She transferred me to a supervisor. While the hold music played, I opened my laptop and started a new document. At the top, I typed the date. Then I started making notes the way I do at work.
Time. Name. Question. Answer.
The familiar motions steadied my hands.
The supervisor’s name was Philippe Moreau. He spoke slowly and carefully, like a man who knew he was walking into something.
“Ms. Volkov, three weeks ago someone contacted our office using your original booking reference. They requested additional rooms for a group of guests arriving on the same date as your party.”
“Who contacted you?”
“The sender described herself as your assistant.”
“Her name?”
He paused.
“Talia Volkov.”
I set my pen down on the table.
Philippe kept talking. The hotel had agreed to hold the eight rooms pending a signed group agreement and a final payment. A deposit had been promised. Some of the guests had already arrived this afternoon and were waiting in the lobby.
“Do not charge my card,” I said. “I want that on the record. And please record that Talia Volkov is not authorized to act for me in any way.”
“We will need that in writing, madame.”
“You’ll have it within the hour. And please preserve every single communication that refers to me. Every email, every phone note, everything.”
“I understand.”
I wrote the email before I hung up. I sent it from my personal account and copied myself.
Then I logged in to my travel account and changed the password. I turned on two-factor authentication. I called my credit card company, the number on the back of my card, and sat on hold for twenty-two minutes.
When I finally got a person, I explained what had happened. She checked my account.
“The €8,640 charge has not been processed, ma’am. It’s showing as a pending authorization request only.”
“I want to dispute it. I didn’t authorize it.”
“I’ll flag it now. I’m also going to recommend a new card number. We’ll mail it to you in three to five business days.”
“Do it.”
Only after all of that did I call Talia.
She rejected the call on the second ring.
A message came instead.
Busy dealing with what YOU caused.
I typed back.
Who are the other guests?
Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Stay out of things you don’t understand.
I sat back in the chair.
For thirty-four years, that sentence had meant the same thing in my family. Somebody wanted me to stop asking questions. Stay out of it, Nina. Don’t make it bigger than it is. Just let it go.
This time, it made me open another page in my notes.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
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