As Jardine made her way into her family's mansion, she felt like she was walking into a lion's den. Her heels echoed in the air as she pushed open the door to the living room and found her family on the velvet sofas, like they had been waiting for her. She had told them she'd be coming that morning, though. She felt a lump in her throat as she walked in, feeling the weight of their judgmental stares on her skin. She couldn't even look them in the face. "Good morning, Mom. Grandpa, grandma," she uttered and took a seat, facing them. Kalina was the only one absent from the room. "Finally, you decided to come home," her grandmother grumbled. She was an aged but fierce-looking woman. "I'm sorry, Grandma, but I just couldn't leave Lancelot," Jardine mumbled. Kalina came clumping down the stairs immediately. "Oh! Someone is finally home. Hey, big sis," she flashed a sarcastic smile at her, which Jardine ignored. "Hm. You don't look too good. Obviously, looking after Lancelot must'
She studied the man as he approached her, his shoes clacking against the polished floor. He stood tall and imposing, with broad shoulders and chiseled features that would've been handsome if it wasn't for the dark glint in his eyes. He had a Breguet Classique wrist watch on him, which spoke of how rich he was. He wasn't a face Adira had seen before. Turning back to the waitress, Adira asked. "Has someone already paid for this?" Her voice echoed with disapproval. "Uh... not yet, ma'am. But he did ask me to reserve it for him." The waitress replied, a little nervous. At this time, the young man was already standing next to Adira. "So, he hasn't paid yet," Adira rose her brows. "That simply means the sandwich is free to be taken. So, I'm here to pay for it." "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Miss," the strange man scoffed. "You haven't paid either. "And since I made the reservation before you, I have every reason to believe it's mine." Adira pivots to face him. "To be frank,
Adira kept staring at the door, waiting impatiently for Jardine's entrance.When Bonnie called and informed her of her visitor, she quickly permitted her to let her in. And in no time, the door was opened with Jardine and Bonnie coming in. Bonnie bowed and left, leaving the two ladies in the room.For a moment, time seemed to freeze as the two ladies stared at each other, the silence demeaning.Adira remained reclined in her seat, her gaze cold and piercing, while Jardine clasped her hands around her bag as she stood like a client.Casting a quick glance around the office, she was impressed by its nature. It was no ordinary office, but the domain of one who demanded the best. And it puzzled her the more that Adira was the one in charge of it. How did she get so lucky?"Take a seat." Adira's icy voice came.Jardine couldn't bring herself to look her in the face. So, she lowered her gaze as she walked towards the desk and took a seat, feeling humiliated. If it wasn't for her grandfather
Jardine winced as Adira's words hit her heart like a ton of bricks. She felt her head spin, wishing she hadn't heard correctly.kneel before her? For what reason? What sort of humiliation was that?Her gaze waned as she looked at Adira who had a smug smile on her face. She felt her heart clench in her chest. Kneeling before her was going to be more than an humiliation. How could she even suggest such a thing?"I'm sorry, but..." she stared downward and scoffed. "Why would you even want me to do that?"Adira gave a subdued eye roll. "Why else? You want my forgiveness, right? So, you should be willing to do anything to get it. Now, kneel before me, and I might give it some consideration."Jardine fisted her hands beside her. Never did she expect life to take such a turn on her. Nineteen months ago, who was Adira to even stand in her presence and talk back at her? She was a nobody! How could she have the nerve to sit there and make such a ridiculous request?She was tempted to leave—just
Jardine's steps echoed like thunder as she barged into the family's mansion, her eyes narrowed with fury. The servants who noticed her fierce aura scattered like miles as she walked pass them.Getting to the living room, she found her mother who flinched in fear at her mood."Jardine! What the hell, is everything okay?" Rowena asked with a frightened look.She's never seen her daughter that way before."No. Everything isn't okay!" Jardine yelled."Where are they? Where are Grandpa and Grandma? They caused this! They asked me to go out there and get humiliated!" She looked around the room, and just like they had morphed out of her thoughts, her grandparents came scuttling down the stairs."Jardine? What's the yelling for? Why screaming like that? Her grandmother, Vienna, questionedJardine had to take a deep breath to avoid screaming at her grandmother as well."I went to Adira's office, like you all wanted. And guess what she did to me? That bitch forced me to kneel with a promise of
Adira was utterly confused because Nikolai rarely got visitors. Who could it be?The bell rang again. And slowly, Adira stood up to get it.She opened the door, and surprise crept into her face when she noticed it was Vesper, Nikolai's brother.She was amused. Since she started living with Nikolai, Vesper had never paid them a visit. Why was he there all of a sudden?She threw an uncomfortable stare at him, still holding the door open."H...Hi," she forced herself to say.His chiseled frame filled out the sleek, form-fitting black outfit he wore. His steely gaze and tight-lipped expression only added to his intimidating presence, making Adira feel a sense of unease and apprehension."Adira Ravenswood," he called out, ending it with a dark smile.Adira found it offensive that he was addressing her by her old surname. Was he there to goad her?"How're you doing?" He added."I'm, um, I'm fine," she blinked hard, trying to get herself together. She's been trying not to mess with Nikolai's
Adira and Vesper's eyes darted to the door to find Yvonne, holding some bags and looking fazed. She flinched at the sight before her and quickly ran in. "My goodness! What's going on here?! Sir Vesper!" She recoiled in horror, dropping the bags carelessly on the floor. Though, Adira wy still in tears, she felt so relieved that somebody was finally there to save her. Her short was almost ripped apart, and if Yvonne hadn't stepped in, it'd have probably gotten worst. Vesper groaned as he got off Adira. "You bitch!" He grabbed Yvonne's neck. "How dare you come in at such a wrong moment, huh?! How fucking dare you?!"Yvonne grabbed his hands as she gasped for air. And shortly, he let her go. He returned to his bottle of wine and gulped down a large quantity. "You ruined a good moment, you know that?" He grumped to Yvonne. Adira was still on the couch, dabbing her tears and supporting her torn shirt with her hands. Yvonne couldn't move and just stood in-between. Then, Vesper went c
Adira's heart stopped as she caught sight of Nikolai, standing before her in his impeccably tailored suit. He looked every bit as cold as he used to be, his chiseled features betraying no hint of emotion. His sharp gaze locked onto hers, holding her in a moment of silence that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. With winded breath, Adira watched as his eyes slowly lowered dropped to the floor, taking in a sharp shard of glass that was right there. Her legs wobbled. Oh, no! Yvonne must've missed it while clearing up the glasses! Her skin prickled with fear. Was he going to have any hint of it?"Good evening," she greeted quickly, lowering her head afterwards. Then, she turned around to leave. "Adira." His deep cold voice made her freeze. It was deep, almost guttural, and the coldness that emanated from it made her shiver. Her body went rigid as she heard her name being called out in that voice. For the first time since they got married, he had addressed her by her name. The we