Chapter 45 Chapter Forty-five
Elena's POV
"Let me go," The words tore out of my mouth the moment a hand closed around my wrist, tight, sudden, familiar. Almost distancing me from Shannon. I spun around, heart hammering, ready to scream bloody murder. Of course, I should be scared; this is not just some elite party, but a mafia party. Then I saw his face.
It was Rafael. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I yelled, yanking my hand back like I had been burned.
He flinched, eyes darting around as if suddenly aware of where we were. “Lower your voice,” he snapped. “I just want to talk.”
“Talk?” I laughed sharply. “You grab me from behind in the middle of a party and you think that is a conversation starter?”
Shannon had already turned back toward us, eyes narrowed, body tense. I met her gaze and gave a small nod. Indicating that I would be fine.
She hesitated. “Elena...”
“I’ll be fine,” I said quietly. “Just go back inside so Father would know that we are fine.”
Shannon sighed but nodded. “Don’t take forever and please be careful.”
Rafael scoffed the second she stepped away. “There’s nothing to worry about. She is with her husband-to-be.”
Shannon’s voice floated back as she walked off. “Husband indeed,” I smirked despite myself. Shannon always hated Rafael and thinks he is not good enough for me, but only tolerates him just because of me, and now with all the things and acts he has put up since I arrived here, I doubt she could still hold a straight face in front of him.
Rafael turned back to me, irritation darkening his face. "That little bitch of a nanny of yours. Will get her tongue cut off one of these days.”
I stepped closer, eyes hard. “Don’t call Shannon names, and don't you ever try to hurt her, if you don’t want me to smash a bottle over your head.”
He blinked. “Where did you learn to talk like that?” I tilted my head, not answering that question, “Let me guess, Nikolai?” he said in irritation, and His jaw tightened. “Exactly. First, it was Shannon. Now it’s him. You’re letting bad influences rot your head.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“No,” he snapped, stepping closer. “You’re changing. Hanging around Nikolai like that, acting like...” He sneered. “Like a worthless piece of shit.”
The words hit, but instead of hurting, they made something in me go cold. “I’m going back inside,” I said flatly.
“Fine,” he said too quickly. “I saw you anyway.”
I paused. “Saw me doing what?”
He leaned in, voice low and cruel. “Looking at my brother like a whore. Like you were ready to throw yourself at him. Beg him to fuck whatever sense you have left right out of your head.”
My breath stilled. Then I smiled. “Maybe I was,” I said calmly. “And maybe that is none of your business.”
His hand shot out again, gripping my wrist harder this time. “Let go of me,” I warned. “You wouldn’t want my father finding out you’re hurting me.”
Rafael exhaled sharply, releasing me like he had touched fire, I know he wouldn't want to get into my father's blacklist. “You’re changing,” he muttered. “And I don’t like it.”
I crossed my arms. “Funny, I was about to say the same. Because these past days, I had no idea who the man was, I told my father, I want to drop his name for his.”
“You’re supposed to have eyes only for me,” he said. “Only me.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Do you have eyes only for me?” He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, “No,” I cut in. “Don’t say things you don’t mean. Arabella might not like it.”
His expression darkened. “Arabella has nothing to do with this. How many times do I have to tell you? She is my secretary. Yeah! We might be a little close because she is my friend but nothing is going on between us except her being my secretary.”
I laughed again. “And Nikolai is my fiancé’s brother. It’s not a crime to look at my future brother-in-law. Or is it?""
“It is,” he snapped instantly. “I forbid it.”
I stared at him. “You forbid it?”
“Yes,” he said sharply. “And I’m taking you upstairs to change out of this worthless excuse for clothing. I don't like it.” I looked down at my dress slowly. Then back at him. "Yeah! Because you can't stand beside me wearing this embarrassing clothing."
I smirk, shaking my head, Arabella could wear this and stand next to him, but I can't. “You lost the right to tell me what to wear a few days ago.”
His face twisted. “You’re turning into a...”
“A whore?” I finished for him easily. He froze. I shrugged, “Go on. Say it. I know you want to.”
“That dress...” he said stiffly. “It’s the kind of thing whores wear and you know it.”
I smiled faintly. “Funny how it’s only a problem when it’s on me but not on Arabella."
"Elena!"
"Not a big deal," I stop him, "My father didn’t complain.”
His anger faltered, confusion flashing briefly. “You don’t need clothes like this. You’re beautiful without them.”
“I need them,” I replied. “And you’ll deal with it from now on.”
He sighed heavily, frustration rolling off him in waves. Then he stepped closer again, softer this time. “Elena,” he murmured, reaching up to cup my cheek. “You don’t have to be like this.” I stiffened. His thumb brushed my skin. “We’re supposed to be together. Get each other back not fight over things that aren't necessary.”
"I'm not fighting with you. I just hate when you're trying to cage me." I tried to turn away, but his arms cupping my face stopped me.
"I'm not trying to cage you."
"But that is how I feel, you tell me what to wear, who to speak with..."
"It is just Nikolai, I don't want to be around you,"
"He is not bad," he sighed
"You've no idea what Nikolai is capable of, he is a Spawn of the devil."
"There we go again," I tried to pull from his grip.
"Please Elena, I don't want us like this, I don't want us acting like a stranger towards each other, I love it when it's just the both of us, just us and no third party." My eyes snapped to him, searching those eyes of his, it almost felt as if his words were true. "I love you Elena." His eyes search my eyes before falling on my lips, "Your lips are beautiful." He muttered, lowering his face towards mine.
“Here you are!” Arabella’s voice sliced through the moment like a blade. I stepped back instantly. She appeared from the hallway, smiling brightly, eyes flicking between us with barely concealed curiosity. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you two.”