'I did not realize Fedor could be this proficient in the kitchen,' Olivia chuckled, as she whispered to Ilia.

Ilia laughed. 'His father loves to cook, but Fedor,' she shook her head, 'his expertise is elsewhere, not in the kitchen.

'Yeah. I would agree. My fiancé's expertise lies in business and bullying people about.'

Ilia laughed again. 'Does he bully you?'

Olivia smiled. 'Not me no; but in business, he is single minded, and immovable. I sometimes feel sorry for the clients he engages with. Some of them try to test his reserve, others think money will sway him, and I bide my time in silent amusement, as he deals with them.'

'I'm glad he has you,' Ilia smiled lovingly.

'I'm glad too,' Olivia grinned. 'Do you think this breakfast will be served soon? Rebecca is already banging her toys about. Perhaps I should serve her some fruit.'

Just as Olivia spoke, Fedor arrived with two platters, one for his mum, and one for Olivia.

'Thank you. Oh wow. This looks lovely.'

On Olivia's plate were poached eggs, bacon, bangers, a little bowl with strawberry yoghurt and sun flower seeds, drizzled with honey.

'This is tasty,' Olivia dived into the poached eggs, as she watched Fedor seat Rebecca in her chair and serve her scrambled eggs and cut up pieces of bacon.

'I would love to say, my pleasure,' Fedor grinned, 'but I watched dad ... for future reference.'

Olivia and Ilia laughed.

'Dad! Dad!' Rebecca banged her cup, awaiting her tea.

'I'll get it,' Olivia gently pressed on Fedor's shoulder, as he attempted to get up.

'You want tea darling, or fruit juice.'

'Tea, mum. Please,' Rebecca continued banging her cup.

'No need to bang the cup Rebecca,' Olivia chastised. 'Just ask.'

Oliva tested it was not too hot, poured it into Rebecca's cup and handed it to her.

'Thank you,' Rebecca circled both palms around her cup and sipped her tea.

'Finished mum,' she pushed her plate away.

She hadn't finished everything on her plate, but Olivia nodded to Rebecca, who slid of her chair, to play with her toys.

Ilia and Olivia, did the cleaning up after breakfast. They heard the men conversing of taking a drive, to do something Rebecca would like. So all were in agreement to a visit to a nearby botanical garden.

Three weeks later, they were on a business trip to Bulgaria. Olivia did not know why Fedor wanted her there. His clients though Bulgarian, were fluent in Russian. Olivia was not even surprised that Luba, was in the meeting. She was his operations manager.

'You don't need me here Olivia whispered to Fedor, before the meeting started, everybody speaks Russian.'

Fedor laughed, cupped her by the elbow to take their seats. 'I do need you, all the time,' his eyes bore into hers meaningfully.

'Fedor!' She found his adorable russet brown eyes irresistible. She wanted to kiss him. Fedor was professional and focused during meetings, never distracted, his mind never wandering. She looked around. Everybody was taking their seats, readying themselves for the meeting to start. Even Luba was reading from her file.

'What I am proposing darling,' Fedor whispered in her ear, straight-faced. 'Come work in my company full time. Whatever you make in a year, I will pay you that, on a monthly basis.'

She gasped. That would be a substantial jump in her salary. Her company, Around the Globe Translation Services, depended on the business from Fedor. If she left, they would lose significant revenue from a prestigious client. Olivia decided to park his fantastic offer.

'Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Shall we begin?' Olivia announced in Russian, not responding to Fedor's gracious job offer.

Fedor smiled, as he opened his file to commence the meeting. Since she was not translating, Olivia recorded the meeting, took notes and would later present Fedor with typed up Minutes of the meeting.

That evening, in their hotel suite in Bulgaria, Olivia was on the phone talking to Rebecca. She'd had a bit of a runny nose and a sore throat, so Sophie, suggested, Rebecca stay with her, instead of travelling to Bulgaria. Olivia had reluctantly agreed.

'How are you feeling sweetheart?' Olivia asked.

'Okay mum. My nose is still running, but my throat is fixed,' Rebecca replied in a very nasal tone.

Olivia laughed. 'I miss you my baby.'

'I miss you too mum, but daddy said I will only sleep with Sophie for one night and then you will be back tomorrow.'

'Yes. We will be back tomorrow. And I will give you the biggest hug and kiss, when I see you.'

Rebecca chuckled, as Sophie wiped her nose. 'Mummy, can I talk to daddy?'

'Sure sweetheart,' Oliva walked back to the dining room. Fedor had been working on his computer, so she'd walked to their bedroom to call Rebecca. 'Fedor, Rebecca would like to ...'

Olivia stopped talking. She stared from Fedor to Luba. They were standing too close to each other. Two pairs of eyes stared back at her, one gloating with devious delight, the other's eyes looked unreadable. Olivia spoke into the phone.

'Rebecca, can daddy call you back, he is with somebody?'

'Okay mum.'

The call was cut. Olivia slipped her phone into her pocket. She had to believe her own conviction, that her man was monogamous, that he was faithful to her and that fidelity was important to him, as it was to her. Luba glinted hatefully, as she tendered a treacherous saccharine sweet smile.

'He called me,' Luba jerked her head towards Fedor. 'He wants me.'

'For work Luba!' Fedor growled. 'Not for sex!'

Luba's head flew to Fedor. Olivia folded her arms and waited.

Luba took the one step, closing the distance between her and Fedor. She placed her palms on Fedor's arms. 'I can give you sex. Lots of sex,' she murmured. 'Spend the night with me.'

'Really Luba! You're propositioning Fedor, in my presence!'

Luba directed her angry, hate filled eyes at Olivia. 'He was mine once. I will remind him tonight, how satisfying I am in bed.'

'You are right, when you use the word "once."' Fedor removed Luba's hands off his person. 'We had sex once! I told you I don't want a relationship with you. I value you as an employee Luba. That is all.'

'I can be more Fedor,' Luba placed her hands boldly on Fedor's chest.

Olivia laughed. 'So, you want to offer Fedor sex? What about the rest of the day? How do you plan on holding Fedor's attention and interest?'

'Olivia!' Fedor's eyes held hers with warning. He did not want Olivia debating with his employee. But Olivia was unfazed.

'You know Fedor does not want sex every night. Sometimes ...'

'Olivia!' Fedor's voice thundered in the room.

Olivia was on a roll, she continued. 'How long do you know Fedor, Luba?'

'About ten years.'

Olivia laughed again. 'You've had ten years, to get him interested. You did not succeed. You slept with him once. He never came back for more!

'Olivia, I am warning you.'

'Be quiet Fedor.' Olivia calmly spoke to Fedor, without raising her voice. 'Luba you can't have Fedor. You cannot engineer anybody to be attracted to you. Either they are interested in you or not. How many times are you going to throw yourself, at somebody who clearly is not reciprocating, what you want? Do you have no self-respect?'

Luba glared angrily from Olivia to Fedor. Her eyes dark with hatred. 'That's it Fedor. I quit!' Luba hissed. 'I am going back to Russia. I am not working for you anymore.'

Fedor sighed. 'I am sorry to hear that Luba. You are a valuable and an exemplary worker, but I accept your resignation. I cannot have an employee disrespecting my wife,' Fedor walked to Olivia and curved his arm around her waist.'

'You're not married yet!' Luba screamed.

'In my eyes, she is my wife,' Fedor pressed his lips to Olivia's. 'In my heart, she is my wife.'

Luba started with her mouth opened. In all the years she'd know Fedor, he was a private man. At work, he was dogged and focused. His private life was never played out in public. Luba knew Fedor did nothing to appease anybody. He never spoke words he felt no conviction for. Clearly, he loved this woman. Luba finally had revelation, she could never compete with Olivia. No woman could. She watched one last time, as the couple gazed into each other's eyes, oblivious of her presence in the room. Luba turned away and quietly let herself out of the room.

'Which night did I not want sex with you? Ever?' Fedor murmured, his lips hovering over hers.

Olivia laughed softly. 'Never,' she whispered.

'I've just lost a valuable technical expert.'

'I'm not sorry...' Olivia announced truthfully.

Fedor pressed his forehead to hers. 'To be honest, neither am I. I don't want to deal with emotions and unprofessionalism whilst working. When I am at work, I am working.'

'I know,' Olivia whispered.

'Now that I am not working ...' Fedor's palms slip down her back, moulding her to him.

'You have to call your daughter.'

'Right,' Fedor sobered, hauling out his phone. 'Will she still be awake?'

'I hope so.'

Fedor smiled, as Rebecca answered. Oliva could still hear her nasal tone, as she mentioned the book Sophie was reading to her.

'I love you baby,' Olivia spoke into Fedor's phone.

'Love you mum. Love you daddy. See you tomorrow.'

'What can I bring my baby?' Fedor smiled.

'Sweeties, but don't tell mummy.'

'I can hear,' Olivia announced.

'Sorry mum,' Rebecca laughed.

'Only one pack, okay Rebecca,' Olivia offered.

'Yes.'

'Good night Rebecca. We love you,' Fedor ended the call.

Fedor slipped his phone into his pocket. His eyes caressingly on her face. 'Where were we?' He murmured huskily.

Her body was humming for sexual consummation. He knew it too. Olivia's arms snaked around his neck, her fingers sliding into his hair. Her eyes closed, her lips closing over his in an erotic kiss. Fedor's arms tightened around her body, as he hungrily took over. He moved towards their bedroom, his arms still around her, guiding her backwards towards the bed. Clothes were ripped off, hands and lips moved and caressed over bodies. Fedor pushed her roughly onto the bed. She gasped, but her eyes revealed her unquenched desire. Fedor's dark, passion filled eyes, the pained, contorted look on his face, his rock-hard erection, gave her so much satisfaction. Her arms lifted, inviting him, onto her body.

'Fedor!' she cried out desperately, as he answered her with a deep thrust of his hips. Her legs locked around his back. His hard length filling her. She sighed happily, pressing closer, tightening around him. He moved inside her, harder, faster, pulsing inside her. Deeper and deeper. She convulsed. A burst of light exploded within her. Then he growled loudly, his life force spilling inside her.

Olivia smiled, as Fedor pressed his lips to her throat. Their sweat glistened bodies were still entangled, but totally satiated. Olivia sighed blissfully, as Fedor rolled over, taking her with him. She nestled on his chest. They were quiet, silently enjoying the after-copulation bonding. Fedor was whispering in her ear. She murmured sleepily, appreciating his loving and his caressing fingers sliding up and down her back, lulling her to sleep.

'Are you going to say yes,' Fedor murmured.

'Huh?' She dragged out sleepily.

'Are you coming to work with me?'

Olivia opened her eyes and inhaled heavily. She was exhausted. She wanted to fall into deep blissful sleep, but Fedor was like a robot. He didn't seem to need sleep.

'Can't we have this discussion tomorrow?' she whispered.

'I want to talk now. I want you to say yes. I want you with me, full time.'

Olivia laughed softly. 'So, I guess there is no discussion?'

Fedor smiled boyishly. 'You know I won't force you, but I don't want anybody else.'

'I don't want to brag,' Olivia started, then sighed. 'But I am valuable to my company. They depend on skills to bring revenue to the company. They need me.'

'So that's the only problem?' Fedor lifted himself up.

'Well yeah. It will be a financial blow to them.'

'Do you know companies offer 'buy-out' options with service contracts.

'What?' Olivia looked at him in puzzlement.

'I have engaged in a contract with your company. The buy-out option will necessitate me to offer an agreeable buy out option, whereby I acquire your services, exclusively, and you no longer are in the employ of Around The Globe.'

'Right... I have heard of such a clause.'

'So, you will agree, if I make a very enticing offer to your boss?'

'What kind of offer?' Olivia laughed nervously.

'I do believe the current going rate in a scenario like this would be a specified percentage of your annual salary,' Fedor grinned, warming to the idea, that very soon, Olivia would be part of his company.

'So, you will talk to Jack Braddock, and make him a fair offer?'

'I'll be more than fair darling. I'll double what ever he asks for, and my offer to pay you the equivalent of your annual salary on a monthly basis, still stands,' he smiled adoringly.

'That's too much and unnecessary,' she countered.

'We'll see,' he grinned boyishly.

The wedding day...

Olivia was as happy as a lark on steroids. Their wedding was taking place in a picturesque castle in Italy, located atop the hills in the countryside. It was a historic, fortified castle of a noble family, set in a charming, romantic, part of Tuscany, surrounded by rich history, majesty and extravagant comfort. It was magical and thrilling.

Olivia's ice white, chic fit gown sculpted her figure, with a tasteful portrait neckline highlighting her décolletage. Artful knots detailing cinches caressed her waist, making it ultra-flattering. Delicate silk petals extended to the edge of the elegant cathedral train to complete Olivia's classical, timeless look. In a word, she looked breathless.

Fedor was cautiously surprised when he got a note, summoning him to Olivia's suite, which she and Rebecca had slept in the night before, sans her adorable, handsome fiancé. Rebecca was delightfully adorned in a miniature version of the dress Olivia had on. Rebecca was already downstairs seated, next to her grandma. Fedor's dad had agreed to escort Olivia down the aisle. Fedor knocked nervously on Olivia's door. When she opened the door with a charming smile, he choked on his breath, his fingers clasped at his sides, aching to take her into his arms. His eyes softened as he gazed at his beautiful bride.

'You look absolutely beautiful,' he murmured.

'Thank you. So do you,' she smiled shyly, but she did not exercise as much restraint as Fedor, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

'Darling,' he groaned huskily. 'I thought it bad luck for the groom to see the bride, before the wedding.' He lost all control, wrapping his arms around her, his lips caressed her throat passionately. His arms tightened around her waist.

'I don't care about bad luck,' she whispered against his cheek. 'I wanted to give you, your wedding present.'

'My present?' he laughed.

'Yes, but don't come in,' she instructed. 'Stand there,' she rushed into her suite and returned to her curious fiancé, with her hands behind her back.

'What is it?' he smiled, unable to take his eyes off his fiancée

'Congratulations,' she smiled, offering him the little gift-wrapped package in her hand.

'Should I open it now?' He asked breathlessly.

'Yes please. It is why I summoned you,' she smiled.

Fedor eagerly tore at the wrapping. Olivia laughed at his impatience. Fedor visibly gasped, when he read the word 'pregnant' on the test widow.

'We're having a baby,' tears flowed freely down Fedor's cheeks.

'Another baby,' she whispered, throwing her arms around him again.

'Darling, I love you. This is the best wedding present, ever.'

'I thought so,' she smiled, her palm cupped his face gently.

'How far are you,' he gushed.

'Nine weeks.'

'Will you marry me now? I cannot wait for you to be my wife.'

Olivia laughed. 'What's going to change? We live together already.'

'You are mine. All mine,' he tightened his arms around her body. 'I want it in writing.'

Olivia laughed. 'Okay. Let's go get married. I love you, my husband to be.'

'And I love you, always. Forever and ever.'

They sealed it with a kiss of commitment.

                    -the end-