Chapter 16 - Daria
I still wasn't all that impressed about ending up in the pool alongside Ivan, but at the very least, he was being surprisingly decent.
I had half a mind to question if he was planning something devious to throw it back in my face how I spoke against him earlier, but all the while, I got myself ready, picking out one of the dresses he had bought me before, things remained civil between us.
I wasn't letting my guard down completely, but something in me felt almost hopeful.
Even if it was somewhat alarming to see him acting almost playful with me, I liked it much more than his previous attitude around me. It was bound to take a lot more than a once-off interaction to make me open up to him, but I wasn't complaining about things going even a little bit smoother than before.
Once we were ready to go, we loaded into the SUV, which was waiting for us out front, while Dom climbed in front with the driver. The drive there was quiet, but I didn't mind it.
Instead, I took in the sights of San Diego until we rolled up to the restaurant in an especially nice area. Dom opened my door and guided me over to Ivan's side while he kept a close eye on our surroundings. Even if the street seemed calm enough, he didn’t let his guard down.
For the first time since becoming legally married, I felt more aware of the fact that my husband was in the mafia. Having security with us, dressed up while heading to a swanky establishment that many others were hoping to get into while we skipped the line, and practically being on Ivan's arm made me feel a level of importance I had never known before.
Even if it didn't really have anything to do with me, it was like I had been brought into the fold in a way, and despite myself, a part of me liked it.
All the while, we were seated at a private table and served the most expensive champagne they had. Ivan kept the conversation light and was far more polite than I had anticipated.
In a way, it was almost like meeting someone completely new and having the chance to start fresh.
Sitting together at that table, sipping on our drinks and waiting for our food to arrive, I didn't want to admit it even to myself, but it was nice. All of it.
The lingering suspicion stayed with me while we began our meal, but despite everything, I found myself craving more of a connection. At the very least, a genuine conversation that didn't have anything to do with our marriage, my brother, or my past.
“This place is fairly special to me,” Ivan began, leaning back slightly in his portion of the booth. “It’s one of the first restaurants we frequented after earning enough money to sustain this kind of lifestyle. The owner knows us well and has no qualms about treating us before anyone else here.”
Even if it wasn’t the biggest reveal of all time, something about him actually revealing that kind of detail from his past intrigued me.
Based on the way he had acted before, seeing a hint of vulnerability in Ivan was almost startling. But at the same time, I didn’t want to waste the moment. I didn’t know how many chances I’d get to see it.
“You must know all the best places around here then.”
Ivan smiled faintly at that and nodded before taking another sip of his champagne. “That’s right…It comes with the territory. It helps that many of the restauranteurs know we bring good or bad publicity, depending on the service we’re given. They like to be on our good side.”
Unsure why, I found myself feeling a bit more curious about Ivan and his family's mark in California and beyond. Really, it should've meant nothing to me, but there was certainly a point of intrigue that came with their empire.
"Does it bother you when they try to suck up for those perks?"
To my surprise, he chuckled at that, seeming a lot more relaxed in his seat than I expected him to be. "Nobody likes a kiss-ass, of course...but when it's done right, the world turns a little easier for everyone involved."
I knew he had a valid point. While my brother was never quite on their level of influence, if anyone did something to dissatisfy him, then everyone knew it. Throwing money and power into that mix only made it worse.
"I can imagine," I replied, well aware that the man across from me was capable of many heinous things, and he could have them carried out at the drop of a hat.
And yet, something about that was intriguing.
I never had power in my life. Aside from knowing how to get onto someone's good side and being able to sway their opinion of me rather easily, I didn't have influence. I barely had autonomy. Yet the thought of being able to make others bow and grovel merely from your presence alone was strangely appealing.
I could see how Ivan let it cloud the way he spoke at times. He was used to it, where I wasn't.
"Like all things, there are downsides," he continued, subtly spinning his champagne flute in its place. "As you said...the suck-ups can be nauseating. When you're at the top, vultures and spectators are always waiting for some sort of in. If they're not hoping for your downfall, then they're looking for a way to get a piece for themselves. But, of course, that can sometimes be advantageous."
"That sounds exhausting," I murmured, able to feel that second-hand irritation at the thought alone.
Ivan forced an amused breath through his nose and nodded. "It is...but worth it, at least. I wouldn't be able to bring you here otherwise."
Hearing him vocalize the fact that we were out at a nice restaurant together reminded me of just how intimate the moment was, and the idea settled in my skin.
It was the closest thing we'd had to a date since I was brought to his home, and we were legally married, and something about it made my heart stir.
I tried to tell myself it wasn't a big deal. It was just dinner.
But given how we had sex the night before, and the way he seemed to be trying in the civility department, it was easy to let my mind get away from me.
No part of me wanted to get my hopes up, but if it meant being treated better than a prisoner, I didn't want to jinx it. It almost felt like internally mauling over the moment and thinking too deeply might spook him and ruin it.
Eventually, our food arrived, and fortunately, that awkwardness I was forced to endure the last time we ate together was nonexistent.
Instead, we dug in, and the conversation felt more natural than it had before. Regardless of how I tried to stay guarded, it was disarming, and I didn't mind doing something other than arguing.
"You know, when I first met you in Mexico, I thought about bringing you someplace like this," Ivan began, tone relaxed and sincere. "Things didn't pan out how I initially thought they would, but we ended up here one way or another."
The words caught me off-guard, surprised by what seemed like reverence in his tone. I found myself softening slightly with the absence of his usual smugness, arrogance, and antagonistic habits.
"You did?"
Holding my gaze, not letting his sincerity waver, Ivan nodded. "I did. Even if you didn't ask for it, I figured someone like you should be in a place like this."
Again, I hadn't expected him to say something so genuine...so unprovoked yet meaningful. At first, I didn't know what to say.
Vaguely flustered by the compliment, I reached for something more self-deprecating.
"Would it be disappointing if I said I've never been to a place like this before?"
His lip pulled at that, and his eyes gleamed while they took me in. "Not at all...everyone starts somewhere, right? I'd rather it be me exposing you to this anyway."
Something about that vaguely possessive statement made my insides squirm in a good way.
"Then I won't stop you."
His light amusement lingered, brightening up his features in a way that brought back the charm I had seen before.
Seeing this sweeter side of him felt like a heavy dose of deja vu, reminding me of how perfect he had been to me before everything. Before my involvement with my brother tanked my connection to the Fokins.
It was comforting in a way to know that he was still capable of showing that side, even if I had been the reason why it went away in the first place.
I couldn't tell if he meant 'Zoey' deserved to be treated to such nice things, or if that applied to my real self, but either way, I didn't want that pleasant side of him to leave.
After a beat of silence, he gave me a look that spoke of his curiosity. "I'm well aware that I don't know enough about you, and I know that's contributing to your boredom...but I'd like to know more."
My brows went up fractionally at that, not knowing what to say. Ivan conceding to any capacity was shocking.
He continued, "I found that drawing of myself in the kitchen earlier..."
Embarrassment flushed through me in a warm wave at the mention of it, and I internally shrank.
I forgot all about it, and I had to admit, the thought of him seeing it made me squirm.
Yet, he didn't seem even remotely angry. That was the most shocking part of all.
After a moment, Ivan let go of an amused huff. "Honestly, it was quite good. Have you practiced?"
Despite the tendrils of shame that remained at the thought of him seeing the furious doodle, I pulled in a breath and nodded. "Yeah, I used to paint when I was younger. I didn't have much to do when Rurik forced me into hiding, but he would keep me preoccupied with whatever drawing supplies he could find. When I got older and had more freedom while helping him, I did what I could to get better paints and brushes."
Ivan listened intently to every word I said, looking genuinely interested in what I had to say. "Sounds like it was therapeutic for you, in a sense."
"I suppose it was...but it's been a while since I've painted anything."
He shrugged. "Even so, it seems like that skill is still there. That's more than most people can say."
Feeling strangely bashful at him, insinuating I had any kind of skill, I smiled faintly and picked at the last of my meal. "I wouldn't mind taking it up again."
"And I wouldn't mind seeing more of what you can do," he murmured, apparently meaning every word.
Despite myself, I felt moved by how supportive he seemed of the idea.
He had no reason to try...if he really wanted to, he could've just ignored me entirely and kept going as he was. He could've tossed me aside and continued to torment me.
But there was something different about how he looked at me...the way he spoke and looked sincere in his intentions.
It was startling but also nice.
Somehow, he didn't seem quite as brutish as before, and I found myself preferring it.