Lost In Translation

CHAPTER 8

The incomprehension on Luba's face was interesting to observe. Her face first registered shock, next her eyes expanded like saucers, then her entire face contorted with fury. It was Olivia's turn to raise her eyebrows as Luba burst out laughing. Then she stopped as she saw Olivia looking at her curiously.

Luba was shocked to hear Olivia utter those words. Clearly Olivia was delusional. She could never be anything to Fedor. She had never seen this woman prior to their meetings which started almost two weeks ago. Prior to that she had known of every woman who had been in Fedor's bed, since she'd started working for him two years ago, and she had made sure to acquire that intelligence. Luba was so incensed, she began speaking in Russian.

'That is impossible!' She spat out venomously.

'Mmm.'Olivia pondered aloud in Russian. 'According to the Oxford Russian-English dictionary, that means it cannot happen or be achieved. Why would you think that? And I am speaking in your language so nothing is lost in translation!'

Luba glared at Olivia with pure hatred. Her murderous eyes fell to Olivia's tummy. 'You cannot be pregnant with Fedor child!'

Olivia smiled. 'You are correct. I am not pregnant.'

Luba's eyes bulged again. 'You cannot have a baby that is Fedor's. He has not been with you in the last two years. I know every woman he's been with in the last two years.'

'And there were so many too!' Olivia looked at her watch with a bored expression. 'Can we commence work, or should I ask hotel security to have you removed?'

'This is not over, you bitch!' Luba hissed in Russian. 'You will never get Fedor!'

Olivia smiled. 'But Fedor is clearly not interested in you!'

'He's mine. I went to bed with him. He will be mine.'

That was news to Olivia as she looked at her watch again and look out her glass kiosk. There was an irritation on Fedor's face as he waited for them, so he could start.

'The attendees are awaiting us,' Olivia stated. 'I need to work. You sort yourself out with Fedor,' Olivia purposefully slipped on her headphones and nodded to Fedor. At the corner of her eye, she watched Luba leave her kiosk. She watched with curiosity as Luba smiled at Fedor and whispered in his ear.

Fedor looked blankly at Luba as she swung her hips smilingly, as she approached his chair. He was annoyed at Luba for wasting his time and the team's. He wanted to send her on the next plane back to Russia, but she was an integral part of his team. She was legal wise. She perfected the art of finding loopholes in negotiating contracts that traversed international law. She held information at her fingertips and understood the clauses of contracts without him needing to flip pages to reference what he needed to. She could quote a paragraph verbatim and tell you on which page it appeared. So for strategic reasons, he needed Luba at his side.

'That bitch won't bother you again,' Luba smirked. 'I told her you and I are lovers.'

The expression on Fedor's face did not change as he digested Luba's comment. Not that he owed Luba an explanation or had any intention of justifying himself to her. Again, he cursed himself for weakly bedding her. He had felt an instinct to say no to Luba, but had foolishly ignored it.

Fedor, switched on his mike and spoke in English that he was ready to commence the day's work.

Olivia was curious about the look in Fedor's eyes as he met hers, indicating they were ready to begin. She nodded, cleared her mind and commanded her professional temperament to the fore.

At the end of the day, Olivia silently complimented herself on the success of the engagements. It had been an emotional roller coaster dealing with Fedor and the obnoxious Luba. Fedor stood up and shook hands with his counterparts, wishing them a good evening. He politely declined their invitation to join them for supper. As the Germans exited the room, Luba sunk her claws on Fedor's person.