I have come to break your legs and frighten your wife and children so much, they will convince you to do anything I ask, Pavel said.
Rasmussen jumped up. What? I'm calling the police.
Please sit down, Mr. Rasmussen. That was supposed to be the reason for my visit. I have decided on a change of strategy.
Rasmussen sat back down and looked at Pavel. What the hell are you talking about?
There is a beautiful smell of bread here and from that, I deduce that your wife is at home.
Yes she is, but leave her out of this. I don't trust you.
Please bring her here. I promise I will not move from this sofa. I want to tell you both something.
Rasmussen got up, walked to the door and called for his wife. After a minute, a beautiful woman appeared. She had dark hair, round eyes and a kind face. Stefan, what is it? I'm right in the middle of.... She stopped in mid sentence when she saw their guest. Hello. Sorry, I didn't see you sitting there, she said as she walked to Pavel and shook his hand.
Sit down my love, Mr. Beljakov has come to tell us something, although I have no idea what.
Pavel waited until she was sitting. As I explained to your husband, the original reason for my visit this evening was to physically hurt your husband, and frighten you and your children. Mrs. Rasmussen put her hand to her mouth and looked at her husband.
It's okay, I think he means well, although I wish he would get to the point.
The point is: in the past, I worked for Mr. Abram Volkov in the real estate business. I was his henchman. Mrs. Rasmussen gasped and moved closer to Stefan. Mr. Abram does not do business fairly. He frightens people into selling their properties to him a lower prices than the market value. In the past, it was me who frightened the people on his behalf. Now I have my own business, and I do not use scare tactics. He looked at the Rasmussen's and noted how intently they were listening to him. I am very ashamed of myself for some of the things I have done, but today it all stops. I promised Mr. Volkov I would do one more job for him, and that was to frighten you two. I understand you were in negotiations with him for the sale of an apartment block in Manhattan?
Yes. My wife's mother has recently died and left us Norfolk Towers. It's got one hundred and twenty apartments. I am an industrialist, I run factories, and my wife is a dentist. He looked lovingly at his wife, before continuing. We have no understanding of real estate, and we decided to sell the building. Mr. Volkov contacted our agent, and we had a meeting, during which we both took a dislike to him and his offer.
Pavel nodded, I understand. As I have explained I was sent here to persuade you to sell to him. Mr. Volkov is a very dangerous man and a very bad man. I believe he will send someone else to persuade you, once he realizes what I have done. I would, therefore, advise you to go to the police and tell them he is threatening you. Please do so for you own sake.
Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen looked at each other dumbfounded. Thank you Mr. Beljakov. We will do so, and we will have Mr. Volkov spoken to. Fortunately, my wife's brother is well placed to deal with this matter on our behalf. He is district attorney.
Excellent. Then I will be off. I am sorry I have ruined your evening, but I wanted to warn you who you are dealing with.
Thank you, Mrs. Rasmussen said. Please wait here. She got up and left the room.
Do you want to buy it? Stefan asked.
I would be very interested in making you a reasonable offer. One to our mutual satisfaction. Perhaps I can ask my secretary so set up a meeting with you and your agent.
Alright. I will do so.
Mrs. Rasmussen reappeared holding a parcel. Here, please take this. Fresh bread. It's much better for you than all the rubbish they sell in the stores.
Pavel looked at her and noted how lucky Stefan was to have landed himself such a beautiful and intelligent wife.
Ella stepped into the bath in Pavel's house and submerged herself in the warm water. It was a large bath, and she could almost swim in it. When she bobbed back up again, she opened her eyes and looked at her belly. In her fourth month, it was swollen, and she loved how it looked. Her breasts were also bigger and tender to the touch. She loved the changes her body were going through, if only the morning sickness would stop.
When she was finished, she got out, dried herself and put on a soft white robe. She walked into the bedroom and lay on the bed. She had never known such luxury. The bed was bigger than her bedroom at her parent's, and the bedroom was almost bigger than their whole apartment. She felt so lucky. She was pregnant by a man she loved and who loved her. Unlike most of her friends, she wouldn't have to worry about money.
She was just dozing off when the phone rang. She picked it up, hoping it would be Pavel. He should have been back half an hour ago.
Hello, she said. There was a long silence. Hello.