๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐ข๐ณ ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฒ.
683 Words
The question lingered in the room.
"Who were you talking to?"
Aria forced herself to breathe evenly.
"My assistant."
Nikolai remained in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"At this hour?"
"She needed tomorrow's meeting notes."
He held her gaze for several long seconds.
Long enough that she wondered if he could hear her heartbeat.
Finally, he nodded once.
"You work too much."
The tension in her shoulders easedโonly slightly.
"I know."
He walked farther into the room.
His eyes drifted over the books on her nightstand before returning to her.
"I've arranged something for this weekend."
"What is it?"
"A dinner."
"With whom?"
"The Morettis."
She blinked in surprise.
"My family?"
"They've been asking to see you."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"I'd like that."
"I know you would."
He reached out, smoothing an invisible crease from the sleeve of her robe.
To anyone watching, it would have looked like the gesture of a caring husband.
Aria knew better.
"I expect you to enjoy yourself."
"I will."
"And remember..."
His voice remained calm.
"...our private life stays private."
She lowered her eyes.
"Of course."
Only after he left did she allow herself to exhale.
---
The following evening, the Volkov mansion was filled with laughter.
Alessandro and Isabella admired the gardens while Matteo teased Aria about spending too much time behind a desk.
For a little while, the house almost felt like a home.
Dinner was elegant.
Conversation flowed easily between business updates and family stories.
Nikolai played the perfect host.
He poured wine, complimented Isabella's latest campaign for Sunset Beauty, and congratulated Matteo on opening another international branch.
Alessandro smiled warmly.
"You take good care of my daughter."
Across the table, Aria's fingers tightened around her fork.
Nikolai answered before she could.
"I do everything I can."
No one noticed the flicker of sadness in Aria's eyes.
---
After dessert, Isabella found Aria standing alone on the terrace.
The evening air was cool.
"You've always come outside when you needed to think," Isabella said gently.
Aria smiled.
"Some habits never change."
Her mother stepped beside her.
"Sweetheart..."
There was hesitation in her voice.
"Are you truly happy?"
The question struck deeper than Aria expected.
She looked out across the moonlit gardens.
"I have a good life."
"That's not what I asked."
Silence stretched between them.
For one fragile moment, Aria wanted to tell her everything.
She imagined saying the words aloud.
Mom... I'm scared.
Instead, she swallowed them.
"I worry too much."
Isabella wasn't convinced.
She wrapped an arm around her daughter's shoulders.
"You know you'll always have a place with us."
Aria leaned into the embrace.
"I know."
From the study window on the second floor, Nikolai watched them quietly.
His face betrayed nothing.
But his attention lingered on the way Aria clung to her mother for just a moment longer than usual.
---
Later that night, after the Morettis had gone home, Nikolai stood alone in his study.
Dmitri knocked once before entering.
"You asked for a report, sir."
Nikolai accepted the folder.
"Has anything changed?"
"Our surveillance confirms Mrs. Volkov has only met Mr. Voss during company business and public events."
Nikolai flipped through the pages.
"Nothing private?"
"No evidence."
He closed the folder.
"Continue watching."
"Yes, sir."
After Dmitri left, Nikolai remained by the window.
Snow drifted silently across the estate.
He loved Aria.
In his own mind, every decision he made was to keep her safe.
But somewhere beneath that conviction, another feeling had begun to grow.
Doubt.
And doubt, he knew, had destroyed stronger men than him.
Far across the city, Lior stood in his office overlooking Moscow.
His phone buzzed with a calendar reminder.
Sunset Beauty Executive Retreat โ Lake Serene Lodge โ Three Days.
He looked at the invitation again.
Three days away from the city.
Three days working alongside Aria.
He had accepted it for business.
Now, he couldn't shake the feeling that it might become something far more important.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But the retreat would become the turning point that changed all of their lives.
- Writer
