Chapter 19

A wave of fear washed over me, a cold shiver running down my spine. My fingers tightened around the phone, "Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Another sharp thud echoed through the phone, followed by a chilling silence. Then, a voice, familiar and beloved, pierced through the tension, a soothing balm to my anxious heart.

*"Darling, are you alright?"* Dimitri's voice, laced with concern, sent a wave of relief washing over me.

"Yes..." I managed to say, my voice a shaky whisper, trying to regain my composure. "I miss you," I confessed, my voice tinged with longing.

I heard Dimitri groan, a sound that mirrored the ache in my own heart, a shared longing for the distance that separated us.

*"I miss you so badly, darling. Your face, your sigh, your kisses,"* he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. *"I want to hold you right now."* His words, laced with tenderness and a hint of frustration.

I smiled, a soft, reassuring gesture, a silent promise that I would wait for him.

"Just be safe. Come back to me as soon as you can."

*"I will, darling. Next time, I'll call you using a different number, just in case they get my call logs. I need to change my device so they can't track our calls,"* he said. I bit my lower lip, stifling the urge to confess my anxieties. I didn't want to burden him with my fears, to become a dependent shadow in his life.

"Thank you for calling me, Dimitri," I said, my voice a calm melody, "I'm glad you're okay."

*"I will do everything to get back to you, Ophelia,"* he replied, *"I have to hang up now. I love you so much, darling."*

"I love you too, Dimitri," I whispered. The line went dead, leaving me holding the phone to my ear.

I stood frozen for a moment, then, a deep sigh escaped my lips, a release of the tension that had gripped me. I turned and walked back to my room, each step echoing in the grand silence of the mansion, a hollow sound that amplified the unease gnawing at my insides.

The sudden glitch in the call, the unfamiliar voice that had pierced through our conversation, lingered in my mind like a persistent echo. Could it be him? The one who took my parents from me?

I retreated to the sanctuary of my room, the familiar space offering a momentary respite from the swirling anxieties that plagued my mind. A hot shower, a ritual of cleansing both body and soul, became my immediate refuge. The warmth of the water, a soothing balm against the chill of fear, washed over me. It was a bittersweet relief.

I was overjoyed to have heard Dimitri's voice again, a lifeline in the two weeks of his absence, but the lingering fear, the unsettling encounter with the unknown voice, cast a shadow over my joy.

After taking a shower, I dressed, a sense of purpose guiding my movements. Then later on, I just found myself drawn to Dimitri's room, a space I had only glimpsed before. He had given me a key last time before he left. I took a deep breath and pushed the door to open.

The room was a study in gray, a symphony of shades that whispered of power and sophistication. The walls, a deep charcoal, were adorned with abstract art, each stroke a bold statement against the muted background. The floor, a smooth expanse of polished concrete, reflected the soft light filtering through the expansive windows. A plush gray rug, the texture of velvet, lay in the center of the room, inviting bare feet to sink into its luxurious embrace.

A massive desk, crafted from dark wood, dominated one corner, its surface littered with sleek gadgets and stacks of meticulously organized documents. Behind it, a towering bookshelf, filled with leather-bound tomes and minimalist sculptures.

The air was infused with the scent of leather and wood, a grounding aroma that spoke of wealth and success. It was a room that reflected the man himself, a man of power, a man of ambition, a man who had carved his own path to the pinnacle of success.

But my gaze was drawn to the expanse of his king-sized bed. Instead of the usual television, a large, custom-made portrait occupied the space on the wall in front of his bed, a striking piece of art that commanded attention.

The portrait had captured the woman's essence, the mischievous glint in her eyes, the hint of a defiant spirit in her posture, the delicate curve of her cheekbones, and the way her hair cascaded down her back in a riot of auburn curls.

I approached the portrait, my heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. I traced the outline of the portrait with my fingertips, the smooth canvas cooled against my skin. A whirlwind of thoughts swirled in my mind, a kaleidoscope of emotions.

As I gazed at the portrait again, a chill ran down my spine. Without a second thought, I saw myself in this huge portrait, a reflection of a younger, more carefree me. It was so incredibly detailed, capturing the essence of who I was eight years ago.

Why does Dimitri have a portrait of mine? And why this one, a painting of my sixteen-year-old self?

I bit my lower lip, the strange sensation sending a jolt through my body. My heart pounded against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat that echoed in my mind. A blush crept up my cheeks, a betraying flush of warmth that mirrored the emotions swirling within me. Dimitri's words, his confession of his feelings for me, all of it was real. That he had been brewing his love for me for years, a love that had been patiently waiting for its moment to bloom.

I gasped, my hand in my mouth when my eyes landed on the inscription at the bottom of the portrait.

*Ophelia, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Your smile, your laughter, your spirit, they all captivated me from the moment I met you*.

The emotions swirling inside me were a dizzying cocktail of joy, longing, and a touch of disbelief. It was as if a dam had burst within me, releasing a torrent of feelings that had been pent-up for years. I felt a warmth spread through my body, a sensation so intense that it was almost physical, a yearning that echoed the depth of Dimitri's love.

If only I could express the intensity of my emotions, the way they were making my heart soar and my senses reel. It was a feeling that transcended words, a feeling that made me want to lose myself at the moment.

The thought struck me like a bolt of lightning. Had he really been enduring, holding onto his feelings for me for eight long years? To think that Dimitri could love me so deeply, so patiently, for such an extended period of time, it seemed almost impossible. Yet, here I am, facing the proof of its existence.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. A smile stretched across my face, a reflection of the joy that bubbled within me. I took another glance at the portrait before turning my attention to his desk. Thankfully, there's a laptop resting on his desk.

I settled into the chair, my fingers eagerly reaching for the power button. The screen flickered to life, revealing a familiar image. It was a picture of me, a snapshot from my college days.

A wave of shock washed over me, but I quickly forced myself to regain my composure.

Dimitri's laptop demanded a password, and I'm stuck on his lockscreen. I tried Dimitri's name, a few variations of it, even a few of his favorite phrases, but nothing worked. Should I call him?

I reached for my phone, my finger hovering over the call button, when a sudden thought struck me.

Without hesitation, I typed in the words that had been dancing in my mind. As I pressed enter, the laptop chimed and the homepage greeted me. I was speechless. The password, the key, was a simple combination of my name and a word that he always uses at the end of his phrases.

*Ophelia, darling.*