CHAPTER FOUR

Arielle’s POV

I knew the moment I stepped into Viktor’s house that this is not just a house but a system because everything was too prim and proper.

The doors opened  before I reached them,the lights adjusted automatically and the staff moved like they’ve been trained not just to serve but to disappear once their job was done.

And yet I felt they were watching though not openly watching me but enough to make it clear that I don't belong there.

“Miss Volkov,” a woman greeted me  as I stepped inside. She was in her mid-forties, she had sharp eyes and a professional smile. “I am Sir Viktor’s executive assistant. But you can call me Lydia.” she said. I nodded slightly.

 “I'm Arielle.” I said. I felt she knows that I'm not just a guest but the girl from the headlines who appeared from nowhere.

“This way,” she said, gesturing me  towards the staircase.

I followed her with my heels echoing softly against the marble floor.

I could hear low murmurs behind us but once I looked back it stopped. It was the domestic staff talking about me, maybe my identity and what would have brought me here but I cared less this time.

When I walked into my room, I was amazed at the size because it was bigger than the whole of my apartment. From the floor to the ceiling, windows and furniture, everything was so expensive.

“This will be your room, for now ” Lydia said.

“ How can the room just be mine alone?” I wondered if I wasn't going to be staying together with Viktor.

. “You’ll understand soon.” She replied calmly leaving me confused. But it doesn't sound reassuring because if we weren't going to stay together then what was the essence of us living together

“Mr. Sokolov will join you shortly.” she added before I could ask any more questions.Then she left as the door closed behind her.

And suddenly it just dawned on me that I am in an entirely different world as I thought about everything that happened in the last few days. Firstly I woke up on a stranger’s bed and next I'm playing as his girlfriend and living in his house. 

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I was looking composed and coordinated but eyes gave me away. It was soft which showed that I don't belong here.

A sound behind me made me turn only to see that he just walked in.

Viktor didn't say a word when he walked in, my body reacted with tension as he walked around the room like he owned the air there.

“ I can see that you are already settling quite well”. He finally spoke.

“ I'm still trying to understand the rules around here” I answer by crossing my arms.

“ Ohh I see, it's good you don't break them” he said with his face expressionless.

“ Even without knowing what they are yet?” I asked, almost laughing.

“ The rules are quite simple. Stay close to me in public. Don't contradict the narrative and don't disappear without notice”. He replied like was reading them out from somewhere.

“What of privately?” I asked again.

“In private, you should know your place.” He answered non-chalantly.

The words settled so heavily between us.

“I will be very careful not to break them”. I replied with so much uncertainty in my words.

“ That's Good”. He said coldly before leaving the room. But for some reason I felt he was avoiding my eyes but will figure that out later.

Tonight's dinner was quiet but not peaceful because one could feel the loudness of the silence.

Staff moved  in and out of the dining area, placing dishes, clearing plates, and  never lingering for so long but always present enough to remind me that I’m not alone.

And yet I felt like I was been judged like every move I make is being observed. 

When I looked at Viktor, he was calm as usual like he did not just threaten to destroy my life a few hours ago.

“Why are you so quiet?” He finally spoke after a long while.  

“I'm just thinking.” I replied, looking at him.

“About escaping ?” he asked.  Which almost burst into laughter.

“Do I have that option?” I asked 

“No, you don't” He answered 

“Then I’ll save my energy for other stuff,” I replied. 

His gaze stayed a little longer on me before he moved his eyes to the window. And something about that kept me wondering.

Later at night, while walking around my room and observing the environment around me, my phone buzzed in my hand. I looked and it was a message from an unknown number, I opened the message and my heart skipped, the message read; 

“Do you know who you’re living with?” My fingers froze instantly.

And right there another message came in immediately and it read; 

“You’re already in danger. You just don’t know it yet. If you doubt me, you can check his email to see for yourself”

My throat went dry instantly. 

I turned immediately towards the door, only to find out that I was the only one in the room.

Being surprised with what I just saw, I decided to go down stairs to the living room to at least cool off. But I was never expecting the scenario that I'm about to witness.

Halfway down the stairs, I heard voices coming from the living room. I knew someone was there as it was the voice of a woman and she was talking to someone not me.

“I waited so long for you Viktor.” she said

My breath seized as I moved closer to the door while staying out of sight in order not be noticed

“I don’t owe you anything Alora,” Viktor replied coldly which was differentfromthe way he speaks to me..

“I think you owe me a lot more than you can ever imagine”. Alora said firmly

There’s something dangerous in her voice, as her voice was confident and unapologetic. As I peeped more I saw more clearly, she is beautiful with her dark hair and sharp and with the kind of presence that demands attention. She doesn't look like someone who asks for permission but like someone who takes it.

I appeared visible at the stairs this time not hiding anymore

“Who is she?” she asked Viktor as  her gaze flickered towards the stairs and me. My heart skipped..

Viktor didn’t answer immediately.

“That’s none of your business” Viktor answered emotionlessly.

“Oh, it is my business, considering the fact that I know too much” . She threatened, laughing softly.

“What do you want from me, Alora?”Viktor asked.

“Ohhh now you are talking, I want what’s mine,” she answered simply.

My fingers tightened slightly as I thought of what she just said,

“Mine?, what did she mean by that?”. I thought to myself.

“You left and looked back,” Viktor retorted.

“And you forgot about me?” she shoots back.

At that point I did not understand what they’re talking about but could feel that it was but a history that is yet to be resolved and also something personal.

“You think I won’t expose you?, Everything that you’ve built will be gone if a single truth goes out”. She continued softly. 

“What is this about exposing him? I thought to myself again trying to catch my breath.

“I don’t make the same mistake twice,” Viktor said quietly.

“Neither do I,” she replied bluntly.

There was silence before she walked close to him.

“I’m giving you a choice now, ” she said. “ You have to choose between her or everything you have been hiding” she threatened.

“What is he hiding?”. I thought to myself.

I did not remember walking into the study or even closing the door but all I knew was that my hands were shaking.

Just then my phone bussed again and it was a message And it read;

“Now you see it, don’t you?”

I swallowed hard.

“What is really going on?”

“Who is this man?”

“What did I just land myself into?”

These were the thoughts hovering in my mind.

Slowly, I turned to see an opened laptop on the desk, I reached out for it and the screen lit up instantly.

It was unlocked as if it was waiting for me.

My breath caught as I saw folders.files and messages with one open email at the top.

And the subject line made my blood ran cold. It read; 

“The target has been confirmed: Arielle Volkov.”

My heart slammed  violently against my ribs. I think a really confused at this point.

When I clicked on it the first line that appeared read; .

“Proceed with surveillance until further instruction from V.S.”

My fingers went number as a question came to my mind. 

“Who is V.S?”

Then I decoded it to be Viktor Sokolov, my stomach dropped. Because suddenly, everything about the situation makes sense.

Ranging from the cars, the calls and the way he said that my life wasn’t mine anymore.

I just concluded that everything that happened wasn't a coincidence but planned.

And the most terrifying realization is that I was never a mistake rather I was the plan.