Chapter 57 A Deal To Attend A Gala
Dumbstruck by his words, Isabella's eyes could only widen further as her breath hitched.
In what universe did he make that statement?
A slight frown appeared on her face, "You don't get to tell me what to do!" She pushed against him to free herself but he wasn't budging. He was like an enclosed space surrounded with a wall, trapping her inside so that she couldn't even move a little.
"Seems like you've forgotten your place, Isabella. Should I fuck you back to your senses?"
She snorted, "I know my place, and it's not here with you, hugging me like I am one of your—" she bit on her lips before she could complete the statement.
"My what, Isabella? What do you think you are to me?"
Isabella found it incredulous that Nikolai could speak so warmly that she wished for him to continue talking.
But she wasn't a fool to let his voice drown her senses.
"It doesn't matter. I'm already yours. Your prostitute—or rather, Shlyukha, as you call it right?" The word tasted bitter on her tongue but she forced herself to say it.
Nikolai found himself wanting to dispute her words but he forced himself before he did and only let out a cold chuckle instead.
"You're right. My Property, My person, My prostitute." He whispered darkly. Each word claiming her completely than the last that made her pulse stutter.
Finally, he pulled away. "To answer your silly question—"
"Silly question?" She snapped.
"This is your room likewise mine, I see no reason why I need your permission to be here." He flicked her forehead.
"Ouch! That hurts." She scowled at him.
"Importantly I came to check on you."
His words warmed her heart slightly, "You did what?"
"I came to see how you're doing? Does that spot still ache?"
Embarrassment flushed her cheeks but she maintained her poise nature, "A little. Not as much as before."
"Good. Because I will be needing you to walk in two days and wouldn't want you to limp around."
"I'm walking around."
"Never said you weren't."
But you just did! She rolled her eyes at him.
"You're attending a gala with me." He finally dropped it.
Isabella's fingers dug to her palms as her mind scrambled. She could still recall how the last and only party—or Whatever it was called—she attended with Nikolai ended in shards.
She was disrespected twice. And even had to protect her self with a broken bottle from a repulsive man.
"Thank you but I decline."
"It wasn't a proposal, baby girl."
"I do not care." Her blood went hot under her skin, "I don't want to go anywhere with you when I would be disrespected. I do not like the limelight and have no attachments to your business. So keep me out of it." Her nose flared as she spoke.
"You will be by my side all through the activity."
"Yeah," Isabella let out a mocking scuff, "you said that last time just for your lover to appear and harass me. You couldn't even keep your man under control. He tried to get under my panties!" She cried out. "I do not want to appear in public with you. It draws unnecessary attention. Pick one of your other ladies, I'm not going!"
Nikolai kept mute and watched her air her grievances.
"Were you jealous of Aria?" He held his laughter.
Heat flushed her cheeks as she batted her eyelashes unknowingly, "W-What jealousy? For someone to be jealous he/ she's has to harbour some time of feeling for someone."
"And you don't?" He asked, not taking his eyes off her as he studied her every expression.
"I do not. You're a fucking thug, a cave Man and I hate you."
The laughter Nikolai had been holding was finally released. It turned into a guffaw that made his belly ache.
Isabella watched him with a dead expression.
Seriously what was so funny? If only she could smack that laughter out of his face!
"And what's hatred?" Nikolai teased, still chuckling, his eyes glinting in amusement.
Isabella folded her arms tightly across the chest, trying to hide the heat creeping up her neck.
"Hatred," She murmured, her voice tight, "is when someone makes you..." she paused, trying to find the right words, "...annoyed beyond reason. When they get under your skin, when...when they make you furious without even trying."
Nikolai leaned in closer, his grin widening "Uh-huh. And do I make you furious, Isa?”
She scowled, twisting the hem of her sleeve. “Of course! You’re insufferable. You strut around like—like the world revolves around you. You’re… you’re—” She bit her lip, blinking rapidly. “You’re a pain in the ass, and I… I hate it!”
His laughter rumbled low and approving. “Is that so?”
Isabella’s stomach turned at the sound, her throat tight. She clenched her fists. “Yes! I hate that you can make me feel things I don’t want to feel. That...damn it!"
She froze instantly, realizing the words had slipped out before she could stop them. Heat spread rapidly across her cheeks, flaming hotter than before.
Nikolai's gaze softened just a fraction, but soon covered with a smirk that played on his lips.
"And that is it, my pretty girl. You just admitted to it yourself. You hate me for stirring feelings across your chest. As you just said, hate is a feeling baby girl."
She shook her head in denial, "No...no. That's not what I meant!" She gritted her teeth.
"Enlighten me, Malyshka. What do you mean?" With his deepened husky tone, Isabella found her lips parted without saying anything.
She didn't even know what to say and now, staring into Nikolai's eyes is like drowning into a vast sea.
She quickly averted her gaze, "Whatever, my disapproval still stands. I'm not going anywhere with you."
"What if I promise to let you talk to your sister afterwards. Don't you miss her? I'm sure she must be missing you."
She turned back to him, scowling widely at him. This sly man just knew exactly how to bend her to his wills.
She wanted to refuse but she couldn't. It was her sister and she missed her badly.
Nikolai had refused to let her see her before they left, and she didn't know whether he would have allowed her to speak to her through a phone call thus she didn't ask for it.
"How am I sure, you will keep to your word." She probed him.
"Because I'm a man of my words, Isa. I'm not a teenager that plays petty jokes." He replied sternly. "But to ease your mind, before the gala you would receive your phone."
Her eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Yes."
Isabella was overwhelmed with joy that she wanted to scream out but she held herself.
She didn't want Nikolai to notice the rush of happiness filling her lungs.
"You've made your promise. I will follow you but only after the phone." She glared at him.
Nikolai let out a little throaty laughter. He ruffled her golden hair like she was sort of bunny and left the bed.
"Since you're still recuperating, I will see to it that the designers are here to take your measurements."
He didn't give her a chance to argue with his words and left the room in long strides.
Outside the room, his ran his hand through his black strands.
He just bent into her will so easily as if he hadn't told her that it wasn't a proposal.
Isabella was deeply under his skin and honestly he wasn't sure he wanted her out.