Chapter 36
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
SOPHIE
“It’s so nice to see you again.” The woman’s gaze shifted to me. “You look much better than the last time we met.”
I leaned toward Viktor, hiding half of my body behind his arm. While she looked familiar, I could remember her only vaguely. Very vaguely. Like everything else from my wedding day.
I wished I could go back and change that. Tell my past self how significant that day would be for her. How the man she’d soon marry would not be her misery, but the one who would hold out his hand to help her escape said misery. Thus she shouldn’t doubt her decisions. But smile and have fun.
“So?” Stepping back, the woman gestured toward the inside.
“Ah?”
A soft giggle left her lips. “You seem a bit dazed. Don’t handle flights well?”
“It was her first flight in years,” Viktor said when I still didn’t answer.
“Did you have some drinks? Champagne?”
If Viktor counted as one, then one could say yes…
I blinked several times. “I also rarely leave home, so my apologies for my slow adaptation, Mrs. Korolyo-va…” I didn’t know one could break their tongue trying to pronounce the female version of the surname. Should have practiced out loud.
Another light chuckle came from her as she led us inside the entrance hall. “No need to be this formal. Inessa. Or better yet, Nessa. I was asking earlier if you’d like to rest in your rooms since Yann is a bit late.”
“Rooms?”
“Yes… They’re in the guest wing. Facing each other.” She gestured to the east wing through the stairs, while stepping ahead.
“Ah.” My distraction vanished in an instant as I stopped, looking at Viktor.
He seemed confused by my reaction, so I leaned closer and whispered, “Did you ask for two different rooms?”
“I thought you’d be more comfortable that way?” Viktor whispered as well.
I frowned at him. And when I leaned in once again to whisper my displeasure, my lips nearly touched the tip of his ear.
His face burned, and I felt how his pulse quickened under my fingers.
“Something wrong?” Nessa asked, making both of us turn to her.
Heat flooded my cheeks as I shook my head. “I think there was some misunderstanding. We don’t need two rooms. Only one.”
“Oh,” she said with a bright smile. And when her gaze fixated on my husband, she added with amusement, “Who could imagine Viktor’s face can turn red?”
Viktor breathed out sharply. “How about we go to the north wing? Aunty is there, correct?”
Aunty. My stomach tightened, but I nodded.
“So I’m ordering your belongings to be put in his usual room?” she asked me.
“Yes,” I said, looking at Viktor with warning.
He let out a sigh and directed me forward.
Aunty wasn’t as scary as I’d imagined. She seemed to be in her late sixties, maybe early seventies, and was resting in a wooden rocking chair when we approached. Once she noticed us, her lips curved into a warm smile that reminded me of Viktor’s.
“My dear boy! Finally, I get to see you and your lovely wife!” She stood, and Viktor left my arm to give her a hug.
When she leaned toward me, Viktor closed the gap. “She’s still adapting.”
I wasn’t able to see their faces, only my husband’s back.
And I was thankful for that. It had been only several minutes since I’d managed to touch without my skin crawling.
I wasn’t sure how I would react to another person’s touch.
And I wasn’t sure if this was the right moment to try.
I could, gradually. But now all I wanted was to touch Viktor.
His cologne, mixed with a warmer, subtler scent, hit my nose as I came closer to his shoulder, holding his arm again. I tried to breathe steadily to identify the smell. But it was hard to describe. Was it his own scent?
I swallowed, trying not to be so obvious. That would be embarrassing.
“I am Sophie.” I came to Viktor’s side, hoping my apologetic demeanor would be enough.
“Anita.” She stood tall in her posture. “I was so sorry not to be able to attend your wedding. But at this age…”
“We understand, Aunty. The road is hard. And you’ve always hated airplanes.”
“Ah… I only wish to live long enough for you to visit me once again.” She put her hand on her chest. “Hopefully with a child.”
Viktor laughed.
“What? I wish to at least see some kind of Rowks offspring. Your cousin sure isn’t giving me one.”
Nessa shook her head. She seemed to have heard this retort too often. When she caught my gaze, she winked at me. “Mamma, let her breathe. Besides, don’t you know they’re here for business?”
“Ah… that…” Her gaze became reproachful. “You, Viktor Rowks, making your wife work?”
“It’s my wish,” I said instantly, which earned me a skeptical look.
“Why?” The question sounded genuine.
But I didn’t even get to answer it as another voice came from behind.
“Mamma, stop interrogating our guests the moment they step in.”
I remembered Yann Korolyov as much younger. Or perhaps it was an old picture that was still used in newspapers. But now there was gray in his hair.
His eyes stopped at my and Viktor’s linked arms as he came closer. Smirking, he lifted one brow in mock surprise while exchanging a handshake with Viktor.
“Good to see you well,” he told me, before hugging his wife.
They exchanged some glances as Nessa said. “Table is ready.”
And when we turned in said direction, she whispered in his ear, gesturing to us, which made Yann’s mouth form a circle. Aunty didn’t drop her questions, but thankfully they were much easier to answer, like how many siblings I had or what my favorite dish was.
I still felt a bit dizzy, unable to focus on the conversation, my attention fully consumed by the skin under my fingers. And when Viktor shielded my shoulder with his arm while the staff was putting a dish on my plate, I couldn’t help but shiver.
“Are you cold?” he asked quietly, as his thumb traced a circle on my shoulder.
“No.” The word left my trembling mouth.
Concern lit his face as he leaned closer. “You sure? If you’re not feeling well, we can skip dinner.”
“Everything is fine!” My lips nearly touched his cheek.
We’d never been this close.
I took a deep breath and looked at our hosts. “My apologies. I think I still haven’t recovered from the journey.”
“I’m the same.” Nessa laughed. “Every time we travel somewhere, the first day is always a hustle.”
“Make sure to rest well. We have so much to discuss tomorrow,” Yann said, then turned to Viktor. “And with you as well.”
Initially, I was sure we would start today, but it was nice to have time to bring my emotions under control. Maybe Viktor was right about keeping our personal relationship for after. And I’d tried, but who knew how thin the line between business and personal really was.
The room was spacious, with a queen bed beside the balcony, a work area in the corner, and a sitting area along the wall by the door. All done in shades of sky blue.
I knew it probably had nothing to do with the blue of my eyes, but if this was Viktor’s usual room… Maybe I shouldn’t feel so flattered. It was coincidence at best.
“You sure you don’t want your own room?” Viktor asked, sitting on the sofa.
“I won’t protest if you wish to tell them I lied.” I stood next to him, making him look up at me.
“But will you feel comfortable?”
He took my hand, placing a kiss on its back, making a shiver run down my spine. I turned it, brushing his cheeks, tracing his lips with my fingers.
“I trust you.”
Would it be too soon if I leaned and kissed them? Would they feel as soft under my lips as they are under my thumb?
His eyes closed. “You want to use the bathroom first?”
I traced my fingers to his eyes, processing his suggestion. A nice shower to relax my muscles, empty my head? Sure! Only how could I relax when my husband was sitting on the other side of the door?
Standing in front of the sink, I dried my hair while my eyes kept returning to the white nightgown I was sure I’d packed unnecessarily. My wedding nightgown. Pure silk, barely grazing my thighs. It also had a robe, but who in their right mind would put one on in this summer heat?
Should I? Or should I not?
“He wouldn’t think badly of me, would he?” I asked as if my reflection could answer me. When hints of mockery from six years ago started echoing in my ears, I patted the night cream into my skin, harder than needed. Focus!
The horizon was getting darker when I entered back into the room. I didn’t dare not put the robe on, but even with it, Viktor froze for a second when he looked up at me. On the other hand, his gaze shifted to the table as he stood up.
There was a tray with fruits, pastries, and some drinks.
“You can help yourself. I’ll take the bathroom.”
“I’ll wait,” I said, going to the table.
“Ah… I usually shower longer.” He went to the closet. “It was a long day, so don’t wait for me—sleep. I was also thinking to have some drinks with Yann later.”
Was he trying to abandon me again?
Before slipping into the bathroom, when the door nearly closed, he added, “I’ll sleep on the sofa, so you can take the whole bed.”
The sofa seemed comfortable for sitting. But it was narrower than the one in my office. And I’d nearly broken my neck on that. Not to mention this one looked more antique, like the ones in tearoom.
I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. Sleeping on the sofa? Really?
If he didn’t desire to share a bed, then the one who should sleep on the sofa should be the one who requested the room.
When the sound of the shower turning on reached my ears, I went to the bed, taking one of the two blue covers. There were thicker ones available, but I doubted I’d need them in this heat, even with air conditioners on.
I put the cover on the edge of the sofa and got myself some water.
Then one grape. Another. The strawberry was also good. I took a sip of water to calm myself, then took off the robe.
I repeated the movement of Viktor’s fingers when he’d traced a circle on my skin earlier. Would he do that again? Or should I just lie down to sleep, as he’d said? That was probably the correct decision to avoid the tension that could be in the room if we were both awake.