Chapter 18

The rumble of an engine, a sound that sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine, reached my ears. I rushed to the balcony while my heart was pounding in my chest.

Peering over the railing, I strained my eyes, searching for the face I longed to see. But as Elena emerged from the car, a wave of disappointment washed over me, a deflating sigh escaping my lips. The tension that had gripped me for the past few moments finally eased, replaced by a dull ache of longing.

I retreated back into the room, my steps heavy with disappointment. I sank onto the bed, burying my face in the pillow. The world seemed to fade away, leaving me enveloped in a cocoon of loneliness.

Two weeks had passed, two weeks without his touch and his voice. Dimitri had taken away my phone before he left, a cruel act that denied me even the solace of a video call, a recorded message, anything to ease the ache of his absence.

I abruptly sat up, the weight of my longing unbearable. I reached for the bedside table, my fingers closing around the frame of his photograph. His smile, captured in a moment of pure joy, mocked my current state of isolation.

This loneliness was a new kind of pain, a sharp, piercing ache that cut through me, unlike anything I had ever known. Even when he was gone for months before, a year even, a sense of normalcy had persisted, a familiar rhythm to our lives. But this time, his absence was raw, a gaping wound that refused to heal.

My gaze lingered on his picture, tracing the lines of the frame as I stared at the captured depth of his eyes. He was thirty-one now, a man in his prime, and I, twenty-five, a woman blossoming into her own. I couldn't believe that he, this man who seemed to possess the world in his hands, had chosen me.

I looked down at my own hands, a shy smile gracing my lips. On top of everything, I can't really believe that Dimitri and I were officially engaged.

The door to my room creaked open, and Elena stepped inside, her presence a welcome distraction from the swirling thoughts in my head.

"Miss Ophelia," she said, her voice a gentle melody that broke the silence. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat as I quickly tucked Dimitri's picture back onto the bedside table. "The boss has ordered something for you," she continued, her words arousing a flicker of curiosity within me.

I sat up, my body instinctively straightening as Elena stepped aside, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she gestured towards the doorway. Two figures, imposing and silent, entered the room, their presence filling the space with a sense of authority. They carried paper bags. My gaze drifted towards the bags, my breath catching in my throat as I recognized the familiar logos embossed on their sides - a collection of exclusive, luxurious brands, each representing the pinnacle of technological innovation in the Cox's industry.

My heart pounded when a thought came inside my mind.

"The boss told us to pick the latest brands of Cox's Mobile Tech for you to choose a new gadget," Elena explained. She approached me, her hand extending with a small, sleek card resting in her palm. "After you choose, he wants you to insert this card into your new phone. It will help you miss him less. It's also equipped with an anti-hacker operating system that will prevent death threats from reaching your inbox," she added.

I gently snatched the card from Elena, "Where is Dimitri?" I asked, my voice laced with urgency. She shook her head.

"Even if I wanted to tell you, Miss Ophelia, to ease your sadness, I don't know where the boss is. I just received a call from one of the boss's personal bodyguards who's been watching over you at the mansion, and he's the one who delivers his orders." Elena's voice tinged with helplessness. "If you'll excuse me, Miss. I need to return to the company," her voice, a gentle farewell.

I nodded, my heart heavy with unspoken questions. As the door closed behind her, I let out a deep sigh, the weight of my loneliness pressing down on me.

I reached for one out of ten paper bags, my fingers tracing the smooth, luxurious surface. Inside, a treasure trove of the latest gadgets. But my heart wasn't in it. I chose a phone at random, a sleek, black device.

I sank back onto the bed. After operating the phone and inserting the card, I immediately scrolled through the gallery. And then, there it was, a video of Dimitri, a fleeting glimpse of the man I longed for.

A smile bloomed on my face, a soft, bittersweet expression as I watched him, his laughter, his smile, his very essence captured in the digital frame.

He was right. Just watching him eased the ache in my heart.

After drowning myself in the comforting embrace of Dimitri's videos, I pulled myself together. I descended the grand staircase, my steps echoing through the silent mansion. As I reached the entrance, my heart sank. Two imposing figures blocked my path.

"You are not allowed to go outside, Madam," one of them said, his voice a low rumble, his gaze wasn't on mine.

"I just want to go to the garden," I pleaded, my voice a whisper of desperation.

"No. Madam," the other guard replied, his voice as cold and unyielding as the stone walls surrounding me.

"Both of you can accompany me," I insisted, my voice rising with frustration. "I really need to breathe some fresh air."

Their eyes met, a silent exchange of unspoken words, but not a single glance was directed towards me. They shook their heads in unison.

"Even if you beg, Madam, we won't follow your orders. You might be our boss's fiancé, but we only take orders from him. His word is absolute, and we don't want to get into trouble."

I crossed my arms, my gaze fixed on their faces, their impassive expressions a testament to their unwavering loyalty.

"Why don't you guys look at me? Look at me and how bored I am!" I said. They shook their heads in unison. "What are your names?" I asked, intrigued by their unwavering devotion to Dimitri.

"My name is Laurel, Madam."

"I'm Nolan."

I stared at them. As I observed both of them, they were the embodiment of dependability.

Laurel, with his sharp, piercing gaze and a quiet strength that radiated from him, was the epitome of a Stoic guardian. His demeanor was calm and collected. Nolan, on the other hand, exuded a more rugged charm, his broad shoulders and strong jawline hinting at a fierce protector. Together, they were a formidable force, a team that could handle any challenge.

It made sense, then, why Dimitri had left them to guard me. He clearly had faith in these two to carry out his orders. But I was growing restless. Two weeks had passed, and the world outside my window seemed to be in a perpetual state of calm.

I craved a breath of fresh air. Even a stroll through the garden would be a welcome change.

I tried, with a mix of pleading and persuasion, to convince them to let me out, but their resolve was unwavering. They were like granite statues in their pose.

Feeling defeated, I turned away, my steps were heavy with disappointment, and started back towards my room. But before I could take another step, my phone buzzed in my hand.

I glanced at the screen, my heart skipping a beat when I saw that the number wasn't registered. A shiver ran down my spine but then, it burned away as I remembered Elena's words about the anti-hacking operating system.

Could this be him?

A slow smile spread across my face, a flicker of hope igniting within me. With a certainty that defied logic, I have a hunch about the person at the other end of the line. I pressed the answer button.

"Hello?" my voice is a soft whisper.

A soft chuckle filled the air. My soul soared with happiness.

It's him!

"*God, I miss your voice, so much, darling*," Dimitri whispered, his voice a caress, a melody that sent my loneliness away. But before I could say another word, a sharp crack echoed through the line, followed by a chilling voice that sent a wave of terror crashing over me.

"*You shouldn't be talking to him, Ophelia*," the voice hissed, a cold steel in its tone. "*He's not who you think he is.*"