Lost (Beautiful Beast I)

Chapter-9

Leia

'Are they still behind me?' my voice came out steady 'Since they know I'm here at your place'

Whatever emotion swirled in those dark eyes seems to vanish in a splash, leaving behind the coldness.

Clearing of throat made both of us come out of out trance.

'No, they don't' Came Aron's voice. I totally forgot that he's here.

Nicholas removed his arm from my waist and stepped back till there was a decent distance between us. Guess even he seems to have been forgotten that Aron is still here.

I wrapped my arms around my petite frame, missing his warmth. My eyes shifted from him to Aron.

'How's that?' I asked.

'Nicholas lied that he dropped you off at your place. That's exactly why they are searching for you' Aron said 'They know that...you're father will not take you' his voice softened at the end, and he refused to look me in the eye.

I looked away, feeling ashamed. All the while they knew about me.

'Only me, Nick and his Dad know about this, Irina and my sister know the lie you fed' Aron said as if he just read my mind but it still didn't do any good to me.

'When will they stop searching for me?' I asked, my eyes focused on my vague reflection on the floor tile.

'Soon enough' Nicholas replied.

Without further talk, I turned around and walked back to my room.

I'm leaving this place as soon as I can.

* * *

Two more days passed by where I didn't get to see Nicholas. I didn't after all, wanted to see him again, not after our last conversation. Whenever his car approached or I hear him anywhere close by, I sprint away to my room and stay till he's gone. I just avoided him at all cost.

Whereas for Aron, he remained unaffected like the conversation never took place and that I wasn't actually sold by my father. He also noticed how I ignored Nicholas to great lengths but didn't question me.

Irina and Sophia, who were the only ones who believed my lies were as casual and normal they were from the beginning.

I've met everyone of Nicholas family except one person, his father. From the time Aron mentioned that only him, Nicholas and his father know about me, curiosity has got the best of me. I've never seen him coming home with Nicholas or Aron. I've never seen Irina talking about him too. I tried looking at the pictures on the walls, but no where I got to see Nicholas or his father. The pictures were all Sophia, Irina and another man whom Sophia mentioned is her father.

I was surprised at first, to see a man so strong and happily smiling at the camera is now somewhere living a life of nothingness. I couldn't even imagine the situation he's currently in. Sophia even showed me her mother's picture. I saw that she and Aron got their brown hair from their mother. Sophia looks more like her mother and Aron like his father.

Such a pretty family got destroyed when her aunt died and further got destroyed when her mom died.

Life is so cunning at times.

I was sitting in the den with a novel open in my hands but thoughts wandering my mind when I heard the car's engine, on the door step, ceasing. Irina entered with bags in her hands.

'Hello, dear' she said in a cheerfully voice.

'You need some help?' I asked, placing the book on the table and approaching her.

'Sure, please. Keep them all - oops, sorry, I'll take them' she took the bags she dropped down 'Keep them all in my room' she handed over the bags to me.

They were heavy and many as I tried to take them all in both my arms.

'What's all this, may I ask?'

'Oh, it's for the coming ball' she replied with a wide smile on her face.

'Ball?' I asked, clutching the one that was about to out of my hand.

'Yes. I'll tell you everything. Off you go now, loads of work to be done' She shooed me and went further in towards the back door and to the backyard.

She looks too excited and cheerful. I walked to her room, the bags weighing on my arms.

'Let me take those' Sophia came in view and took some of them from me.

'Thank you so much' I released a breath.

'Irina loves party, you see' She said, opening Irina's room.

'I see that'

The room was bigger than mine and it's one of the beautiful rooms I've ever seen. The huge king size bed was oval in shape, just the way the kings use to have. The orange lights wrapped the whole room giving a glow of golden. Huge, massive bookshelves were on one side. They were two doors, one of for bathroom, I'm sure and the other must be the dresser.

There was also a liquor cabinet and out the glass door of the balcony, I could see a swimming pool, not small but not big too.

'We'll just leave them here' Sophia said, and kept the bags on the bed, which I followed.

'Now, come on, we've got work' She said and headed to the door.

I tried to see the pictures on the wall but couldn't make it up because we already reached the door and were out.

'So, why's the ball?' I asked.

'Please say party. Nicholas father has decided to make the Crawford as their business partner and thus, hosting a party for their union' Sophia said.

'Where is the party?' I asked.

'At one their hotels, tonight' She replied.

An awkward thought came to my mind. Everyone will be attending the party and I'm sure Irina and Sophia will not leave me here. As far as I'm concerned, parties ain't me thing and going with them like a stranger, how am I going to face the people who know them and not me? Things will definitely get awkward once people start talking to me or even eyeing me.

'The Crawfords were dying to join hands with Nicholas father and became their business partner but Nicholas never agreed' she explained 'Don't know what changed his mind now. Complicated, Nicholas is. Anyway, since my dresses fit you, I have the perfect gown for you that you'll love'

'But Sophia-

'I know what you're thinking, Rose. Don't, worry Nicholas got it all handled' she said.

Nicholas handling things makes my stomach churn in discomfort. However, he's handling it, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like it.

Sophia left for a quick shopping and Irina made herself busy preparing herself for tonight and making sure all the requirements and met even though the party is being hosted by the Crawfords.

The Crawfords run a number of hotels all around the globe. They are known world wide and are epitome business magnets. If people like them are so desperate to make business with Nicholas and their family, I can't understand what business they do.

While walking towards to my room, Irina gave me some of the bags she had bought, even though I said they were all too much. She insisted I come to the party with them, after all it's a happy ball for her.

When Sophia returned back from her quick shopping, she came in with a gown in her hand but after seeing a gown, makeup set and a pair shoes on my bed and me sitting on the chair with arms around my knees and eyeing them like predators, she kept back the one she brought from her room and rubbed her hands in excitement.

'Time for party' she said, giving me a nasty smile which said me to run away from her, at least for tonight.

Sophia, whom I never knew was into makeup, loved to make my hair and face done. She spent hours together, working on my hair while I sat like a stone, not even allowed to move an inch. By the time she was done with my hair, my bum felt numb and my neck was giving me hard time. She took another hour caking up my face, ignoring all my pleas to not to apply mascara, lipstick, eyeliner - basically everything.

She finally left me gasping at my own reflection in the mirror, wondering who this bloody woman is.

I changed into a golden glittering gown that Irina bought for me. The gown was simple, sleeveless and long. I was happy there were no slits in between.

Irina looked younger in her black gown and Sophia was wearing a blue one. When we were ready, Boris, one the drivers, came to pick us up.

Throughout the ride, Irina and Sophia were busy talking and I was glad when they left me alone. My palms are sweating and by the time we reached our destination, I was curled into a ball of nervousness.

The huge building was bright and beautiful. The long tower had a huge C in the center and a small f on it with a leaf at its tip. The letters and the leaf were bright white. It's the symbol of the Crawfords hotels.

People in suits and rich gowns were getting down from rich cars and making their way to the hotel, letting the wallet to the parking.

Aron came out of the hotel and walked straight to us. He looks handsome in his black suit and black tie with a blue cloth in his square pocket.

'Finally, it's time to meet the Crawfords' Aron hooked his arm in sister's and winked at me after checking me out.

'Has Nicholas come already?' Irina asked Aron.

'Yeah, we reached here half an hour ago' Aron replied.

'And his Dad?' Irina asked.

'He said he'll be coming with Oscar Crawford and his son Turner' Aron replied, as we entered into a room ball room.

People indulged in talking, drinking and laughing. The walls were so high that the chandelier looks small even though it's a huge one. They were round tables and chairs around them and a small dias at the end. Long red satin covers were covering the windows and the whole room did look like a party.

My eyes fell on Nicholas who stood apart among these people. He dud the notice me yet and I took the liberty to watch him. He's wearing a black suit and a black tie too but the cloth in his square pocket was golden.

His eyebrows were scrunched in concentration as he listened to the man keenly, nodding his head. His black hair is neatly resting on one side of his head and his muscles seems to constrict whenever he lifts his arm up.

I've never seen a man as handsome as him.

As if feeling my stare on him, his eyes immediately turned towards my direction and froze me on spot. He excused himself and started to walk towards me, his eyes once not blinking or averting from me.

'Son' came Irina's voice, making Nicholas to turn away from me.

'Mom' He hugged his mom and placed a kiss on her cheek.

'How's its going till now?' Irina asked.

'Better than expected. The Crawfords are worst than we thought' Nicholas voice tightened 'If it wasn't for the advantage, I wouldn't have let Dad partner up with them'

'It'll be fine. The Crawfords know better than to mess with our business, I'm sure they will be loyal' Irina's eyes darkened and for the first time I saw totally a different lady.

'Mrs. Antonovich' Came a hoarse voice, making us all turn towards a man who must be in late 50s. He's eyes were ocean blue, so beautiful yet I saw the dangerous hint in them.

'Crawford' Irina acknowledged in a kind voice.

'Call me Oscar, it's a pleasure to finally meet you and your family' Oscar smiled at us all, his eyes staining on each one of us for a whole second. His smile, however, didn't reach his eyes.

'Pleasure's all mine' Irina said, in a sweet way.

'This way, please' He said.

We all followed him quietly. Everyone around turned to have a look at us and instantly started to whisper at each. Oscar, sometimes, stops at some tables and introduces us to his friends and business partners which I found it real boring because they were all fake to us. Oscar was constantly talking to Irina and sometimes to us in general but it was Irina who was willingly replying to him and showed genuine interest while the rest of us were quiet.

When we finally reached our table, he pulled the chair for Irina and we settled down with Nicholas towards my right and Sophia towards my left.

All the while I was so busy looking around or at Oscar and listening to his ridiculous comments on his hotels, that I forgot about Nicholas. Now that he's so closely seated next to me, I felt myself shrinking in his huge dominating presence.

'Madam Sophia, I heard shashlik is your favorite. I've specially asked my best cooks to prepare it for dinner' Oscar said, smiling at her.

'That's very kind of you, Mr. Crawford' Sophia replied politely.

He nodded at her and his eyes landed on me. His smile didn't vanish but a confusion settled in his eyes. I smiled back, not wanting to be rude.

'I'm sorry, but I never knew Aron had another sister' He said to me.

Aron chuckled at him and so did Sophia while I looked at him like he's the most dumbest person I've ever met in the world.

'Sophia is the only sister for Aron, Oscar' Irina replied 'She is Rose'

'Oh, I'm sorry for the misconception, she just resembles these two of them. Well, is a she a relative?' Oscar asked which made Irina quiet uncomfortable.

I could clearly see her struggling to come up with an answer. I don't blame her.

'Well, she...she's -

'She's my date' Nicholas answered.

My eyes widened but I sat as unaffected as possible. I hear Aron cough, mock cough and reach for a glass of water while Sophia put her head down, constantly tugging her hair behind the ear.

'Beautiful date, just like her name' Oscar said, giving me a nod.

The atmosphere turned awkward, if that was even possible. I saw Aron giving me the look and a sly smile playing on his lips. It was hard to ignore him, since that smile was sinister and made me feel exposed. I, however didn't dare to look at Nicholas.

The clinking of glass interrupted the atmosphere. The hall suddenly fell silent and all pair of eyes landed on the dias.

When I saw the source of the short noise, my eyes widened a fraction.

Standing on the dias was familiar man. Lantsov Vladimir Antonovich.

He looks young from here though he must be in his late 50s. Those cruel dark eyes were warm and he looks like a gentleman in his suit.

He started to talk and the entire attention fell upon him. I could hardly concentrate on his speech, because all I can think of is the news I read about him endlessly that covered the entire front page of the newspaper.

When he was done with his speech, everyone applauded and he started to walk down. People were shaking his hand and talking to him like he's their neighbor. The entire hall is cheering while I seem to be the only one who's dead serious.

When he started to come closer, my eyes started to widen. I saw Irina walking towards him which made me gulp in anxiousness. Lantsov is now smiling widely at Irina and when he just a step away from her, he snaked his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead, tenderly.

I found myself standing alone in my place while Aron, Sophia, Irina and even Nicholas are surrounding him with the people. Oscar was tapping him in the shoulder, pretending to be indulged in the conversation.

Irina is glued to his side and they made their way towards me. My breathe hitched up and tried hard not to look afraid.

'Hello, Rose, I'm afraid we haven't met before. I'm-

'Lantsov' I whispered before I could stop myself. Lantsov chuckled, humor gleaming in his eyes.

'That's right' he said, stretching his hand.

My hand shook as I lifted it up and wrapped it in his warm large hand.

'My son, Nicholas has told me about you. I'm finally glad to meet you'

My eyes fell out of my sockets.

I looked at Nicholas whose eyes are twinkling and his lips are forced to remain in thin line even though I saw him smirking. Aron on the other hand, turned his head around, finding a woman's wig more interesting.

'Rose are you okay?' Irina's concern voice made me snap my head back to the couple in front of me.

'Y-Yeah, I'm fine' I said 'It's a pleasure meeting you Mr. Lantsov'

Lantsov smiled, wrinkles visible near his eyes.

'He's been wanting to see you from day one. Work has kept him away from us for the past these days' Irina said, lightening the attention in me.

'I see' I replied.

'It's not usual for my son to bring a woman home and I was totally surprised when he told me about you' Lantsov said. His eyes were totally penetrating into like he can see my soul.

I smiled in reply and they got carried away when Oscar started to talk. I excused myself and sat in my seat, my eyes not leaving Lantsov.

This man, the most fearful man on earth is Nicholas father. I feel my thoughts jumbling in my head, all the dots connecting and forming a clear picture in my head.

Surely a man like him will have a family like Stark. No wonder Nicholas found out everything about me.

I can't believe a criminal's son saved me.