Nikolai," she said, turning back over her shoulder, he was fixing his cufflinks by the dresser.
"I've been thinking about expanding my portfolio. It's time I started working towards becoming one of the high fashion elites. You know, not just a model, but a mogul, capable of dominating both the fashion and the business world.
Nikolai turned to her, dressed in a fitted black suit and tie. "Sounds ambitious," he replied.
Evelyn smiled, smoothing her gown. "Of course, it is. But then again, ambition is in my blood, and with your connections, I can make it happen. Imagine seeing me on the covers of Vogue or running my own luxury brand. People would envy us, Nikolai."
He nodded absently, moving closer to help her when she struggled to fasten the thin strap of her heel. "Hold still," he said, kneeling to guide the strap through the buckle and fastening it.
"You're so sweet," Evelyn said, smiling as she watched him. "This is why I love you. Always so attentive."
Nikolai got up and smiled. "All set.”
Not quite," Evelyn said, turning her back to him. "The zipper, please."
Nikolai stepped behind her, his fingers tugging the zipper up her dress. As he did, Evelyn continued to talk.
“I know that people think that I've had it easy, but they will never understand how hard I work at this. Modeling isn't just standing in front of a camera. It's branding, marketing-it's an empire waiting to be built."
"Hmm," Nikolai murmured, not quite engaged but giving enough response to keep her going.
When she turned to him again, Evelyn reached for her neck. "One more thing—the necklace."
He retrieved a small diamond necklace from the dresser and hung it tightly around her neck. She went to the mirror, largely pleased.
"I think I'm ready," she said.
Just as her hand was reaching for her wristwatch on the bedside table, her face changed. "Hang on a minute… where's my watch?"
Nikolai raised an eyebrow. "What watch?"
"My gold wristwatch!" exclaimed Evelyn, starting to raise her voice. "I left it right here. It's my favourite piece; I just cannot believe that it is missing."
Perhaps you have misplaced it," Nikolai said calmly. "Wear something else tonight, and we will look for it later."
"No," Evelyn snapped, making for the dresser and starting to search through its contents. "I am not leaving without it. That watch is worth more than what some people make in a month. It's not just any old trinket of jewelry; it's a statement, period.
Nikolai heaved a sigh and folded his arms over his chest. "Evelyn, we are running late already. You can look for it when we return."
She whirled to face him, eyes ablaze. "And what if it was stolen? I will sack every single person in this house if I have to."
Nikolai's jaw hardened. "That is wholly unnecessary. I very much doubt that anyone here would risk stealing from you.
Evelyn huffed, pacing the room. "You don't understand, Nikolai. People envy me. They would take anything of mine just to feel like they have a piece of what I do. I will find out who did this."
"Evelyn," he said firmly, stepping in her path, "enough. Wear something else, and let's go. You're making this a bigger issue than it needs to be.
She stared at him, her nostrils flaring.
"Fine," she huffed curtly, marching to the jewelry box and pulling out another watch. "But when we come back, I'm turning this house upside down, and whoever took it will be sorry."
\---
Nikolai strode from the bedroom, his patience wearing thin, while Evelyn stormed down the hall. Meanwhile, Lana sat in the backyard with Max and Lily, who promptly tried to race one another around the tiny playground set. Their giggles reached out-of-this-world decibels-a nice juxtaposition to what was unraveling within the house.
Lana had just knelt down to tie Lily's shoelace when she heard Evelyn's raised voice echo through the open windows.
"Whoever thinks they can take from me is gravely mistaken!" Evelyn's voice boomed.
Lana looked up, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. She shook her head and refocused her attention on the children. "Not my business," she muttered under her breath.
"Lana, look! I'm faster than Max!" Lily exclaimed, giggling as she ran past her brother.
Max puffed out his chest, ready to catch up. "No you are not! Watch this!"
Lana laughed softly as she turned back to the kids. Their innocent happiness was a nice respite from the turmoil inside.
Meanwhile, Evelyn had proceeded to the kitchen, where the personnel were all busy with their various chores of preparing hors d'oeuvres for that evening. She clapped her hands sharply to get their attention.
"Listen up!" she barked, her eyes scanning the room. "My gold wristwatch is missing, and I won't tolerate thieves in this house. If I don't find it by tomorrow, you can all start looking for new jobs."
The staff exchanged nervous looks across the table.
Maid Rosa spoke out ." Miss Evelyn, I'm sure no one here would steal from you. Perhaps it's just misplaced?"
Evelyn's eyes hardened. "I don't pay you to make excuses, Rosa. If not returned, you're all out. Consider this your warning.
\---
Back outside, Lana had Max and Lily into the sandbox, where they were happily building a fortress out of sand. She sat on the edge, her elbows resting on her knees as she watched them.
"Do you think Daddy will like our castle?" Max asked, patting down a tower with his hands.
"Of course, he will," Lana said, smiling tenderly at them both. "You two are the best architects I know."
Lily beamed, placing a flag made from leaves on the top of the tower. "Maybe he'll even play with us when he gets home!"
Lana's heart slightly sank. She knew Nikolai cared for his children, but his demanding schedule often kept him away. She only hoped that these moments-playing, laughing, and building sandcastles-would stay with them.
"Seems like it's just us tonight," she whispered as she faced back to the kids.
Max looked up at her. "That means we get to have more fun, right?"
Lana laughed, reaching over to ruffle his hair. "You bet."