Loving the Enemy

By Ellynore Seybold

A post World War 2 romantic novella based on a true story—Helga Morgen falls in love with a Russian Army captain on first sight. Ivan is not only tall, blond, clean shaven and handsome, but also rescues the citizens of Berlin who were doomed by the Nazis during the last days of war. With a working knowledge of Russian, Helga gets a job at the Russian headquarters. Ivan is her supervisor and protector. When she disregards a warning, her life is in danger. Helga flees from the Soviet Zone and the man she loves. Will she and Ivan be able to overcome the cold war and get back together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ellynore Seybold-Smith
• Release date: Jan 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386687917

Book preview

Other Books by Ellynore Seybold

The Wooden Mistress

Sigrit

Erika's Dilemma

One Cold Night and Other Stories

Released

Love Across the Ocean

Love not Departed

Love in the Golden Years

CHAPTER 1

BERLIN, May 1945

Helga Morgen walked as fast as she could through the rapidly rising water, desperately hoping to reach the stairs that led to the street above. People screamed while placing their young children on their shoulders, everyone rushing toward daylight.

Her father,   Konrad, pushed her and her mother, Charlotte, with his one free arm, maneuvering them through the crowd. The heavy, steel bar gate was locked, trapping the people in the subway tunnel.

We’re trapped, Helga cried. We’ll drown like rats. Papa, what shall we do?

What can we do? her father answered, waving his crutch through the bars. HELP! HELP! Please unlock the gates! he shouted to an empty street.

The screams of the people trapped in the subway tunnel grew shriller and more desperate as the water continued to rise, already reaching the necks of anyone of small stature. Charlotte folded her hands and started to whisper prayers. Konrad embraced her and his daughter, and together, they recited the Lord’s Prayer. Soon, others joined them.

During the last days of the war, Berlin was defended fiercely. The Russian 3rd Army had surrounded the city, bombarding it with artillery fire from tanks and cannons. Everyone knew the war was long lost, but the radical Nazis refused to admit defeat. Boys as young as twelve and old men were drafted, and given weapons to defend the city. Women and children packed any food they had, then took shelter in the subway tunnels. Three days they remained in the tunnels as the battle raged on. Once Hitler was dead, the fanatic Nazis decided the citizens in the tunnels did not deserve to live, either. They locked the exits and diverted the Spree River to flood the tunnels.

Helga heard the motors of big trucks coming closer. One stopped near the gate before dozens of soldiers exited.

The cries for help escalated.

Are they Russian? Helga asked, looking at her father as two soldiers with machine guns advanced toward the gate to inspect the padlock.

I’m afraid they are, he said with finality.

One shouted something in Russian as a third soldier approached with a bolt cutter. Quickly, he cut the lock and opened the gate. Hundreds of people rushed out. They slowed their pace when they noticed several dozen Russian soldiers, guns at the ready.

Men over there, an officer shouted in German, waving his arm. Women and children over there.

Helga kissed her father—possibly for the last time—and took her mother’s hand to stand with the women and children. She looked at her father among the small group of men, standing on one leg with a single crutch supporting him. The other crutch had been lost in the tunnel.

We’ll all be shot, said a woman standing behind Helga and Charlotte. A hush of anticipation fell over the crowds. People held their breath as the Russians stood in front of them, waiting for orders.

Helga studied the young officer in charge. That man is beautiful. He does not look at all like a battle-worn soldier but like a movie star with his blond hair and deep blue eyes—more like a Norse god than our enemy. If I get shot, I hope it’s with a bullet from his gun; hopefully, one he had his hands on.

The officer paced in front of everyone. He made brief eye contact with Helga. God, I’m in love, she thought. He strode to the edge of the assembly of women and children then turned his back and walked toward the men. Helga studied his regal posture and imagined what he might look like wearing bathing trunks. He walked toward the women, once again making eye contact with nineteen-year-old Helga,  then he shouted in German, Everybody go home!

People stood there, unmoving. Again, he shouted while shifting his rifle onto his back and waving his arm. I said for you people to go home!

The crowd started hugging each other—loved ones and strangers. Then, the families clustered together and headed in different directions. Helga looked at the officer again and smiled. He walked toward where she and her parents were standing to warn, Not all Russians are like us. Beware of the Cossacks. Those men are wild. Now go, the war is over.

Thank you, Charlotte said, for saving our lives. We will never forget you.

In that case, he said with a chuckle, eyeing Helga, I will tell you my name. I’m Captain Resnikoff.

And we’re the Morgens. My father, Konrad, my mother, Charlotte, and my name is Helga. I learned some Russian in school.

Oh? the captain said in Russian with one raised eyebrow. How much Russian do you know?

I can read and write it pretty well, she answered in Russian.

We’re setting up an administrative office not far from here, he replied in Russian, and we will need some help in the office. I hope you apply for employment.

My job was destroyed when the factory I was working in was leveled during an air raid. I’d be happy to work for you.

Then come to Bismarkstrasse 5 in two days, ready to work.

Thank you so much. I’ll be there. But now, I’m sure we’re all eager to see if we still have a home. I shall see you the day after tomorrow.

"Two days from now. Yes, we will be