A relaxing Saturday afternoon

The girls spend some time unpacking their clothes and other accessories. There isn't any storage in the living room, so everyone collectively agrees to share the dressers in the bedroom where you and Nadia are staying. The furniture in your bedroom is nice, very nice in fact, made from exotic hardwood and sculpted into a contemporary design of smooth angles and middling tones. A dresser sits on each side of the doorway leading into the sitting area, each one split in half into two columns of three drawers. Katerina and Mia take the left dresser, while you and your wife share the right one.

Of course, you don't have near as much clothing as the girls do, so you finish well ahead of them. You spend the remainder of your time sitting on your bed, feigning as though you're playing on your phone, but secretly staring at each of their well-formed asses as they repeatedly bend over and over again to stow their clothes. It's a nice way to pass the time.

Eventually, they finish, and despite how nice the hotel room is, boredom festers. You can only explore the hotel room for so long and eventually there is nothing left to discover. Although, you do one notable thing: a remote beside the couch that closes curtains on the sitting area windows and lowers a large, eighty-inch TV from a slot in the ceiling. Very cool.

But no one wants to watch TV at four o'clock on a Saturday afternoon.

"So..." you say, as you sit on the couch with your girls. Nadia sits in a chair across from you, while Katerina and Mia sit on the couch beside you. Katerina perks up at your voice, looking up from her phone to listen.

"So?" Nadia asks, waiting.

"What do you three want to do?"

"I dunno," Katerina says, returning to her phone.

"We could go out to eat?" Mia asks. "Although, I don't want to cost any more than I already have, so maybe that is a bad idea..."

Her words craft an idea in your mind, and you smile. Nadia gives you a peculiar expression as your face morphs into one of sudden inspiration.

"No," you begin. "that's exactly what we should do! Nothing crazy expensive, but something nice. A little bit more won't hurt us at this point. We can all dress up and enjoy this time together. I think the hotel has a very nice restaurant at the top of the building. We don't even have to travel for it."

"That sounds wonderful," Nadia smiles, while Mia and Katerina bob their heads in agreement. "Just the four of us, together. Do you think they'll have space to accommodate us this late?"

You check the time. Shortly after four. You shrug, then go to the bedroom and look at the directory. There is a speed dial to the front desk, so you hit the button. A few moments later, you're transferred to the hostess of the restaurant.

"Hello, this is Amanda at Smith's. How can I help you?" a polite voice answers on the other end of the line.

"Hi Amanda, I am staying at the hotel and was wondering if you had space for four tonight."

"Certainly, one moment, sir."

You hear some clacking in the background, and then, "It looks like we have a table open at seven this evening. Would you like to make the reservation?"

"Yes, please."

"Alright, what is your room number?"

"Floor thirty-seven, room eighteen."

"Thank you, sir! We'll see you this evening at seven, Mr. Malyshev. Also, a friendly reminder that our establishment requires semi-formal dress."

"Wonderful, thank you. That won't be a problem at all."

You hang up the phone and return to the sitting area, finding the girls waiting with semi-anxious faces. You smile at them and say, "Dinner is at seven. A table for four. Semi-formal dress, by the way."

Katerina and Mia jump up in excitement, giggling and already running into your bedroom. Nadia trails behind them, taps you on the chest, and points toward the couch. "It'll take us a while to get ready, so why don't you watch a movie or something?"

"Sure, dear," you say, and sit back down on the couch. You use the remote to lower the TV from the ceiling while Nadia seals the bedroom door behind her, hiding the girls from your view. You still hear their excited voices through the wall, though.

You surf the hotel TV guide, looking for something to watch, when your phone rings. You slide it from your pocket and check the caller ID. It's Donna.

"Hey, Lev?" she asks, as you connect the call.

"Hey, Donna. What's going on?"

"Oh, nothing. Don't worry. I missed you this morning and thought I'd call to make sure you're alright."

A sense of relief calms the nerves you hadn't realized were taut.

"I'm fine, thank you. We're having some work done around the house so I've spent the day checking into a new hotel."

"Oh, a hotel? That sounds... lonely." Her voice transitions from cool professionalism to sultry in an instant. "Perhaps you need some company?"

"I'm here with Nadia and the girls, actually. We're already quite cramped," you say, ignoring Donna's hidden question.

"Oh, oh well. Do let me know if that changes. I'd love to meet up and... review your accounts." She pauses for a moment, sighing, before continuing. "That's actually why I am calling. You remember the charity organization that paid off some of your debt before?"

"Of course! Thank you for finding them, again, by the way."

"Well, they called earlier this week and said they were donating an additional ten percent towards your father's existing debts. It's strange, to be honest. I've never seen a charity come back and donate again without being asked to. But, their checks cashed. Your father's debt has been further reduced, and you should see your balance reflect that in your next statement."

Ten percent? A thought itches at the back of your mind, but you ignore it for the moment. "Wow, that's wonderful! I appreciate all of the help I can get. It's a lot of money."

"I know. I'm glad I could be the bearer of good news this time. It isn't often that happens. Anyways, I'll let you get back to your family. Don't be a stranger, Lev."

"Thank you, Donna. Don't be a stranger, either. You have my number."

"Oh, is that an invitation?"

"It always was."

You hear a wet sound that could only be her licking her lips. "Bye, Lev."

"See you soon, Donna."

It seems your relationship with her is paying off in leaps and jumps. No reason to not continue it. You smile at yourself as the call ends, and you slide the phone back into your pocket.

Just as you finally find a movie to watch, Die Hard 2, a personal favorite, the phone rings again.

You check the caller ID once more, seeing Alexei's name this time.

"Hey, Alexei. What's up?"

"Lev," the man responds, "sorry to bother you so soon. I wanted to run a few details past you before we commit to a final design."

"Sure, what can I do for you?" you answer, causing Alexei to launch into a laundry list of questions that eat away at the clock more quickly than any movie ever could.