Chapter 52: Chapter Fifty Two.

As soon as the man swiped the card and processed the payment, he handed the black card and two tickets back to Xena. She took them with an awkward smile, feeling embarrassed by the whole situation.

“Thank you.” she said politely.

The young man didn’t just nod or respond like a normal employee—no, he smiled at her, a little too brightly for Viktor’s liking.

Xena turned to Viktor and held out his card. “Here.”

But instead of taking it, Viktor simply smirked. “Go inside, printsessa. I’ll meet you in a minute.”

Xena frowned, her brows knitting together in suspicion. Something about the way he said it sent a chill down her spine. Viktor never let her out of his sight so easily. But knowing better than to question him in public, she hesitated only for a moment before nodding and walking toward the cinema entrance.

The second she disappeared from view, Viktor’s smirk vanished. His face hardened into something terrifying as his cold eyes bore into the young man behind the counter.

The boy visibly gulped, his hands tightening around the edges of the booth as he shrank under Viktor’s menacing gaze.

“S-sir, is there anything else I can—”

Viktor leaned in slightly, his towering presence suffocating. “What’s your name?” His voice was low, almost casual, but the threat underneath it was unmistakable.

“Uh… I—I…” The boy stammered, looking around as if hoping someone might step in to save him. No one did.

“I asked you a question.” Viktor reminded him, his tone sharp like a blade.

“D-Daniel.” the boy choked out.

Viktor hummed, his head tilting slightly as if considering something. Then, with slow, deliberate movements, he reached out and plucked one of the unused tickets from the counter. Holding it up, he examined it like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

“You seem… distracted, Daniel,” Viktor mused, still not looking away from the ticket. “It’s unprofessional, don’t you think? To be so focused on something that isn’t your job?”

Daniel’s hands were trembling now. “I—I wasn’t—”

Viktor finally looked up, his sharp blue eyes locking onto the boy’s. “You were staring at my woman.”

Daniel’s breath hitched, his face draining of all color. “N-no, sir! I—I didn’t mean—”

“You like what you see?” Viktor continued, his voice deathly quiet. “Like her smile? Think she’s beautiful?”

Daniel shook his head rapidly, panic seizing his entire body. “No, sir! I swear, I—I didn’t mean anything by it! I was just—”

Viktor suddenly slammed his hand against the counter, making the poor boy jump in fear.

“Next time, Daniel…” Viktor’s voice was a dangerous whisper. “Don’t look at something that doesn’t belong to you.”

Daniel nodded frantically, his entire body stiff with terror.

Satisfied, Viktor slowly straightened, his smirk returning, but this time, it was dark, almost amused. Without another word, he flicked the ticket back onto the counter and turned on his heel, heading toward the cinema.

Daniel exhaled shakily, gripping the edge of the booth as his knees nearly gave out.

Viktor stepped into the theater, his mood slightly improved as he spotted Xena sitting in her seat, oblivious to the little lesson he had just taught the boy outside.

She was his. And the world needed to understand that.

Back in the theater, Xena sat impatiently, her foot tapping against the floor. It had been too long since Viktor left, and she had a feeling he was up to something. 

Just as she was about to stand and go after him, he returned, settling into his seat like nothing had happened. 

“What did you do?” Xena asked immediately, her eyes narrowing. 

“Nothing.” Viktor replied smoothly, reaching for a drink Xena bought.

Xena didn’t believe him for a second, but she wasn’t about to cause a scene in the middle of a crowded theater.

With a huff, she turned her attention back to the screen, but her irritation simmered beneath the surface. 

— 

As soon as the movie ended, Xena wasted no time slipping out of the cinema, Viktor following closely behind. They made their way toward the elevator, descending back down into the main mall area.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she could move freely—well, as freely as Viktor allowed. His watchful presence loomed behind her, but at least he wasn’t dragging her around or dictating her every step. That alone was a small relief.

She walked past several stores, her hands brushing over fabrics on display and glancing at jewelry behind glass cases. She had no real interest in shopping, but the experience itself was nice—a moment to pretend she was just a normal woman out on a casual mall visit rather than a prisoner under the control of a possessive, dangerous man.

Then, something caught her eye.

She halted in front of a jewelry store, her gaze locking onto a delicate diamond bracelet displayed behind the glass. It was beautiful—silver with tiny heart charms surrounding it. Not too flashy, just subtle and elegant.

"Wow." she murmured under her breath, her fingers brushing against the glass absentmindedly.

Viktor, who had been observing her every move, tilted his head slightly. "You want it?"

Xena blinked, turning to face him. "No, I was just looking." she said casually before pulling herself away from the display and walking ahead.

Viktor's eyes followed her retreating figure, then flickered back to the store. A slow smirk spread across his lips before he stepped inside.

Xena wandered through a few more stores, not bothering to buy anything. But after a while, something odd dawned on her—Viktor was nowhere in sight.

She paused mid-step, glancing over her shoulder. No familiar tall, brooding figure. No piercing eyes monitoring her.

He wasn’t behind her.

Her breath hitched.

Her heart pounded against her ribcage as she slowly turned in a circle, scanning the crowds. Was this real? Did he actually leave her alone?

A mixture of anxiety and excitement bubbled up inside her.

Could she run?

She knew she had promised not to, but this might be her only chance. Viktor had made it clear what he’d do if she tried, but right now, standing in the middle of a crowded mall with no sign of him, escape didn’t seem so impossible.

Her fingers trembled as she pulled out the phone he had given her.

Was there a tracker on it?

Of course, there had to be. A control freak like Viktor wouldn’t just hand her a phone without some way to monitor her.

She swallowed hard, her mind racing.

Ditch the phone. Use his black card. Get out.

This was her moment. If she hesitated now, she might never get another shot.

Just as she was about to take the first step toward her escape, a voice called out her name.

"Xena?!"

She gasped, her heart stopping for a second as she whirled around—expecting to see Viktor, rage in his eyes.

But it wasn’t him.

It was Adrian.

Her breath hitched again, but for an entirely different reason.

"Adrian?" she whispered in disbelief.

Standing just a few feet away, Adrian grinned at her like he had just found a long-lost friend. His familiar hazel eyes widened in shock, his expression bright with excitement.

"Oh, fuck! It’s really you!" he laughed, stepping closer. "Damn, you’re even hotter than you were back in university!"

Before she could react, he pulled her into a tight hug.

Xena stiffened.

Her brain struggled to process the moment. Of all people, of all places—Adrian was here?

"What are you doing in Russia?" he asked, pulling back slightly to look at her with an easy smile.

Xena barely heard him. Her mind was spinning.

This was it. A lifeline. Someone from her past. Someone who could help.

For the first time in weeks, hope flickered inside her.