Chapter 2 - The Man in the Black Overcoat
Mikhail stood slowly, keeping one hand on Misha’s shoulder.
Behind him, a woman in a champagne-colored dress entered with two security guards. Her perfect hair and expensive jewelry looked strangely out of place in the struggling diner.
“Mikhail,” she said sharply. “We should leave.”
Misha pulled away from his father.
“I’m not finished eating.”
The woman frowned at the plate. “You cannot be serious.”
Elena recognized her from business magazines. Natalia Orlov was Mikhail’s fiancée and the daughter of one of his company’s largest investors.
Mikhail ignored Natalia and looked at Elena.
“How did he get here?”
“He walked in alone.”
“That is impossible. He was inside a secured hotel ballroom.”
Misha lowered his head.
“I followed the man with the red scarf.”
Mikhail’s body became still.
“What man?”
“He said you sent him. He told me Mama’s driver was waiting outside.”
The woman in the champagne dress stepped forward. “He must be confused.”
“I’m not confused,” Misha insisted.
Mikhail looked toward his security team.
“Search the surrounding streets. Get the hotel footage.”
The guards immediately left.
Natalia folded her arms. “This is becoming embarrassing.”
Elena saw Misha flinch at the word.
She placed the biscuit back on his plate.
“He’s eight years old and soaking wet. The only embarrassing thing is that someone allowed him to disappear.”
Natalia stared at Elena in disbelief.
Mikhail’s gaze sharpened, but not with anger.
Few people spoke to him directly. Even fewer challenged the woman he intended to marry.
Misha climbed back into the booth and continued eating.
Mikhail sat opposite him, unconcerned about the rainwater dripping from his coat onto the cracked vinyl seat.
Elena brought him coffee.
“I didn’t order this,” he said.
“You look like you need it.”
For the first time, something close to amusement crossed his face.
Natalia remained standing.
After Misha finished, Mikhail placed a stack of bills on the table.
Elena counted them and removed the cost of one coffee.
“You gave me too much.”
“The rest is for helping him.”
“I didn’t help him for money.”
“Then consider it compensation for keeping the diner open late.”
Elena pushed the bills back.
“No.”
Mikhail studied her for a long moment.
Most people wanted something from him.
Elena seemed determined to want nothing.
He returned the money to his pocket and gave her a plain black card instead.
“My private number. Call if you remember anything.”
Elena accepted it only because it concerned Misha.
As they left, Misha looked back through the open door.
“Will you be here tomorrow?”
Elena smiled.
May you like
“I’m here every day.”
Misha nodded as if that answer mattered more than anyone understood.
