It was 11 AM, and Svetlana and Olesya joined Sasha at the dining table near the swimming pool.
Sasha sat at the patio table near the pool, enjoying his favorite brunch this morning. The chef served hand-rolled Russian crepes, stuffed course ground beef and sour cream drizzled over the top. He greedily crammed his mouth with a crepe one after another. Then he washed it down with a fine hot Sri Lankan tea, splashed with a dollop of milk.
“Good morning, Sasha,” the women chimed enthusiastically.
“Grrrr morning,” he spat between bites of food. Then Sasha grabbed another crepe from the serving plate and inhaled it whole. He quickly washed the crepe down with tea before it became lodged in his throat.
Olesya placed a couple of Russian crepes onto her plate and spread a thick lather of sour cream over the top. She neatly sliced each crepe and began slowly eating them.
Svetlana continued sitting there with an empty plate in front of her while her mind became lost in thought. She pondered how she could broach the subject with Sasha. Then she let out a sigh and leaned closer to Sasha. Svetlana pleaded, “Sasha, I was wondering if I could speak to you alone.”
Olesya eyed Svetlana suspiciously while she scanned back and forth between Sasha’s and Svetlana’s faces.
“Sure, why not? Olesya, give us a couple of minutes.”
Olesya dropped her fork on the plate with a clank and grabbed an apple from the fruit basket on the center of the table. She began nibbling on the apple as she walked away and returned to the house.
Svetlana started immediately, “I’ve been putting in a lot of hours at the hotel. I was wondering if I could have a day off today. I need a little me-time.”
Sasha hesitated. He almost snatched another Russian crepe off the plate, but instead, he withdrew his hand and folded his hands together, placing them on the top of the table. He scrutinized Svetlana closely with fiery intent as he gave Svetlana one-hundred percent of his attention. He does not cave into the girls, but Svetlana was one of his favorites, one of his top earners.
He continued staring at her.
“Sasha, it’s just one day.”
He lowered his head onto his hands for a minute, and then he raised his head and replied, “Okay, Svetlana, I supposed I can give you a day off. Are you planning on anything tonight? Do you have a hot date about whom I do not know?” He chuckled a little.
Shrill laughter erupted from Svetlana, and she uttered, “Nooooo! I don’t have a date. I had at least three hot dates each day for the past two years. I think I definitely need a break from men. I just need a little me-time.”
Sasha joined her laughter and added, “I see your point. I imagine by now, we men disgust you.”
Svetlana hesitated for a second before broaching a taboo subject. Then she continued, “Well Sasha, I was wondering if it’s not a problem if I could have some of my savings. I thought about buying some expensive jewelry, like a Rolex watch and a pearl necklace.”
“You know I invested your money,” Sasha snapped sharply and added, “I’m looking out for your best interests. When your services are no longer needed around here, I’ll let you cash out.” Then Sasha hastily grabbed another Russian crepe.
Svetlana wanted to laugh, but she restrained her emotions from unwarranted outbursts. She knew the true meaning of Sasha's retirement plan. When Sasha didn’t need her anymore, she would be swimming far out to the sea wearing cement galoshes.
Svetlana caressed his hand and feigned sincerity, “I think if I wear it at the hotel, the customers will think I’m a princess. It would make me worth more.” Svetlana jingled her body seductively, emphasizing her point.
Greed slowly churned in Sasha's mind as he poured himself another cup of tea from a glass teapot. After a long sigh, he replied, “I suppose I can give you 5,000 euros. When do you need it?”
Svetlana covered her mouth with a napkin to hide her frown. She worked hard for Sasha for two years for a gruesome six days per week with no vacation time and serviced at least three customers every single back-breaking day. Sasha rewarded her long, disgusting toils with a paltry 5,000 euros. In Svetlana's mind, she earned Sasha a truckload of money, but Sasha was a greedy, Russian gangster. Of course, she was surprised Sasha would pay her any money.
Svetlana sweetly replied, “This afternoon. I would like to go shopping.”
Then Svetlana began caressing Sasha's leg. Her hand stroked back and forth across his inner thigh while every stroke brought her hand closer to Sasha's crotch.
Once Svetlana brushed her hand against his crotch, Sasha pushed her hand away rudely, “I'm sorry Svetlana, but not today. I'm saving myself for someone else. I must break the new girl in tonight, and I need the energy and stamina. I need to put her ass to work, and start making some money from her.”
Svetlana feigned a smile at Sasha' schemes, but her inner voice kept screaming at her, Oh no. Leave the poor girl alone. She's just a simple girl, kidnapped from Bosnia.