The tall teacher stopped and turned, transfixed by the stately mistress of the house. Although Dmitry had previously warned that his wife was a bit stoic in the interview, his explanation had not done justice to the perfect beauty, who seemed at first sight to be unwelcoming.
Dmitry also had not mentioned that his wife was black or at least mixed. From first sight, Mistress Medlov's features were so exotic it was hard to pinpoint exactly what she was, but there was evident melanin that suggested African heritage, and her body was definitely sister-like with busty curves and a mean diva walk.
"Ahh, you must be Victoria," Royal said with a sly grin. She knew Dmitry was watching her, praying for her not to misbehave and send this wench flying out of the front door. It was a tall order, but she tried hard to comply.
"Yes, ma'am. You must be Mistress Medlov," the woman spoke in an American English accent.
"I am."
Anatoly smirked. That wasn't all that Royal was, but he would let the poor woman find out on her own.
"You sound American."
Royal started down the steps as her clan dispersed around the room to various vantage points to watch the event unfold without their views being obstructed.
"I am. I'm from… " Victoria paused and looked around the elegantly designed room. "I'm from D.C. by way of the Dominican Republic. My family moved to the states when I was a baby."
Royal walked up to her and offered her well manicured, diamond drenched hand. She shook her hand firmly, looking her up and down, inspecting the new help. "I've never been to either place, but I've heard tons about them."
"They are very diverse places," Victoria answered, releasing her hand. "What city are you from?"
Royal raised her brow. "All over. But enough about me. This is my family. You already know my husband Dmitry, who went through the labor of hiring you. That is my daughter, your pupil, Anya." She turned and pointed in the opposite direction at the corner bar. "His son, Anatoly. And my bodyguard, Davyd."
"Nice to meet you all," Victoria said with a nod of her head. Her eyes lingered toward the blue prisms of Anatoly's eyes as he too sized her up. He gave a sly nod and turned back around in his seat away from the drama and the young stranger.
Victoria Jackson was a tall, dark and strikingly beautiful woman. Her perfectly toned, milk chocolate skin gave contrast to the designer winter white wool suit cut to fit her long slender body and brought out her bright brown eyes.
She radiated style and elegance with perfectly erect posture and an apparent social grace that Royal chalked up to her being from a good family and having a good education, which had been two of Dmitry's prerequisites for this position.
"Were very happy to have you here," Dmitry said, walking up to Victoria and Royal with Anya. He sensed the need to interject in the conversation before it turned sour. He could see that his wife was trying to be gracious but could feel her anxiety from across the room.
"Thank you, Mr. Medlov," Victoria said, shaking his hand.
He was a breath of fresh air in the room. His smile calmed her. Unable to keep her attention from the beautiful little girl, she looked down at Anya.
"You're a very gorgeous little girl. I can't wait for us to begin our classes tomorrow."
"Daddy said that you were going to teach me a lot of new things," Anya smiled, holding on to her fathers trousers. "But Mommy said you're just one more person to irritate her."
"Anya," Dmitry corrected as he looked down at Royal, who only smirked.
"It's okay," Victoria smiled but noted the concern.
Anatoly laughed and swirled his ice around in his water. He could always count on Anya to liven things up a little.
"Don't scold her, Dmitry. I did say it," Royal countered, taking up for her daughter. "But lets just hope that that isn't the case." She smiled at Victoria.
"I'll do my best, Mrs. Medlov," Victoria said courteously.
"Good, now if you come with me, I'm going to escort you to your new living quarters, make sure that you get everything that you need to be comfortable and leave you for the rest of the day on your own," she turned and waved at Stepan to get Victoria's luggage. She couldn't wait to get this woman as far away from her family as possible. There was just something about her that she did not like.
"Well, I was hoping that she could join us for dinner tonight, since it is her first night here," Dmitry added.
Even Anatoly looked over with a cocked brow. Was he crazy? He and Davyd made eye contact.
Royal stopped. Now, he was pushing it. "Oh. Well, okay. Then, well call for you around dinner time. It's normally around six." Her smile was half crooked. The patience she had mustered was now starting to wear thin and not with the woman but also with Dmitry.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be here." Victoria sensed Royal's resistance to the imposition but chose not to decline his offer. After all, her checks were written by Mr. Medlov, not his stuck up wife.
"Can I go with you, Mommy?" Anya asked, reaching for Royal's hand.
"Yeah, baby." Royal picked her up and planted her comfortably on her left hip while giving Dmitry a very dirty look.
Together, the three women left the room
