Dmitry's Closet

by Nelson, Latrivia S.

  “All this for your shop girl?” Royal asked, impressed.

  “My shop girl is best girl that I know.”

  Royal appreciated that. Her smiled showed it.

  “What are you thinking about?” Dmitry finally asked.

  “I wonder… how old you are?”

  He laughed. “How old do I look?” He stared in her eyes as he sat across from her.

  “I don’t know. I want to say that you’re in your thir-ties.”

  “Barely. I’m thirty-nine,” Dmitry informed her.

  “That old?”

  “I don’t consider that old.”

  “Of course, you wouldn’t,” Royal said, smirking. “So let’s flip the script, shall we? Tell me. Why don’t you have a family?”

  “I have my reasons – most of them deal with my life-style,” he looked up at her and paused, stopping his sentence in mid thought. “You and I. We are very much a like, eh?”

  “No, we’re not.” Royal continued. She could clearly see he was hiding something. “You never talk about a mother, father, sister, brother. No one. I never see you around anyone except Anatoly and the men from the shop. You have no wife, no steady girlfriend…”

  “It’s funny that you don’t have any of these important people either.”

  “Yeah, but I was an orphan for most of my life. Then a family adopted me, mostly because they need a babysitter. When I turned eighteen, I went to college, and I only call them now once a month to check on them, because I think that is what family is suppose to do. Otherwise, I have no one. I’m alone in this world. Now, why don’t you?”

  “Same story, really, different time. Well, I grew up in Moscow on streets. The people there became my only family. When I came to America as young man, I was a lot like you. I had no time for anything that was not delivering immediate profit.”

  “You never knew your mother, either?” The rest of Dmitry’s statement was lost on Royal.

  “Barely, she died when I was very young. Then, I went to prison very young.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Royal said, realizing his story was as pathetic as hers. “You know, I’ve never had either, but I’m willing to bet that it’s harder to grow up with out a mom than a dad?”

  Dmitry didn’t answer. It was if as such a thought had not crossed his mind either way.

  Royal continued. “What about your father?”

  “I only know what I was told about him by men in prison and on streets. From what they say, he wasn’t worth talking about.”

  “What did you go to prison for?”

  “I was thief. Moscow gets cold in winter. I had to make life for myself at first. Besides I only spent a few years inside. Not so bad.”

  “Not a thief by choice, then. You had to survive.”

  “I moved passed simply surviving by the time that I was 15. I’m afraid that I just enjoyed it. What about you? Have you ever been to jail, Royal?”

  “No. I’ve been close.” Royal bit her lip. “It was a petty domestic dispute when I was a teenager. My foster mom’s boyfriend tried to feel me up in bathroom one night, so I cut his ear off.”

  “Petty?” Dmitry laughed. “Rape is hardly a petty crime.” The thought of Royal being raped infuriated him, but he tried hard to conceal it.

  “What was worse was that I had to get the damn cops to believe that it was actually attempted rape and assault. He said that I wanted it.” She shook her head. “He was such a jerk. I had to show them the choke marks around my neck to prove that I wasn’t lying.”

  “He choked you?”

  “In truth, he was kicking my ass, but I got a hold of the scissors and managed to cut him.” She formed her fingers together like a pair of scissors and smiled.

  “What was his name?”

  “Woodrow Conners,” she chuckled. “Such a lame name.”

  “Here in Memphis?”

  “Yeah.”

  Dmitry was silent for a minute.

  “Really, I’m okay. I’ve got thick skin,” she continued.

  “What did your foster mother say about you nearly be-ing raped by her boyfriend?” he asked, intrigued.

  “Not much in my defense. She had me removed. I finally ended up with the Stones. They were just a family that needed someone to help them with their four biological children- all under the age of ten.”

  “So, you went from sex toy to nanny.” He sighed.

  “Oh, I never was raped,” Royal quickly added. “I pro-tected myself always from that at all costs. I’m still a virgin to this day.” She was proud of that fact.

  “Excuse me?” Dmitry’s eyes bucked. His mouth hit the ground.

  “I’m still a virgin. I just haven’t met the right guy, and I’ll be damned if I give it to the wrong guy.”

  “Yes. That would be crime. Well, I’m…amazed and shocked.” Dmitry shook his head. “It explains a lot, and yet…nothing makes sense.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t spend too much time thinking about it, if I were you. It’s not going to change anytime soon.”

  “Of course not.” Dmitry smiled innocently, but in-wardly a raging fire boiled inside of him. Royal was a virgin. The words caused a small stir. The thought of taking her would be ever present in his head now, he was sure of it.

  Royal felt as though she had said far too much. Dmitry became quiet, thinking probably about how much of a girl she was - so very young and inexperienced. But as far as she was concerned, that was not at all true.

  The only thing that kept her from carrying the title of woman in a lot of people’s eyes was the fact that she was yet a virgin.

  To her, that made her more of a woman. Self-control was not an easy beast to tame, but she did so, even if sometimes begrudgingly.

  Royal’s virginity had been the topic of many conversa-tions before Dmitry, but her status had never changed. Every man seemed to have one thing on his mind. To take it, but not to keep her. She did not want to end up unloved again, only this time with nothing to show for it. And it seemed that every time that she exposed her secret, she felt like she was a leper.

  People had looked at her like something was wrong with her her entire life, jealous that they had given theirs away and had chosen poorly. She had lost so many oppor-tunities with young college men because of her fear of going all the way. She was not afraid of the act, just the aftermath. She knew very well what it felt like to be all alone and rejected, she didn’t need to amplify it. The thought infuriated her now. She bit her lip and grunted slightly.

  “Ugh. This silence is going to make me sick at the sto-mach,” she said finally. “I didn’t tell you that I had AIDS, Dmitry. Please don’t act like that.”

  “Act like what?” He looked up at her oblivious of her mood change.

  “Like I’m not normal,” Royal sighed.

  Dmitry put down his fork and smiled. “But you’re not normal. You are better,” he said trying to focus. “Alright. Alright. We’ll talk about something else.”

  ∞♥∞

  It was nearly four in the morning when Dmitry’s car pulled behind Royal’s building beside her little red Honda Accord. He had chosen to drive her home himself after the movie.

  Anatoly was finally allowed to go home and get some rest. The rain had stopped and the skies were clear, allowing the stars and moon to shine brightly down on them. Crickets chirped and dew fell on the grass. The wind blew through the night, refreshing and full of force. Royal yawned and sat up in the seat, hitting the button to let up her window as she did so.

  “I had fun,” she said rubbing her eyes. “Did you?” She looked over at him, relaxed in his seat and looking over at her curiously.

  “It was theeeemost civilized date that I’ve been on in many years,” he said, opening the door of his car, but not answering the question.

  He walked around to her side and helped her out carefully. She stood up in front of him and smiled. Dmitry’s height continued to leave her in awe as well as the enormous size of his well-sculpted body, but what was mos
t amazing to her was that in the dead of summer, he wore long shirts.

  He looked down at her, gazing into her bright brown eyes.

  “So you were bored out of your mind?” she asked. “Or did you have fun.”

  “Dah, dah, I had fun with you, shop girl,” he said, finally. He moved in closer to her body.

  “You’ve got a five o’clock shadow,” she said, touching his stubby beard, and only inches from his bulging chest. She had to say something to break the ever-growing desire to kiss him.

  “I’ve been up since day before yesterday. Guess I should get some sleep.” Reaching behind her body, he closed the door and grabbed her hand, escorting her up the back steps of the building.

  Exhausted, Royal fumbled for a minute, then opened the door with her key. Its jingling chain echoed throughout the small parking lot. Dmitry walked in after her, checking the place as he heard her small feet creep up the back staircase to her suite. When he was sure that they were alone, he walked up behind her. She was standing in the doorway of her apartment waiting for him with a soft smile and an innocent glow.

  He swaggered over to her, stopped at the doorway and leaned liked normal against the threshold.

  “Promise me that you won’t work tomorrow. I want you to rest,” he said, looking down at her breasts. It was odd to him that they had never been suckled as succulent as they seemed. He found that his mouth watered just at the thought of what they must taste like. He looked back up at her with a grin. He knew that she could tell what he was thinking.

  “I’ll rest. Promise.” She sighed, then yawned - very happy at the moment. She knew now that he would try to kiss her, and she braced herself for it, hoping to make it through.

  “This is the part of date where you invite me inside of your home, and I rip you apart under the sheets,” he whispered jokingly. His icy eyes looked directly into hers causing a funny thump of her heart.

  “Sorry, I’ll have to pass.” Royal’s voice was soft and sweet. She pivoted on her feet a little, trying to gain inches on her tip toes.

  “I’m not surprised, now that I know your secret.”

  “Enough with that,” Royal gawked, dismissing his new fascination with her sexual status.

  “Alright, alright.” His voice became softer.

  Stepping closer to her, Dmitry reached out and pulled her by her small waist into his body. His large hands caressed her warm body and searched for bare skin. She looked up at him and wrapped her arms around his lower back, then closed her eyes.

  Tenderly, Dmitry leaned over and kissed Royal on the top of her forehead. Ever so softly his full lips caressed her caramel skin. He breathed in, taking in the scent of her body. It took everything in him not to lift her up, carry her across her threshold and make love to her. Having never been told no or wait, he was no good at being obedient. He desired her more than anything; he wanted her so badly until it was physically painful for him to release her. Soon, he thought to himself.

  Evidently, even she was expecting much more. She opened her wide eyes, surprised by his choice and exhaled. Royal could nearly read his eyes. It was if he was telling her that he had to stop. She understood but didn’t want him to…so she thought.

  With a nod, he headed back down the stairwell quietly, leaving her unspoiled and in the safety of her home. He owed her that since Woodrow Conners had tried to take it from her.

  In a daze, Royal leaned against the door flabbergasted. Just when she suspected that he would strike like a villain, he behaved like a gentleman.

  When Dmitry heard the door, he smiled and shook his head. “Royal is virgin,” he sang aloud, smiling to himself, happy that he had discovered such a treasure.

  Chapter 5

  The grand opening of the Dmitry’s Closetwas an unde-niable success. Nearly two hundred of Memphis’ affluent women came to the opening. The event was complete with the cutting of a splendid red ribbon, a few words from the area councilman and tons of champagne, strawberries, great cheeses and caviar beluga for the guests. And best of all despite the warnings from the local meteorologist, it did not rain giving everyone a clear, not-so-hot August day.

  Royal had used all of her textbook skills to attract the local newspapers and reporters by giving them gift bags full of free but expensive gifts all hand picked by her and her new staff of two. Dmitry was also extremely impressed with the entire event, receiving constant praise from his new patrons, who not only loved the selection but the presentation.

  By seven o’clock when the doors closed, they had made thousands of dollars and a big splash with the new boutique. After counting down the drawer and giving the money to Anatoly as previously discussed, Royal and her team cleaned up the boutique and prepared to head over to the Mother Russia restaurant, where Dmitry had arranged for a celebratory dinner.

  It had been an excruciating month for Royal, full of last-minute details to work through, promotions to pull together and fine clothing to inventory, but things had worked out better than her wildest dreams. She was a success. Her hard work had paid off literally. And most of all Dmitry was happy with her.

  “The limo is here to pick us up, Royal,” her assistant, Renée said,grabbing her purse. “I can’t believe he is sending over a freaking limo!”

  “Yeah, that’s pretty sweet,” Royal said hurrying.

  Renée was a young, energetic neo soul sister from At-lanta, who rocked a large, very pro-black afro and large gold hoop earrings. She was a dark, short, petite woman with tons of retail experience and new to the city. Royal hired her on the spot during their interview, feeling a strangely familiar kinship with the woman. Her other assistant Cory was young man who had come highly recommended by the councilman, Mr. Avers, who had also spoken at their grand opening.

  Cory was a clean cut, attractive young white man with a very small, but muscular frame. Dmitry had questioned her choice for him, but she knew that it was only because he was a man. Cory was extremely professional and kind and his ultimate goal was to one day own his own shop. She thought his ambitions to be admirable and decided after several days and a few conversations with Dmitry to hire him as well.

  The three of them loaded into the limo quickly and were escorted a few streets over to the restaurant, where a small group of Dmitry’s friends and colleagues waited. When they arrived at the restaurant, a traditional Russian band was playing and the entire place was covered in festive crimson decorations. There were tons of expensive wine, fine Russian vodka, traditional Russian food and of course, caviar.

  Once, Royal had inquired why caviar was a staple in Dmitry’s life. He explained that he was part-owner of a caviar company near the Caspian Sea.

  Naturally, she said shaking her head when he had in-formed her of yet another business he owned.

  “Ah, there is my little shop girl,” Dmitry said, picking Royal up and whirling her around.

  His festive spirit made Royal light up. She hugged him as tightly as she could, relishing in the moment.

  “Wasn’t today, great? I…I couldn’t believe it. So many people came to the opening,” Royal said as Dmitry sat her down. Theireyes were glued to each other. His hands were glued to her tiny waist.

  He finally spoke, breaking out of her spell. “Dah…dahtoday was great…was reflection of you, eh?” He waved at the waiter. “Bring her a big glass of wine. I want to get her as drunk as possible.” He gave a wide grin then took Royal to the head table.

  “Did you do all of this for us?” She looked around in amazement.

  “No, I did all of this for you,” he whispered in her ear, as he pulled a seat out for her.

  Dmitry had flirted with Royal many times but ultimately kept his sexual ambitions at bay after their date. Royal thought it was because he felt that she was too inexperienced for him, but Dmitry was a business man. He had left her alone to ensure that she would focus on his shop first. He knew that there would plenty of time for his other plans.

  However, they still continued to spend many days and evenings
together planning for the grand opening, which Dmitry enjoyed immensely. It gave him an opportunity to get to know her on many levels, something that he found quite refreshing in a woman after manyyears of dealing with empty vessels.

  Every day, she would always reveal something newer, something brighter to him. He found himself impatient to get to the boutique, to hear her voice and see her face. Royal was fascinating to him in every way that a woman could be fascinating to a man. A hard worker. Honest. Loyal. Pure. He could never have asked for more in whatever she had grown to be to him.

  Royal had also been enslaved by Dmitry. He was not only beautiful but incredibly wise. He gave her so much advice on how to run the business and how to be savvy about all her negotiations with vendors. He explained the market to her and how to stay on top of it. She was his ever-faithful pupil.

  “Could I have your attention, please?” he asked, stand-ing at the head of the long, decorated wooden table. He clinked the gold knife on the crystal glass and cleared his throat.

  As he raised his glass, the room quieted to a dead si-lence. All the chatter stopped, and the band put down their instruments. Royal looked around, astonished at how people snapped to his command. All eyes were gluedto him and his eyes were glued to her. The attention made Royal incredibly self-conscience. She fidgeted a little as she tried to look at him and not at all the people who were now focused on the two of them.

  His voice reverberated throughout the large restaurant like a microphone had been placed below him. Eyes sparkling under the romantic lighting, he turned to Royal. If she had believed in Prince Charming, she would have sworn that he was him.

  “I would like to make toast to Royal Stone and the hard work that she and her team have put into making my newest shop a great success. I am very proud of her and my own decision to keep her so very close. She hastruly become…asset,” he paused and smiled at Royal. “So, tonight we celebrate a new part of my vision and welcome Royal to the family. She has my blessings, and I’m sure all of yours. Budem everyone!”