Chapter 10 - Jaroslav
The Abashin brothers have called a meeting today to discuss ways in which we can strengthen our alliance through joint business operations. This was the whole point of the marriage from their perspective, so I’m happy to be involved. Anything that keeps them happy keeps Valery at my side.
I park outside the building and climb out, deciding to remove my jacket due to the baking midday summer heat.
I shrug it off and toss it into the back of the car, then slam the door shut and stare up at the building.
If this meeting goes well, it will be another step toward making our marriage stronger.
For them, the alliance comes first, but for me, it was never about that.
It’s all about her. I’m certain that if she sees how well things are going between her brothers and me, she will be more relaxed.
Last night’s kiss still lingers on my lips. I’m teased by remnants of her lips on mine, the warmth of her body pinned beneath mine. I can still feel her in my arms.
If we weren’t at my brother’s house, I wouldn’t have stepped away from her. I would have let the kiss continue to become whatever she allowed. And from what I saw, she wanted everything from me.
But stepping away was the right choice to make. I showed self-control by taking smaller steps, and I imagine she would feel more secure and respected by me. And she’s got time to think about how she kissed me as well. It wasn’t just me. The attraction, the yearning, it’s from both sides.
But I need to focus now. This morning is about business, the other side of the coin, the other side of the arrangement.
Just as important, because I need to keep her brothers happy.
Without their blessing, she would have no reason to stay.
Although after last night, I have a feeling things between us are changing.
She’s seeing the truth of it all. The fact that we belong together.
I take the elevator up to the top floor and walk a long passage next to a floor-to-ceiling window that offers incredible views. When I reach the desk of his receptionist, she stands, immediately knowing who I am.
“ Mr. Shevchenko, welcome. Please, follow me. They’re waiting for you. Can I bring you a coffee or something cold to drink?” she asks as she ushers me toward the meeting.
“A glass of ice water, please. The sun is out in full force today.”
She giggles, her cheeks blushing as though I was flirting with her. But I haven’t genuinely flirted with anyone since I met, then lost Valery. Any interaction with other women has been shallow, a means to an end, and a disappointment because they weren’t her.
At the door, she gestures for me to go inside, giggles again, and then leaves.
I walk into the room, and her brothers stand to greet me as though we are old friends. It’s a good start.
“Jaroslav, good to see you, man. Come in, come in. Did Isabelle offer you something to drink?” Timofey asks.
“She did, thank you.”
“Sit, make yourself comfortable. We have some exciting new opportunities to discuss.”
We’re seated in Timofey’s boardroom around a mahogany table big enough to host an army of men. Matvei, Oleg, and Diomid are chatting about a client who would like to order products that we both have available.
“Instead of doing two separate deliveries, we can combine the order, and if all goes well, we can start storing products at each other’s warehouses for future similar orders,” Oleg explains, pushing a document toward me listing the client’s requirements.
“It looks good. Being able to offer clients a wider range of products is always a benefit. It means they are less likely to need to deal with other suppliers, so I am happy with this arrangement. I have plenty of space for you to use in any of my warehouses. I think the best option is to choose a location close to both our territories for ease of access,” I say, tracing my finger over the document.
“And we can put our warehouse managers in touch with each other to keep track of the stock we’re sharing. ”
Oleg nods, and Timofey gestures toward the document.
“Can you have those items ready by the end of the week?” Timofey asks.
“I can have them ready by tomorrow if you like.”
“Excellent, that’s settled then. We can do the delivery early, and the client will be happier for it.” He smiles, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest. “Tell me, how is our sister doing?”
The question is one I was expecting. I assumed that this meeting would eventually go in that direction. Business is business, but to them, the marriage is part of that business. A happy marriage is key to good relations with the families.
“She’s doing very well,” I reply.
“Is she happy?” Diomid pushes for more information.
I don’t exactly know what lie to tell them, but I also don’t want them worrying about her and trying to change the terms of her living arrangement with me.
“Valery is very happy with me. We’re getting along well, and she’s enjoying her time at my mansion. It was a good decision, and despite it being a marriage based on convenience for the alliance, I believe one day it might even become something more.”
I keep my answer on the safe side. Yes, I want them to think we are getting on well, but I also don’t want them to think I am taking advantage of their sister.
“That sounds good,” Oleg smiles.
I’m eager to change the subject, so I pick up the document and glance at it again. “I have armored trucks available for the delivery…”
“Hello, everyone.” Her voice comes from behind me, stirring excitement in my stomach like an array of butterflies. I always love seeing her, but what is she doing here?
“Val, come in, we were just finishing up,” Timofey says, standing to hug his sister. “Jaroslav was just telling us how things are going at home between you two.” I notice that he doesn’t share the details of my update, leaving it vague.
I turn to look at her. She looks as shocked to see me as I am to see her here, but even as that shock touches her expression, she manages to hide it.
She looks beautiful in a tight black, body-hugging short dress and white sneakers.
Beyond beautiful. She looks perfect. No matter how many times I see her, she still has me in awe of her.
I don’t think I will ever set my eyes on a more magnificent creature.
And it’s not just her flooring beauty, it’s her. Everything about her.
“How is married life?” Matvei presses, pulling my attention off my wife and back into the boardroom. All of her brothers are staring expectantly at her, waiting for her answer on the edge of their seats.
My stomach drops when I realize what’s happening.
This was all planned out. They invited her here on purpose.
Right after asking me how things were going, they wanted to ask her the same question.
It was a test. They wanted to see if our answers matched, and now my stress levels are spiking because I’m certain Valery will have a number of complaints about me.
Especially after I forced her to share my bed, and the kiss last night at my family dinner.
We are constantly arguing, and things are always tense between us.
Now is the perfect chance for her to vent and possibly even escape the agreement.
I sit in silence, waiting for the onslaught of complaints.
Valery walks around the boardroom table and stands at the side of my chair with her arm over my shoulder. She smiles and glances down at me, her eyes shining. Confusion flashes over my face, but I quickly hide it as she talks to her brothers.
“Our marriage is going very well. Jaroslav has been making me feel at home and treating me with respect and kindness. He spoils me often, and I’m enjoying my time there.”
Valery speaks with confidence, no hint of a lie in her voice.
I smile, my heart warming. I wonder again if last night’s kiss was a breakthrough of some kind.
I thought that after we left my brother’s home, she would pick a fight with me about it, but she didn’t, and now today she is standing up for me in front of her family.
She looks genuine as she tells them about our relationship.
I slip my arm around her waist, hugging her against my side, and she leans her hip against me where I’m sitting. To anyone watching, we appear relaxed and comfortable with each other.
“I do my best,” I smile, still unsure about whether she’s acting or being sincere. I really hope this is real. I really hope I’m breaking down her walls and making her see that we’re perfect for each other.
“So, you’re happy staying there now? I know it was a bit of a rocky start, Val, with you wanting to live at home still,” Diomid fishes for more confirmation. They really are interrogating her properly, but subtly.
“Oh, yes, I was just nervous, I guess. It all happened so fast,” Valery giggles. “Yes, I’m happy where I am.” Her smile is radiant. My heart flickers with growing hope.
Valery moves away from my side, but not far, as she pulls a chair close to mine and sits down. “So, what have you guys been planning?” she asks, looking at the document in front of me.
“Some business we are going to do together,” Oleg smiles. “I think we’ve got a great opportunity here.”
“I agree.” I nod, reaching out and placing my hand on Valery’s leg. A cautious gesture, going with the theme of us getting along. I feel awkward, nervous, and scared to be too excited about this new development. I almost expect her to push my hand away, but instead she places hers over mine.
Could it really be possible? Could our relationship be evolving?
The way she’s acting toward me now, her cute glances, filled with warm smiles and gentle touches, remind me of how we used to be.
The Valery I knew years ago felt safe enough with me to show her innocent, beautiful femininity.
She let me take the lead and loved it. That same girl is sitting next to me now.
I can’t stop smiling as her brothers continue to talk about business and then a little about the family, updating Valery on some events here and there.
“We must have you two over for dinner soon,” Matvei says, standing, indicating that the meeting is over. “It was good to see you, Val. You look happy, which makes me happy.”
Valery stands too. “Let us know about dinner. I miss you guys.”
She holds her hand out to me, and I slip my fingers between hers as I stand. “Thank you for the meeting. I’ll get those products ready and have my driver prepare the truck.” I nod toward her brothers, and they smile back.
“Excellent,” Timofey says. “You two have a wonderful day. We’ll catch up soon.”
“Will you take me to the little restaurant on the corner? They have the most amazing bacon pastries,” Valery asks, talking directly to me.
My heart flickers again. “I’d love to.”
After saying goodbye, we walk out of the boardroom with my arm wrapped around her waist. She stays close to me as we step into the elevator, and as the doors slide closed, I turn her to face me, smiling down at her. But that’s when reality slaps me in the face.
Alone, with no one to impress, she steps back and brushes her hands over her dress to straighten it. Her smile fades and is replaced by a cold glimmer in her pale grey eyes.
“Just to be clear, that was all for the sake of my brothers,” she says curtly.
My heart drops down into the pit of my stomach and churns with disappointment. “Of course, I understand,” I nod. But inside I’m flooded with misery. I really thought, just for a moment, that it was real.
“I entered this marriage arrangement for my family, after all,” she adds as the elevator carries us down to the ground floor. The muscles of my face are tense as I clench my jaw. It was all an act.
“Do you want to go for lunch?” I ask, daring to cling to that.
“No, thank you. I’m not really hungry.”
The elevator doors slide open, and she walks out into the foyer of the building. Valery doesn’t even turn to see if I’m walking with her; she heads straight through the doors onto the sidewalk and turns left toward her parked car.
“You can leave the car here and drive home with me,” I suggest. “I’m done for the day. I’ll have someone come and fetch it.”
She pauses, her hand on the door handle. She turns to look at me, letting her eyes study me, up and down, before they stop, locked with mine. “I’m going to the mall, but I’ll see you at dinner later.”
Rejection stings like a wasp, stabbing into my heart.
“Right,” I sigh loudly, unable to hide my disappointment. “I’ll see you at dinner then.”
She nods, smiles, and pulls the door open. I stand watching her as she ducks into the car and starts the engine. She doesn’t even glance in my direction as she pulls out of the parking lot and drives away with music blasting from her open window.
Damn it to hell. She was so convincing in there that I believed it.
But, in all honesty, it only drives me harder to make that brief glimpse of what could be, a reality.
I want that. I want her to be happy with me, and I don’t see why it can’t happen.
She just has to drop her walls and let me in.
I can’t understand what’s stopping her. I’ve given her what she wants, and I’ve been respectful of her rules.
Can’t she see that we’d be so good together?
We could own the world, rule it, have everything we’ve ever wanted.
All I truly want is her.
Her car disappears down the road, and I’m still staring after it.
It’s a cruel trick to have the woman you love right within your grasp, yet still so far from reach.
Walking toward my own car, I have a hollow pit in my chest. A void that only she can fill.
Whatever it takes. I just have to be patient and figure out what she wants from me.