Chapter 14 - Sofia
The sleek black car slices through the night, its silence deafening. I stare out the window, streetlights blurring past, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my dress. Vlad's jaw is clenched, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. The tension between us is suffocating.
And I’m utterly confused as to why. His fingers were literally inside me moments ago. And now? He seems angry.
"I don't understand," I mutter, more to myself than to him. "Why are you so angry?"
Vlad's eyes flick to me incredulously, like he can’t believe I’m asking this question, then back to the road. He doesn't answer.
I sigh, leaning my head against the cool glass. The memory of our encounter at the bar burns through me—his hands on my skin, his lips on mine. How can he act like this now? Like I'm nothing more than an inconvenience?
Fine, I think to myself. Two can play this toxic, silent game.
We pull up to the house, and I'm out of the car before it fully stops. My heels click against the pavement as I stride to the front door, not bothering to wait for Vlad. Inside, I kick off my shoes, relishing the feeling of carpet beneath my feet.
I need to change, get comfortable, and calm the hell down before we end up in an argument. All I know is that I don’t deserve the silent treatment without at least knowing why he’s pissed.
In our bedroom, I peel off the tight dress, letting it pool at my feet. I grab an oversized t-shirt from the drawer, pulling it over my head. The soft cotton against my skin is a comfort I didn't realize I needed.
I stand in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. With trembling fingers, I remove my wig, setting it gently on the vanity. My natural light blonde hair falls in waves around my shoulders.
"There you are, Sofia," I whisper to my reflection, running a hand through my hair. "The real you."
Feeling calmer, I decide to go and try to have another conversation with Vlad. To ask what changed between then and now. I had a beautiful moment with him, and he’s ruining it with his sour mood.
I find Vlad in the living room, lounging in an armchair, a tumbler of amber liquid in his hand. His eyes flick to me, then back to the fire crackling in the hearth. The silence between us is thick, suffocating.
"Are we going to talk about it?" I ask, my voice sharp as ice.
Vlad takes a slow sip of his drink. "About what, dear wife?"
I clench my fists, willing myself to stay calm. "About your reaction at the bar. About…" I hesitate, then forge ahead. "How cold you’ve been since we hooked up."
His jaw tightens. "What's there to discuss? You lied to me."
I stare at him, dumbfounded. “I—what?” I near screech.
He looks into my eyes, eyebrows raised in indignation. “You’re a virgin, and you lied to me about it.”
"I didn't lie," I snap. "You never asked clearly. There's a difference."
Vlad stands abruptly, towering over me. "Difference or not, I shouldn’t have had to ask. Had I known…”
“You’d have what?” I don’t let him finish his sentence. “Got me on a bed of roses?”
“Sofia,” he growls. “It’s more than that. I would have—”
He’s not yet finished when the front door bursts open, a cacophony of voices filling the air.
"Sofi! Where's our favorite sister?" Fedor's booming voice echoes through the house.
“Oh, she’s your favorite now, is she?” I hear my younger sister Natalia’s playful jab at our brother.
I freeze, my eyes locked with Vlad's. The argument forgotten, we both turn toward the commotion.
"In here," I call out, forcing a smile as my four brothers and one sister tumble into the living room. What the hell are they doing here?
Nikolai, all six-foot-something of him, sweeps me into a bear hug. "Surprise! How's married life treating you, little sister? We thought we’d drop by."
“More like we wanted to check if Vlad is still sane, being around you,” Natalia chuckles in the background, earning a laugh from Vladimir.
I roll my eyes at them and pat Nikolai’s back awkwardly. "Nikolai, I’m doing great! Now, put me down before you break something."
Dima, ever the observant one, raises an eyebrow at the tension in the room. "Everything okay here? We're not interrupting anything, are we?"
"Of course not," Vlad interjects smoothly, stepping forward to shake hands with my brothers. "We were just discussing our upcoming weekend. Besides, I hope you all know you're welcome here anytime," he says, his voice warm but with an undercurrent of authority. "Sofia and I love having you over, don't we, Darling?"
I nod, plastering on a smile. "Of course, it's always a pleasure."
Vlad's hand finds mine, intertwining our fingers. To anyone watching, we must look like the picture-perfect couple. But I can feel the tension in his grip, the slight tremor that betrays his true emotions.
"You two are so cute together," Natalia gushes. "How did you manage to tame our ice queen, Vlad?"
I stiffen at her words, but Vlad just chuckles. "Oh, I wouldn't say I've tamed her. Sofia's fire is what drew me to her in the first place."
His words, though meant to maintain our facade, stir something within me. I catch his eye, and for a moment, I see a flicker of genuine emotions there.
I catch Artyom, the youngest, rolling his eyes at Vlad’s open admiration of me. "Boring. Hey, Sofi, got any food? I'm starving."
"You're always starving," I retort, grateful for the distraction. "Come on, let's see what we can rustle up in the kitchen."
As we move toward the door, I glance back at Vlad. His face is a mask of calm, but I can see the storm brewing in his eyes. This conversation isn't over, not by a long shot.
I lead my siblings into the kitchen, my mind racing. The tension between Vlad and me lingers like a ghost, but I push it aside, focusing on the task at hand.
I whip up a cheese platter with Natalia’s help, and we all sit around the cozy dining table.
"Vodka for everyone?" I ask, reaching for the bottle. My voice sounds strained even to my own ears.
"You know us so well, Sis." Fedor grins, halfway to the get the glasses already.
As I pour the drinks, I can't help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Awkwardness at the interruption, mixed with nostalgia for this familial warmth I've missed.
"So, how's the newlywed life treating you?" Artyom asks, his tone teasing. "Vlad keeping you satisfied ?"
I nearly choke on my drink. "That's none of your business, little brother," I snap, my cheeks burning.
Natalia laughs, slapping Artyom on the back. "Leave her alone, you pest. Our Sofi's thrilled, can’t you see?"
"Am I?" I mutter under my breath, thinking of Vlad's earlier anger.
"What was that?" Dima asks, his sharp eyes narrowing.
I force a smile. "Nothing. Just thinking about how much I've missed you idiots."
As we settle into our second round of drinks, I can feel the initial awkwardness start to thaw. Vlad sits beside me, his presence both comforting and unnerving.
"Remember that time Sofia tried to sneak out to that party?" Natalia starts, her chocolate brown eyes twinkling with mischief.
I groan, hiding my face in my hands. "Please, not this story again."
“No,” Vlad asks, grinning from ear to ear. To my surprise, he reaches out and takes my hand. “Tell me all about it. I’d love to know all the antics my wife has pulled.”
I look at him in surprise, wondering how he can keep it so together when he’s clearly mad at me. In this moment, I realize something about my husband. Hell, or high water, in public, he’d always have my back. A small warm fuzz forms in my chest as my siblings launch into the tale of my ill-fated attempt to sneak out and end up grounded for weeks. The teasing and laughter wash over me, a balm to my soul.
But as Fedor launches into the tale, complete with dramatic reenactments, I find myself relaxing. The familiar banter, the shared memories—it feels like home.
"And then," Natalia chimes in, "she trips over her own feet and faceplants right in front of her favorite actor!"
We all burst into laughter, even Vlad chuckling beside me. I feel a warmth spread through my chest, a sense of belonging I haven't felt in a long time.
"Well, at least I didn't set the kitchen on fire trying to impress a girl," I retort, nudging Fedor with my foot.
As the night wears on, the atmosphere shifts from tense to comfortable. I find myself leaning into Vlad's side, our earlier argument momentarily forgotten in the glow of familial love.
"I've missed this," I admit softly, more to myself than anyone else.
Vlad's arm tightens around me, and for a moment, I let myself believe that everything might just work out.
***
As the night winds down, my siblings start gathering their things. A bittersweet feeling washes over me. "Do you really have to go?" I ask, hating how vulnerable I sound.
Nikolai pulls me into a hug. "We'll be back soon, promise. Try not to miss us too much."
I roll my eyes, but I can't hide my smile. "As if that's possible."
Watching them leave, I'm struck by a conflicting surge of emotions. The evening has filled a void I didn't even realize was there, reminding me of the family I've been distanced from. Yet, as the door closes behind them, the reality of my situation with Vlad comes rushing back.
I turn to face Vlad, my jaw set and eyes narrowed. "Now that the charade is over, shall we get back to our previous discussion?" I ask, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
But Vlad surprises me. Instead of the anger I expect, his face softens. "Sofia," he says, his deep voice unusually gentle. "You were… impressive tonight."
I blink, caught off guard. "What?"
"The way you handled yourself was amazing. You cast aside the anger between us and were so serene and content, all for your family, " he continues, taking a step closer. "It’s not just that your siblings didn't suspect a thing, but that you put them first. You were incredible!"
I cross my arms, unsure how to respond to this unexpected praise. "Well, I've had plenty of practice hiding my true feelings," I say coolly.
Vlad nods, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "That skill will serve you well in this world, Sofia. The ability to keep your composure, to present a convincing facade—it's invaluable."
“Do you really mean that?” I ask, taken aback by the unexpected compliment.
He pauses, considering his words carefully. "I do, and it's more than that. The skills you demonstrated tonight—they're crucial for survival in this mission you’re on. The truth is, I think you’re ready.”
I pause, taking in his words. “I’m ready?” I ask in a monotone voice, still in disbelief that this day could come.
“You are.” He nods curtly. “More than you know.”
I feel a shift in the air between us, subtle but undeniable. "I suppose I have a wonderful teacher," I say, my tone softening despite myself.
Vlad's lips quirk into a small smile. "We learn from each other, I think."
I feel a strange flutter in my chest at Vlad's words, a mixture of pride and confusion swirling within me. My fingers twitch at my sides, wanting to reach out but unsure if I should. I settle for a nod, my eyes never leaving his.
Vlad's gaze softens further, and I find myself drawn to the warmth in his dark eyes. It's the polar opposite of the anger I saw earlier.
"We should rest," Vlad says suddenly, breaking the moment. "Tomorrow, go on the real mission."
I arch an eyebrow, my impatience for tomorrow rising instinctively. "And what exactly would that entail?"
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "For now, it means sleep. We both need to be sharp. Then, we reconvene in the morning."
I consider arguing, pressing for more information, but exhaustion is creeping in at the edges of my consciousness. Against my better judgment, I nod. Together, we walk to his bedroom, anger forgotten.
Once inside, Vlad follows and closes the door behind him, his presence looming behind me. The air feels charged, thick with unspoken words and lingering tension.
"Which side do you prefer?" Vlad asks, his voice unexpectedly gentle.
I turn, eyeing him skeptically. "You're actually planning on deciding sides?"
He shrugs. "We're married, aren't we? Might as well act the part and have a permanent side."
I roll my eyes but can't help the flutter in my stomach. "Fine. I'll take the left."
We settle into bed, the rustle of sheets the only sound breaking the silence. I lie rigid, hyper-aware of Vlad's warmth beside me. Despite everything, there's a comfort in his proximity that I can't deny.
"Sofia," Vlad murmurs, his breath tickling my ear. "Relax. I won't bite."
I scoff but turn to face him. I find him watching me, his eyes peering into mine. For a while, the entire world fades away.
So much has happened tonight, but looking into his eyes brings me back to just one moment. When he held me tight in his arms, his fingers exploring parts of me that no one else had. The way he made me feel comes rushing back, and without a second thought, I put out my hand and gently caress the back of his hand.
A glimmer of surprise crosses his eyes, but then Vlad reaches out, hesitating for a moment before gently brushing a strand of hair from my face.
I feel myself leaning into his touch. As we settle into a more comfortable position, Vlad's arm drapes over my waist, pulling me closer. I should resist, but I find myself melting into his embrace.
As sleep begins to claim me, I can't help but reflect on the complexity of our situation. This man, who hours ago had me trembling with anger, now holds me with a tenderness I never expected.
My last coherent thought before drifting off is a promise to myself: I will remain strong, I will stay focused, and I will not let Vlad Petrov become my weakness. But even as I think it, a small part of me wonders if it might already be too late.