Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
SOPHIE
“You’re leaving at three?” Cath went through my belongings that were on the bed.
I nodded, looking at the clock. In two hours.
“And your husband’s still not home?”
“He had some meetings. But his suitcase is ready. Can’t say the same about mine.” I sat on the other side of the bed, watching my sister.
This was my first time leaving the country. First time making a business deal in person. And also the first time meeting Viktor’s aunt—formerly Miss Rowks, now Mrs. Korolyova.
“I had no idea which is more appropriate. So I need your help!” I said. “There are some new things, but I don’t think I should take them all.”
“I like this one.” Cath pointed at a similar one I’d worn a few days ago. The one that had made Viktor’s eyes lit with fire.
I looked at her with annoyance. “It’s too revealing. I can’t wear that in front of his family. Besides, it’s a business trip!”
“You can wear it only in your room. Only for Viktor’s eyes.” She winked.
“I didn’t tell you that part for you to tease me now! Besides, why do you think we’d share a room?” I took a deep breath.
Cath narrowed her eyes. “Will you?”
“I—I suppose…”
“Didn’t you discuss that?”
“No!” I put my hands on my cheeks.
Anne came from the closet with an elegant bright yellow dress. “How about you take this as well?” Her gaze stopped on my face. “What happened?”
“We were talking about their sleeping arrangements.”
“Ah!”
“Wouldn’t it be strange if we ask for two separate rooms?” I bit my thumb but instantly stopped. “Everyone’s already talking about how we only married on paper.”
Anne cursed under her breath something suspiciously similar to my brother’s name. “Aren’t they Viktor’s relatives? Besides, he surely asked for two separate rooms.”
“You think?” The thought should have eased me. Instead, I felt an ache of disappointment.
“And if you still share a room, that doesn’t mean you should share anything more. Viktor seems very respectful. I don’t believe he’d push for something more.” Cath put her finger up. “If he’d wanted to, you wouldn’t be sleeping in different rooms.”
That didn’t help either. Because despite the anger I was still feeling in my chest after his rejection, every time I saw him, desperation for his attention was burning in my veins. And my fingers were prickling as if from a million needles, asking to touch him… to be touched.
I grabbed my pillow, trying to ease the ache in my hands.
Some of my feelings were probably printed on my face, as Cath corrected herself. “I didn’t mean it that way! We all see the effect you have on him. All I mean is he wouldn’t push you for something without being sure you wanted it.”
I knew that as well! He was very careful. Sometimes too much. Which I thought was understandable, given the circumstances. But…
“I want to.” I buried my face in the pillow, expecting some reaction from them. But they both stayed silent. “What?” I asked, looking up. “Am I not allowed? Just because of what happened to me?”
“No!” they said in unison.
“I’m just happy that you’re feeling that way,” Anne said.
“And perhaps this little trip will help you move forward?” Cath suggested. “If so,” her voice pitched, “I am the second one you are hugging!”
I giggled, unable to see their faces because of the blur in my eyes. And I surely heard a sob that wasn’t mine.
“I also told him I love him.” I couldn’t keep it to myself.
“You what?”
Anne shook her head. “Never thought I’d witness this side of you again.”
“So what did he say?” Cath’s voice was still unsteady.
But as both came closer to me, I shook my head.
“Don’t tell me he rejected you!” A horrified expression came to their faces, with a hint of murder in their eyes.
This was why I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. I didn’t want them to think badly about Viktor. Especially not after the talk Rafa and I had with him.
He’d gone through so much, hadn’t said a word when accused of orchestrating the accident, when he himself was the target of said accident.
“You know… That day I was kidnapped,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “He got a call from them. Even got a taxi. Was on his way. But you know, when he saw his own car crushed…”
“Yeah, Rafa told us.” Anne bit her lip.
“I think he still blames himself that he didn’t manage to come. To save me.” My voice dropped.
Cath let out a scoff. “Well… He didn’t know, did he?”
I shook my head. “No. He had no idea.”
“But he still feels guilty,” Cath finished.
“And you still didn’t manage to talk about it?” Anne asked.
Twisting the edge of the pillow between my fingers, I shook my head. “I tried to talk to him, but every time something came up. Either on his side, or mine.”
“Hm, maybe you’ll manage to talk about it during the trip?” Cath’s voice was enthusiastic.
That would be wonderful, though I doubted it. “We probably wouldn’t have time.”
Cath and Anne exchanged an unimpressed look.
“Fifi, just a word and we can have a quick session on how to tempt your man.”
“Perhaps we also should go with Cath’s suggestion. That dress would look perfect on you.”
“And also pack your supposed first wedding night lingerie?”
“Girls!” I felt my cheeks burn as I threw the pillow at Cath and grabbed the second one to throw at Anne.
I changed my mind when she hinted at her bump, and put the pillow back, when Anne reached into her purse.
“You know, just in case,” she said, pulling out a small foil square.
If not for her pregnancy, she would have gotten the pillow—not Cath for the second time.