Chapter 14 : semyon
1093 Words
The Kareva mansion came into view as our cars turned through the gates.
I glanced out the window.
Anastasia sat beside me, scrolling through her phone, while Mikhail was across from us, looking out at the passing scenery.
“Do you think they'll like me?” Mikhail asked.
Anastasia looked up.
She smiled.
“They'll like you.”
Mikhail nodded, apparently satisfied.
I looked at my sister.
She gave me a look.
A small smile pulled at the corner of my mouth.
The car slowed as we approached the mansion.
My men were already moving into position around the property.
The other two cars followed before us.
Everything was quiet.
Controlled.
Exactly how I liked it.
The cars stopped.
I remained in my seat for a moment before finally stepping out.
The Karevas were waiting at the entrance.
Mrs. Kareva stepped forward with a welcoming smile.
“Oh, you've all made it.”
My aunt returned the greeting.
“It’s our pleasure.”
She greeted her and her husband before turning toward the others.
“This is Roman and his wife, Armani.”my aunt said with a smile smile.
Armani smiled politely.
“It's lovely to meet you.”
Roman gave a brief nod.
“And this is Viktor and his wife, Clara.”
Clara smiled.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Viktor looked far too pleased to be here.
I ignored him.
Mrs. Kareva's attention moved toward Anastasia.
“And this must be Anastasia.”
Anastasia smiled warmly.
“Yes.”
She rested a hand briefly against Mikhail's shoulder.
“And this is my son, Mikhail.”
Mikhail straightened slightly.
“Hello.”
“Hello, sweetheart.”
He smiled politely.
Irina stood beside her parents.
She greeted everyone properly, smiling as she was introduced.
Then her phone buzzed.
Her eyes dropped toward it.
She glanced at the screen and smiled.
Her mother noticed.
“Irina.”
She immediately looked up.
“Yes?”
“Put the phone away.”
She sighed.
“Okay.”
She slipped it into her bag.
We followed Mrs. Kareva inside.
Roman walked beside Armani, looking increasingly uncomfortable.
He glanced around the mansion.
“This house isn't bad.”
Armani said looking at him.
“That was almost a compliment.”
“It was a compliment.”
“I'm impressed.”
Roman gave her a look.
Clara shook her head.
“You're both unserious.”
We entered the dining room.
Everyone began taking their seats.
Mr. Kareva sat at the head of the table, with his wife beside him.
I took the seat at the opposite end.
Viktor sat nearby with Clara.
Roman sat with Armani.
My uncle and aunt took their places.
Anastasia sat beside Mikhail.
Irina sat beside Lucian.
Lucian was across the table from me.
His eyes met mine.
He didn't look away.
Neither did I.
There was something deliberate about the way he watched me.
He was studying me.
I respected that.
Mrs. Kareva glanced toward the doorway.
“I'll go get Alina.”
She left.
The room continued with quiet conversation.
I waited.
Then Mrs. Kareva returned.
Alina followed behind her.
I looked up.
And there she was.
The woman from the club.
Her eyes found mine.
She stopped.
Shock crossed her face.
For a moment, she simply stared at me.
She knew me.
But she hadn't known who I was.
Not until now.
Her eyes moved around the table before returning to me.
I almost smiled.
Then I noticed her dress.
Not the one I'd sent.
Interesting.
She'd deliberately chosen something else.
She was wearing a satin black floor-length gown, a diamond necklace resting against her collarbone, with dark makeup and a sleek, center-parted ponytail.
She looked composed.
Except for the look in her eyes.
She was clearly looking for somewhere else to sit.
I pulled out the chair beside me.
“Sit.”
Her eyes snapped toward me.
The look she gave me could have killed a weaker man.
Lucian's gaze sharpened immediately.
Alina stood there for another second.
Then she walked toward me.
She sat.
I pushed the chair in and returned to my seat.
Viktor glanced at me.
I ignored him again.
Dinner began.
At first, everything was surprisingly normal.
Conversations moved around the table.
Mikhail spoke quietly with his mother.
Roman occasionally answered Armani.
Viktor was enjoying himself far more than he should have been.
Clara kept giving him looks whenever he looked too amused.
Then Irina's eyes landed on my aunt's earrings.
“I love your earrings.”
My aunt smiled.
“Thank you.”
“Are those the limited edition ones?”
“They are.”
Irina's face brightened.
“I knew it.”
Anastasia smiled.
“You recognized them from across the table?”
“Of course.”
Mikhail looked at his mother.
“She really likes jewelry.”
“She does.”
Irina looked at him.
“What's wrong with having good taste?”
“Nothing.”
“Exactly.” she replied with a proud smile.
A small smile crossed Mikhail's face.
The conversation continued.
Then Alina's phone buzzed.
She looked down.
Something changed in her expression.
A smile appeared.
Not a warm one.
A deliberate one.
She reached for the wine bottle.
I watched her lift it and drink straight from it.
The table fell silent.
She lowered the bottle.
Then she leaned back and placed her legs on the table.
Mrs. Kareva's eyes widened.
Her father went still.
Irina stared at her sister.
Even Mikhail looked surprised.
Alina looked around the table.
“Well,” she said, “I'm really enjoying this dinner.”
“Alina,” her father said.
She looked at him.
“Yes?”
“What are you doing?”
“Enjoying myself.”
Her mother looked almost pleading.
“Please put your legs down.”
Alina reached for another piece of food.
“Why?”
My uncle leaned back in his chair.
"This is how she chooses to behave in front of the family ?"
Alina looked at him.
" I didn't realize dinner came with rules ."
His expression hardened.
"You're embarrassing your family ."
his gaze shifted towards me.
I knew exactly what he wanted .
He wanted me to react.
I set my glass down.
" Alina."
Her eyes moved towards mine .
"put your legs down."
she stared at me.
The room had gone completely quiet.
Then she slowly lowered her legs .
I learned back.
The silence remained.
But the look in her eyes told me one thing.
she wasn't finished.
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