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Chapter 1 - Anastasia
New York had always been my home, despite how often I spent away from the city. Landing on the tarmac always brought me a rush of nostalgia, along with the promise of opportunity, aware that I could have virtually anything I wanted.
And yet, despite the wealth my family possessed, I had always been a wanderer. Even if I had my home and my brothers to keep me company when I wished, I never felt truly settled. I never had a plan or a goal I wanted to achieve.
I was simply a Levov, and one that needed to make a decision for once.
Despite the unsettled feeling that lingered in my heart, the moment I returned to my penthouse apartment overlooking the city streets, I called my brothers for a visit. To my surprise, they were both able to slip away from home while their wives had a playdate with the kids.
“Where did the wind take you this time?” Yaro asked, absently swirling the whiskey in his glass from his place at the kitchen island.
“Africa. To be more specific—Chad, Madagascar, and Somalia, among others,” I said, pausing my search for snacks in the fridge to catch how his expression turned to one of surprise. I laughed at the reaction and pulled out a variety of cheese and meats, then placed them on the counter.
“Was it really…your taste?” he asked, likely questioning why I would choose Africa over my usual adventures.
“Sure,” I returned casually, busying myself as I placed the various snacks on a sleek board and put it in between us. I popped a bottle of wine open next and poured it into my glass. “I treated myself to the great parts and enjoyed the culture. But, I also made sure to see the not-so-great things. It really left an impression on me.”
“Is that so?” Yaro questioned.
“I hope you were safe,” Vik added, stepping away from the window where he had been peering at the cityscape below. He took a seat next to Yaro, looking interested in my tales.
I nodded and swallowed my mouthful of wine. “Of course. The tour I went on was very educational. It even moved me to make a sizeable donation. But feeling generous wasn’t the only thing I took away from it.”
Yaro’s brows lifted. “Is this when you tell us you’re moving to some remote village somewhere?”
“No, of course not,” I said, waving off his constant skepticism. “But I have a new plan. After seeing how great the need for reliable healthcare is in some areas, I decided I want to go to med school.”
They both seemed to freeze then, silently questioning if I was being serious, or if it was just another frivolous idea of mine.
“Really?” Vik asked, surprising me by being the first one to ask.
“Are you prepared for all that? Committing to your studies, the fast pace of healthcare, let alone…the blood?” Yaro questioned, with a touch of warning in his tone.
“I know it’s nothing like what I’ve done before, but I haven’t felt this ready for something in a long time. After the things I’ve seen, I realized I need to do something with my life,” I explained, dipping into that determination I felt because of it. “While I’d never trade my years traveling for anything, I realized I can’t hop on planes looking for new experiences to fill the void forever. I want to make something of myself, and to help as many people as I can.”
“That’s great and all, but you know there’s always a job for you with us if you want it,” Yaro said, resuming the topic he always tried to broach with me whenever I started to feel restless again. “Andrei left the invitation open. You can have a position in the background where you won’t need to face any of the real action.”
“I know you’ve kept your distance from the business for a while, but maybe it’ll be an easier route for you?” Vik suggested, sounding like he genuinely wanted to be supportive.
“It’s never too late to learn the ropes.”
Despite their encouragement, no part of me wanted anything to do with the family business. While I was grateful for what it gave us, I didn’t like everything else that came with it. The paranoia, the hits and stealing resources, and how everyone wants to use someone else. It was an opportunistic career, and it was hard enough to watch how it often took a toll on my brothers.
It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, and I had no interest in taking part.
“And rub shoulders with slimeballs in the city? No, thank you,” I said, grossed out by the thought of it alone.
Yaro scoffed. “You wouldn’t have anything to do with that aspect.”
“And I’d like to keep it that way.”
They both gave me a look that screamed I was being unreasonable, but I didn’t back down. I meant it.
“There’s nothing we can say that might convince you?” Vik asked, searching for an angle to work with.
I shook my head and watched as Yaro reached for something from the charcuterie board. “Try all you want, but it won’t change my mind. Working for Andrei might be your path, but it isn’t mine. I know it sounds sudden to you two, but I’m serious about this. I want to make a difference.”
Yaro sighed as he leaned back in his seat, finally conceding. “Alright, then. If med school is what you want to pursue, then we won’t stop you.”
