Felix came to work at the estate. I found him as an interesting young man, much like I was, and we bonded without any extra effort. He was like a brother to me, scratch that, he was a brother to me. When I mourned my father, he was always there, giving me a reason to smile when I didn’t think there was. It’s just so sad that he had to leave way too early. I’m going to miss you, Felix, but I know you wouldn’t want me to dwell on that loss too much.” Ivan concluded as he got down from the pulpit.



The funeral party had a few persons in attendance, with framed pictures of Felix lining the walls. Guests took turns speaking to Kendrick and Amanda, offering their condolence. Katerina quietly followed Ivan, grabbing a drink when she could and sitting only when necessary.

For a minute, she stepped away and stood by the window gazing at the view outside. A soft chuckle drew her attention back to the room. For a split second, she spotted Slavik, their eyes met and he subtly signaled to her. She immediately scanned the room for Ivan, he was talking to Felix fiancée, so she headed towards Slavik’s signal.

On the porch, she reached him.

“Hey” Slavik said.

Katerina could see faint marks on his face.

“I am so sorry, Slavik”

“For?”

“For… what Ivan did to you”

“There is absolutely no need to be sorry, Ivan is just being Ivan. It’s you I’m concerned about, I hope you didn’t get hurt.”

Katerina stepped back a little, “He wouldn’t dare” she paused. “ I better get back inside now, I’m just glad that you’re okay.”

Katerina headed towards the entrance door, but Slavik grabbed her hand gently.

“ Katerina, I want to help”

“What changed your mind? Last time we met, you were so insistent on me dropping the case, so what happened?”

He took a sip from the glass he held in his hands.
“Well I thought about it again and then I knew I had to help.”

“So does this mean that you’re going to actually help me find out what happened before the accident”

Slavik nodded his head in agreement. He brought out a piece of paper, and handed it to Katerina.

“Call me anytime.” Slavik said

“We've got to be very discreet, Ivan doesn’t want me anywhere around you” Katerina said

He scoffed. “Like I don’t know that already.” he looked away. “ Just to be clear, I am not helping you Katerina, I am simply helping Sasha.”

Katerina stared at him for a moment before heading back in.

As she stepped in, Ivan walked towards her with Felix fiancée.

“Darling, I thought I told you to not leave me” he said affectionately.

What was he doing? Katerina thought.

“Oh I’m sorry, I just stepped out to have a feel of fresh air”

“This is Isabel” Ivan introduced.
“Felix fiancé, she would like to speak with you”

Katerina’s face turned into a smile “Oh, hi, Isabel, I’m Katerina”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you” Isabel said with a very soft voice.

“I better run along now, let me let your ladies talk” Ivan said stepping aside.

“ This must be really hard for you, losing your fiancé”

“It is really hard for me” she started “Once the funeral is over, I’ll be traveling somewhere else to start life afresh”

“Do you have a place in mind?”
“Not exactly, Boston maybe. I just need some time to really process all of this.”

“You do… no one should ever make you feel guilty for taking the time you need.”
“And what about you?” Isabel asked suddenly. “How does it feel, living this life?”
Katrina paused, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
“Sasha…”
“It’s Katrina now,” she corrected.
Isabel chuckled, “You know when Felix told me that you had returned under the name Katerina I was amazed.”

“Isabel, is there somewhere you’re going with this?”

“Come on Katerina, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I’m guessing you do not remember me at all”

Katerina grew curious, “We’ve met before?” She asked.

“Yes we have. Back when Felix and I just started seeing each other. I didn’t even know who Ivan was neither did I know that he was married to the sweet lady I met in Mexico.”

“Okay”

“Felix told me you developed amnesia and I’m guessing you don’t remember me at all”

“I’m sorry, Isabella, but I do not remember you at all.”

“Ler me help a bit” she started. “ We met in Mexico, at the airport. I got into the country completely out of cash because I was scammed. I was stranded. I didn’t even know what to do. We met at the airport, and you walked up to me and offered to help”

Katrina listened intently, her heart hoping Isabel would reveal more, something crucial she needed.
“I told you what had happened to me and you ordered a ride for me. When we got to the hotel, you even offered to pay for another room, but there weren’t any available. Every single place was fully booked except for one, and you simply suggested we could share it if I didn’t mind. Honestly, I was completely taken aback by how willingly you helped me, without a hint of fear that I might harm you. The next morning, I had some cash and was able to leave, and that was it.

“Wow” Katerina said in awe. “Did perhaps let you know why I was in Mexico.”

“ So we really didn’t talk so much, but I think it had something to do with an investigation. You suspected that some people were after your husband, and you wanted to give him evidence. I remember asking you if your husband knew where you were and what you were doing but you said no. You were certain that you were going to crack the code. Once you did, you planned to inform your husband and that was basically it.”

Katerina sighed, she was disappointed. Although she learned a new fact about her visit to Mexico, which was shocking to her, but the information still remained the same, she was looking for evidence to show Ivan.

“Uhm… Did I meet anyone else while I was there?
She asked.

“Not that I know of, but I was aware you were meeting up with someone. Maybe a friend or your brother I really can’t tell.”

“What about where we met, did I mention that?”

“I’m sorry Katerina, but that’s the much that I know”

Amanda walked towards them, “Sasha dear, I’ve got to take Isabel with me”

“Alright ma. Thank you very much, Isabel”

Isabel smiled and left with Amanda, just as Ivan walked up to Katerina.

“We need to take our leave now” Ivan said .

“Okay”

Katerina replied, following him out.


Katerina walked into the room right after Ivan did.
She reached for her necklace trying to get it off but it was a bit difficult. Ivan noticed and walked up to her.

He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. Her heart skipped; she shuddered.
“Let me help,” he said softly.
Katrina resisted for a moment, but Ivan persisted. He unclasped the necklace and placed it in her hands before turning her around to face him.
“You looked beautiful tonight” he said quietly. “I know I don’t say this often, but… thank you”

“ For what?” She asked.

“For coming with me to events like this” He said.

Katrina wasn’t impressed, she wondered why he was being so gentle cozy tonight. Without replying, she walked towards her dresser, undressed and slipped into her nightwear. By the time she got back, Ivan had also changed into his nightwear.

“I saw you earlier today,” he said suddenly.

Applying lotion, she paused and turned to him.

“We were literally in the same room all day” She replied, raising an eyebrow.

“That’s true,” he said with a faint smile. “But you slipped away from my sight right when Mr. Kendrick was about to speak”

“ Ivan, what are you implying ?” She asked.

He chuckled, “ I saw you with Slavik”

He stepped closer, his hands tracing her arms.
His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered,
“What were you two talking about?
Her pulse quickened, she could feel his breath.It had been a long time since he’d been this close. It felt less like affection, more like interrogation masked as intimacy.
Ivan lifted her chin with one finger, gazing at her intensely.
“ I am guessing that he didn’t have enough of you in Mexico, so he decided to bring it here”

Mexico?
So he knew about Mexico?
She pulled away sharply. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I know, I know that your amnesia wiped that part of your memory clean. But rest assured, everything you did in Mexico with Slavik will come to light.“
He paused.

“ How shallow can you go? It wasn’t enough that you wanted my father dead and my life ruined, you had to drag another man into it.”

“ Grow up Ivan, all you ever do is point accusatory fingers. Katrina did this… Katrina did that, without a single piece of evidence”

“Only for a while, Katrina… only for a while. Soon enough, you will be exposed for who you truly are.”

“Don’t be too sure, Ivan,” She shot back. “I cannot wait to watch you beg me”
He scoffed. “Beg you? I’ll never do that.”
“Never say never,” she murmured, climbing into bed and switching off the lights.

Ivan turned back the lights on, he got out his phone to make a call.

“ I am guessing everything is set?” He asked

“Okay good, we will meet tomorrow at the agreed time” Ivan concluded, hanging up.

He relaxed himself on the bed, tugging off the duvet from her body.

Ivan was programmed for war, and Katerina made up her mind, she wasn’t going to be on the loosing team.