I pull my phone out from the back of my jeans and text her. “I texted you my brother’s phone number. His name is Borya. Tell him I sent you and he will give you a good deal, da?”
“Okay, thank you, Michail.” Vika offers me a soft smile and runs a hand through her carrot red hair before walking past me and entering the vehicle. I take my leave and walk in the back door of Pins and Needles.
“Michail, are you busy?” Kronid questions me as I start to walk past his office. At his question, I head inside and shut the door behind me, taking a seat on the couch by the window. He spins around on the stool he prefers to sit on and cranes his neck from left to right. He must’ve been working in the office for a while today.
“What can I help you with?” Kronid is a good friend to me but an even better boss. I’m honored to work under his leadership.
“Khristina. Have you spoken to her lately?” Ah, Khristina. One of the mail-order brides who came back to Russia recently. She was attacked savagely by the man the agency set her up with. None of us could’ve known he’d turn out to be such a man, though he was, and we dealt with him. She doesn’t have a home to go back to besides us, so we’re going to make this right. We’ll find a man who will treat her like the prize she is instead of a possession he owns. More importantly, we’ll find someone who doesn’t put a harmful hand on her.
Though, I hold much guilt when it comes to Khristina. You see, I was the man who pulled her from the small village she was selling herself in. She wasn’t heavier than a sack of potatoes. You could see every bone in her face, and her cheeks were sunken in. After I was able to get her here, she gained weight and began looking much healthier.
I help Kronid with many tasks, but one of the most important is finding women for the mail-order bride program. Kronid entrusts me with pulling women from situations like the one Khristina was in. I convince them to come work for us, whereas they might be subject to be trafficked out on the streets. We aren’t saints, but we do try to help the women where we can.
“I have. Why do you ask?”
“How is she doing now that things have settled down?”
“Good. She’s much more comfortable. Antsy to know if we’ve found anyone for her.” As much as I don’t want to tell Kronid this, I do. Personally, I think the woman needs more rest after the traumatic experience she had with her last husband.
“I’m glad. I think I’ve found a couple of good ones. I’ve done deeper digging this time, and these are the top three.” Kronid hands me three files, and I open the manila envelopes, flipping through them.
I look over the envelopes and the first two don’t impress me much, but the last one, he volunteers at an animal shelter down the street from him and is part of a charity to help mentor teenagers. The man has stated he’s looking for a wife to cook for him, clean, and someone to enjoy life with. How he’s adopted and wants to foster children in the system, so they don’t end up homeless. “Why does a man like this want a Russian bride? He seems normal, happy.” I could go on, but I don’t.
“He’s a lawyer who’s hoping having a beautiful and charming wife will give him the ability to level up at the law firm. He wants to become partner, and the front runners are men who have wives.”
Ah, that makes sense.
“Have you spoken to this man, Mar . . .” I struggle to pronounce his name.
“Yes, I spoke to Marty a bit ago.”
Marty. What kind of name is that?
“And what did he say?”
“He asked questions about where we find the women. He wanted to know about their backgrounds, to see if marrying one would positively impact their life. After reading his application and speaking to him, I think Khristina would be a phenomenal fit.”
“After what she’s endured, she needs a man like this.”
Kronid nods. “I agree, which is why I want you to speak to Khristina and see what she thinks. I’ll only set him up with her if this is something she’ll agree to. The woman has been through a lot and I will respect whatever decision she makes.”
“Of course. I’ll chat with her and let you know what she says.”
Kronid swivels around on his chair and turns his attention back to the computer screen. I exit the office and shut his door behind me, so he isn’t bothered, then make my way upstairs to where the mail-order brides reside. I find Khristina in their living area, watching some trashy American housewife television.
“Khristina, may we speak?”
She turns her head and rises from the couch and proceeds to follow me over to a corner of the room so others aren’t keen on eavesdropping. “Is everything alright, Michail?” She narrows her eyes and must be searching for answers.
“Yes, Kronid’s found a match for you, but he wanted me to check-in and ensure this is something you were ready to try again.”
Khristina sucks in a deep breath and nods eagerly. “Yes, please. I’ve been here for too long, and I don’t want to end up like some people.” Khristina motions with her eyes over to the left, and I know the woman she’s already speaking of.
“Understood. I will let Kronid know you’re open to meeting this man.”
“Thank you, and, Michail, one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“If this man is anything like my ex-husband, I’m not going to stay.”
“No one here would expect you to stay. Not one of us.” I speak the truth with my words. No one here wants
