Chapter 5
Katerina:
1 sat on the edge of my bed as I thought of what I was going through.
The night was long, and I could barely get any sleep, but I knew that I had to be awake long before he was to get ready. The last thing I needed was to make a bad impression that would have anyone speak wrongly of me.
I had already gotten dressed.
A simple navy blue dress and white heels.
It was how we were taught to be.
I would be wearing a dress, or an elegant pair of pants and shirt, heels, or sneakers at all times in case we had guests. And the sneakers were only worn if I was at the gym, yoga, or palates. Generally, my outfits would be those that were presentable if we had ‘surprise‘ guests over.
My makeup was already done despite it being a while into nine in the morning, but it was how it was in all families.
I took a deep breath before getting up from bed and heading down toward the living room. The two of us have spent a while engaged, and during the period, I would come here often to discuss matters with HIM, and to organize and prepare the wedding. Occasionally, he would pick me up from my house to take me on dates, and for our wedding, we went to Russia for the ceremony.
“Ms. Katerina, is there anything that you would like me to get for you?” A maid asked, catching my attention. I smiled at the woman and nodded, looking for anyone around, surprised to see that no one but the maids were around.
“A cup of coffee would be nice, thank you!” I said, looking down at my feet. “Where is everyone?”
“They should be down shortly. Breakfast is usually served in half past nine during vacations.” She said, and I nodded. I sat on the couch, pulling my phone as I waited for the maid to get my coffee, and it wasn’t until I heard footsteps coming down that I looked up, following the sound.
Nikolay’s eyes met mine as he fixed his suit, and raising an eyebrow at me, he entered the living. room. “I take it that you are awake early.”
His tone was cold, void of emotion, and standing up to face him, I put my phone away and crossed my arms over my chest. “Good morning to you, Nikolay.”
“I have work to tend to after breakfast, and the two of us have a reception to attend later this afternoon; I expect that you be ready for it.” He said, looking me up and down. I had to fight back shying down at his expression of disgust. My heart raced against my chest, and watching as the maid approached me with the cup of coffee, he rolled his eyes before turning to the door. “I won’t be having breakfast, Claire. If Mrs. Ivanov wishes to eat anything, serve it to her. I will be back to pick you up at two.”
Nikolay didn’t bother waiting for me to respond before he walked toward the door, and shaking my
20:52 Fri, 1 Mar 0.
Chapter 5
head, I walked toward the door behind him. I wrapped my hand around his wrist, stopping him, and glaring at me, he turned around and pinned me against the wall, raising my hand over my head. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“I should be the one asking you that question, Nikolay.” I said, glaring at him as I tried to push him. away. He simply tightened his grip around my wrist, making me flinch, and despite that, he didn’t bother loosening his grip. His eyes were fixed on mine, waiting for what I had to say, probably coming up with different comebacks to respond as he let my hand go. “Look, I understand that we both don’t want this. Believe me, I do NOT want anything to do with you, but we just got married yesterday, and for a couple who are supposed to go on a honeymoon, you going to work will not
make sense.”
“I am going to work, and you…”
“Nikolay Ivanov, think without anger for once in your stay in the house while you work. For fucks sake…”
life. I will not appear in your way, but at least
“Who the fucking hell do you think you are to question me that way?” He asked, stopping me. My heart raced, and my stomach churned. The anger that I felt
with myself for allowing him to tre me in such a way was one that I could not describe, but I knew that I had to bear with this if I was to ensure MY reputation.
“I am your bloody damn wife.”
“On fucking paper.” He said, tapping my forehead twice. “I don’t know what you have going on in that fucking head of yours, but I will say this once, and I will not repeat myself again,”
His eyes were fixed on mine as he spoke, and glaring daggers at me, my heart ached as I felt small. I wasn’t even treated like that when I was with my family, and THEY were extremely harsh on me. But this, this was just outrageous.
“YOU are nothing to me. If you are living in my house and under my same roof, it is simply because of the contract that the two of us have signed; however, if you think, or dare think, that you would even mean something to me, then you are
very wrong, malyshka.” He said, glaring daggers at me as he took a deep breath before taking a step back, letting me go completely. My eyes welled up with tears, tears that I fought not to spill, and turning to face the door, he let out a low, mocking chuckle.
“Be ready by two–thirty, I don’t want to be late for this.” He said, opening the door. “And try to rearrange your facial expressions, I don’t want people seeing you looking this… ‘pathetic.”
