Chapter 5
Sarah
I should go straight home after the evening’s work session, but I find myself walking toward the pool area as the estate settles into darkness around me.
The confrontation with Katya left me feeling raw and unsettled, and the thought of driving home to Nina’s concerned questions feels overwhelming right now.
The pool house sits at the edge of the property, far enough from the main building to feel private but close enough that I’m not technically trespassing.
Mrs. Nykova mentioned during my orientation that employees have access to the pool facilities during off-hours, and right now, the idea of swimming laps until my mind goes quiet sounds like exactly what I need.
The changing room is pristine and well-appointed, with fluffy towels and basic amenities that remind me this isn’t a public facility.
I change into one of the guest swimsuits provided, a simple black one-piece that’s probably designer.
It fits differently than the cheap ones I usually wear, conforming to my curves, with a softer lining.
Despite its simplicity, it makes me look amazing.
The pool glows with underwater lighting that turns the water an ethereal blue-green.
Steam rises from the heated surface, and the surrounding landscape is bathed in subtle accent lighting that makes everything look like a scene from a magazine.
I slip into the water without making a splash, immediately feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders as the warmth envelops me.
I start with slow, easy laps, focusing on my breathing and the rhythm of my strokes.
The physical motion helps quiet the storm in my head, at least temporarily.
I don’t want to think about Katya’s pointed comments or the way Yarik’s expression changed when he mentioned their engagement.
I especially don’t want to think about the disappointment that hit me when I realized he’s spoken for.
Which is ridiculous, of course. He’s my boss, he’s wealthy and powerful and completely out of my league, and I’ve known him for exactly two days. That I’m attracted to him is inconvenient enough without adding romantic fantasies to the mix.
The water feels perfect against my skin, and I lose myself in the meditative quality of swimming, losing myself in the rhythms—stroke, breathe, turn, and repeat. It’s similar to the rhythm I find working in gardens, the physical activity letting my mind process without overthinking.
I’m maybe fifteen laps in when I surface at the deep end and notice a figure standing in the shadows near the pool house.
My heart skips a beat, and I immediately think of the text message from yesterday.
The silhouette is tall and masculine, watching me from the darkness in a way that makes every instinct scream danger.
I call out, my voice higher than I intended, “Who’s there?” The figure doesn’t respond, and panic starts to claw at my throat. I raise my voice more. “I said who’s there?”
I start swimming toward the shallow end’s steps and my chance to get out of the water, but the figure moves closer to the pool’s edge. In the dim lighting, I can’t make out features, just a tall shape that could be anyone.
I’m trying to keep my voice steady, but I can hear the fear creeping in. “Please, I’m just swimming. I have permission to be here. If you want me to leave, I’ll leave.”
The figure steps into the pool lighting, and suddenly, I can see his face. Yarik looks calm and composed, wearing dark jeans and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His expression is concerned rather than threatening, and I feel stupid for panicking.
His voice is gentle, and the same tone someone might use with a frightened animal. “Sarah, it’s all right. You’re safe.”
I’m treading water in the middle of the pool, my heart still hammering from the adrenaline rush. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was here.”
He moves closer to the pool’s edge, crouching down so we’re at eye level. “I heard swimming and came to check. Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. Just startled.” I swim to the edge where he’s waiting, suddenly acutely aware I’m in a swimsuit while he’s fully clothed. “I thought someone was watching me.”
He reaches out a hand to help me out of the pool, and I take it without thinking. His grip is warm and steady, and he pulls me up onto the deck with easy strength. “Someone was. Me, but not for any reason you should worry about.”
Water drips from my hair and swimsuit, creating small puddles on the stone deck. I cross my arms over my chest, partly from the evening chill and partly from self-consciousness. “I should probably go. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
Yarik disappears into the pool house and returns with a large, fluffy towel. “You’re not causing trouble, but you’re shivering. Come inside where it’s warm.”
Uncertainly, I follow as Yarik guides me to a wicker couch near a fireplace that provides both warmth and soft lighting. I wrap the towel around myself gratefully before sitting down, finally starting to feel calm again.
He settles into the chair across from me, maintaining a respectful distance while still being close enough for conversation. “Better?”
“Much. Thank you.” I tuck the towel more securely around myself. “I’m sorry for panicking like that. It’s been a long day.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I should have announced myself instead of lurking in the shadows.”
I study him as covertly as I can. “Why were you out here anyway?”
He’s quiet for a moment, looking toward the windows that face the pool. “I often walk the grounds when my mind won’t settle.”
“What’s keeping you unsettled?”
“Business complications. Family obligations.” He looks back at me with an expression I can’t quite read. “Things that felt simpler a few days ago.”
Something in his tone makes me think he’s not just talking about contracts and meetings. “The engagement your fiancée mentioned?”
He shrugs. “Among other things.”
I wait for him to elaborate, but he seems lost in thought. The silence stretches between us, comfortable despite the unusual circumstances. The fireplace crackles softly, and I hear the gentle sound of the pool’s filtration system outside. I venture finally to ask, “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you love Katya?” The question surprises me as much as it seems to surprise him. I hadn’t planned to ask anything so personal, but something about the intimate setting and the events of the evening has lowered my usual guard.
Yarik’s expression becomes unreadable. “That’s a complicated question.”
“Is it? It seems pretty straightforward to me.”
“Love is a luxury I can’t afford.” He leans back in his chair, his gaze steady on mine. “My engagement to Katya is a business arrangement that will benefit both our families and strengthen important alliances.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
He’s quiet for a moment before answering. “No, I don’t love her. I don’t think she loves me either. We both understand what this arrangement is and what it isn’t.”
“Then why go through with it?” How can he marry someone he doesn’t love? How can anyone?
He hesitates before answering. “Some things are more important than personal preference. Family loyalty, business stability, and maintaining peace between organizations that could destroy each other if they chose to are more crucial than love.”
I study his face in the firelight, trying to understand what kind of life requires that level of sacrifice. “That sounds lonely.”
“Loneliness is also a luxury I can’t afford.”
“Everyone needs connection and someone who cares about them as a person, not as a business asset.”
He leans forward slightly, his attention focusing on me with that same intensity I’ve noticed before. “Do they? What about you, Sarah? Do you have someone who cares about you that way?”
The question startles me and makes my mouth dry as I think of Alex, which brings a surge of fear. His idea of caring didn’t reconcile with mine. I take a deep breath and focus on the present, easily finding an answer. “I have Nina. She’s been my closest friend for years.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Heat rises in my cheeks as I realize what he’s asking. I must have already known deep down, which was why my thoughts when to Alex. “No. There’s no one like that.”
“Why not? You’re intelligent, beautiful, and capable. I find it hard to believe you’re alone by accident.”
The compliment makes my pulse quicken, but it also brings back memories I’d rather not examine. “Sometimes, being alone is safer than the alternative.”
He frowns, as though troubled by the idea of me being unsafe. “Safer how?”
I burrow deeper into the towel, suddenly feeling exposed in ways that have nothing to do with my swimsuit. “Some people aren’t what they seem. Some relationships become...complicated.”
“Complicated like dangerous?”
I lick my lips. “Something like that.”
He nods slowly, as if my evasion confirms something he already suspected. “Is that why you left New York?”
“Partly.” I meet his gaze directly, surprised by my own honesty. “I had to choose between safety and everything else I thought I wanted.”
“And you chose safety.”
“I chose survival.” The admission hangs in the air between us, heavier than I intended. I’ve never told anyone except Nina about the real reasons I left New York, or how bad things were with Alex, but something about Yarik’s presence makes me want to trust him with pieces of my truth.
His voice is gentle and understanding. “I’m sorry you had to make that choice. No one should have to run from their life.”
I nod and half-shrug at the same time. “Sometimes, it’s the only option.”
“Yes, it is.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, both lost in our own thoughts. I’m relaxing despite the personal nature of our conversation. There’s something about Yarik that makes me feel safe, even when he’s asking questions I normally wouldn’t answer.
His voice is quieter now…almost intimate. “Sarah?”