CHAPTER FOUR: LINES THAT SHOULD NOT BE CROSSED
784 Words
……………
By the fourth day
Ava understood something clearly.
Dmitri Volkov didn’t just observe.
He watched.
Closely.
Constantly.
And today…
He wasn’t even trying to hide it.
……
“Miss Laurent, Mr. Volkov needs you in the conference room.”
Ava sighed softly.
“Of course he does.”
She stood up, smoothing her outfit before walking toward the room.
Another meeting.
Another test.
Another moment of him trying to assert control.
……………………
The conference room was already filled when she walked in.
Executives.
Investors.
All eyes turned to her.
Not because she mattered—
But because of who she worked for.
And who she stood beside.
………Dmitri sat at the head of the table.
Untouchable.
Unreachable.
Powerful.
His eyes lifted the moment she entered.
And just like that
The room disappeared.
“You’re late,” he said.
Ava checked the time.
“I’m not.”
A pause.
Then
“Sit.”
She did.
Right beside him.
Too close.
Again.
Always too close.
The meeting began.
Numbers.
Contracts.
Strategies.
Voices filled the room—but Ava’s focus stayed sharp.
Because she could feel it.
Him.
Right there.
Watching.
“Miss Laurent.”
Her head snapped slightly.
One of the investors was looking at her now.
“Since you’re Mr. Volkov’s assistant,” he continued, “perhaps you can explain the proposal?”
Ava didn’t hesitate.
She leaned forward slightly, speaking clearly.
Confident.
Precise.
Minutes passed.
And by the time she finished
Silence followed.
Not awkward.
Impressed.
Dmitri’s fingers tapped lightly on the table.
Once.
Twice.
Then
“Continue,” he said calmly.
But his eyes were on her.
Not the room.
Not the deal.
Her.
After the meeting
People slowly filed out.
Whispers again.
Always whispers.
Ava stood, gathering her things.
“You did well,” Dmitri said behind her.
She didn’t turn immediately.
“Thank you.”
Simple.
Professional.
But then
“You like attention?”
Ava froze slightly.
Then turned.
“What?”
Dmitri stood up slowly, walking toward her.
“That investor,” he said. “You seemed comfortable.”
Ava frowned.
“I answered a question.”
“You entertained him.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“No. I did my job.”
Silence.
Tight.
Sharp.
Dmitri stepped closer.
“You speak like you don’t understand what I’m saying.”
“Then maybe you’re not making sense.”
Wrong answer.
Again.
His jaw tightened slightly.
“You represent me,” he said coldly. “The way you act—”
“—doesn’t belong to you,” Ava cut in.
The room went still.
Even though no one else was there
It felt like the air had shifted.
Dmitri stared at her.
Long.
Hard.
Dangerous.
“You’re crossing a line,” he said quietly.
Ava stepped closer too.
Not backing down.
“Then stop drawing lines around me.”
That did it.
In one quick movement
Dmitri grabbed her arm.
Pulling her slightly closer.
Not rough.
But firm.
Controlled.
“Careful, Ava,” he said, his voice low.
Too close.
Way too close.
“You’re starting to test my patience.”
Ava looked down at his hand on her arm.
Then back at him.
Unshaken.
“Then maybe you should learn to control it.”
Silence.
For a moment
It felt like something could snap.
Like one wrong move would change everything.
Then
Dmitri released her.
Stepping back.
But his eyes never softened.
“You’re mine while you work here,” he said.
Ava’s expression hardened instantly.
“No.”
The word came out sharp.
Clear.
Unmovable.
“I work for you,” she continued,
“I don’t belong to you.”
Another pause.
Another clash.
Dmitri’s lips curved slightly.
Not amused.
Not pleased.
Something darker.
“That confidence…” he said slowly.
“…will be your downfall.”
Ava tilted her head.
“Or your problem.”
For a second
Something almost looked like approval in his eyes.
But it disappeared just as fast.
“Get back to work,” he said, turning away.
Conversation over.
Just like that.
Ava stood there for a moment longer.
Her heart beating faster than she wanted to admit.
Not fear.
Never fear.
Something else.
Something unfamiliar.
She turned and walked out.
But she could still feel it.
His presence.
His gaze.
Inside the room
Dmitri remained still.
His hand clenched slightly at his side.
“She doesn’t listen…”
The words were quiet.
Controlled.
But then—
A small smirk appeared.
Slow.
Dangerous.
“…I like that.”
And that was the problem.
……
Because Dmitri Volkov was no longer just observing Ava Laurent.
He was becoming interested.
………
And when a man like him becomes interested—
…………
Nothing stays simple.
……………………
- Writer
