Chapter 39
Elena’s POV:
I bent down to pick up Nikolai’s blazer and tie, which he’d carelessly draped over the back of the sofa earlier. The fabric was warm, holding onto the residual heat from his body. As I folded them neatly over my arm, I couldn’t help but notice the faint, familiar scent of his cologne–clean, crisp.
+
Turning off the lights as I moved, I made my way up the stairs, each step creaking softly beneath my weight. The house was old, and the wooden staircase had a character of its own, groaning and sighing with every footfall. As I reached the landing, I saw Nikolai stepping out of my mother’s room, his brow furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line.
“Everything okay?” I asked, pausing at the top of the stairs.
He looked up, forcing a wry smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Just… had a chat with your mom.”
get
rest.
I raised an eyebrow but decided not to press further. Instead, I gestured toward my room. “Come on, let’s
He followed me into my room, his gaze sweeping over the space. “This room is honestly exactly like I imagined it would look like,” he said, a hint of
amusement in his voice.
I looked around, trying to see it through his eyes. The room was modest, with a wooden queen–sized bed that had seen better days, a matching side table, a study desk cluttered with books and papers, and a single cupboard that groaned every time I opened it. A long, thin floor–length mirror leaned against the wall, its frame chipped in places.
“Isn’t it too congested for you?” I asked, moving to close the window that overlooked the backyard. The night air was slightly I turned on the air conditioner to keep the room comfortable.
warmer than usual, and
Nikolai shook his head, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling off his socks. He rolled them up and looked around for a place to put
“Just set them below the side table,” I said, and he shrugged, placing them there.
“Honestly? I kinda like the vibe,” he said, leaning back on his hands. “It doesn’t seem as desolate as my house.”
them.
I snorted, the sound escaping before I could stop it. “Yeah.” But then I paused, realizing how sad that actually was. I shook my head, trying to dispel the thought.
“Do you want to shower first?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.
He pushed himself off the bed and made his way over with a smirk, that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. “We should shower together.”
I rolled my eyes, “Yeah, that’s not possible, big guy. My bathroom is only big enough for one.”
His brows hooked in mock disappointment as he glanced toward the conjoined bathroom. “Alright, but… I didn’t really come prepared. This was just a last–minute decision.”
I looked him over, taking in his office attire. “Yeah, I could tell. You do that a lot, don’t you?” He always seemed so sudden in everything he did or decided. Like he constantly had something on his mind that he needed to distract himself from. I didn’t understand why I felt this way. I’d only known him for a week or so up close.
He frowned, shrugging. “Life as a kid was really boring, so my spontaneity started when I turned into an adult.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Go ahead and shower. I’ll bring you one of George’s nighties after asking Mom.
He frowned at that, shaking his head. “It’s not needed. I can just sleep like this.”
His refusal made me more suspicious and curious. “What exactly did you two talk about?”
He sighed after a long pause, running a hand through his hair. “She asked me why I invited Dmitri to the wedding. And if I had, then why had I let him cause a scene?”
My heart dropped Of course, Mom would notice and question Nikolai’s motives.
“What did you say then?” I asked, my heart jumping.
He looked a little guilty. “I kind of lied to her.” He paused, and I waited with bated breath before he finally continued, “I told her that you wanted
Dmitri to see.”
My eyes widened, and my stomach recoiled. “You said what?”
“I’m sorry. It’s just… had I said that he was my family, your mom would think my feelings for you weren’t genuine. She’d question the story we’d already given her, and so I-”
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8:42 PM
28
Chapter 39
I cut him off. “No. No, it’s alright. Actually.” I swallowed. “Actually, you’re right. Even if you’d asked to uninvite Dmitri, I’d have told you not to.”
And I felt shitty saying this, but it was true. I’d want Dmitri to witness me getting married.
“What did Mom say then?”
Nikolai’s lips quirked in a wry smile. “She… seemed upset. She said that you weren’t the type to do that.”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “She thinks too highly of me.”
After a tense silence, I sighed. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it too much. Go ahead and shower.”
Nikolai nodded, heading into the bathroom.
While he was in the shower, I made my way to my mother’s room. I knocked gently before entering.
“Mom?” I asked, peeking in.
She looked up from her book, her expression dazed. “Yes, dear?”
“Can I borrow one of George’s clothes for Nikolai? He didn’t bring anything to sleep in.”
She seemed a little sorrowful but nodded, getting up and moving to the wardrobe. She pulled out a plastic package and handed it to me.
“This one was new and unopened,” she said, yawning.
I frowned, taking it from her. “I just hope it fits him.” After all, George wasn’t six feet plus like Nikolai.
Back in my room, I placed the package on the bed and waited. A few minutes later, Nikolai emerged from the bathroom, his hair damp and tousled. He was wearing just the trousers, which reached a little above his ankles, not looking as out of place as I’d expected. But he was shirtless.
“Why are you shirtless?” I asked.
He proceeded to open the shirt and held it in front of him. I stifled a laugh as I saw the Mickey Mouse drawn on it that I hadn’t noticed before. Not to mention, it seemed too small for him.
“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to keep a straight face.
Nikolai smirked, his eyes gleaming. “It’s alright. After all… we won’t really be wearing clothes all night.”
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