𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗻: 𝗔 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲.
658 Words
The black Rolls-Royce waited outside Sunset Beauty's headquarters.
Its polished exterior reflected the afternoon sun, drawing curious glances from employees leaving work.
Aria walked toward it, every step measured.
The chauffeur opened the rear door.
Inside, Nikolai was already seated, reading documents on his tablet.
He didn't look up as she entered.
The door closed.
The car pulled away.
"How was the press conference?" he asked.
"It went well."
"I watched it."
Her heart skipped.
He finally turned his attention to her.
"You represented both our families perfectly."
"Thank you."
His gaze lingered on the diamond necklace around her neck.
"I'm pleased you're wearing my gift."
She touched it instinctively.
"It's beautiful."
"It belongs on you."
For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then he asked quietly,
"Did Lior speak to you alone?"
Aria hesitated.
"We discussed the partnership after the conference."
"And nothing else?"
"No."
Nikolai studied her face.
His expression remained calm, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.
"I believe you."
Relief washed over her.
Until he added,
"Don't make me regret it."
---
That evening, Aria sat alone in the library of the Volkov mansion.
Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling, but she wasn't reading.
She opened the leather notebook Lior had given her.
Blank pages.
Endless possibilities.
She picked up a pen.
For several minutes, she simply stared at the paper.
Finally, she wrote:
I don't remember what freedom feels like.
She read the sentence twice.
Then she quickly tore the page out.
She folded it into a tiny square and slipped it into the fireplace.
The flames consumed it within seconds.
Some thoughts were too dangerous to leave behind.
---
Across the city, Lior stood on the balcony of his penthouse overlooking Moscow.
Marco joined him with another folder.
"Our people have been asking discreet questions."
Lior looked over.
"And?"
Marco hesitated.
"The Volkov household has a reputation."
"What kind of reputation?"
"Servants rarely stay more than a few months."
"Why?"
"They refuse to say."
Lior frowned.
"Anyone willing to talk?"
"One former driver."
Marco handed him a small business card.
"He agreed to meet tomorrow."
Lior slipped the card into his pocket.
"This stays between us."
Marco nodded.
"If Nikolai finds out we're investigating him..."
"I know."
Neither man finished the sentence.
They didn't need to.
---
The next afternoon, Aria attended a product photoshoot at Sunset Beauty's private studio.
Her mother, Isabella, stood beneath the lights, effortlessly posing for the new luxury campaign.
Even in her forties, she remained the face of elegance.
When the cameras paused, Isabella walked over to her daughter.
"You've been working too hard."
"I'm fine."
"A mother knows when her child is pretending."
Aria's smile faltered.
"I'm just tired."
Isabella gently touched her cheek.
"You know you can tell me anything."
For a split second, Aria wanted to.
She wanted to tell her mother everything.
About the bruises.
The fear.
The sleepless nights.
Instead, she hugged her tightly.
"I love you, Mom."
A surprised smile spread across Isabella's face as she hugged her back.
"I love you too, sweetheart."
From across the studio, Alessandro watched them with a warm smile.
He had no idea that his daughter had nearly broken down in her mother's arms.
---
That night, as snow drifted quietly over Moscow, Lior received a single text message from an unknown number.
Meet me alone tomorrow. I know what happens inside the Volkov mansion.
There was no name.
No explanation.
Only an address.
Lior read the message twice.
His instincts told him it could be a trap.
But if it wasn't...
It might be the first real clue to the truth Aria had been hiding.
He slipped on his coat and looked out over the city.
Somewhere beyond the lights, Aria was preparing to spend another night behind the gates of the Volkov estate.
He made himself one promise.
No matter what he discovered tomorrow...
He would not look away.
- Writer
