Adrian
He wasn’t speaking.
He couldn’t even say from where he knew me.
Was it a mere joke or perhaps a threat?
I know how conscious I was every time I went to the club in the past.
“Are you scared?” He giggled
“You haven’t said anything.
Why should I be scared?”
“But you’ve seen me before…” He wrapped his hands around me and then whispered in my ears, “At the clubpink.”
Clubpink?
My eyes widened and I froze in place.
The place I used to escape to when I couldn’t take Leonardo’s constant need of belittlement.
I always wore a mask.
No one would know it was me.
I tried grabbing his wrist but he was stronger than I expected.
“What do you want?”
“I will let you know.” He whispered and then looked at me, drawing his face close at my lips.”
Without hesitation, his lips crashed into mine—rough, unwanted.
My chest tightened.
I shoved him back with all the force I had, breath ragged.
When I tried getting off the bed, he turned me over, causing my feet to lose balance and I fell on the bed.
He pulled me into a kiss and I grabbed his neck.
At that moment, a series of thoughts crossed my mind and I wondered if I should strangle him to death.
Or maybe I should listen to his blackmail.
Fuck!
After being a victim of blackmail from Leonardo for the past seven years, and now the Mancini’s.
There was no way I would allow myself to be blackmailed by one more person.
I could feel rage rushing through my veins and the only thing that clouded my mind was to do away with him.
But then, I caught someone’s gaze, staring at me with eyes deepened and a face of someone who could punch me at any moment now.
A rush of anxiety froze the fury in my chest.
Nikolai, he was by the door. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Hands in his pockets, standing like a magazine model, he stood there staring at me.
The fury in my chest slowly subsided into nothingness.
I stared at him closely.
He used to be the one who could make my day feel like shit, but for some reason, a wave of calmness settled in my body.
I forgot Franklyn’s lips on mine, or perhaps it was just a way of wishing those lips were Nikolai’s.
When his brow raised, I suddenly erupted out of my reverie.
Franklyn followed my gaze.
The moment he saw Nikolai, he shivered—just like he had at the shop.
Franklyn didn’t waste any minute, he rushed out quickly avoiding Nikolai’s gaze.
“Locked here with a lover when you are supposed to be out there with your fiance is also cheating.”
“He isn’t my lover.”
“That wasn’t what it looked like.” He seemed cold.
“I’m not like you.” I responded.
“Not like…in what way?” Nikolai asked as though he wanted me to admit I was gay.
“Why are you here?” I asked, but this man scoffed and said.
“You seem to want to avoid my question.
It’s not a good idea Adrian.”
“I told you, I’m not cheating on Isabelle.”
“I never said you were.”
Nikolai has again managed to cause me to flare up in anger.
I couldn’t stay here.
I took to my feet but he then he said-
“Is that why your father didn’t hang your pictures anywhere in the showroom?
Interesting.”
“Don’t concern yourself with me.
Don’t you have any hobby?
It’s a fucking party entertain yourself.” I yelled at him and his demeanor instantly changed
It used to be unreadable, but now, I could see his eyes firing bullets at me.
“You seem to think you can always speak as you want.
Adrian, be careful.”
It was another threat of his, and instead of arguing further, I pursed my lips.
“I will go enjoy my engagement party.” New chapters come out on g.com first.
Just before I could take a few steps away, I felt his hands on mine and instantly, my body reacted to his touch.
The moments inside the cramped dressing room flashed before my eyes, and I gulped down my saliva.
I turned my head to look at him, but this man was holding my picture frame.
“Is this your mother?” His voice was suddenly cold.
“Yes.”
“She is pretty.”
“She is dead.” I muttered and he seemed to have frozen for a while before he hummed.
“She was pretty.” He placed the frame back on my bedside table and turned to me.
“You seem to take your father’s looks.”
“I look like my mother.”
He raised a brow and then nodded and took out a cigarette.
He bit down searching his pocket for a lighter.
“Not here.”
He seemed to be amused, but he did remove the cigarette and stepped on it.
“Who was that?”
“No one.”
“Why are you marrying Isabelle when you are…”
“Do you want me to admit I’m…” I waited for his response but this man squinted his eyes.
He still didn’t utter a word.
I walked closer to him and asked, “Are you hoping I’m gay?”
“Why would I hope for that?”
I leaned closer and whispered in his ears, “Perhaps, you find me charming.” It was a joke, but Nikolai didn’t seem to think so.
He seemed speechless and his usual coldness wearing off.
For the first time I saw his warmness.
I wondered, does he really find me attractive?
He didn’t flinch.
He didn’t blink.
For a heartbeat, I could’ve sworn he stopped breathing.
Then, finally, he looked away—but not before I caught something flickered in his eyes.