Chapter 6

(Nikolai's POV)

The sharp slam of the study door echoed through the penthouse.

Tristan strode across the room, his footsteps heavy against the floor. His jaw was clenched, and the file in his hand bent beneath the pressure of his grip.

He stopped beside the desk and dragged a hand through his hair. I was jolted from where I was standing, he hadn't set his eyes on me.

“Unbelievable.”

His voice was low, but the anger beneath it was unmistakable. He paced once, then stopped abruptly, staring at the phone on his desk as though it had personally offended him.

Another frustrated breath escaped him. His noise had reached me from the bedroom, I stirred beneath my blanket, I frowned at the disturbance.

I was about turning to leave when I heard a second sharp sound, Tristan slammed his drawer shut making my heart race.

What could make him this angry in the morning?

For a moment, I stood still, blinking into space and waiting for his next move. As I predicted, I heard Tristan's furious voice, it startled me and I walked into his study to figure out what on earth was happening with him.

“I don't want to see you this morning, don't add to my anger, Nikolai,” I refused to listen to him. I shut the door behind me.

“You made me leave the room without a bra on, you scared the shit out of me!!”

“What's your problem? Are you the only human being in this house? Can't you take your frustrations elsewhere?” I blurted out. My breathing is coming out heavily.

“Can't you pretend to be a good wife with all the ears everywhere?”

“Oh! Please! I can't tame the dragon in you, I wonder how my brother kept you as a friend but here you are being his best friend… I'm sleeping, don't disturb me, rubbish.” 

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, arranged my pajamas and put on a practiced smile before reaching for the door knob.

I opened the door and stepped out just to find Mrs. Joyce and Grace eavesdropping and shunned them. I warned them to leave him and went back to bed.

My phone had been buzzing when I came inside the room and went to it. Seeing my mum's calls without picking up made my heart twitch.

I dialed Rose's contact once again and was again directed to voicemail. I lounged on the bed and called her again and was met with the same fate.

A message from Nicholas came in and I opened it to see his usual cursing.

*Mum has been worried about you, man. Come home or I will be forced to make Tristan use his connection to force you back*

I let out a bitter laugh, Tristan won't even worry about it and wave it off. I sent them a message each not to look for me that I'll return when it's time to return.

I went to my box and brought out my work file and went through it. I was supposed to resume and earn my keep and continue working in my father's company. I brushed my fingers against them in disappointment.

My hunger had ceased earlier, so I went to the mirror and dolled myself up. I started searching for what to do to keep myself busy and settled for an online solitaire game.

“He's winning,” I groaned and laid on my stomach to continue.

“First, I was a contract paralegal and now? I'm a housewife, thanks to my sister,”

“Got yaaaaa!!”

I won the round and started afresh with another player and won. I kept playing until someone played against me and took the trophy and I exited the game.

“I'm so bored right now and I'm not hungry… I can settle for snacks.” I left the bed and marched downstairs unburdened.

I requested snacks and sent the orders to Tristan's rider and went to the dining, I drummed my fingertips lightly on the table. Grace came and sat opposite my direction and I raked over.

“Has he gone to work?”

“”Yes, Mrs. Sinclair,”

“Don't call me that!” scolded and she helped and clutched her chest.

“What should I call you?”

“Oh! God!” I slapped my forehead.

“Rose, my name is Rose,”

“Okay, Mrs. Rose but Mr. Sinclair is going to yell at me, with your husband being fierce, I can't just call you Rose.” she smiled softly and lowered her head.

I hissed and bent my head on the table to enjoy the cozy dining. Iris announced my order was on the day and Grace left to get them.

I requested a plate and emptied the snacks into it and started munching loudly. I walked around the penthouse. Every munch settled like a pin dropping in a stretched silence.

The floral tang of scent pinched my nose as soon as I stepped into the golden living room.

“Iris, turn on the television,”

“I'll do that for your Mrs. Sinclair,”

“Mrs. Sinclair, my foot.” I dropped the plate and arranged my bra and took the remote.

I kept moving from one channel to another for something spicy. I bit my finger and searched again. The next channel displayed trending news and I dropped the remote to focus.

Tristan appeared on it when his name was mentioned as Jonas defender. It was an inaudible video, the security covered Jonas' face and led him into the court before Tristan followed suit.

“The court hearing will be live, stay tuned in this channel,” the newscaster announced.

“Interesting show to spice my morning up.” I told Iris to cover the living room in total darkness.

The hearing started from the ushering of the judge in the courtroom, I eased into the sofa and held my snacks tight.

“Why am I trembling?”

“Prosecutor?”

The judge called Tristan and he came out of his seat and stood in the middle of the room and pecked into the file in his hand. He absorbed his surroundings and looked at the defendant.

He stood composed, his movement practiced. He was ready to win the case.