Two days after returning to Russia, Nika refused food or drinks except from the few snacks she'd bought from her trip. She was on a protest.
It was her little way of letting her parents know she was not happy with their actions. It always worked for her. Her father would never risk having his only daughter die of hunger. He'd meet her requests without hesitation.
But something felt different now. Her father didn't come to check on her as usual. He'd just watch her room window at night and hoped she was safe.
He installed guards at her room floor and ensured the maids always brought her meals to her doorstep whether she liked it or not.
The warm early morning sun poured in through the window blinds casting a warm glow on her skin. Nika shuffled on her bed as she turned to face the other side.
Her stomach rumbled out of hunger. Annoyed, she got up from her bed. She peeked through the small hole on her door. The guards had changed their shift.
The sweet aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and brewed coffee struck her nostrils. It was tempting. As if on cue, her stomach rumbled in agreement.
She had to put an end to her hunger protest.
Twisting the door handle open, she stepped out of her room, ignoring the guards' greetings.
Nika followed the scent down to the kitchen. For a reason unknown to her, the mansion was lively. Workers scrambled at every corner preparing for something.
The chefs were busy prepping ingredients while the maids were moving a few decorations outside to the garden.
"Sweetheart!!" A voice chirped.
Nika spun on her heels. "Oh, mother." She said with a faint smile. Her mother pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing her like she'd slip away if she let go for a moment.
"Mom,I.. I can't breathe...."
"Right." She pulled out. "God! We were so worried about you." She heaved a sigh of relief. "Really?" Nika gave her a mocking look.
"Don't give me that look now. Your father had your room guarded. He didn't want to break your door down. I suggested we gave you some privacy." She paused.
"You know, you're so grown now. Soon you'll be leaving us. You'll take over the company and shares, meet new people..."
"And get married?" Nika interrupted her.
"Who told you?" Her face fell instantly.
"Did you think that little warning the other day didn't get me thinking?" She scoffed. "I mean, look at this place! What are we preparing for?"
Yolanda rubbed her hands on her nightgown nervously. "You should probably talk to your father. He's been looking for you." She tried to excuse herself.
"You're not going to answer me, are you?" Nika followed. "Not now, honey." Her mother brushed her off and went out into the garden.
"Liars!" Nika yelled at no one in particular. Annoyed, she stormed back into her room and slammed the door behind her. She leaned on the door with her eyes closed.
Her heart slammed wildly against her ribcage. She clenched her fists tight, her nails digging deeply into her palms almost drawing out blood.
"I have to get out of this place."
"You can't." A voice cut in.
Her eyes snapped open. Her hands flew to her chest as she tried to calm her breathing. She sniffled back her tears.
"What are you doing in my room dad?" She asked, angrily.
"I'm your father. I can see my daughter whenever I choose to." He deadpanned. "Right." She let out a humorless laugh, throwing her head back.
"I'm concerned about you." His eyes softened.
"No, you're not. You're full of shit!" She spat.
Aleksei bowed his head in understanding. "I get it. But it can't be undone." He said sternly.
"What did he offer you?" She folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall. He remained mute.
"More money? A business deal? What in the world can he offer you that you don't have?" She looked at him, searching his eyes for the answer.
It was complicated. Even if he told her now, she wouldn't understand. Not in a lifetime. He had so many things he wish he could tell her, but some things were best kept hidden.
"Um, he's coming tonight. We're going to have dinner with him. I picked out some nice dresses for you. I'll let you know when he's here." He cleared his throat and stood up from her bed.
"Can you at least tell me who he is?"
He paused.
"You'll get to know him. It would be of good cause if you be on your best behaviour tonight." His tone dropped, low and dangerous.
"He's not a very patient man." He warned.
And with that he left the room, leaving Nika alone. She sat on the edge of her bed replaying their conversation.
Something about this engagement felt off. Why wouldn't he tell her who he was? If only she could get his name, she'd search him up and maybe know something about him—but that was the least of her concerns.
She was more concerned about what he offered her father.
Aleksei wasn't one to trade his children off for business profit. Many suitors had tried to seal a deal with him several times, but he always insisted that his daughter's happiness came first.
What changed now?
Nika spent all afternoon thinking about it. She thought of escaping through her window but it wouldn't work.
Her father had her room heavily guarded and the whole mansion was a security fortress. She'd be easily spotted if she tried anything silly.
She also thought of negotiating. She'd try to convince her father to call it off before it became too late.
"I promise I'll work extra hard at the company. I'll sign more deals. The board would love me! You guys will never have to worry about me." She recited.
After a few takes, she fell back on her bed disappointed. It wouldn't work. He had his mind set on this and nothing could change it.
The evening slowly approached and the sun had gone down. Her time was up. She paced back and forth in her room. She had been informed earlier that they were on their way.
She mentally braced herself for the dinner.
A soft knock on her room door interrupted her. She opened the door swiftly and her heart dropped. Ana was at the door holding a few dresses in her hands.
Behind her was Nika's personal makeup artist and stylist, Daria . "You have to be kidding me." Her fingers ran through her hair. "Well, come in." She forced a smile.
"It's so nice to see you again, miss. What's the occasion?" Daria placed a large box containing all her tools, on the dresser.
"Nothing special. Just a family dinner."
"Yolanda didn't say that. She told me to give you an ethereal makeover and glam. How about that?"
"What?" Nika blurted.
"Come on kiddo, I know what's going on. Who's the special guy?" She patted on the stool. Nika rolled her eyes and sat down reluctantly.
"I don't know him." She sighed.
"He can't be that bad, you know?" She rubbed her shoulders.
"I don't care. I don't want to meet him."
Daria sighed. "I wish I could help you but I'm in no position to do that and you know it." She looked at her and placed her hand on her right shoulder.
"Everything's going to be fine."
Nika wished she could believe Daria but that gnawing unease wouldn't leave her chest. That horrible feeling that everything would go wrong and she'd end up being hurt.
Just like with Leon....
As Daria unpackaged the items from the box,something fell down. Nika noticed it and her brows furrowed slightly. It was a card. She bent over and reached for it.
She hadn't called him since that day. Staring at the black card in her hands, she wondered whether she should reach out first or wait for him.
"I'll try this later." She dropped the card on her dresser.
In less than thirty minutes, Daria had Nika fully prepared for the dinner. She helped her into the red sequin dress that Yolanda picked out for her.
The dress was strapless and it exposed a lot of skin. It was a full length gown with a high slit and a low v-neckline. Her cleavage and thighs were exposed to the cool air.
Nika tugged at the sequins, uncomfortable. Dressing for a stranger felt wrong.
"You look stunning." Daria complimented.
"Thanks." She muttered, still checking out the dress in the mirror.
"Look..." Daria stood behind her, their eyes meeting through the mirror. "I don't know who this man is but one thing is sure." She paused.
"You're going to knock the breath out of him when he sees you."
Nika bursted into laughter. She laughed so hard, her chest ached. "I mean it. No man will ever fumble a queen like you." She assured her.
Nika watched her in silence as she packed her things and left the room. She felt uneasy. Any moment from now, he would be here and her fate would be decided.