Surprise Visit
As Elena Petrova exited the bathroom, a cloud of warm steam trailed behind her into her bedroom, prompting her to snugly wrap the towel around herself.
The room was vast, featuring high ceilings, luxurious velvet drapes, and windows offering a panoramic view of the expansive estate stretching out beneath. A chandelier bathed her oversized bed and the cream-colored seating arrangement by the fireplace in a gentle glow.
The room exuded an air of quiet, accumulated wealth. She moved towards the vanity, water cascading down her back.
Her brown hair, saturated from the shower, lay wet against her back, its color deepened by the water. Makeup, meticulously organized in glass containers, lined the shelves. Elena retrieved her foundation from a drawer, her grey-blue gaze fixed on her image in the mirror.
A gentle rap echoed from the doorway.
Before she could respond, the door swung open, and her maid entered, bearing a tray. "You haven't had lunch, Miss Elena," the older woman remarked softly, offering her tea.
Elena felt a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Anya. Just leave it as is."
Anya set the tray down on the table next to the vanity. "Your father's been in meetings all day," she said cautiously, "and the house has a heavy atmosphere."
“It always does,” Elena murmured, blending her makeup.
Anya hesitated, studying her. “Are you going out later?”
“Maybe,” Elena replied. “I need fresh air.”
Anya nodded, then moved toward the door. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
The room fell quiet again. Elena applied mascara slowly, her movements controlled. She didn’t use heavy makeup; she never needed it. A soft neutral lip finished the look. She looked composed, calm, untouched by the chaos that always hovered around her family.
Another knock sounded, firmer this time.
Elena sighed softly. “Come in.”
One of the house guards stepped inside. He stayed near the door, respectful. “Miss Petrova, your father wants to see you in his office.”
She frowned slightly. “Now?”
“Yes.”
Elena picked up a brush, running it once through her hair. “Tell him I’m coming.”
The guard nodded and left. The moment the door closed, she rolled her eyes faintly.
She hated being summoned.
Elena slipped into a fitted charcoal dress and stepped into black heels. She grabbed her phone from the vanity, then headed out. The hallway was quiet, and thankfully, no guards followed her. They knew better. Elena had made it clear she didn’t like being shadowed like a prisoner.
She passed a pair of maids whispering near the staircase. They quickly fell silent when she approached. Something in the air felt off. Too many closed doors. Too many hushed voices.
Her father’s office doors came into view.
She knocked once and entered without waiting.
The office was large and dimly lit, dominated by a massive mahogany desk. Shelves lined the walls, filled with files and leather-bound books. A map marked with territories hung behind the desk. The scent of cigars lingered faintly in the air.
Viktor Petrov stood near the window, hands behind his back.
“Elena,” he said without turning.
“You called for me.”
He turned slowly, his cold gaze settling on her. “Sit.”
She sat across from him, crossing her legs. “What is it?”
Viktor walked behind his desk and poured himself a drink. “We have a guest arriving.”
Elena leaned back slightly. “Who?”
“Luca Rossi.”
Her expression tightened.
“The Italian?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Elena already didn’t like where this was going. “Why?”
Viktor met her eyes directly. “He’s coming to ask for your hand in marriage.”
Her jaw tightened instantly. She didn’t speak for a moment.
“You’re joking,” she said finally.
“I’m not.”
Elena exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm. “And you agreed?”
“Yes.”
Her fingers curled against the armrest. “You decided this without telling me.”
“It’s necessary,” Viktor replied evenly. “The alliance strengthens both families. It expands influence. Rossi gains access to our eastern routes, and we gain his ports.”
“So I’m a negotiation,” she said quietly.
“You’re my daughter,” he corrected. “You understand duty.”
Elena looked away, jaw tight. She was angry, but she wouldn’t shout. Not at him. Not here.
“When is he coming?” she asked.
Viktor checked his watch. “He’s already on his way.”
Her head snapped back to him. “You didn’t even give me time?”
“He’ll be here shortly.”
Elena stood abruptly, then stopped herself. She forced her shoulders to relax. “You could’ve warned me.”
“There’s nothing to prepare. The decision is made.”
She turned toward the window, trying to steady herself. This wasn’t just a marriage. It was permanent. Binding. Strategic. And she hadn’t been given a choice.
Footsteps sounded outside the office.
Heavy, Confident strides.
Elena’s stomach tightened.
The door opened without a knock.
Two men stepped in first, scanning the room. Then he walked in.
Luca Rossi.
He was tall — easily 6’3 — with broad shoulders filling his dark suit. His dark brown hair was slightly tousled, and his eyes were even darker, almost black. There was something controlled about the way he moved, like a predator that didn’t need to rush.
Authority followed him into the room.
He stopped a few feet inside, his gaze shifting from Viktor… to her.
Elena was already looking at him.
Their eyes locked.
She felt irritation rise instantly. This man had come to claim her like territory. Like she was another piece in his empire.
Luca’s expression remained calm, but something flickered in his eyes as he studied her. Assessing. Calculating.
Interested.
The room went silent.
And neither of them looked away.
