One more night with her

"Oh, Mr Makalov. That magazine company wants to know if you want any copies of the issue that they featured you in. They called earlier to see if you were interested since it went out this morning", Harriet hovered in the doorway. "No, I don't really care. My uncle will buy one if he wants to use it to make fun of me that badly," I answered without looking up at her. I was focusing instead on the two massive monitor screens on my desk.

"You're right. So funny, Mr Makalov", She let loose an exagerrated laugh. I barely dipped my head in a nod in response to get her to leave. She huffed through her nose, but seconds later she vanished. Once the door to my office was shut and the haze in my head seemed to clear, I pushed myself to focus on work. If we had a new nightclub going up near the river, I had many people to contact to make sure it got underway.

Unfortunately, I started thinking about the area again. It was close to the theater. The same one I would go to back with my aunt this weekend. Would Rhea still be the star of the show? I couldn't imagine anyone else at the front of the stage after seeing the second half of her performance.

Something that felt like a pebble formed inside my chest . No matter how often I rubbed my chest, that feeling didn't go away. There was a ballerina stuck in my mind and I didn't know what I had to do to get her out. My uncle had advised me against it, but by the end of the day I was so on edge I wondered if I should arrange another night with Rhea.

"She's just the best lay I have had in a long time," I told myself inwardly. "Maybe one more time will get her out of my system. I can take my time and really get the most out of it",

I was a fool for thinking of it, and I needed a cigarette for considering it.

~~~~
"My sweet, sweet nephew. Thank you so much for dinner. You know I love the tiramisu there",
Oh! and before the ballet," Aunt Annika's thick Russian accent floated in the air through the back of the car as l silently listened to her. She leaned forward in Cadillac to speak to the driver. "You know, my nephew here is richest boy in entire city!"

"Yes ma'am," the driver, Antonio very well knew who I was, but he also knew to indulge Annika when she was with me.
Antonio had been driving me for the past two years, but my aunt didn't pay attention to the faces of anyone who didn't directly work for her.

"I helped to raise this boy. Raise good kids and they will repay you when you get older," She cooed, twirling the large diamond rings on her fingers. "Absolutely, ma'am," Antonio replied. " You two are going to have a great time at the ballet. I hear swan lake is one of the best performances out there", Antonio went on.

"Of all time it is the classic!" Annika straightened her fur coat as Antonio pulled up to the theater.
"Alright, Tetya, let's go." My hand put out her hand for me to help her from the car. I went back to the driver's window and Antonio rolled it down.

"You have the next two hours to yourself, but I will need you to take my Tetya home at the end of the show," I advised, passing him a hundred dollar bill. "Anything you need, Mr Makalov. Will you need me to come back for you after?" Antonio beamed at me, taking the money without breaking eye contact. "That won't be necessary. I have plans for after the show, so I will find my own way."

"Understood, sir." Antonio nodded and rolled the window up.

I turned back to my aunt, huddled in her fancy gown and expensive fur coat. "You mind if I have a smoke before we go in?", I spoke.
"Nasty habit, Aleksander. You know I don't approve it," she shook her head then she looked around. "But your uncle isn't here. So, give me one too",

An abrupt laugh left my lips, but it was exactly I was expecting. Nikolai hated smoking, but Annika wasn't afraid to partake in the nasty habit. We stood in comfortable silence between us as the theater flooded.

Annika loved people to watch, but I needed a moment to collect my self.
I would see Rhea again tonight. Not just on stage,but I had booked her once again. Once more at the Lotte New York palace by midnight.

It was almost 8:00pm now, and I was bristling as the hours ticked by while knowing what was coming. The cigarette only helped a fraction.
"Let's go, Tetya. We have a ballet to watch", I held out my arm for my aunt and she smiled as she took it. We walked around the fountain and joined the others walking inside the theater. I had to admit it was far more calming to be here with Annika than it was Nikolai. Most of the times, Nikolai meant business and Annika was a freestyler.

"Iam very excited to see the show. You know I did some ballet as little girl, back in Russia", She whispered to me. I couldn't help my laugh. Annika would tell anyone who listened. "I know you don't love ballet but you will love this one. The dancer for Odette is the best i have ever seen", She added.

"I will be the judge of that", l spoke as l watched her wag her finger . The noises of New York faded away as the doors shut and I guided my aunt inside. We made our way to our seats, and it pleasantly surprised me to see it was in the same spot ropped off for the mayor last weekend.