Chapter 4

Natalia Morozova

The first thing I felt was warmth, not the cold night air, not the rough asphalt of the pavement, no not that. This was… soft and smooth it feels like I am sinking into a cloud.

I moved a bit sinking more into the softness, i slowly opened my eyes looking up to a ceiling I didn’t recognize...a pale cream dome edged with ornate gold molding, it had a big luxury chandelier which was lightning the morning light in soft shades across the walls.

Where I am? I slowly turned my head,looking around the room trying to understand where I was, the room was massive, the kind of massive you only saw in glossy magazines. It had large floor to ceiling windows which had beautiful long black curtains with some touches of gold on it, almost everything in the room was either black or gold or a mixture of gold, the furnitures were obviously those expensive luxurious ones you see in magazines.

This place obviously isn't a hotel.

It's a private residence.

I pushed myself up, knowing I shouldn't be here, I winced as pain exploded on the side of my stomach the memories of everything that happened last night rushed back... I was shot I placed my hand there as I looked down, my clothes were gone, If I remember correctly I was wearing a short black blouse and white shirt but now it was replaced with silk nightgown that clung on my skin. Someone had changed me, someone had changed my clothes.

That thought alone was enough to send my heart banging against my chest, I straighten up completely forgetting about the pain of the gun shot, how did I end up here? And who the changed my clothes?

I continued looking around room, and that’s when I saw him. He was sitting in a leather armchair in the far corner of the room, the place was dark and he was casually seated like he was part of the darkness, his legs were stretched out, one ankle resting lazily over the other knee, there was glass of something on the table beside him and he was holding a neat stack of papers.

Our eyes met, my eyes widened when I recognize who it was.

Mikhail Volkov.... I could feel anger build up in me as I continued looking into his eyes.

That same cold stare, he still had that dangerous aura around him “You are awake” he said his voice low and his Russian accent thick his expression was blank his.

I swallowed hard,keeping my own tone Normal although I was panicking, I shouldn't be here, he shouldn't have seen my face “Where am I?”

“My home” he replied as if that was all the explanation required “On the outskirts of the city”

I glanced toward the door, thinking of standing up and leaving as fast as I could, but I already knew that would be impossible there must be about a thousand guards in the place “And why exactly am I here? Last I remember I was in a dark alley"

One corner of his mouth twitched... Not in a nice way “You saved my life” he said his voice lower this time.

“I would have helped anyone in need of saving” I replied thinking of ways to get out of this place.

“That doesn’t matter devushka” he said slowly leaning back into the chair “You still did it, you saved me” His gaze dropped briefly to the my hand which was still placed on where I was shot “So I have decided to return the favor”

I furrowed my brow “That doesn’t answer my question”

Mikhail didn't say anything he just simply watched me, like a man studying a chessboard, waiting for the right move, I slowly started removing the sheets from my body, I don't even know who changed my clothes, I just hope is not him.

He cleared his throat turning my attention to him “You were reckless” he said at last "very bold, confident , brave And very… interesting”

I narrowed my eyes “If this is your way of saying thank you, I’ would pass, I would get going now” I said I slowly swung my legs over the side of the bed, testing my balance, but his voice stopped me before I could stand.

“You won’t leave” he replied simply his voice sounding more like a growl “I know who you are” he said his lips curving up to a smirk,.

No no no my cover I turned my head slowly to meet his gaze, does he already knows who I am, and why I was at the restaurant.

I doubt he does, cause if he knew who I really was I don't think I would still be alive talkless of waking up in such a luxurious room.

His smirk deepened as he stood with every step he took toward me my heart beat was increasing, I couldn't breath properly, what if my cover has really been blown? I haven't gotten my revenge for my brothers dead I can't die... I can't die until I put a bullet into Mikhail Volkov's heart.

He stopped at the edge of the bed, close enough that I could smell the faint scent of musk and wood on him, without a word he held out the stack of papers to me.

I hesitated then took them. Although it was just three papers holding it feels so heavy, I slowly opened the document. My eyes scanned the top sheet, it was written in russian and English text with official seals and signatures.

It was a marriage Certificate, I raised an eyebrow before my eyes landed to the names printed on the paper.

Written boldly was Mikhail Volkov and Alina Sokolov.

And then I saw it my own signature, it was cleanly signed at the bottom,I didn't sign this but it's identical to my real handwriting.

My heart hammered against my chest, I looked up at him, confusion and anger filled in my eyes “What the hell is this huh?” I questioned raising the papers to his face.

He only watched me, his grey eyes piercing holes through my brain, as if he was waiting for me to realize what this meant, I shook my head wildly as realization hit hard.