I am watching the raindrops falling on the window as the car makes it out of the city traffic on the way home. Another boring charity gala night is over and along with Vladimir we're heading back to our flat in Chelsea. Yes, he's Russian and so am I. My name is Natalya and I guess that we match the Russian oligarch type of people who moved to London, UK, in order to live a more glamorous life.
The driver hurries to open the door for me as the car arrives to our building. I step carefully on the slippery pavement while Vladimir speaks on the phone. He's ignoring me most of the time paying more attention to his business and that's how the whole evening was spent. With him talking about stocks and me drinking champagne and gossiping with other women. I get inside and the porter smiles kindly to me as I walk by him to get to the lift. I ignore him as always. It's not that I despise him, but I guess I take all of my bad mood out to the people of service. I've grown to be quite snobbish, being the trophy wife of a very wealthy older man. I'm on my mid 30s and my husband on his late 50s. We're occassionally having sex, but it's even more boring and less fun than he is. In any case, I guess it's quite satisfying for me to be able to wear Lanvin dresses and Louboutin shoes every day and also be rich, famous and admired, or it isn't?
Vladimir is telling me everything he discussed with other people, business of course, as if I cared, while I get undressed. I always do that in front of the mirror so I can admire my body. Don't take me wrong, but I'm very proud of it. I work hard at the gym and eat almost nothing in order to maintain that figure. As I put on my little black nightie I recall the porter's look earlier. He seemed somewhat cross after I passed him by, but nobody cares after all. I kiss Vladimir goodnight on the lips and go to sleep.
Next morning I wake up late as usual, I'm having breakfast and prepare to visit some friends. First a nice bath, then applying lotion all over my body... I really enjoy the process and it's even better if you have other people to do your hair, nails, waxing, etc. But what I love the most is to get dressed. I love clothes and people say I have a great taste. I have thousands of dresses and accessories in my closet, but it's never much trouble for me to pick out something. For today I think I'll go with a tight and short, well not too short, blue dress. Blue is my favourite colour and matches my eyes. I put on a pair of black high heels, a golden necklace, a pair of black sunglasses, grab my new purse and check myself on the mirror on my way out. Hair looks fine, lips too, and I'm ready to go.
Before I manage to get out of the building the porter stops me. He's a really handsome and very attractive tall man around my age. But none of these things matter since he's a poor servant after all.
"Excuse me Madam, your husband left a note for you this morning, it's on the table near the lift."
I walk up to the table and unfold the paper. The word "surprise" is written on it, but before I turn around and try to find what the surprise is, I feel someone grabbing me from behind violently and holding my mouth shut. After a few moments I'm lying on the floor of a dark room, with my hands tied behind my back, a black scarf over my eyes and a ball gag in my mouth. Everything happened so fast, I wasn't able to see who grabbed me or try to call for help, but I know I'm still inside the same building, probably in one of the rooms near the entrance. I'm terrified and feel helpless. I can hear someone walking in the room and then a male voice whispering to my ear.
"How do you feel now Mrs. Natalya? I bet you feel quite helpless..."
My attempts to call for help are in vain with that ball gag in my mouth, my hands tied, I really am helpless.
"Well, I think it's time to tell you what this is all about."
I hear the male voice again. It sounds familiar, but I can't tell who it is. But then the scarf tied around my eyes is removed and I find out who my kidnapper is.
"Yes, it's me the poor porter you ignore every time. You definitely couldn't see that coming, huh? It's a surprise from me, not your husband."
He says laughing. Is it some kind of revenge? I know I'd been terrible to him, but how can I deserve that?
"Well this is going to teach you to respect people."
His words terrify me. It doesn't sound like he kidnapped me, expecting to extract money from my husband, but it seems like he has some deeper reasons. Is he going to rape, torture or even kill me? My mind races. I try to scream underneath the ball gag, shaking.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. In fact, if you can quit being an obnoxious bitch, I think you're going to like all of this and re-evaluate your life."
