Chapter 3: First Meeting

Damian’s POV

FOUR WEEKS LATER

I had been in my room since I arrived. Derek knocked on the door several times before leaving for work. Today was an exception— he was still standing outside the door.

“Open up,” he nudged me, his thick accent echoing around the empty mansion.

I walked over and pulled the door open. He stood there in his scrubs battered and tired, exhausted, dark circles forming beneath his eyes.

“How have you been?” He asked softly, touching my shoulders, squeezing gently against the shoulder bone.

I pushed my hair back and ruffled it. It had been weeks—weeks of trying to map out every single thing, uploading my artwork on countless sites for people to notice and buy.

But, there was nobody to buy. Nobody was getting it. I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. I felt I was staying for way too long.

He understood. “I brought us some meals.”

“Let’s go and eat,” he moved away, walking towards the stairs.

I slipped a shirt over my body. And went downstairs, this time taking in the designs of the exclusive mansion.

The railings on the staircase took a beautiful ancient design. I couldn’t get my eyes over every single design, the chandelier stood magnificent in the middle of the big room.

We got to the dining and pulled the chairs so we could silently eat.

Each arrangement reminded me of home. We all sat down to eat together. We waited for everyone to get back before we eat dinner.

I had not received any calls since I got here. Nobody reached out to me, including Nolan.

They were serious about it and I had already made up my mind already.

Derek picked up the bowl of creamy broccoli and stilton and carefully poured them into his plate.

“I just called the restaurant to cook us something very nice,” he said silently.

I put a spoon of creamy broccoli and Stilton into my mouth, relishing the taste of the beautiful soup. It tasted better than home. The rich taste of the soup slid beautifully in my tongue.

I shut my eyes tightly.

“Do you like it?” Derek asked, carefully studying my face.

I nodded slightly.

As we silently devoured each of the foods that was brought.

Derek stood up immediately, checking the time on his wristwatch. “It’s time to go”

I nodded, with foods in my mouth.

“Take care of yourself,” he spoke.

I finished the food and picked every plates and utensils to get them washed.

I rinsed them thoroughly placing them in the dishwasher.

A loud, rich baritone voice came from outside the mansion.

“Derek,” the smooth voice called from outside.

Was Derek’s brother here to see him. My heart raced.

“Derek,” the voice called from outside, this time a little angry.

I left the plates and walked towards the door to meet the person and see who he was.

I opened the door slowly, preparing myself for the humiliation that could come after.

“Der—“ he stopped abruptly, seeing that I was a totally different person than his brother.

He walked towards me slowly. My breathing rapidly increased.

“Who do we have here?” He spoke, his cinnamon rich scent wafting and filling the whole place.

I opened the door properly so he could enter inside.

My lips quiver, afraid too speak.

His presence filled the empty mansion. He had a confidence you could mistake for pride. His hands kept firmly in his pocket, he moved towards me shutting the door behind.

“Derek did not say a word to me about his visitor. Did he?” He asked.

I stuttered. “He… I…m so sorry”

He arched his eyebrow. He looked more muscular than Derek. His broad smile played on his lips. His shirt stretched across his broad chest leaving a few buttons to expose his hair.

I just wanted to trail my hands over his abs.

He was the most handsome man I had ever seen.

He smiled lightly. “Just kidding. I’m Nikolai. Derek’s Dad.”

Derek’s Dad??? He looked younger than Derek.

I stared into his eyes. My words refused to spill out of my lips. I was too careful with my words. Careful I was going to say something to upset him.

I bowed my head slightly. “G…oo day Mr sokenvji”

He nodded his head slightly, stretching his hands forward. “Call me Nickolai instead.”

“Thank you, Mr…Nickolai” I thanked him.

His beauty captivated me in ways I couldn’t explain. His black suit complimented his deep blue eyes like the sea. I just wanted to stare deep into his eyes.

“Nice chest by the way” he said, making my cheeks flush. I stared at him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

I hadn’t noticed when Derek came into the house.

He cleared his throat.

The timer on the dishwasher dinged caused a whole distraction to the whole tension that was already created.

“Dad,” Derek faced his dad immediately, ignoring the tension between the two of us.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming. I just forgot something and I thought I should come back,” he said, watching between me and his dad.

I turned away quickly and walked into the kitchen, while my ear lingered into their conversation.

“This is my house, remember?” He joked lightly, his gaze never fully left me.

“I forgot something and decided to come back.”

Derek’s eyes moved between us.

“I see you’ve met Damian already.” He paused.

“Not properly,” His dad answered, causing my thighs to tremble.

The way he looked at me—like he could see through me.

And that made me feel

Vulnerable.

Exposed.

Seen.

Afraid he was going to point out my insecurities, afraid and it made me feel seen.

And that terrified me.

“Damian,” Derek called, pulling me back into reality.

“I’ll be leaving now,” he said gently. “And I apologize about my Dad,” he smiled.

I nodded quickly and stepped away, moving towards the kitchen.

His voice followed. “See you soon.”

I froze for a second , before walking away finally.

It wasn’t until I got to my room, closing the door behind me that I realised I had been holding my breath the entire time.

And I wasn’t sure if I was more afraid of him.

Or the fact that part of me wanted him to come back.