A request - I

 Half of the time, Katrina truly wondered from the bottom of our heart, what would become of her if Anika was not her friend. Maybe, life would be a tad bit easier. When there was no one putting upside down plans in her mind that were going to result in her head cited from her shoulders. 

Anika had come to remind her of the plan that they had created together. She had talked to her father and the decision was Katrina's now.

She moved to the soldier, who was standing outside of her father's office, and who immediately straightened up. "Ma'am." 

"I would like a moment of this time if he is free." 

The soldier pressed something in his ear, and earpiece, probably, before he murdered something to it. 

Within seconds, her father's right hand man stepped out, who was also Annika's father and gave her a tightlipped smile. "Boss will see you now." 

Goodness, someone was inside. Not to mention, and Akash's father no less. The topic that was about to be brought up it's not so important that her father had to send his right hand man out of the room. This was not going to look good. 

"Thank you." She gave him a bright smile filled with gratitude before sleeping inside the room. The door was closed behind her, but Katrina did not stop. 

"Child," her father patted the spot near him, he was sitting on the sofa, "sit with me." 

She smiled and did. "Forgive me, I did not know you had company. I should have asked the soldier to let me know first if you did. The matter is not important enough for uncle Mikhel to step out." 

"What's done is done." Her father waved his hand away, indicating to her to forget and let go of it. "Tell me what you want." 

She gulped. "I was told that we would be leaving for Moscow to attend the banquet with the new pakhan. I was wondering if Annika and I could take the opportunity to go outside and just… Just take a stroll." 

His eyebrows went up and she became quiet. He did not like that. 

"You," he emphasised on the word, "want that?" 

She did not, not really, but if she said no, the blame would come all on Annika, and she would not be receiving the end of the stick. 

"I do." She admitted because at the back of her mind, she didn't want to go. "I've never seen Moscow. I was thinking that since the banquet is at night, she and I just roam around in the day. We would do it with the security, and where you deem fit for us to go to. But please, may we?" 

Katrina received his silence for a while. It did not sit well, either, that he was just looking at her while he was thinking which made her certain about the fact that she was going to receive a resounding no. 

"I," he paused before continuing, "I will not be able to give you an answer at the moment. I would have to discuss it with Mikhil and if we find a place which is completely safe for you to visit, I will let you know tomorrow. That is all I'm going to offer." 

She smiled and it was hopeful. "That is all I can ask for Papa. Thank you for considering my request." 

Katrina leaned forward to place a kiss on his cheek before she bid him goodbye. There was a soft laugh she heard as she made her way to the door. Giving her father's right hand, man. One last smile with a good night, she went to her room where she knew a very eager Annika would be waiting. 

The news was positive. As positive as it could be.