Chapter 16 Chapter $ixteen
Elena's POV
For the First time, in three days since I arrived here, I woke earlier than usual, the pale morning light barely slipping through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the mansion bedroom. The sheets somehow smelled faintly of Rafael’s cologne, even though he hadn’t slept here or even stepped into this room once since I arrived. I sighed, pushing myself up. There was no point in thinking about it. Since he was trying to make it up to me. Last night I had called Shannon to talk about Rafael, promising to take me out today, only for us to end up talking about Nikolai. Somehow, every time Shannon and I speak on the phone, we always end up talking about Nikolai instead of Rafael.
Is he alright now?
Yet again, my thoughts have wandered to Nikolai, hoping he is fine. I shake my head, pushing Nikolai's name from my head and lips.
Today, I needed to look… normal. Calm. Like a fiancée waiting happily for her man to take her out.
I slipped into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and tied my hair back into a neat ponytail. No makeup except a little lip gloss. No fancy dress, just a soft cream-colored gown that hugged my waist and fell loosely around my hips and flowed to the ground. Simple. Presentable. Something Rafael would approve of… and something I don't think Nikolai fancies. I saw the way he looked at my wear the other time, I guess he found it unattractive. I wondered what he likes his girlfriend wearing. But even if this wasn't what he liked, he wouldn't read meaning into it, seeing me with Rafael beside me.
My heart skipped, why did I think of him first?
I shook it off, grabbed my phone, and sat at the edge of the bed. Rafael had promised last night that he would arrive early today. For once, I believed him.
The phone rang, startling me.
Rafael.
I quickly answered. “Hello?”
“I’m already at the mansion,” he said, voice clipped but warm. “Come down. I’m waiting baby.”
“Okay.” I hung up, took a deep breath to steady myself, and hurried downstairs.
The staff had barely begun moving around, some whispering morning greetings, others politely pretending not to stare. I have met just one of the maids and the butler, and numerous guards. I had no idea that there were more people in the mansion than I anticipated. This wasn't anywhere near the peaceful environment in my home. I could already hear some whispering. Word traveled fast here; everyone knew I was the future daughter-in-law, but also the one Rafael rarely spent time with.
I stepped outside, and there he was leaning against his car, perfect suit, perfect smile. Rafael always looked like he had stepped out of a magazine. He is always hot.
His expression softened when he saw me, this was the Rafael I knew, the one I had told my father, I love, my best friend. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
“Good morning.” I let out a genuine smile and approached him.
He reached for my waist, pressing a light kiss to my forehead. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
"C'mon let's go," I nodded to him.
We had barely turned to walk toward the car when a black matte motorcycle rolled into the driveway. The growl of the engine was unmistakable.
Nikolai.
Of course.
He removed his helmet slowly, eyes immediately locking onto me and staying there. I swallowed hard, trying not to look too long. But I did anyway. His shoulders, where I remembered seeing blood last night, the ones I had dressed. I wasn't expecting him to ride with that same arm but it seemed fine. Bandaged underneath, maybe. But I wanted to ask. I needed to ask.
But Rafael was here. I can't do that, not after I had lied to him, that I didn't see Nikolai after he dropped me.
My fiancé lifted a hand casually. “Niko.”
“Rafael.” Nikolai’s face was blank, unreadable as always.
“I appreciate yesterday,” Rafael continued, tightening his hold around my waist. “Thanks for taking my girl out. She said she had fun.”
Nikolai didn’t answer at first. He only glanced at Rafael’s hand on me before looking back into my eyes, just for a second long enough to make my breath catch.
Then he said flatly, “Anytime.”
Rafael didn’t notice anything. He was too busy checking something on his watch.
But I noticed everything.
Especially the faint tension in Nikolai’s shoulders. The stiffness in his jaw. The way his hand flexed was like he was holding back something sharp.
The urge to ask him if he was okay burned in my throat. My eyes kept sliding to his shoulder and arm. Was he still bleeding? Did he treat the wound? Did it hurt?
Just when Rafael and I were about to step into the car, his phone rang.
“One second, sweetheart.” Rafael pressed a quick kiss to my cheek before stepping aside to take the call.
And just like that, the space between Nikolai and me tightened like gravity pulling us into the same orbit.
His eyes flicked to me, lazy and dangerous. “You look like you haven’t slept.” My eyes snapped to him. He was right, I didn't have much sleep, half worried if he was fine, and half anticipating how today would turn out with Rafael beside me.
“And you look like you should be in a hospital,” I whispered back sharply. “Did you get it checked?”
His lips curved slowly. God, that infuriating smirk, did something to me. Something I don't think I have experience with all my life. “No.”
My voice rose, but I kept it low enough not to be heard. “Nikolai.. why?”
“Relax, princess,” he murmured, stepping a little closer. “I’m not dying.”
“That is not funny.”
“It wasn’t a joke.”
I glared at him, frustration mixing with something I didn’t want to name. He watched me with that same unreadable expression, but his eyes… they were softer than usual. Almost warm. They were gray, just like the first time I saw him, not turning black.
Before I could push him further, Rafael returned, sliding his phone into his pocket.
“Let’s go.” He wrapped his hand around mine. “I want to spend the day with my girl.”
Nikolai’s eyes dropped briefly to our joined hands so fast that Rafael didn’t notice, but I did. I felt it deep inside somewhere I shouldn’t.
Was he mad?
“Enjoy your date,” Nikolai said, stepping back, voice flat again.
Rafael smirked lightly. “We will.”
We both got in the car and Rafael pulled out of the driveway. Only when the mansion disappeared behind us did he finally relax into his seat.
“So,” he said, glancing at me with a small smile. “I was thinking we should go on a yacht cruise today.”
“A yacht?” My eyes widened. “Really?”
“Mm-hm. Thought you’d like that. We’ll take the helicopter to the harbor, then pick a yacht from the list I booked.”
My excitement bubbled up. “That sounds amazing.”
“That’s why I planned it.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “I want you to enjoy your time with me.”
For once… it felt almost real. Like we were a couple. Like he wanted me, the way he did a few years ago, before the engagement
We kept talking about the helicopter, the trip, the ocean breeze little things that made the tension in my chest loosen.
But everything shattered the moment we landed at the private helipad near the harbor.
Because standing there… smiling as if she belonged in Rafael’s world far more than I ever could…
Was Arabella.
My smile died instantly.
"What is she doing here?"