The Cruel Boss Won't Let Me Go

Blair's aunt held her arm and bent down, "You know the woman?"

 Unable to control her emotions, Blair's eyes were filled with jealousy and rage, "I not only know her...I hate her! I hate her so much! No wonder she hasn't gone to the practice room at school. He has a magnificent Steinway in his apartment!"

 Blair stomped her foot and kicked the potted plant by her foot. "BITCH! SHE NEEDS TO DIE!"

 A slender man wearing an expensive custom made suit was exiting the elevator and Blair's aunt put her hand over her mouth, "SHHH!" 

 "Auntie!"

 She whispered, "That is my agent and I found a part for you. Act sweet."

 Blair's aunt smiled at the distinguished looking man approaching them, "Did you bring the script?"

 His eyes roamed over Blair's face and body evaluating her potential."Your niece?"

 " Blair, this is Harry Bryant, my agent."

 In Nikolai's apartment Merri was sitting on the couch, still in shock from being held so intimately.

He brought her a glass of wine, "Sorry if I startled you. The woman who lives down the hallway is annoying and I thought if I said you were my girlfriend she would stop pestering me. You know the younger woman?" 

 "I do. Blair is my classmate and I have known her since Middle School."

 He sat down on the couch next to Merri and set his glass of wine on the coffee table. "Why were you avoiding her in the lobby?"

 Merri didn't want to tell him the sordid details of their long history, she chuckled, "It is a long story."

 "Is she in the same Competition as you next month? She mentioned it when she wanted to give me piano lessons."

 Merri's face paled, "Blair...she wanted to give you piano lessons?"

 "Yes. Well, her aunt suggested it and she seemed eager."

 His eyes had a mischevious gleam and his lips curled up into a faint smile noticing her unhappy expression as she gulped down the red wine.

 Merri gazed at him and opened her mouth to say something then closed it. She lowered her head and her shoulders were trembling. How can I say anything...

 When he saw her dejected appearance he couldn't continue to tease her. "I told them I was quite happy with my teacher."

 She looked up and her amber eyes were sparkling, "Really?"

 He was dazzled by her bright smile and affectionately rubbed her head. "Really."

 Merri blushed, "Should we order the groceries?"

 "Okay."

 Viktor his friend's grocery store and after he hung up he said, "I have a business call, you can practice if you want."

 He walked down the hallway to his study when he entered he shut the door and called Vladi. 

 Vladi stared at the white packet of powder in his hand as he answered the phone. This will at least be a stop gap measure and give me time to dissuade Nikolai. Nothing good can come from him pursuing Alexi's woman. I can't let my good friend ruin his life because of a damn slut. Little angel? More like a little demoness to bewitch both Alexi and Alexi.

 He explained his plan and Viktor slammed his hand on his desk, "Are you insane?!"

 "Which would you rather have? The little girl in a hospital bed or in Alexi's bed?"

 Nikolai's mind was in chaos, how can I poison the little angel? No, I can't do it.

 Vladi played with the packet in his hand, "You can kill two birds with one stone. She won't be able to go to England and the blame can be put on the Rimbaldi brothers. If he thinks they poisoned his woman he won't let them go. I can make the trail lead back to them."

 "Will she be in pain?"

 "She will have a fever then be in a coma. During this time I can try to come up with a plan for you."

 Nikolai's heart tightened into a knot and his hand was trembling holding the phone, "A coma?"

 "I will give you the antidote. You could wake her up at any time."

 "Where did you get this poison, are you sure its not dangerous?"

 "I have used it before. I wouldn't give it to you if I thought it would harm the girl." He laughed, "I don't want to die without a corpse. It is your choice. On short notice it is all I could come up with." 

While Nikolai was in the study contemplating what he should do, Merri happily played the piano. The doorbell rang and Merri wondered if she should answer or go get him.

 She looked at the monitor and saw a young boy with two brown bags in his hands. She hesitated then opened the door. The boy had a shocked expression as he entered, "Are you Uncle's new cook?" He was surprised how young and beautiful the girl was who answered the door.

 Merri smiled, "No. I am Mr. Rushkin's piano teacher."

 He walked to the kitchen and set the bags on the counter. "Oh yeah, he mentioned he was learning to play the piano." Which seemed really weird at the time but now I see why.

 Curious about Nikolai, Merri asked,"Mr. Rushkin is your uncle?"

 "Well...no... he and my father are old friends."

 Noticing the teenager was drenched from the heavy rain she handed him a towel, "You must be freezing. Take off your coat and I will make you a cup of tea before you go."

 He rubbed his tousled brown hair with the towel and answered, "Umm..I don't like tea but I will have coffee. Where is Uncle Niko?" He wanted to ask him about investing in a video game company his friend was starting.

 Merri opened the cupboard and took out the coffee tin. "He is in his study."

 The boy put away the groceries as Merri made the coffee. When it was ready she handed him the coffee cup then took out a pot from the cupboard.

 He added two spoonfuls of sugar and stirred while watching her as she opened the refrigerator. When she took out a package of mushrooms and an onion he raised an eyebrow, "Are you making dinner?"

 "Well yes." Thinking about him asking her if she was Nikolai's cook she laughed, "I guess I am his cook also. He helped me out a great deal so I said I would make dinner for him."

 She chopped the potatoes, onion and mushrooms and put them into a frying pan as the boy watched. 

 Nikolai walked into the kitchen and frowned when he saw him, "Why are you still here?"

 "Uncle, I wanted to talk to you about something."

 "I'm going to have dinner, another time."

 Merri looked up from stirring the potatoes, "Dinner won't be ready for awhile."

 "..."

 The boy gave Merri a big thumbs up in his heart, "It won't take long."

 Nikolai reluctantly agreed and walked into the living room. "What?"

 He excitedly took out a folded up paper from his pocket, "Look. My friend from high school designed this game. It is so cool! He wants to set up his own company instead of selling it to a big company. I want to invest...well I want you to invest."

 Without looking Nikolai pushed the wad of papers back to him, "Forget it. It isn't as easy as just making the game, there is manufacturing, marketing, overhead expenses. If the game is decent he should just sell it."

 "Uncle! Hear me out! Myles Winslow is a fucking genius! He has a lot of great ideas!"

 Nikolai's interest was piqued, Myles Winslow? The little angel's brother?

 The enthusiastic teenager pleaded, "Look at the game and the business plan. If you don't invest, that snake Vincenzo's brother will and I don't like him! That shift eyed bastard will rip Myles off, I know it. I told him to wait for me. I knew someone who might lend me the money."

 "You and that kid should concentrate on graduating High School first."

 Unwilling to give up the teenager pursed his lips and his eyes were filled with determination, "He said he won't wait because he needs money to help his sister. Myles said she has been carrying the load for both of them since his father died and he can't stand it anymore. He told me that his sister is always bullied and he is tired of helplessly watching. He even...well...anyway...at least look at it."

 A delicious aroma drifted into the living room and the teenager's eyes lit up. "How about I stay for dinner and we can talk more."

 Nikolai's face darkened and a cold blast of air made the boy shiver. But he saw a ray of hope when Nikolai said "Leave the papers, I will look at them later.Go, your father probably wonders why you haven't returned to the store."

 Merri walked into the living room and Nikolai's always cold face showed a trace of gentleness. The teenager stared at him and had an idea, does Uncle like this girl? Maybe I could get her to help me.

 Nikolai turned to him and tapped his finger on the damp stack of papers. "Not leaving?"

 "Leaving." He ran and got his coat.

 Merri watched him rush out the door and chuckled, "He's cute, reminds me of my brother."

 Nikolai saw her amused expression and the corner of his mouth twitched, the brat is not cute at all! "Dinner is ready?"

 "Hmm."

 While they were eating Nikolai casually asked, "Your brother is in High School?"

 Merri cut a piece of steak, "Yeah. A senior."

 He poured more wine into her glass, "What does he want to do when he graduates?"

 "Myles...well... go to University. I was worried after losing my job but he told me that his basketball coach said he should be able to get a full scholarship, tuition and living expenses." 

 The doorbell rang and Nikolai went to answer the door. He saw Vladi through the monitor and opened the door. When he entered Vladi brushed past Nikolai and hurried to the dining room, "I see the little cook made delicious food again!"

 Merri sweetly smiled, "Have you eaten? I can set another place."

 Nikolai's eyebrows jumped and he gave Vladi a warning look. First the kid now this bastard!

 Vladi shivered, "I had dinner."

 "Merri, I have something to discuss with him. Don't wait for me to finish eating."

 "Okay."

 After they left Merri drank some wine then ate a forkful of potatoes. While they were gone without realizing it Merri drank half a bottle of the sweet wine.

 Vladi left and Viktor returned to the dining room. Merri had her arms propped on the table and her head resting in her palms. He smiled, the little angel is so cute.

 Merri's eyes were shining and her voice was soft, "You're back.I will get your plate. I put it in the oven to stay warm." 

 When she stood up she swayed and quickhely supported her, "Are you okay?"

 She leaned into his chest and looked up at him with a silly grin, "I'm a little dizzy."