“Aleksei.”

He picks up the phone on the second ring; his voice is pleasant and courteous but always expressionless.

“Good afternoon Mr Fedorov, this is Alicia.”

“Oh hi Alicia, what can I do for you?”

“I am calling to inform you of the family meeting scheduled for 7 pm tonight. You are required to join your family at the East wing office.”

“Ok. Do you know what it is about?” She's very professional and the man knows that. He knows the chances of her divulging any information are slim to zero, but since he is not aware of any cause for a family meeting, he had to shoot his shot. The short notice indicates the urgency of the matter at hand, which he is unaware of. The meeting venue is indicative of it being a personal matter, not a business one. The East wing office is where all the heated conversations are held. Far away from the dinner table and ears of the helpers.

“I’m afraid I’m unable to provide you with that information Sir.”

“Whose meeting is it? Who called it in?

“Mrs Fedorov has called it in Sir.”

Mother.

“Thank you, Alicia. I will avail myself.”

“You are welcome. Enjoy the rest of your day Sir. Goodbye.”

She hung up before he could say goodbye. He did not notice though, he was already recapping the week in his mind trying to figure out what he may have done, trying to search out any incidents warranting a meeting at the East wing office.

At least, nothing that he can remember, at the moment. It must be something that has to do with someone else in the family.

It is most probably Vincent or his father. Heck, it could be one of the staff again. Mother going berserk because some of the cutlery has gone missing!

Yet he cannot help but notice the tightening inside of his belly.

Out of habit more than anything, he looks at his watch and the time is 13h45. He might as well go grab some lunch. The plan was to leave the office at 14h00, head over to the library and then go grab something to eat with Naya. The library closes at 14h30 on Fridays. He was going to spend the 15 minutes watching her tidying as he followed her around. Today he will be too distracted by anticipation of the looming meeting. These are always dramatic, heated and sometimes downright gut-wrenching no holds barred contents.

He grabbed his cellphone and wrote a quick SMS.

‘Hey gorgeous, change of plan. I will pick you up later tonight. Something urgent requires my attention. Be ready by 20h30. Wear something sexy for me.’ He was grinning when he hit the send button. Just the thought of Naya in something sexy made his blood warm and he felt that unmistakable stirring in his balls.

Naya.

At 14h00 he is heading out of the office building, the big automatic sliding door opening at its own will. Walking down the steps towards the parking, a thought came to his mind. He should have gone to his father's office and enquired about the meeting. For a second he contemplated calling the old man and asking him, but just as quickly as that thought came, he dismissed it because the old man is not fond of discussing family matters over the phone. Chances are he is just in the dark as the son is since the chairperson of this meeting is his wife.

Families.

Stepping outside, the warm sun hits his face, prompting his photochromic glass to immediately change colour. The sun was shining down on one of the city's handsome sons. A favourite of many females.

His family status gave him automatic power, financially but his looks and alluring manner gave him the power that every man wishes for. At 1.9 meters tall, he was usually the tallest person in the room. He has a full head of curly jet black hair and a permanent tan which works very well with his deep blue sea-coloured eyes. Though he appreciates his long legs and arms now, they were an embarrassment to him while growing up. It wasn’t until high school that he started working and sculpting his body in the home private gym, with help from a professional. He did well with the ladies throughout high school and university, putting it mildly. He stood out. He was known for his looks, sensuousness, and all the characteristics of handsome, wealthy men. His hot temper was well known as well. When talking about him, the ladies never failed to talk about his phallus. He is big in every sense of the word.

It did not take him long to reach his reserved parking spot, his long legs saw to that. He takes pride in his appearances, health and his cars. Today he is driving the black Maserati GranTurismo convertible. The only small car he likes and enjoys, especially on a beautiful day like this. His famous line among his friends is “I like my cars like I do my women, thick and comfortable."

Getting in, he starts the car and drops the top immediately.

Ignoring the urge to turn left after exiting the parking lot proves to be a bit difficult. The right turn takes him away from the city towards the family mansion, whilst the left turn will take him to the library. Turning the right signal on, he consoled himself with the thought of being with her tonight and immediately his demeanour softens. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of his hands caressing hot and moist hidden places, of pleasure. Kissing her full, luscious and inviting lips. It has been only 4 months but it feels like she has always been there. He will never forget the first time he had seen her. The first time he had kissed her and the first time they had made love. Realising that he was grinning like a fool, he tries to compose himself. That is when he remembers the little red box that he was going to give to her at the library. Where on earth is it? Keeping the steering straight with his left hand, he started doing a quick search on himself and finally located it in the inside pocket of his jacket. There is no need to take it out; he was satisfied with knowing where it was. He pats it twice and then returns his hand to the steering wheel. He drove the rest of the way in an almost auto-pilot state.

Pretty soon he is in front of the big black gate at the beginning of the family estate. Punching in the code causes the gate to open. He waits patiently until they were open all the way, which he did not need to but was just another ingrained habit. After the gate had opened all the way he steps on the gas pedal and drives up to the house.

Since he intends to go back to the city immediately after the meeting, he parks at the front of the house. His suite in the mansion is just as big as his loft in the city, though he loves both places the loft has become his favourite since he met Naya. Before meeting her, he would spend at the most a week there with the rest spent at the Fedorov mansion. Before closing the door, he remembers Naya's gift on the inside of his jacket. Knowing that he is going to change into something comfortable, he decides to leave it in the car, lest he forgets it when he leaves. He takes it out of the pocket and tosses it on the driver's seat, closes the door and starts walking towards the front door. Once again he realizes that he is smiling like a fool but he does not care.

"Girl what have you done to me?" and now he is speaking to himself! "I can’t get you out of my mind."

He runs up to the door in long strides. His form-fitting suit looked as if it had been chiselled on him. He never wears anything else but a suit to the office, especially during work days. He is very much aware and has by now gotten used to stares and the ogling. He could feel when the women were undressing him with their looks. He has been dealing with that for almost half of his life. At almost 30 years old, he is in his prime. In every sense of the word.

Inside the house, the first person he comes across is Vince. Cousin Vincent. He is ten years older than him and has lived with the family from the time Aleksei was five. He was orphaned at 15 when his father killed his wife and committed suicide. Aleksei‘s mother was the only suitable relative that could take him in. Their mothers were sisters. He has a massive sub sandwich in his hand.

“Hey, Vince.”

“Hey.” He responds with a full mouth.

“Any idea why we have been summoned up?”

Vincent just shrugs his shoulders. He moves past him in the opposite direction. Aleksei runs towards the stairs taking two at a time. He smiles as he remembers the trouble he and Vincent got into for running up and down, actually more for chasing each other up and down the stairs. Their relationship is neither good nor bad. Aleksei sometimes wondered if it would have been any different had Vincent been closer to his age.

They fought a lot growing up.

He was almost at the top of the staircase when he decided he wants something to eat first. He needs something to sustain him until dinnertime. He makes a U-turn and heads on to the kitchen intending to put something together.

Walking into the kitchen he finds that there is already someone in there.

“Good afternoon Mrs Silverman. “

“Oh hello there Alek.” Responded the old woman, turning towards him with her arms open. Aleksei went in and put his arms around the small woman.

Mrs Silverman has been the family cook for as long as Aleksei could remember. She was brought in a few months before he was born. They are very close. She is the one he ran to for advice and help when he was growing up.

The old woman has loved him since the moment he was born. She had no children of her own. Aleksei was always curious as to why but could never get up the courage to ask her. He was afraid of causing her pain by forcing her to relive whatever it was that made her choose this kind of life.

“Are you spending the weekend with us?”

“No. I am not.” He started towards the fridge.

“Sit down boy, I will fix you a sandwich.”

He goes and sits down on the kitchen chair, placing his hands on the island counter.

“You have been wearing that jacket for the whole day, won’t you take the thing off and relax.”

Aleksei laughs but starts removing the jacket at once, placing it on the other chair. Mrs Silverman was already removing ingredients from the fridge. She knows all his favourite foods, from childhood. Nothing much has changed.

“How is it with you? What is going on?”

“What do you mean what is going on?” Reaching out he grabs the lettuce in an attempt to help. Mrs Silverman slaps his hands.

“Go and wash your hands first. God knows where those hands have been!”

He gets up, goes to the sink and washes his hand. With soap as he was taught. On the inside, the back, in between the fingers. When he is done, he grabs the dry wash cloth and dries them thoroughly before returning to his chair.

“So?”

“So nothing much, except for the family meeting at 7 pm.” He responds as he grabs the lettuce once more. No slap this time.

“So there is a meeting tonight? East wing office?” asks the old woman.

“Yes.”

“Then I better make dinner extra special and plenty today. Maybe that will help.”

“You didn’t know about the meeting then?”

“It is the first I hear of it. I will make sure all the staff is out of the house by 6h30.”

She stops and goes quiet for a little while. She then looks back at him.

“Am I to believe that the reason you will not be staying after the meeting has to do with that new girlfriend of yours?”

“Naya. Her name is Naya. And yes, we have a date at 8.”

Mrs Silverman pauses again and looks up at him. “Have you told your parents about her yet?”

Instantly the knot he had felt earlier started forming again in his belly.

“Not yet.

Mrs Silverman just continued staring at him.

“And why is that? If you don’t mind me asking?

“I don’t mind. I will bring her to meet the family, when she agrees to marry me. Soon.” He adds.

Mrs Silverman pushes the finished big man sandwich towards him. Made from leftover full sliced steak, sautéed onions on a toasted bun. Since he was a child, he insisted on all his sandwiches having lettuce, and cheese and this one was no different. With a generous amount of mayo.

She turns her back towards him as she goes to the fridge to get him a drink. She comes back with a beer in her hand, which she proceeds to open and set beside the plate with the sandwich.

She was quiet but still staring at him. He could feel her gaze and knew exactly what is on her mind. He decides to ignore her and continues wolfing down his sandwich. If he raised his eyes to meet hers, he would have to answer the unasked question, which may have well been asked.

The answer to that unanswered question is the number one reason he had not yet brought Naya home.

“Well, I hope you know what you are doing. False hope has dire consequences, for all concerned.”

Aleksei continues eating his sandwich in silence, eyes downcast. Afraid of meeting the old woman’s gaze because he knows she will read his mind. Maybe even the intents in his soul?

Gulping down the last of the sandwich, he takes one last swig of the beer. He then stands up and walks around to where the old woman is standing. He puts draws her into a hug.

“Thank you, Mrs Silverman.” He holds her for a moment, resting his chin on the top of her head thoughtfully. He then lets her go. Walks back to where he was seated a few moments ago, grabs his jacket and turns to leave the kitchen.

“You are welcome.” She finally responds as he just walks out of the kitchen.

Passing the living room, he catches a glimpse of Vincent on one of the couches, watching TV.

A random thought suddenly crosses his mind. When was the last time he saw Vince with anyone? But the thought left him just as soon as it had come.

He wanted to get to his room, take a shower and make a call.