This was how the connection between the Caribbean, London and Paris was still existed, and a multi-level one…
No matter how our heroes could seek their happiness in a tropical paradise, the roads would invariably lead them to one of the capitals - on business, in transit or for love!
And it happened like that with Olga, who went to "discover her America" in the Island, a former British colony.
So little time passed, and Olga found herself in London, as the secretary and mistress of a successful businessman of Russian roots. And after a couple of years, Vladimir decided to marry Olga, just like in the case of his first wife Marina, so it has become more convenient for him at the moment in his life as a businessman.
Vladimir was a very successful business man, however he was never travelling just like that, idle, for himself - there were no reason to and nobody to go with. He used to travel the world only on business routes, combining his business with pleasure. Or he simply did not know how to rest…
Now there was a young woman by his side - Olga, with her wonderful childish blue eyes on an angelic face! And everything was so fresh and enthusiastic! She was making so many plans to see this, to visit that! Olga was so much more well-read and versatile, than Vladimir, and saw the world much brighter!
Vladimir has seen a lot during his active life as a major businessman, but his life was black and white, limited by the framework of the business world. Olga brought the whole palette of colors to Vladimir's life. It began to seem to him, that he had never lived before meeting her!…
It has long been known, that London was a city of the rich of all stripes, and Russian oligarchs were at home here. The British capital was true home to several hundred thousand Russians, and about a hundred of them were the Russian billionaires. And they all owned properties in the most prestigious areas of London. Therefore, these areas received the unspoken name of "Londograd"!
One of the most fashionable areas could be considered the Eaton Square in the Belgravia region. That's where Vladimir and his older sister Lyudmila resided. That was where Vladimir brought Olga.
So, it was Belgravia, not Belvedere, as the bear-woman Zina, Olga's former colleague from the Island, once joked. Olga ended up in Belgravia, the most elite district of London!
In the possession of Vladimir and his sister Lyudmila, there was only a half of the house – an apartment on two levels, two upper floors of a four-story building. A beautiful garden, quiet streets with luxurious cars in black and dark blue on the side of the road – everything here is thought out and stipulated in an unspoken code, even the colors of the cars! There was a discreet beauty of very big money everywhere. In fact, it was more of a private park than a square. What an amazing place it was - a garden in a city and a city in a garden. Residents of local houses and apartments even had their own keys to the gates of the garden!
The entire square was surrounded by white houses of four to five floors. All around breathed with history - famous actors, politicians and businessmen lived here at all times… Here was the house bought by Abramovich as well. And the number of this house was kept in the strictest confidence!
…When Vladimir and Olga finally returned from their long journey, it was autumn time. The trees looked in the best traditions of the Pushkin autumn - "crimson and gold"! How peaceful it was here in Belgravia, in the very heart of London! Olga was just stricken with delight! Vladimir was also, to his surprise, happy - now he saw London through Olga's eyes, and he loved it in new way!
Olga and Vladimir walked a little around the outskirts of Eaton Square, went to the nearest church, walked through the park. The dinner was planned at home with the family, meaning, with Vladimir's sister Lyudmila. Olga did not quite understand what the elder sister of her boss and fiancé was, but she was already afraid of her.
Lyudmila was much older than Vladimir and probably considered herself responsible for her brother. Their parents died long ago - the brother and sister were the children of old successful diplomats. Vladimir was born in London and has lived there almost all his life. In Russia, he was only on business.
Lyudmila still remembered Russia; their family was originally from St. Petersburg. In a strange way, she always missed the places where she was not at the moment. She often went to St. Petersburg - to miss London, and vice versa! She was in all tourist centers in Russia and Great Britain.
Lyudmila was in love with genealogy and found the roots of their relatives both in Russia and in England. Their family had been hereditary diplomats for several centuries.
Lyudmila was not a financial genius like her brother. She did not do anything special in life at all - she received a master's degree in art history, but she never worked anywhere for a long run.
From time-to-time Lyudmila gave lectures in various schools and societies. Sometimes she wrote articles or conducted private excursions for the Russians of her circle. Although all this brought her a decent income, but money was never the main issue…
Her beloved brother Vladimir was the center of Lyudmila's life. She felt responsible for his success in the financial business. Although she was poorly versed in business, she was often aware of her brother's plans. And Vladimir always informed his sister about affairs in general terms. Moreover, for many years they both had no one but each other. Lyudmila lived for sake of Vladimir, and Vladimir - for business.
Now Vladimir's unexpectedly serious relationship with Olga became a strong shock for Lyudmila. For the first time in their long life together as a brother and sister, so well-established, dignified, successful, Vladimir spent several years away from his sister. It was difficult to contact him even on the Internet. His answers were rare and scattered…
The very liaison with this Olga was utter nonsense! Complete dissolution of all traditions and rules! Moreover, Vladimir was going to marry her! No previous engagement neither announcements in newspapers and other media!
What happened to Vladimir, did they mix something in his drink!? Was this some kind of Caribbean voodoo!? Lyudmila had read, that on many islands of the Caribbean this black magic was practiced – voodoo! Vladimir has changed so much! He simply was not paying much attention to his sister; he was answering to her as if automatically! And he seemed to completely abandon all business!
The last few years have been a real nightmare for Lyudmila - her whole world collapsing around her like a house of cards was.
Lyudmila had a wish to travel as well, because the house in Eaton Square was so empty! But even the visiting of Russian monasteries did not bring the usual consolation.
Then she traveled to Italy, where she had never visited since her distant youth, she had an affair there right after university! Florence was for her not only a city of high art, but also of love. Venice also kept her most romantic memories.
Lyudmila has long wanted to travel to different cities in Italy, to enjoy the art of the Renaissance and nostalgia for a naive youth… But more than ever she longed to share all her sentiments with her brother. And he almost never answered… And even less often he called and wrote on his own…
Then finally, Vladimir had returned home with his fiancée!!! And this Olga was so weird - a gray little mouse, a pale shadow next to Vladimir, just nobody! What had attracted him to her!?
Their first family dinner was happening tonight. Lyudmila prepared everything in the best traditions. They have a wonderful French chef in the house. He always did the impossible, combined two such different cuisines – French and British, selecting the best from both! He had many of his own unique recipes…
Would this white mouse Olga be able to appreciate all the sophistication of the dishes?
Would Vladimir notice all the beauty of the serving and her, Lyudmila, longing for her brother? He has already arrived half a day, but they have not seen each other yet…
Meanwhile Olga and Vladimir were walking around London. How quiet and peaceful in Belgravia indeed! There are no random passers-by or even cars. It was like a city within a city, or more precisely, an estate with a park in the center of one of the most significant cities in the world!
The young couple finally returned home and climbed to the top floor – the property of Vladimir. Olga could not count the number of rooms or fully understand their purpose. Vladimir told her that it was time to change for dinner and go down to the floor below - one in the possession of his sister. Dinner should start at eight o’clock sharp. They should hurry up…
And so, they met - a fiancée and a sister.
Olga was a young slender blonde with a light halo of wavy hair and the classic beauty of Pushkin's muses.
And Mila (as Lyudmila called herself) - a tall, dry lady of about fifty-five with a short haircut of dark graying hair. She looked a lot like her brother - a little heavy, but regular face features, wide bones, tall in height.
Mila came up to greet both of them - slightly hugged each one and scattered in the usual courtesies. Then the dinner went on with a change of good dishes and nice remarks as if according to some protocol.
Vladimir smiled the most and enlivened the conversation as best he could.
Olga did not feel the taste of the dishes. She looked towards Mila only at the same time with her fiancé. With every minute, fear picked up and fettered all of Olga's movements and thoughts - she never managed to answer intelligently or make a good joke…
Mila even began to smile pitifully and make fun of Olga. She began to sympathetically assure the frozen Olga that she would help her settle in London and would not leave her alone, even when Vladimir would plunge headlong into his work again. Mila’s nicely flowing small talk with a sweet smile and cold gaze made Olga even more nervous.
Olga’s input in conversation was becoming less and less appropriate, and then she fell silent altogether. Vladimir began to say goodbye - Olga was too tired after the flight and the change of climate; it was time for them all to retire.
The dinner brought to exhaustion not only Olga, but also Lyudmila. Everything turned out to be much worse than her worst forebodings. Olga turned out to be not only a pale consumptive shadow, but also a hopeless fool with a complete lack of manners or a sense of humor! Mila could not sleep…
In the morning, Lyudmila tried to work on an article about the influence of Italian Renaissance masters on British artists, but the work was not going well at all… Then she went through the mail, made up a couple of replies to completely unimportant correspondence, just to keep herself busy… But nothing could distract her from sad thoughts.
Lyudmila did not remember herself in such a depressed state… And then her friend Alla called. Mila had never been so happy with her. Alla was a rather annoying friend, talkative and always critical of everything. But now meeting with her could distract her from bad thoughts! The friends agreed to see each other for an afternoon tea.
“Mila!” Alla said on the phone. “I know such a wonderful place, a new Russian restaurant serving tea in a way, you've never seen before, let's go!?”
Lyudmila let herself be persuaded without a delay; a new place was what she needed! She was so tired of everything, all around just had lost its meaning!
The restaurant was really wonderful. Instead of traditional British sandwiches, they served tartlets with caviar, pancakes, black bread with salmon or herring! Instead of tea cups, there were glasses with cup holders - just like servings on the Russian railroad! Lyudmila did not even know whether to resent or admire such innovations in the British tradition of afternoon tea…
Alla was the bored widow of a Russian oligarch, a plump, dyed blonde, a shopaholic and dog’s crazy. She could talk endlessly about herself, but she loved to hear about other people's news so much more. She was aware of everything, knew "who from who" and immediately realized, that Lyudmila looked different. Mila went to a meeting with Alla with a firm intention not to tell her anything, but could not stand it, it was too painful to keep everything to herself.
Alla, as always, chattered incessantly, but then suddenly stopped and looked intently at Lyudmila.
“Mila, something about you is not right today,” she said. “And you barely touched the food! I thought you'd like it here! Yes, a little too Russian, but how elegant everything is, isn't it!?”
