Chapter Twenty

An Unexpected Meeting

I looked at my silent audience; I could only smile as I knew that this moment was going to change the rest of my life.  I saw how my life would be if I chose either choice, and I knew that no matter what was about to happen I would always engrained in their minds as the American girl who is the long last great granddaughter of their beloved Anastasia.  I looked over to Ros, who was just waiting for me to continue, and gave me an encouraging half smile, as he anxiously listened for my next words.

I finally looked over to Mr. Poloski who nodded for me to continue, and then finally, as I looked back at Count Dubrov and the rest of my extended family, I spoke.

"But as Annalisa Nicola Dimitriievna Peterson Romanova, Tsarevna of Russia. So, to answer your questions, yes I would like to accept my rightful place as heir to the Russian throne." I said with a huge grin.  I had done it.  I had made the most important decision of my life, and I was not going to regret it for one second. The only question I had now was what happens now?

Talk filled the room, some people smiling, others looking shock at my choice, then there were others that did not look happy at all.  My eyes glanced back at Mr. Poloski who had finally come closer to my side and gave me a hug.

"Well done my dear, your great grandmamma would be proud if she was here, and something tells me she already knew what choice you were going to go with." Mr. Poloski said in a whisper as he looked down at me and smiled.  I couldn't help but not smile at this moment; I was finally accepting my fate, my new life, my imperial role of being the heir to the long empty Russian throne. I only wished that Mandy and Eric, not to mention my mom and Nunna could've been here.  I wished silently to myself.  I had wondered what exactly Mandy and Eric were up to, since they were still at the hotel.  I looked down at my own clothes, knowing that I desperately needed to change and take a shower.

"Do you think I can go back to the hotel soon?  I really need to change and take a shower, not to mention I really need a Mandy hug." I said with a small smile as I whispered to Mr. Poloski who was now shaking hands with some of the other royals.

"Yeah that can be arranged, it will give me time to figure out a press release and other important matters."  Mr. Poloski said as he motioned for Ros and Count Dubrov to come over to us.

"Press relase?  What? Why?"  I asked.  Didn't I just announce my decision, wasn't it final? I thought frantically in my mind, as I looked up at Ros who was trying to avoid meeting my gaze for some reason.

"Lisa, you have made your decision which is great, but we need to let the public know before it leaks out and then it will be utter chaos." Mr. Poloski said as he began to state what my plans were.

"We can have her clothes be sent here, William.  No need for her to go back to that hotel." Count Dubrov said as he started to call someone on his cell phone.

"No, she's insisting on seeing her friends and quite honestly I don't blame her for wanting to do one last thing that's normal.  After all, after tomorrow, our entire lives will change." Mr. Poloski said with an uneasy smile.

"Very well, if that's what you wish, your Highness. I will send for a car.  However, please do know William, and your Highness, that we do have much to discuss about what's to happen next." Count Dubrov said with a serious face.

"Yes, which is why I'm hoping you and I can discuss some of it while she heads back to the hotel." Mr. Poloski replied to his Uncle.

"And leave her to travel alone?  I think not.  Ros you will go with her."  Count Dubrov commanded as he looked at me then to Ros.  Ros' eyes finally met mine, and I knew the last place and the last person he wanted to talk to was me.

"No, I will be fine.  Ros, can go do whatever he wants to do, but I need this time to gather my thoughts.  Surely, you understand Count Dubrov." I said, giving him a sweet, commanding smile.

"Well, very well then, I can't go against your final decision.  However, I don't think it's wise.  The car is still waiting outside for you, your Highness.  I shall have a room prepared for the remainder of your stay here in Russia, until we can reclaim some of your estates." Count Dubrov said as he turned to Mr. Poloski exchanging a serious glance.

"Well, what about Mandy, Eric, and Mr. Polo...I mean William? Can they stay here as well?" I asked.

"Ah your American friends, if your Grace wishes them to, then it shall be done."

"Yes, please." I said as I started to make my way towards the door.  My eyes glancing back to Ros, who was finally watching me leave.  His eyes held a mixture of emotion, and I knew he was trying to process my decision.  All I could do was give him a small smile, and wish I could comfort him, as I made my way down to the car. Several times being stopped to meet someone else from my family.

As I entered the nice black Lincoln limousine that held the imperial crest on the flags, I knew my life was changing by the second.  I knew that this was the life I had chosen, but not because I wanted it, but because I knew it was the only chance of getting to know the family I had just found.  This was the only way I could use the extended amount of resources to find someone to bring back to American to see my dying Nunna, to see her face light up with happiness as she is reconnected with a long lost relative.

An hour later, we arrived back at the hotel.  People were watching the limo drive up, and as I exited the car, still in my last night's dinner dress and my hair pulled up into a loose ponytail.  I'm sure some got the wrong idea; however, I really didn't care a whole lot.  I wanted a nice warm shower, I wanted to see my friends, and more than ever, I really wanted to go eat some lunch. My stomach growling on cue, as the limo drove off.

"LISA!!!!!" I heard the sound of Mandy's high pitch excited voice mixed with an almost high playful excited voice that belonged to Eric. My smile grew and grew until my face hurt from smiling so big at the sight of them.  I finally felt home, that everything was just a dream, as I hugged them both, and then got another one of Mandy's hugs.

"Hey yall." I said in my southern American accent in English.  It felt a little weird finally being able to speak in English, but I also loved it.  It made me start to wonder if I had made the right decision, until I thought about Nunna, and then the tours of the palaces that we had gone on just a few short days ago.

"Tell me everything!" Mandy said as she started pulling me towards the lounge area.  I really wanted a shower, but I hated to not tell her or Eric, I knew they were dying to know, especially since I was just now getting back to the hotel.

"I will, I will, just I really need a shower and to change.  How about we go out to lunch, and I'll explain everything." I said with a tired smile.

"Okay, let's go to that café from yesterday.  The food looked so good and I'm starving." Mandy said with a smile as she and Eric exchanged a glance.

"Sounds good, and actually, how about I just meet yall there.  I won't be too long." I encouraged them.

"Are you sure? We don't mind waiting." Eric asked as he started looking towards the door of the hotel.

"Yeah yeah, I'm positive.  Go, have fun, I'll be there in a little bit." I said as I made my way to the elevators.

Not long after I went up to the room to take a shower and to change, I finally headed back down to the lobby and walked towards the little café that we had stopped in just yesterday.  It was crazy how everything that had happened yesterday just seemed so long ago, as if it was all another lifetime.  As I thought about yesterday, I began to remember walking the hallways of the old Romanov palace, or what everyone else calls, The Alexander Palace, and I remembered the tour guide, seeing the resemblance of me and my ancestors that were painted in the portraits in the picture gallery.  Then I remembered how amazing it was just to be able to spend some quality time with my two best friends, not caring how just over three hours later, my world would be turned upside down by announcing that I was indeed the great granddaughter of Anastasia. I shook my head and smiled, as I thought just how much had changed in just a little over a day, while I opened the door to the café.

I looked around, yet didn't see Mandy or Eric at any of the tables.  I wonder where they are? I thought to myself as I went to go sit at an empty table and look over the menu.

"What can I get for your Miss?" I heard an elderly woman's voice ask me as she came to take my order with a notepad and a little bit too much red lipstick for a woman her age.

"Well, I'm meeting two friends of mine...do you know if an American guy and girl came in?" I asked in my now fluent Russian.

"No sorry deary, I can't say I have.  However, I just started my shift.  How about I get you something to drink while you wait?" She said with a smile.

"Sure, um I'll just have a coca cola please." I said as I looked at the clock above the bar and wondered where my friends where.  Maybe they already ate and went back to the hotel or maybe they were just shopping or at the park, giving me some time to get a shower and everything.  I did get done pretty fast. I thought to myself as I glanced down at my menu, trying to decide what to eat.

It was at that moment that I felt a pair of eyes staring at me.  I looked around, trying to figure out where the person was, until I met the pair of bright hazel eyes that was glancing back at me, and then gave me a wink. At first I could feel my cheeks grow flush, as I looked at him, but then the conversation yesterday entered my head and all I could think of in my mind as a greeting was, "Hello Mr. Jerk Face."  However, I didn't let my emotions play on my face too much; I gave him a small smile before turning my face back to the menu, hearing his footsteps crossing the café floor. Please, please don't come over here...please....oh great. I thought to myself, as I didn't lift my head to greet him as he finally stood by the table I was at.

"Hello Lisa, it's nice to see you again." Marc said as he took the seat across from me, I took a mental note at how I liked the way he spoke my name, before realizing that he was still a huge jerk.  Um hello, did I say you could sit down, I don't think so.  Can't you boys tell when a girl doesn't want to talk to you.  Geez. I thought silently to myself as I didn't say a word back to him.

"Why do you sit alone?"

"I'm waiting for my friends, who will be here any minute. So, if you would be so kind as to move out of their seats that would be great." I said with a little bit of an edge to my voice.

"Oh you are cross at me.  Why? What have I done to deserve your cold treatment?" He asked as he leaned back with a smug smile. Oh nothing, only that you insulted my family yesterday, that's about it...punk! I thought bitterly.

"Here you go Miss. And Marc what can I get you? I hope you aren't bothering my customers, now." The waitress came back with my drink and then smiled as she winked at me.  How could these people think he was a good guy?  I wondered to myself, as she and Marc carried on a small conversation. Finally after she took my order, she left leaving Marc and I alone at the table again.  I couldn't stand sitting here watching him looking so smug as he annoyed me.

"I'm mad at you because of what you said yesterday.  I'm not just American you know, I'm Russian, and I really didn't like what you said yesterday." I finally told him as I took a sip of my drink.

"Ah, so this is why you are upset?  Over my opinion about the war?  Ha, hahah, really?" Marc said as he was laughing hard at me, causing both the waitress and the bartender to look over at us with a smile and a curious look. What was so funny?  I had a right to be upset, didn't I?  I began to question myself as he was trying to not laugh anymore.

"Um yeah, I can't believe you said that a family deserved to die, that's awful." I said, trying to still sound upset as I looked at his amused face.

"Lisa, I'm really sorry that my opinion upset you.  However, I only speak from the knowledge that I know, that has been passed down through my own family.  Also, I have grown up and now have dedicated my life to knowing the truth and protecting it."  He paused, before continuing.

"You see my family was highly involved in the Bolshevik party.  This is why I probably think so negatively against the Romanovs." He said as he looked at me, trying to decipher my emotions behind my wide eyes.  This guy, this Marc Jerk's family was "highly involved in the Bolshevik party"? His words echoing in my mind.  However, I just had to find out more, Mr. Poloski's family was involved, how much more could Marc's family be? I asked silently, before lifting my eyes back up to his and voicing the dreaded question.

"How...how highly involved?" I asked with a nervous stutter.

"You really do not know who I am, do you?  Geez this whole time I thought you were faking it, but you honestly haven't seen me in history books, in newspapers, interviews with the press?" He asked with a smirk.  Um, no should I have? I wondered, trying to look at him more and thinking if I had seen him before.

"Does the name Marcus Vladmir Lenin the second sound familiar to you?" He asked with an evil knowing smirk.  I thought about the name over and over, and it didn't really sound familiar, except for the last name....Lenin, Lenin...Le..n..i..n...I kept thinking about it over and over again until I remembered seeing and reading about the name in the book "Russia Bleeds Red" and in the "Russian Bible"  Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik party, he was the main person that held my Romanov family captive, Lenin was the one who executed and murdered the Imperial family.

"You're...you're related to Lenin, THE Vladmir Lenin?" I voiced out, wanting and needing him to say it.

"Yep, that's the one.  Oh now don't look too mad, all that was a long time ago, it doesn't matter now, well except for because of my great grandfather Russia is in my opinion better off than it would've been if the imperial family was still in power." He said as he gave me a nonchalant shrug as he reached over to take a sip out of my glass.  I admit, I should've held my control better, but before I knew it my hand was already hitting his beautiful yet annoying cheek, and it was hitting it very hard. 

SLAP!

There was no way I would just let him dishonor my family like that.  I stood up quickly got my purse and started heading for the door.  I was not going to sit down and listen to this stupid, jerk, whose great grandfather murdered my family, and he didn't see anything wrong about it today, he, that stupid jerk Marc, actually thought it was a good thing.

"Lisa! Lisa, look I'm sorry, I deserve that, after all I knew your feelings towards the subject, dang girl you got quick reflexes." He said with a smirk as he blocked my way out the door, causing the waitress and the bartender to exchange glances then getting back to work.  I couldn't respond, I was so mad, and I was actually grateful that no one else was in the little café at the moment. I wanted to scream how I really felt about this jerk to him right now, but I bit my tongue.

"Can, Will you please go sit back down, enjoy your meal, and we can talk about something else?" He asked as he pointed back towards the table which now held my food.  I didn't want to listen or talk to this punk, but I didn't know how to get rid of him, and I was hungry.  So, before I knew it I was still biting my tongue and walking back towards the table, and refusing to speak another word to him, even though he kept asking question after question.

"Okay, well if you're not going to talk to me, how about I just talk to you..." He suggested as I bit into a fry.  I was still really mad at him, but the more and more that he talked, and told me about himself, the more I knew I wasn't going to be able to stay mad at him for that much longer.

"So, what year at university are you?" He asked me, after he sounded like he had basically told me everything about himself, which I must say it was a little awkward, but also comforting that he trusted me with his life's story, which I honestly believe that everything that he told me was the truth.

"I'm not yet, actually.  I graduate in two weeks." I responded softly, knowing I was finally deciding to talk to him.  All my anger had already vanished by the time he had told me some funny childhood stories that I could relate to, or about his own grandparents passing away just a few short years ago, and the fact that they were the ones who had basically raised him since his mom had passed away when he was born, and then his dad was always in and out because of his job.

"Ah and so are you here checking out universities or where do you plan to go?"

"No, I'm here just to tour and visit, but I'm not sure about where I'll be, come fall semester.  I had a plan, but with the way things are looking like right now, college is really all up in the air right now." I said honestly.  I really didn't know with my claim to the throne now meant and I knew later on tonight I was going to have to ask Mr. Poloski about all of it, at our little "meeting" that I was actually dreading.

"Ah, but you seem like a smart girl, why can't you go to university or as you Americans say 'college'?" He asked with a smirk.

"It's complicated."

"Ah, meaning there's a long story or perhaps a secret?" He said, and my eyes narrowed as he said the word "secret".  Did he suspect something? Did he already know something? My mind was racing with questions, and I more and more disliked him.

"What about you? You said you worked for your dad, what exactly do you do?" I asked with curiosity.  It was at that same moment I heard the door to the café open and three tall men came in looking around, one of them, the shortest one of the three looking very familiar.  When they spotted us they gave us a nod before going to sit down at the bar.  I didn't really think anything of it besides trying to place where I had seen the shorter man before, until I saw Marc's face.

"Marc are you alright? Do you know those men?" I asked softly, my eyes drifting back towards them and then back to Marc. I started getting the feeling that something wasn't right. Marc just kept looking down at his hands for a while, until he finally looked up at me with an intense gaze. For some reason this moment brought back a mental flashed back of the story of when Leon Vasiliev looked at my Nunna before she went into the bathroom that nightmarish of a night so long ago.

"Marc?" I repeated his name again.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. No, I've never seen them before in my life.  I just zoned out. Sorry. Where were we?" He asked trying to put on a fake reassuring smile, but I could see his eyes were tense. I could see his brow beginning to look stressed, and I knew he was hiding something.  I also still kept trying to think where I knew the other guy from as I stole glances over at the bar towards him as I ate.  A few times I would catch the eye of him, and I would glance back at Marc quickly as he began to talk about his time at school.

"Lisa who are you looking at?" Marc finally asked me as he saw me glancing back over to the bar.

"That man, the shortest of the three, he looks so familiar, but I can't place him." I said honestly, but quickly became nervous as I saw him stand up and begin to head over towards us. Marc, angling his chair towards the guy as he looked like he was about to stand up between us.

"So, what can I do for you Miss?" The guy spoke in a thick Russian accent.  A voice that sounded too familiar, as my mind worked back trying to figure out where I've seen him before. Before I even spoke Marc interrupted.

"Sorry man, she didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"I wasn't talking to you Lenin, however I do believe we will all have a very interesting conversation when your father hears about this." The guy said louder, making the bartender come out from around the bar and the other men to turn towards us. He knew who Marc was?  Was Marc lying about no knowing who this guy was? I wondered quickly.  Then as I locked my gaze with his I finally realized who and why this guy in front of me looked so familiar.  It was our tour guide that had recognized me.

"Victor isn't it?" I finally spoke. My voice oddly coming out calm.  The man looked at me with a odd expression before I asked again, "Your name is Victor isn't it? Do you not remember me? From yesterday?"

"Should I?" Victor finally spoke towards me as he looked to Marc who was just staring at me with an amazed expression.  The other two large men coming over by his side.

"You were at the Palace, remember? You gave me and my friends a tour." I said again as I tried to stir his memory.

"You have a very good memory Miss." He said with a dangerous smile before he laughed, causing the other men behind him to laugh.

"This...this is why you stare at me? Weird American customs and habits I must say."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I was trying to remember how I knew you."

"First off, you don't know me. Secondly, never stare at someone; it's how do you Americans say...rude and insulting. And it will get you into trouble one of these days.  As for trying to remember, well, I now remember who you are; you are the young girl who looked like the photographs and portraits on the wall." He said as he stepped closer to me.  Marc looked at me with a curious expression as he started placing his hand on the back of his chair as well as the edge of the table.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude or insulting, and like I told you before, I must just have..."

"I know, one of those faces. Ha but you see you think I'm stupid don't you little girl?" He said interrupting me as he leaned in closer to me placing his hand on the table in a fist and his other on the back of my chair before whispering softly with piercing eyes, "I know your secret, you Romanov scum."

My mind was racing, I didn't know how to respond.  I could try to lie but most could see right through it. I couldn't freak out even though this guy had the dangerous vibe radiating off of him. Finally, I thought what would Nunna do, or what would the next ruler of Russia do in this situation...that's when I just started laughing.

"Ha, haha, Romanov? I may not be fully Russian and I may hate World History with a passion, but I do remember one thing...they were all killed." I said with a forced laugh, trying to make him see his accusation was faulty.

"I know who you are, and when I expose you to the rest of the world, no street will be safe for you.  Just ask that want-a-be Prince Rostislav." He said with an evil smirk that caused a shiver of fear to roll up my spine.

"What...what do you mean?" I said as I accidentally stuttered.

"I'm sure you can just ask him yourself, but let me just give you a hint.  There are some people that still think that all Romanov blood should be wiped off the face of the earth. You two have a nice lunch. Lenin." He said as he acted as if he was tipping a hat towards us as he turned to leave, the other two men following him out the café door.

As soon as he left, the waitress came over giving me a refill and my check, saying profanities under her breath as she looked out the glass café door.

"Ma'am it's alright, I'm fine." I said trying to reassure her before I finally touched her hand as she set down a plate of hot rolls.  I glanced up smiling at her, despite how terrified I really was at the moment almost forgetting that both the bartender and Marc were staring at me.

"Alright deary, just when you leave here take good ole Marc here with you. We don't want any trouble here, and I don't want a pretty girl like you walking alone after what just happened.  I couldn't hear all of it, but I know Victor and his group." She said with a sigh as she looked nervous for me.

I glanced at the bartender who had given Marc a hateful glance before he started wiping down the bar.  My eyes followed to Marc who was now trying to avoid eye contact and was starting to stand up.

"Marc?"

"We should get you back from the hotel; your friends must be waiting for you there." He said randomly, as he ran his hand through his short hair before looking me in the eye for a brief moment before heading out the door of the café, making me follow.  Why was he being so cold towards me now? I wondered.

"Marc, talk to me." I said as I reached out to get him to stop and talk to me as we finally reached the hotel.

"Lisa, I think I've done enough talking for the both of us earlier, where as you barely said a few words towards me.  It doesn't matter now, the best thing for you to do is forget about me and you and your friends just stick together.  Like Gina said, the streets aren't really the safest place for a pretty girl like you to be running around alone." He said as he let out a sigh lifting his hand towards my cheek then placed a strand of hair back behind my ear, as he stared into my eyes as if he was trying to memorize something.

"Marc, I'm really sorry for earlier, I shouldn't have caused a scene but it doesn't mean that we can't talk..." I said softly as I looked at him with sad eyes.  Even though I had just met him, even though I hated his views towards the Romanovs, and despite him being related to Lenin that sent my family all to their deaths, I somehow felt that I was losing a close friend.

"Trust me, you don't want to get close to a guy like me anyway, and besides it'll just be better this way." He looked over my head at something inside the lobby then back at me.

"Just take care of yourself." I heard him say as I felt soft yet warm lips kiss my forehead.  I felt heat flush my cheeks as I saw him walk away, despite me calling his name. Something inside of me felt not there anymore, and as I walked into the hotel my mind was swarming with all sorts of questions, but the one that was now haunting my mind was,

would I ever see him again?

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Author's Note: Hey Yall, I hope you enjoyed Reading! Yes this is fianlly the complete Chapter. Sorry it took so long. Please take a moment to click the orange VOTE button that's on the left hand side of the screen. Thanks so much for all your support.

Last but not least, this chapter is dedicated to the amazingly awesome Alina aka BlackRosePetal for always helping me get the Russian facts right when they need to be, and for being one of my constant Go To peoples for knowledge.  Thanks girl, this story and it's facts, couldn't have been written like they are without you.  Thanks for constantly helping me and supporting this story. You are super duper awesome!