Page 52

The next day I was up very early.

I felt oddly refreshed and craving nothing but the simplicities of my typical life.

I did my usual skincare, got dressed in a short white dress with matching stockings and a tan fur coat, and then lastly I sprayed myself in my usual perfume.

Everything felt normal again.

Even if I unconsciously checked my phone for a text.

Specifically from Sevan.

I did not receive another one.

Surprisingly so.

But I cannot tell if that is good or bad thing.

"We missed you very much, Via," Yuri said as I settled at the table with them.

I hummed, pulling the lid off the small glass dish, "I am happy to be back," I murmured as I reached into the dish to grab three of the white pills.

Which I felt both of my right-hand men openly watch me do.

It almost felt like they had some unspoken judgment, but I chose to ignore it.

Mostly because I want to have a good day.

"I hear your trip was good?" Arina said as she ate some of her yogurt.

I nodded as I slipped the pills into my mouth, "Very productive," I told Arina as I grabbed the glass of freshly poured orange juice.

And as I took a long sip, I swallowed the pills contently—setting my glass back down with a soft clatter.

"This breakfast spread looks good," I said in observation as Ivan naturally began making my plate for me, "Arina tell me about your studies," I suddenly demanded, wanting to know more about her day-to-day.

"It is normal I suppose," Arina said with a shrug, "I enjoy working at the library after school."

Yuri smiled, "It is very nice that you get to read more," he said, which earned a few hesitant nods from Arina.

"Da, my favorite books are much more accessible now," Arina determined contently.

I hummed, watching as Ivan set my plate in front of me, "That is good," I said as I picked up my silverware, "I have personal library made here for you."

Arina's brows immediately raised.

Along with Yuri's.

I am confused.

Personal library is shocking?

Or my kindness is shocking?

"That is very generous but you do not have to do that," Yuri immediately assured me.

I shook my head, "Arina likes to read—I ensure she has plenty of books," I insisted, sticking my fork into one of the strawberries, "What are your favorite genres?"

Arina blinked a few times, "Um..." she trailed off, noticeably unsure of if I was serious right now.

But I have never been more serious in my life.

"I enjoy a lot of action books—sometimes fantasy too," she said as she took another bite of her yogurt.

I nodded, "Tell me more about these books," I said, which I knew confused both Nikolai and Ivan.

This might be the most talkative I've felt at this time in the morning.

But I am feeling... grateful.

And generous.

So I listened to every word Arina had to spare about her favorite books.

I even contributed my opinion, which somehow caused Nikolai to add his.

And even Yuri.

It was probably the most lively the dining table had felt in years.

And I enjoyed it very much.

Heading off to handle business was ultimately a stark contrast to my morning.

Everything was much more serious.

The different board meetings I had to sit in on.

Then there was debt collections.

And I even had three men to kill for not getting their shipment out in time.

It was the perfect day for occupying my thoughts.

Until the evening hit and I was left with no other tasks to handle.

Arina was off at the library still and Yuri was laying down for much-needed rest.

Luckily, I still had Nikolai and Ivan to keep me company.

"We play chess," I said, slipping the pill bottle from my fur coat.

And as I shook three small pills out of the container, Nikolai opened the water bottle he carried for me and passed it over.

Which I immediately took, taking a long sip as I swallowed the pills.

"Vodka too—I need vodka," I determined as we all walked down the hallway with their footsteps echoing among my heels that clicked precisely against the marble floors.

"But you take higher amount of pills and—"

"And I still want vodka," I cut Nikolai short, knowing the amount does not necessarily matter.

I will be fine.

And I also will not have issues with keeping a particular someone out of my thoughts.

I drew in a sudden breath, halting my steps just as Nikolai and Ivan stopped right by me.

But mostly because it felt as if we had no other choice.

There was a line of unfamiliar men dressed in black—blocking the end of the hallway.

I narrowed my eyes at them, immediately slipping my gun from my fur coat.

I know who they are with.

So I kill them purposely.

"Zinovia," I heard her familiar voice echo.

Before the men parted off to the side, allowing her to walk past them.

She wore her usual leather jacket with a t-shirt underneath and a pair of dark jeans.

Her dark hair was gelled back, leaving her bare face on display and emphasizing her sharpened jawline.

"Leave," Sevan instructed them all as she approached me.

But I refused to lower my gun.

I refused to let her just waltz back into my life.

My compound.

My fucking marble hallways.

And have her way with me as she had done previously.

"Nyet, my men stay," I gritted with a narrowed look, watching as Sevan stopped directly in front of me.

Which caused the end of my gun to dig into her collarbone.

"You want to have this conversation in front of them?" Sevan clarified, clearly not bothered by the idea for once.

Which alarmed me.

"I do not want to have this conversation at all," I purposely said, unclicking the safety off of my gun.

Sevan hummed, reaching her hands up—

And wrapping them around mine as I tightly gripped the heavy gun.

Her touch was warm.

Her hands were warm.

But her previous actions toward me... very cold.

"Either shoot me or have this conversation with me," Sevan murmured, allowing her dark eyes to trace over mine.

I remained silent for a moment, hovering my finger over the trigger.

Just to prove a point.

Just to prove that she has no real power over me.

But blyat.

She does.

Because I cannot truly shoot her.

And that frustrates me.

"Leave," I suddenly sighed out, referring to Nikolai and Ivan.

Who immediately backed away, causing Sevan to motion her guards away with them.

The silence quickly grew deeper between us, staring at one another as their footsteps slowly faded down the hallway.

But even as we stood alone in the empty dim hallway, Sevan didn't bother lowering the gun I held.

She didn't bother doing anything at all actually.

It was almost as if she left the next move up to me.

So I clenched my jaw, fighting my ego away as I slowly lowered my gun—jerking my hands away from hers in the process.

"You made decision Sevan," I sighed in boredom, clicking the safety on my gun back on as I slid it back into my fur coat.

"I fucked up, I know," Sevan said, never once glancing away from my eyes, "But you prefer actions over words—let me act on the right decision baby."

I remained silent, staring so fucking deeply into her eyes that it felt as if I had almost gotten lost.

But not lost enough to lose my common sense.

"Nyet," I mumbled, glancing away from her burning stare, "It is easier if we remain as business associates," I determined.

I am unsure of why I ever wanted to complicate this.

"Easier?" Sevan emphasized back to me, "Easier is being able to touch you in public without looking over our shoulders—easier is not having to conclude our trip early because we were spotted together," she pointed out, taking a large step toward me and closing the space between us, "Easier is being able to text you when I want and how I want—or even introducing you to my parents without having to take into account our roles or safety."

I clenched my jaw, feeling my face burn under her stare that I refused to meet.

"Easier is being able to want a relationship with you instead of being this fucking bad guy and ruining everything between us," Sevan whispered, and I couldn't help but draw in a deep breath, trying to actively ignore how genuine her words sounded.

Or her familiar cologne that surrounded me in the most annoying way.

"Your actions and words..." I suddenly trailed off, trying to stay focused.

Mostly on the fact that this is not enough.

That she messed up and I do not give second chances.

"You act very hurtfully," I mumbled, clinging to the image of her in Colombia.

It was the only thing that helps me stay strong.

"I know," Sevan murmured, suddenly leaning down closer to me.

And I couldn't help but stiffen as soon as she rested her head on my shoulder, nuzzling her face into the crook of my neck.

"It never happens again," Sevan breathed out, running her arms around my waist.

Upper waist actually.

Which felt more out of respect, considering how I am not reciprocating her actions.

If anything I am stuck in place, unable to decide between my ego and my annoying feelings for her.

"I want you," Sevan said, her words nothing but genuine as the warmth of her breath fanned across my bare skin, "I want to establish this with you, Zinovia."

I shook my head almost unconsciously, "It is too late to establish anything, Sevan," I breathed out, almost forcefully.

Because this was exactly what I wanted to hear.

Only hours ago.

What if she says this now and repeats similar behavior again?

"Give me a night to show you that I want you," Sevan suddenly suggested, naturally making my brows furrow.

"A night?" I clarified.

I felt her lips twitch up against my skin—before she pulled away from my neck, meeting my stare entirely.

"Let me take you out on a date, Zinovia," Sevan said as she gently squeezed my waist, leaving barely any space between our faces.

I clenched my jaw, especially when everything around me grew irritatingly hot.

My stomach even began tying in the weirdest knots.

And her dark eyes staring at me so openly did not help.

Sevan suddenly drew in a deep breath, "I'm..." she trailed off, eyeing my face as she took in my obvious hesitation, "I'm sorry," she practically forced the unfamiliar words out.

And I swear they sounded very foreign leaving her lips.

Almost like she was speaking an entirely different language.

Yet it all still caught me off guard.

Almost speechless even.

Mostly because... she apologizes?

I suddenly sighed, glancing away from her dark eyes as I said—

"One night."

Sevan immediately hummed in approval, "One night," she repeated back to me, leaning down to briefly kiss my cheek.

But I only pushed her away in response, even if her actions made my stomach grow even more with knots.

"This does not mean I move past anything," I clarified as I pushed her further away from me, "And you do not get to... use your touch to convince me tonight."

Sevan's lips immediately twitched up, "Continue with your terms baby," she said, knowing I had more to say.

And I did have more.

Much more.

"We do not fuck specifically," I made sure to emphasize, immediately earning a firm nod from Sevan, "And you do not handle calls or any business while we are out."

Sevan nodded again, "Anything else?" she clarified.

"You apologize again," I suddenly determined, feeling my lips twitch up against my own wishes.

Sevan raised a brow, "You like that?" she murmured, openly eyeing my face.

I shrugged, "I just think it is proper punishment," I mumbled nonchalantly.

Sevan's lips spread into an amused smile, "Then I'm sorry again beautiful," she didn't hesitate to say, eyeing my face as I soaked in the unfamiliar words that fell from her lips a second time.

"Maybe a few more times," I said, fighting my smile when Sevan laughed slightly.

"I'll make sure to say as much as you fucking want," she said, motioning me down the hall, "Just in the car," she subtly added.

Which left me wondering what she had planned.

"It's a surprise," Sevan said just as I went to part my lips to ask about her plans.

Which naturally made me roll my eyes, walking down the hallway with her by my side.