Chapter 53 Chapter Fifty-three
Elena's POV
“Elena?” My heart jumped straight into my throat. For a split second, I couldn’t breathe. I turned slowly, dread already spreading through my chest, and there Rafael stood, standing near the stairwell entrance, his expression dark and unreadable in the rooftop light. My mind immediately flashed to the kitchen, where Nikolai and I had heard a sound, how he had pulled me through that secret path, and how we had ended up at the rooftop. Then the kiss, his warm embrace, did Rafael see us? Did he hear us? My heart thunders, “Are you the one with Nikolai in the kitchen just now?” Rafael asked. The question struck like a slap, my lips parted, but the words refused to come out. Rafael didn’t wait for my answer; he walked toward me in long strides, anger radiating from him before I could react. His hand grabbed my wrist roughly. “Are you making out with my brother in the kitchen?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous, “and when you heard my voice, you sneaked out here?”
“What?” I shouted, jerking my arm free from his grip. The accusation was so outrageous that I almost laughed, but Rafael only nodded grimly.
“Yes, you are flirting with my brother while your father is in there accusing me of flirting with my secretary.”
My chest heaved, “Rafael, will you stop?” I snapped. “I am not flirting with your brother. Don’t you dare turn this around on me!”
“Oh really?” His eyes narrowed, "Tell me you aren’t flirting with him?”
“No!”
“Then explain how you ended up here.”
I blinked, “What?”
Rafael folded his arms, looking disturbingly confident, “That exit,” he said slowly, gesturing toward the stairway door, “only three people know about it. Me, my father, and Nikolai.” My stomach dropped, and my heart palpitations increased. “So tell me,” he continued, his voice dripping with accusation, “how exactly did you find it?”
My mind scrambled for an explanation, anything just so I could escape, but before I could speak, I heard my name, “Elena! Sorry I took so long!” Shannon's cheerful voice floated the rooftop, Rafael turned sharply towards the sound, I nearly collapse in relief, as Shannon stepped fully into the rooftop holding two glasses of milk, her eyes widening slightly when she noticed Rafael standing there, “Oops,” she said lightly, “I didn’t know he would be here.”
My brain caught up instantly, “Oh,” I said quickly. “He just came up.” Rafael’s gaze flicked between us, trying to see if we were lying, “and what took you so long?” I added, hoping Shannon would follow my lead.
She giggled softly. “I bumped into Nikolai in the kitchen," My heart skipped.
“And?” I asked carefully.
“And I had no idea your future brother-in-law could be such good company,” she added playfully.
Rafael’s eyes narrowed slightly, "You were the girl with Nikolai in the kitchen?” he asked her.
Shannon blinked, then nodded casually, "Yes, is it a crime to talk to your brother?”
Rafael studied her for a long moment, "No,” he said eventually, "it’s not.” He looked back at me, although his suspicion hadn’t completely faded, but it had weakened, “Anyway,” he said finally, rubbing the back of his neck, “I’m going to bed. You two shouldn’t stay out here too long.”
“Good night,” I said quickly.
“Good night,” Shannon echoed.
Rafael gave us one last look before turning and disappearing down the stairs. The door shut behind him, and the moment it did, I exhaled loudly, “Oh my God,” I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest. “That was close.”
Shannon burst out laughing, "You should have seen your face,” she teased.
I swatted her arm. “How did you know?”
She tilted her head innocently, "Know what?”
“That I needed help!”
“Oh.” She shrugged. “Nikolai told me.”
My heart skipped again, "He what?”
“He ran into me in the kitchen. I was worried you were taking too long, so I decided to come look for you,” Shannon explained casually. “Then he said you might need help on the roof.”
I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face. I thought he just left me without even trying to walk me to bed. I couldn't hide it. "I thought he just left me to carry my cross?”
Shannon rolled her eyes dramatically, “Elena,” she said slowly, “that man likes you too much to let anything bad happen to you.”
My cheeks burned; I bit my lower lip, suddenly feeling shy, as memories of the kiss flooded my thoughts. "You think so?”
She snorted. “Oh, please.”
“But are you sure?” I asked hesitantly. “That he loves me?”
Shannon stared at me as if I had just asked the dumbest question on earth, “How would I know what’s inside the almighty Nikolai’s head?” she said flatly.
I frowned at her. She laughed, "Fine, if I had to guess,” she continued, nudging my shoulder, “I would say you’ve got him wrapped around your finger.”
“That is not true.” I protested.
“Sure it isn’t.”
I glared at her, she grinned even wider, tickling me slightly, "You look like a lovesick puppy right now.”
“I do not!”
“Oh, you absolutely do.” I tried to keep a straight face but failed miserably, Shannon was right, I look like a lovesick pup. Shannon grabbed my hand and squeezed it affectionately. “Just so you know,” she said, “I’ve always been team Nikolai.”
I blinked. “Since when?”
“Since the moment I saw the way he looks at you, like you are the most precious gems in the whole world," My stomach fluttered, I lowered my eyes, because right now I was blushing like some stupid teenage girl, "and I can’t wait for the day you finally admit you love him,” she continued dramatically, “instead of pretending you still care about that asshole.”
I burst out laughing, “You’re unbelievable.”
“I’m honest, I don't know the reason you had to lie to Uncle because of that no good Rafael?”
I shook my head, "Come on,” I said, tugging her toward the stairwell. “Let’s go to bed before we get caught again and stop talking nonsense,” I added.
Shannon smirked, “Fine but before we go, did you succeed?"
“What?”
“Did he give you his number?”
I blurted out her name, “Shannon!"
"Yes, did he give you the number?"
Before I could answer a deep voice echoes behind us, “Whose number?”