Chapter 41 Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Irina's POV
The woman walked closer to the table, her heels made clicking sounds on the marble floor with each confident step.
She reached out and touched Alexei's shoulder sweetly, almost lovingly, her fingers traced the fabric of his expensive suit. She looked at him with gentleness. You could tell she was in love with him.
Alexei immediately shoved her hand away roughly. "Katya," he said. His voice was thick and dark. It was obvious he was disgusted by her presence. "What are you doing here?"
Katya, so that was her name.
She didn't reply. She looked around, her eyes fell on me and she chuckled. The sound was cold and mocking. Disdain was evident in her eyes as she looked me up and down.
"This is the whore you are hiding?" She asked, her voice dripping with disgust.
She walked closer to where I sat, her eyes never leaving my face.
"This is the thing you killed your only brother for?" She continued. “I'm disappointed, Ali.”
"Stop, Katya," Alexei said coldly. “Do not refer to her as such.” There was a warning in his voice.
But she did not stop, she kept walking until she was standing right in front of me.
Then she lifted my chin with one finger, forcing me to look up at her. Her eyes examined me like I was dirt beneath her expensive shoes.
"She is not even as pretty as me," she mocked, her perfectly painted lips curled into a cruel smile.
I wanted to slap her hand away, I wanted to stand up and defend myself, but I was too tired.
"Leave, Katya," Alexei said, standing up from his chair. "While I am being nice."
"This is not how to welcome an old friend, Alexei." She pouted dramatically, finally releasing my chin.
Alexei snapped his fingers at his men. "Escort her out."
Two guards immediately moved towards Katya, reaching out to grab her arms.
But she stepped back and laughed.
"Oh, Alexei, you are playing hard to get," she said sweetly. "That is fine, I will come back later when you are in a better mood."
One of the guards tried to grab her again but she shoved him away with surprising strength.
"Do not touch me," she snapped. "Do you want to ruin my skin? Your generation cannot afford my skincare routine."
A small chuckle escaped my lips. I couldn't help it.
Katya's head snapped towards me, her eyes blazed with anger, her face turned red.
"Is anything funny?" She asked coldly.
I quickly looked down at my plate, biting my lip to stop myself from laughing again.
Spoilt brats. Always trying to flaunt their families wealth.
But honestly I agree with her, her skin was flawless like glass, perfect and glowing.
"How did you find this safe house?" Alexei demanded, his voice was sharp.
"I have my resources," Katya said mysteriously, smiling at him. "You should know by now that I always find what I am looking for."
"Get out," Alexei said through gritted teeth.
"Fine," Katya said, turning towards the door. "But I will be back, Ali, we have unfinished business."
She walked out slowly, her hips swaying dramatically, the guards followed her out to make sure she left.
The room was silent for a moment after she was gone.
Then Alexei sat back down, his jaw was tight, his hands were clenched into fists on the table.
"Who was that, boss?" One of his men asked carefully.
"No one," Alexei said shortly. "Just someone from the past."
But I could tell by the tension in his body that Katya was not just anyone.
“Should we take care of her, boss?” The guard asked again.
I froze.
I knew what taking care of means. They would kill her.
“No,” Alexei said quietly. “I’ll handle her myself.”
Dinner continued in uncomfortable silence, I pushed food around my plate but could not eat.
Finally, after what felt like hours, dinner ended.
I stood up to go back to my room, but Alexei grabbed my wrist.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"To my room," I said quietly. "I am tired."
"No," Alexei said. "We are going for a walk in the garden."
"I do not want to," I said.
His grip on my wrist tightened painfully. "I was not asking."
I had no choice than to follow him outside. The night air was cool, the garden was dark except for a few lanterns hanging from trees.
We walked in silence. Alexei's hand was still gripping my wrist, pulling me along.
Then suddenly, I heard sounds.
Moaning sounds?
It was soft at first, then it became louder.
I stopped walking, my face flushed with embarrassment.
Alexei stopped too, his eyes narrowed as he listened.
The sounds were coming from behind a large tree ahead of us.
Alexei pulled me forward, we walked closer until we could see what was happening.
Behind the tree, pressed against the trunk, were two people.
A guard, one of Alexei's men, and a maid. I see her around the house sometimes.
They were kissing passionately, the guard's hands were all over her, her dress was pulled up, his shirt was unbuttoned.
They were so lost in each other that they did not notice us standing there.
Alexei's face turned dark with rage.
"How dare you!" He thundered.
The guard and maid jumped apart immediately, their faces went pale with terror when they saw Alexei.
"Boss," the guard stammered. "I can explain."
"Explain?" Alexei said coldly. "Explain how you are disrespecting my property?"
"Please," the maid begged, tears were already streaming down her face. "We are sorry."
"You are sorry?" Alexei laughed, but it was a cruel sound. "You think sorry is enough?"
He turned to the other guards who had followed us into the garden.
"Take them." He ordered, his voice cold and final.
I wanted to plead on their behalf but it was obvious Alexei won't agree.
"No!" The maid screamed. "Please, we did not mean any harm."
The guards grabbed them both roughly and dragged them away.
I stood there frozen, watching in horror.
What was Alexei going to do to them?