Turbulent days were beginning in Tsarist Russia. The Bolshevik revolution forced relatives of the imperial family to take precautions. Such was the case of Igor, who was part of the third generation of the House of Romanov, whose family moved first to Finland and then finally settled in Germany. There they would create their ordinary life away from the chaos. Now, without any noble title and, bankrupt, they had to work very hard. Only two items reminded them of their ancestry. Those would be inherited by Igor's children, from generation to generation, until they could prove their lineage.
Igor quickly adapted, grew up, studied, and later married Alyona Glazaty in love. From this union Vladimir, their only son, was born. This offspring would eventually become a skilled merchant. Besides being a sybarite, he boasted of his royal ancestry, which his parents hated. He married Sina Reimann with whom he had six children. He always kept each of them in the opulence that his status allowed him. On weekends he rested, at home, from the hustle and bustle of finance. That was the perfect place where he always showed his love for all his children. Everything was going normally until the war came. In those hard times he kept his love for his family. He always protected them; taking care of the union of his family. They went through very difficult times but always overcame them. It wasn't until the war was over that a rumor reached his ears. His friend Karl secretly told him:
-Your wife's maternal family is part of the Nazi party. They worked undercover in the concentration camps. They were responsible for the death of many people.
Vladimir's face paled. His hands trembled. Too many thoughts ran through his mind, including the death of his distant relatives. He could not define exactly what emotion he felt at that moment. Anger? Helplessness? The truth is that he made a decision. Inopportunely, without thinking, he said:
-I'm leaving. I can't stay here any longer. This is coming down on me like a stab wound.
Hastily he packed his suitcase. Without saying goodbye he left for Italy, from there he would leave for Argentina. He embarked in Naples on a warm summer afternoon. That afternoon his destiny, once again, would change abruptly. During the crossing he met an Italian lady, Giulia Bianchi.
Giulia was a skillful peasant girl of fine manners and uncommon beauty. Her violet eyes contrasted with her long, jet-black hair. This helped her to start working in a fashion atelier. There she started as an apprentice seamstress. Her ingenuity and figure took her to famous catwalks. With the money she saved from her work, she thought she would achieve her dream, to study ballet. But her ex-boyfriend Tomasso, already married to a rich lady, when he found out, began to persecute her; thus truncating her illusion. To avoid harassment, she decided to go far away. This failed love affair prompted her to board the Luciano Manara. There, without intending to, she would meet the love of her life.....
The long journey made Giulia and Vladimiro become friends. Waiting for her was a distant relative, Flavio, who would put her up in a boarding house. He then placed her in a fashion house that was thriving at the time. Giulia and Vladimiro continued their friendship until they unexpectedly fell in love. Vladimiro was still married but, as no one knew them, they decided to live together. Giulia quickly became pregnant. That moment was unforgettable:
-Vladimiro I have to confess something to you ....I am pregnant.
Vladimiro was speechless with emotion. He hugged Giulia tightly and gave her a warm kiss. Then he could only say:
-Thank you. Let's celebrate.
Then he took her to dinner at an Italian restaurant where they made homemade pasta. That night he made a toast:
-To our future child. It is a blessing for both of us.
Giulia wept with emotion. She never thought she would find a man who would value and love her... Time went by. At nine months Anastasia was born, who would be the one to reconcile the family.
Anastasia was a lively child. She was her parents' treasure. They both wanted the best for her. She was quick to learn everything they taught her. When Anastasia turned five Vladimir decided to confess his past:
-I left Germany when I found out that my wife's family was connected to the Nazis. I thought of nothing else. I abandoned my children. I was always a good father. But I know it's hard to be forgiven.
-And why are you telling me this now?
-I don't know. Maybe out of remorse. Anastasia's godfather was my neighbor in Germany, and he knows my past. I guess he always brings him news of me.
-Any other secrets? Giulia is annoyed.
-Yes. The yellow door, which is in the attic, must still be locked. There is a chest there. It contains a writing that tells of my family tree. Also the address and names of my wife and children, in Germany, are there. Also...
With her face red with anger, Giulia interrupts him.
-Is there still something else?
-Yes, my will and two pieces of jewelry. A pair of diamond and pearl hairpins and a Fabergé egg belonging to the Romanovs. If one day I should be absent... open the yellow door. Do as you see fit.
The conversation ended. The famous yellow door was never spoken of again.
The years passed peacefully. Anastasia studied at the best school in town. One day, when she was about to turn nine, her father decided to celebrate in style. Addressing Anastasia he says:
-Daughter, we will celebrate your birthday at the German Club. Invite all your little friends.
Anastasia was excited but Giulia felt something strange that she couldn't explain. ....
The party was unforgettable. It would remain in the memories of all the attendees; as well as in the photos. Time went on. One day Giulia got a call from her husband's work.
-Mrs. Giulia came running to the hospital. Your husband is feeling ill. It was the voice of Vladimiro's boss.
Giulia leaves the child with the neighbors. She hurries off. At the hospital she receives the unfortunate news:
-Mrs. Giulia your husband has passed away.
Giulia went crazy. She went into shock. The neighbors took care of everything... A week after the funeral, Giulia began to plan her new life. Alone again. Her temperance came to the fore again. Vladimiro's wife came immediately to claim the inheritance. She understood that she had to open the yellow door. So she did. The inheritance was distributed according to legal indications. Apparently those were the last links with the past.....
For years Giulia would devote herself only to her daughter. She was alone in a foreign country. And so it was until Anastasia turned fifteen. She celebrated with a trip to the Caribbean. On her return she gave her the news:
-Anastasia you have to prepare yourself in a trade. I am ill.
Anastasia couldn't believe it. Her world collapsed again. She devoted herself to studying and caring for her mother until her mother passed away. A year after her mother's death, she married. Life goes on happily. She already has two children, but life takes another turn and she gets divorced. She had to continue alone with her children. One day her daughter Fabiola, intrepid and curious at the same time, decides to do some research on the Internet about her maternal grandfather's surname. Her brother Alberto made fun of her:
-I was stubborn Fabiola again with her research.....
Fabiola doesn't flinch; she continues until she achieves her goal: to contact her maternal grandfather's family. She succeeded. At that moment she shouts with joy:
-Mom, I got your lost siblings!
Anastasia goes running.....She communicates with them. They want to meet her. They offer to pay for her ticket and stay.
THE SECRET BEHIND THE YELLOW DOOR by María del Carmen Sánchez Copyright © 2023
August 25, 2023
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
