Chapter 103 Chapter Hundred-Three

Chapter 103 Chapter Hundred-Three
Nikolai's POV.

The wedding announcement followed me as I ran through the rooftop of the Moretti's manor. As much as I tried not to let anyone see me, it was difficult to focus because somehow not just the headline was disturbing, but Rafael's words.

\[You will be my best man at my wedding with Elena!\]

"Fuck!" I cursed as I jumped off the high walls of the Morettis’ manor and ran to where I had hidden my bike. I was glad no one found it. I jumped onto my bike and gripped the handlebars so tightly my knuckles were almost bruised. "Damn it!" I muttered as I started the engine and sped away from the Moretti’s manor, the cold early morning air slapped against my face, but it didn't do anything to clear my mind, I could still see her standing at the window, hearing her screaming my name, like she didn't care if anyone found out that I was in her room. As much as those actions warmed my heart, it didn't stop the ache in my heart, the hurt in her eyes, and the desperation of wanting me to believe her. I believe her that she wasn't using me, but still, that didn't change the awkward situation we're both in. How the fuck was I going to look at her when she becomes my brother's wife? How the heck will I be able to forget the woman who occupied my thoughts all day? How the fuck was I supposed to forget that I had buried myself inside her? She is my brother's woman. I tried to remember that; maybe that would help me forget, but that announcement came again. Two months, in fucking two months, Elena would get married to my brother, and somehow I had just spent the night with his future wife. My stomach churned. "What the hell have I done?" I slammed hard on the handlebars; maybe a little pain would make me forget it. By the time I reached my mansion, my head was pounding. I pulled into the driveway, killed the engine, and barely bothered to park the bike properly before storming inside. I pushed the front door open and slammed it closed.

"Hey dude." Matteo mouthed. I ignored him; he was sitting on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, looking far too comfortable for someone who was about to witness my complete breakdown. "You disappeared all night," he continued. "I was starting to think you eloped with your brother's woman." My fist clenched at the last words, but I didn't answer; I just walked straight past him. "Nikolai?" He called, his tone turned serious. Still, I didn't answer. I headed for the bar. I grabbed the first bottle my hand touched, pulled out the cork, and took a long drink. Matteo's eyebrows shot up." Are you alright?" I laughed bitterly.

"Do I look alright?" He stared at me.

"No." I took another drink. His stare became more curious.

"I am so fucking stupid." I slammed the bottle into the counter. The anger inside me exploded. I grabbed the glass beside it and threw it against the wall, shattering it on the floor.

"Hey!" Matteo jumped to his feet. "Easy! Can you stop acting crazy?"

"Maybe, I'm crazy." I grabbed another bottle, pulled out the cork then drank straight from it." Matteo stared at me for a few seconds then his expression turned serious.

"Did something happen at Elena's?" My hand froze midair before I lowered the bottle slowly.

"Yes;" my voice came out rough, "every fucking thing happened at Elena's." I dragged my palm down my face, as the memories came rushing, how she had hugged me the moment I jumped through her window, how she had kissed me, how I let my desires for her control me, I had slept with my brother's fiancée, is that even the title, they were getting married in two months and I had unwrapped my brother's gift before he did. I shut my eyes, hoping that awful memories would fade away. "How did I let that happen?" I mouthed more to myself Matteo approached cautiously 

"What happened?" I didn't answer. He waited, then his eyes widened. "Oh my God!" He screamed suddenly my eyes went to him.

"What?" I yelled in defense.

"Did you..." He hesitated. "Did you sleep with her?" Silence filled the room. I stared at Matteo; he stared back at me, then I swallowed hard.

"Yes! I slept with her." The words escaped my mouth before I could stop it. Matteo's jaw dropped

"What the fuck?" I immediately regretted saying it. 

"Shit!" I cursed. I took another gulp from the bottle. Matteo ran both hands through his hair.

"Nikolai, what the heck are you thinking sleeping with Elena?"

"Keep your voice down," I said, gritting my teeth.

"I am trying to, but I just can't process that you slept with your brother's fiancée."

"I know,"

"You actually..."

"I fucking know, Matteo. Don't make it worse than it already was." I yelled, then buried my face in my palm. Matteo stopped talking. I turned away from him. My chest felt tight. I felt awful. I can't believe that, for all the numerous sins, I had committed, I had to add the sin of having an affair with my sister-in-law.

"What were you thinking?" He asked, I shut my eyes.

"I wasn't thinking."

"That much is obvious." I glared at him; he raised his hands. "Okay, sorry," I exhaled heavily and leaned against the bar.

"I didn't mean for it to happen." Matteo said nothing, "Everything just happened so fast," I continued, "One minute, she was standing there, crying in my arms," my voice cracked slightly, "Then she offered me a drink, she didn't want to talk about it," I stared down at the bottle in my hands, not being able to take the words that she stood in front of me nude, because I didn't want Matteo to think badly of her and even at that, I should have been the man who could stand temptation, "And somehow I crossed the line." Matteo's expression softened, I shook my head. "I should have walked away."

"Yes," he said quietly.

"I should have left her alone, I should have remembered she was Rafael's fiancée."

"You definitely should have." I shot him an annoyed look.

"Are you trying to make me feel better or worse?"

"No, I'm trying to understand how you managed to destroy your life in one night," I almost laughed. "Rafael would kill you if he found out." I know, I said mentally, as I took another drink.

"And the worst part," I said.

"What?"

"I woke up to a message from Rafael." Matteo frowned; I guessed he'd found out the news.

"What did it say?" I laughed without humor.

"He told me the wedding date was fixed."

"What?" Matteo's eyes widened. And I nodded.

"It was the announcement that had rattled Elena."

"Oh!" Was all he could say. "And?" He asked.

"He wants me to be his best man." For a moment, Matteo said nothing, then the curve of his mouth twitched; I noticed it. He was about to laugh. "Don't you dare." His lips pressed together.

"I didn't say anything."

"You are smiling."

"No, I'm not."

"You are." He finally burst out laughing, and I glared at him. "It isn't funny."

"I'm sorry," he says between laughs, "no offense, but this year is going to be interesting." I narrowed my eyes.

"Interesting?" He nodded.

"And full of drama."

"Matteo," I warned but the fucker is not stopping.

"I am just saying." He leaned against the couch, clearly enjoying my misery. "You know what time sounds like?" I didn't answer, he raised his hands dramatically. "Hashtag: The best man fuck the bride." I stared at him.

"You are not being serious are you?"

"I'm trying to lighten the mood." I sighed.

"And you are doing a terrible job."

"Fine," his tone turned serious, "but seriously, Nikolai, what are you going to do?" That question hit harder than I expected. What was I going to do? I may have told her to stay away from me, that I would forget whatever happened last night, but the truth is, I don't know if I could, because somehow her voice was in my head again. My jaw tightened

"I don't know" Matteo's gaze fixed on me

"You love her." I looked at him sharply

"Don't."

"You do."

"I said don't."

"Nikolai..." I turned my gaze.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"You are angry because you think she lied to you."

"No, I am angry because I touched my brother's woman, and I am in love with her," I admitted, Matteo went silent, I looked down, at my fingers, I know Elena didn't mean to hurt me, she didn't plan any of it, but it still boiled down to the fact that, she is my brother's woman, and I had betrayed my brother, and I had allowed myself to fall completely in love with the one woman I could never have. My phone vibrates. I looked at the screen; Elena's name was displayed on the screen. My heart immediately clenched. I stared at her name. Matteo noticed my expression.

"Are you going to answer?"

"No." The phone stopped, then it rang again. I turned it face down; it rang for the third time. "Stop calling me!" I screamed at the phone while Matteo stared at me.

"Elena right?"

"Yes!" No need to lie. He parted his lips to say something when I heard the doorbell ring. We both froze. I looked toward the front door. Another ring echoed through the Mansion. My heart began pounding, Matteo looked at me.

"Are you expecting someone?"

"No." My brows furrowed when the doorbell rang again. I slowly placed the bottle on the counter; my instincts immediately sharpened. Someone was standing outside my door. At this hour, it's not even up to five in the morning. Matteo walked toward the door.

"Who is there?" Matteo asked.

"Nikolai, open up. I know you are in there."