Reunion

So, we are here at Mr & Mrs. Petrov's palce !

" Where are we, guys ?

And why is there a blind fold on my eyes ? "

Ashley asked curiosity flooding her voice.

Oh this little girl can't keep her mouth shut even for few moments !

She haven't stopped asking the same question from the moment we got in the car and she is still asking it !

" We've got a surprise for you lill one, have patience ! "

I said getting irritated.

" No !

I can't take it anymore.

Take this blind fold off my eyes Derek !

And Lauren, can you please loosen your grip on my wrists ?

It kinda started hurting me now ! "

Ashley said frustrated.

" That's because you can't keep your hands still !

If you had kept them still, I wouldn't had to grip you tight ! "

Lauren said sighing irritated and trying hard not to yell at her.

" Ok, guys shut up now !

Kitten, we are here and your blind fold would be removed in few moments, for now just shut your mouth ! "

Cole said a bit harshly.

She wouldn't have mind his rudeness if, he was the old heartless beast.

But now, he was completely changed and never talk to her coldly or raises his voice at her nk matter what, so, it startled her.

" Hwww !

How mean ! "

Ashley said surprised.

" Thanks.

By the way none of your words are gonna get you what you want, but keeping your mouth shut would !

So, think about it ! "

I said taking Cole's side.

She finally kept quiet and stopped squirming away from Lauren's grip.

" Trust us, love.

We aren't gonna hurt you, you know that right ? "

I said.

" Ofcourse I know that, Derek !

Is that even a question ?

I am getting worried because you haven't told me where were we up to ?

You still haven't told me where we are ?

And moreover, you had my eyes covered and held my wrists behind my back so that, I couldn't take them off; it had me grow uneasy feeling in my gut.

Being blind for about and hour and not knowing what's gonna happen is making me nervous, that's all. "

Ashley said nervous.

I went to her and cupped her face.

My touch calmed her down.

She always tells me that, my touch is the one she needs to calm down whenever she is feeling uneasy or restless or nervous.

" Listen sweetness, even WE are nervous and feeling uneasy and letting YOU know what's it before us...

We don't want that.

It might be shocking for even us, but we are doing this because we have to !

I swear, within few seconds YOU'LL know what's in there; and WE too !

So, try to calm down and come with us, ok ? "

I said caressing her cheeks.

She just nodded and I pressed my lips to her forehead and she sighed in relief.

Her expressions told us that, she was way too calmed than she was earlier !

I let her face go and asked Lauren to let go of her wrists and my good girl didn't made any move to take the blind fold off her eyes and searched for someone to grab and Lauren held her hand and lead her towards the huge entrance of the mansion.

Before I knocked at the door, I asked Lauren to keep her out of the sight of the person who's gonna open the door.

So, I was standing just infront and centre of the door and Cole and Jules were standing besides me and Lauren was standing behind and to a side.

I knocked at the door and a blonde woman opened the door with a sweet smile on her face, which reminded me of Ash's smile.

" May I help you with anything, gentlemen ? "

The lady asked sweetly.

Her voice chimed in my ears !

Oh god, Ash is just like her Mom !

But the Rachel I remember from her photograph, had shiny black and waist length hair, a bit chubby and chocolate brown eyes !

And the woman who welcomed us, have blonde shoulder length hair, lean and ocean blue eyes !

Nothing matches between the Rachel I saw in the photograph and the beautiful woman infront of me, except for the innocent face !

She snapped her fingers infront of my eyes to bring me back to reality,

" Hello, may I help you ? "

I asked again.

" Excuse my friend, mam.

You are so beautiful, he just lost his senses ! "

Cole handled the situation.

" Oh, thanks for the compliment.

So, how may I help you ? "

She asked.

" Um...

Yes.

Mrs. Rachel Grayson ? "

I said breaking the trance I went in.

Her beautiful and innocent smile faded and fear creeped on her face with the name.

She suddenly composed her face and hurriedly said,

" There's some misunderstanding gentlemen, no one with that name lives here.

I am Arina Petrov.

You may leave now and please don't come back here again. "

Rachel said coldly.

She tried to salm the door on our face, but Cole used his hand and didn't let her do that.

" Don't lie Mrs. Grayson !

We know you aren't who you are saying. "

I said.

" I said, leave now or else I am gonna call the cops right away ! "

Rachel said scared.

" Oh in that case, you don't have to worry about it Mrs. Grayson, you have a cop standing right at your door ! "

Cole said.

" Who the hell are you ?

And what do you want from me ? "

Rachel said.

" M...

Mom ? "

Ash called from behind with shaking voice and came running towards her.

Rachel saw her and gasped in surprise and tears gathered in her eyes.

" Oh my gosh, Ash ! "

Rachel wispered in surprise.

Phew, at least she didn't denied to know HER !

She hugged her tight and both of them started crying.

" How are you, baby ?

I thought that bastard...

Oh my god, I can't tell you how happy and relieved I am to see you alive and safe ! "

Rachel said kissing Ash all over her face.

" Where were Mom ?

There won't be... any place where I haven't...

tried to look for you !

Didn't you missed me even once, Mom ?

I've... I've got on their nerves...

Every single day...

Asking them...

If they've found you... "

Ashley couldn't speak properly as she was crying.

" No baby, don't say that !

I've... Missed you every single second of the day... I've cried for you...

Everyday...

Oh my poor baby... "

Rachel said pressing Ash close to her heart.

They didn't let eachothers go but stopped crying eventually.

Seeing them crying like this, had all of us cry too ! That was a very emotional moment.

" Pavel, look who's here ! "

Rachel called over her shoulder.

A man almost of her age came from behind.

He was very handsome, about my height and having way too many tattoos on his body and he didn't had much clothes on, so they all were visible.

His salt and pepper shades were visible on his head and beard.

He came and smiled at us,

" Oh, this must be Ashley, aren't you my dear ? "

Pavel said looking at Ash.

Ash nodded in her Mom's embrace.

" Come here young lady, let me give you a big big hug. "

Pavel said sweetly.

He has a Russian accent so, we can consider that he is a Russian and not some outsider.

And he seems a nice guy.

Ash went to him and her held her so delicately and kissed on top of her head.

" Welcome to Russia, my dear.

I am sure, your Mom is very delighted with your presence.

And I must admit, you are a Xerox copy of your Mom ! "

Pavel said smiling.

Yes, I must admit it as well !

" Why haven't you invited them in, strast ? "

Pavel said softly to Rachel.

Um...

Russian huh ?

I hope he doesn't start speaking in Russian, I won't understand a single thing.

I might laugh along with him even if, he curses me in his language !

We went inside and fuck, they really have a beautiful place !

" So um...

May I ask you, who are you people ?

Um... Sorry if I am being rude...

I am not very good at English ! "

Pavel said softly.

He said and we all laughed with him.

" Um...

They are my saviours !

They've saved me from Michael so many times.

And they brought me here without telling me what was waiting for me here !

If today I am standing infront of you Mom, that's because of them ! "

Ashley said this looking at us !

And suddenly some proud feeling ran inside me and I am sure the guys too felt it.

" Oh, thank you so much guys for everything you did for my child !

I thought I lost her forever !

Thanks for bringing her back to me. "

Rachel said smiling.

" No problem, Mrs. Grayson.

It was our responsibility to... "

" Can you please not call me by that name ?

I've left it behind me a long ago and my name is, Arina.

And if don't wanna call me that, call me Mrs. Petrov and nothing else, please ! "

Rachel said seriously.

" Certainly, Mrs. Petrov ! "

Cole said.

" Tell me something Mom, how did you ended up here in Russia ? "

Ashley asked.

" Um...

I think I'll get something to eat for you people.

I'll join you later, strast. "

Pavel said.

He kissed Rachel...

Arina on her temple and went inside.

I guess, he left on purpose !

" Um...

Mrs. Rach...

Um Arina...

We found your diary and a suicide note in your apartment, in Greenland.

And we thought.. "

Lauren said.

" What ?

A diary ?

And why I don't have any idea about it ? "

Ashley said surprised.

" Um...

Ash, we'll talk about it later.

Right now, we need to know many important things, don't we ? "

Jules said changing the topic.

" But you guys... "

Ashley wanted to know why was she unaware of it.

" Love, please tryna understand.

We did what we did for your betterment.

And the most important thing is, you are sitting with your Mom and she is alive, isn't it ? "

I said trying to get her stop asking questions.

" Yes...

Mom you look very beautiful.

I liked your new look ! "

Ashley said smiling.

" Yeah ?

I liked it too. "

Rachel said smiling.

" Um...

Sorry to disturb your nice conversation, but Mam we really need to know few things.

Can you please, co-operate ? "

Lauren said softly.

" Yeah, sure.

Anything. "

Rachel said wrapping her arm around Ashley's shoulder.

" Thankyou so much, we appreciate it.

So as I was saying that, we found that note in your apartment, then how did you ended up here ? And we think you went to the apartment after we left. "

Lauren said.

" Um...

That's a long story, guys.

You sure, you wanna know ? "

Rachel asked.

" Mam, may be we guys won't be interested in it, but the cop, the detective, the lawyer and the judge are definitely interested in knowing the truth ! "

I said.

" Oh...

Ok then.

So according to you, you found the diary so, I am assuming that you have read it.

I've mentioned me working as a...

Prostitute "

Rachel said looking away.

" Wh...

What ? "

Ashley was shocked to hear that.

" Yes, baby.

I've worked as a Prostitute to earn money so that, I could get your custody !

And my work is the reason your father put forward so that, I couldn't get your custody.

Because, he said in the court that, my work might push YOU too in prostitution !

And he didn't wanted his daughter to become a whore like her mother !

After you asked me to leave Michael's place, I somehow got to the hospital as I needed the medical help immediately if, you remember my condition ! "

Rachel said.

" Ofcourse !

I remember it, just like it happened yesterday, Mom !

And that's the only reason, I kept on bugging them to search for you, because you badly needed the medical help ! "

Ashley said squeezing her mom.

" Yes, baby.

When I reached the hospital, I was about to faint and I found Pavel there.

He immediately recognised me and paid for my treatment.

He was my regular...

Customer.

He paid for my treatment and when, I opened my eyes the first thing I remembered that, you were stuck with that bastard Michael !

I asked Pavel to look for you and get you the police help.

He went there but found nothing, like there wasn't anything at that place before !

He told me that and I lost my last hope of finding you alive !

He insisted me that, I should leave with him to his place and get married to him, as he loved me since the moment he laid his eyes on me !

I thought about it.

He was always nice to me.

He showed me the respect your father never did !

And he wasn't the kind of a guy, who paid for the whore and fucked her senseless, threw money on her face and left ! "

Rachel said getting emotional.

Ok, things getting very private and adult for my innocent love !

Listening this about her mother and that too from herself...

" He always showed me care and respect.

He never treated me as a whore, but as his lover whenever we met !

It didn't mattered if, we were in a closed room or out in public !

So, I thought why not ?

I too had started falling for him !

So, I accepted his proposal and agreed to come with him to Russia and get married to him.

Before we left to Russia forever, I wanted to take few of my belongings and few of yours as your memory with me !

So, I asked him to go to my apartment and get them.

And when he reached there, he saw few people were already there and he saw a police vehicle and he even saw you with those guys !

He thought you might have informed them about me being missing and they are there to investigate it.

So, he returned.

But, I anyhow wanted those things so, we waited and when the guys left I went and took the things and we left for Russia.

But, how did you guys suspect me being there... "

Rachel asked.

" When we first went to your apartment, the place wasn't so clean and even I misplaced few things ! And the second time we went, everything was so neat and clean and it was even dusted.

And when we searched your apartment, I found the report of you having OCD !

And that rouse the doubt of you being there.

Because no one but the owner knows which thing goes exactly where !

Then we did found your note, but after many days we didn't found you alive nor did we found your body and that made me more suspicious about you being alive and out of town.

We did everything possible to get your location but we failed ! "

I said.

" But how did you located me and found me ? "

Rachel asked.

" When we had nothing to lead, we then tracked your bank details and kept a keen watch on any transaction.

And after eight months we got it !

And even if, we thought that someone stole your card and used it, then he/she wouldn't have waited this long before using it.

And on the other hand, you had a major reason to wait ! "

I said.

" And what would that be ? "

Rachel asked.

" You aren't some stupid ass teen to ignore this big thing that, someone might have filed a report of you being missing !

And if police got involved, they'd find each and everything they could.

And maybe you thought, after this long everyone would have gave up; and everyone DID gave up in the case !

But I couldn't see the hope in Ash's eyes that, she might get something to listen about her mom's location; fucking everytime she looked at me !

So, I didn't stopped my work.

And here you are ! "

I told her.

" I've been covering my ways, yet you found me ! My detective is useless and you... "

Rachel said cursing her detective she hired to help her cover her way.

" He isn't useless, Mrs. Arina, I am the best ! "

I said proud of myself.

Before anyone could laugh or anything, my till now quiet Ashley started asking.

" Mom...

You KNEW I was alive and would be waiting for you there, yet you didn't tried to contact me ? Why Mom, why ? "

Ashley asked hurt.

She said merely above a wisper with shaking voice and teary eyes.

I fucking hate watching her cry !

But her question was so right.

If, she knew Ash was alive and her Pavel saw her with police, why didn't she tried to contact her ?