Vengeance

CHAPTER 7

Mikhail has never been the nervous type. He was naturally confident, sometimes to the point of arrogance. However, his emotions were all over the place at the moment. He has never experienced butterflies in his stomach, but as the saying goes, there is a first time for everything.

Tabitha had reawakened the emotions within him that he didn’t even know existed. For the first time in his entire life, he felt nervous. He wanted this date to be flawless. He wanted her to enjoy herself like never before. With that thought driving him, Mikhail meticulously planned what he hoped would be the most extraordinary date of her life.

He couldn't help but grin as he double-checked her address on his phone. He picked her up at seven in the evening, as planned. The world seemed to stop when she opened the door to her apartment and revealed herself in a magnificent knee-length crimson dress. His breath hitched, and his gaze locked on her as though he feared missing even a single second of this breathtaking moment.

“You look absolutely stunning,” he said, his voice laced with awe.

Her shy smile was all the response he needed before he extended his hand to lead her to the car. The drive to one of the most luxurious restaurants in town was filled with light conversation, but his mind kept drifting back to how effortlessly captivating she looked. For Mikhail, this evening already felt like magic, and he vowed to make it even more memorable for her.

He was having a great time with her, but he could tell she was feeling uneasy.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently, his concern clear in his tone.

“Nothing,” Tabitha replied, offering him a small smile in an attempt to dismiss it.

He leaned forward, his eyes soft yet searching. "Tabby, sure, I may not have known you for a very long time under these circumstances, but I feel like I know you well enough to sense when something is bothering you. Is it the food? Or the wine? Don’t you like it here?”

"The food is fantastic, as is the wine.”

“Then what is troubling you?”

Tabitha hesitated for a moment before sighing softly, her gaze meeting his. She knew she couldn’t keep her feelings hidden from him, not when he looked at her with such sincerity.

“To be completely honest, I feel a little out of place in places like these. I am more of a diner person." She informed him, hoping he wouldn't be offended by her admission.

"Under no circumstances must you feel uncomfortable here. All of these people are humans, like you and me. Some are wealthier than others." Mikhail said softly, his fingers gently closing around hers.

Tabitha glanced at their joined hands. "I don’t know. Or maybe it's just jitters. I really don’t remember the last time we actually went out."

Mikhail's brow furrowed in disbelief. ‘How could a man not take a woman like Tabitha out at every given opportunity?’

"Seriously?" he asked, his tone a mixture of surprise and mild indignation. "We’ve seriously got to do something about that."

"True, but you've never been the type to hang out in the open. I was honestly taken aback when you suggested we go out."

"Get used to it. Because if there is any place you wish to explore, I am your man. Name the place, and we will go there. So, Miss Tabitha," he said with a grin, "please tell me. What kind of places do you like to go to eat and relax?"

She chuckled softly, easing into her surroundings. "Normally, I enjoy going to the bar a few blocks down the street. It is not far from my home. They have killer burgers and fries. Plus, some good booze makes the meal perfect."

"Really? Then let's go."

Tabitha’s eyes widened in surprise. "What?”

Mikhail shrugged, his lips curving into a laid-back smile. "Why not? As long as I get to spend time with you, I don’t care where we eat or hang out." He glanced around the restaurant briefly before adding, "To be honest, this place is a little overdone. The portions are way too small to fill anyone’s stomach."

"Then why this place for tonight?" She asked with curiosity.

Mikhail hesitated for a bit before giving her a mischievous glance. "Should I be embarrassed to admit that I wanted to impress you?" His voice carried a hint of shyness, something rare for him.

“You wanted to impress me?” Tabitha’s smile softened. “Mikhail, you don’t need to take me to expensive places for that. Just be your true self, and that would be enough for me.”

They sat there for a moment, just looking at each other, the weight of their connection hanging in the air between them. It felt like the world outside had faded, leaving only the two of them, anchored in the simple truth of their shared understanding.

The two of them left the restaurant, and Tabitha led him to the bar, a casual yet lively place that was far removed from the polished elegance of the restaurant. Mikhail hadn’t expected to enjoy it as much as he did, but the easy atmosphere and her infectious laughter made it hard not to. She was in her element, and he found himself savoring every moment.

However, he didn’t like the way other men were staring at his girl. A protective instinct he hadn’t realized he had kicked in, and he found himself subtly shifting closer to her.

The evening had turned chilly, and as if on instinct, Mikhail draped his coat over her shoulders. The warmth of it seemed to settle over her, and she glanced up at him with a smile of gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft and sincere.

"Anything for you," Mikhail replied, his voice low with a tenderness that caught her off guard.

It was midnight, and the sound of their laughter echoed in the streets as they walked towards Tabitha’s residence. Both Mikhail and Tabitha were tipsy, a little unsteady, and completely caught up in the joy of the evening. As they reached her home, neither of them wanted the night to end. They stood there for the moment, the air between them thick with unspoken words. But Mikhail didn't want to push anything too far.

He was about to step back, turning to head home, when he felt Tabitha slip her hand into his, stopping him.

"Yes, Tabby?" He asked, his voice low, unsure of what was coming next.

"Hmm," she murmured, a little tipsy and a little brazen as she pulled him closer.

Before he could fully process it, Tabitha pressed her lips on his. The kiss was sudden and unexpected and sent a jolt of electricity through him. Mikhail, slightly taken aback, melted into the kiss, his hand finding its place on the small of her back as he deepened it.

It was a challenge to resist her, especially with the effects of the alcohol still coursing through his veins. His resolve had already been weakened, and the moment her lips met his, all remaining strength seemed to drain from him.

Sitting in the booth at the bar earlier, the tension between them kept on growing. There had been an undeniable, burning need that neither of them could deny. He'd never felt this way about anyone before. He felt the need to be closer to her, but he knew he couldn't, but now, in the dim light of her apartment, the fight was slipping away.

"Tabitha, we need to stop before we do something that you will regret in the morning," Mikhail said, his voice strained between the kisses.

He pulled back slightly, hoping his words would be enough to slow things down, even if he didn’t really want to stop.

She looked at him with a mix of confusion and determination in her eyes. "Why would I regret anything with you, Mikhail? I don’t want us to stop unless you don’t want us to."

Mikhail could see a flicker of doubt in her, and it stirred something protective inside him. He despised seeing her unsure of herself, so without hesitation, he cupped her face and kissed her.

"Never think for a second that I don't want you. From the moment I saw you that day, I knew that you were going to be the sole reason for my existence."

Her response was lost in their kiss, a shared silent understanding passing between them. They moved to her room, their steps unsteady, the weight of alcohol heightening the urgency of the moment. Neither of them had clear thoughts anymore, only impulses—the desire to give in.

Hours passed in the sanctuary of her room, blissfully unaware of the outside world, emotions consuming both of them.