Trouble? No, Not Today!

Clara’s POV

“What?” he blurted, finally turning to me.

“You heard me. Why do you keep tempting me if you've truly gotten over me?”

He scoffed, it sounded more like a thing of mockery than an actual scoff. “Don't get ideas okay, I've gotten over you… long ago.”

“And what we have now, it's just a game... it's fun watching you pretend, and to be sincere, you've been doing it so well.”

“Nikolai—”

He turned away, voice sharp. “Shut it, we're done with this topic.”

He left me standing there, breathless and empty. I told myself I hated him for shutting me out just like that but the lie sat heavy in my chest.

If only he could hear me out just this once.

⁠✿✿⁠✿

Later That Night

I made my way down the stairs, dressed in a white dinner gown. Victor had called earlier to inform me he was going to have an impromptu business dinner so I had to get things ready, ASAP.

The house looked like a painting. Warm lights, perfect rich people with polished laughter. I followed Victor through the crowd, smiling as he introduced me to his guests.

“Meet my beautiful wife, Clara.” He said proudly.

Every time he said the word “my wife”, I got a pang of guilt in my heart but smiled regardless. 

Everything was going perfectly until Nikolai walked in with his well-ironed dark suit. He took confident strides and that careful, calculated charm he used when people were watching the same charm that attracted me to him years ago during freshman party.

He greeted everyone but me. When our eyes finally met, his were cold enough to make me forget how to breathe.

Victor beamed. “There's my boy, the future of Novarion Group.”

“Come meet some of the partners.” He added as Nikolai moved closer, his smile smooth.

“You look stunning tonight, Clara.”

People might see it as a compliment but to me, it was more like a warning.

I managed a polite nod. “Thank you.”

“She's been a blessing,” Victor added, resting a hand on my back.

Nikolai's gaze flicked to the gesture, lingered, then shifted back to me. “I'm sure she's been.”

I swallowed. “You're late, step-son.”

“Got held up by a beautiful lady I met on my way here—” he gave a faint yet mocking smile.

My stomach churned but I did my best to keep a big smile plastered on my face, the smile I’d practiced in front of the mirror. The one that'll hide my discomfort tonight.

“But I always show up when it matters,” he added.

Something in his tone made my pulse jump.

The meet n’ greet went on for another thirty minutes and all through, I did all I could to avoid Nikolai's scrutinizing looks. He had a way of making me feel uncomfortable without even trying.

Soon, the maid came to announce that dinner's ready and we were led to the big dinner room or should I say, dinner hall? lt was located at another part of the mansion. The table could accommodate over 50 people and we aren't even up to 50 now.

We settled down, with Victor seated to my left and Nikolai right next to me. He kept the conversation flowing through business projects, overseas meetings. I nodded, smiled and played my role beside him speaking only when a question is directed at me.

I was feeling so uncomfortable with Nikolai seated beside me and the silence from him wasn't helping matters at all. Our eyes occasionally met and each time he did, my throat ran dry.

“Clara,” Victor called warmly, “Why don't you tell them about the foundation idea you mentioned?”

“Oh—uh…” I fumbled, feeling Nikolai's face burn through me. “It's just… I think we should start with scholarships for the staff's families—”

“Thoughtful,” Nikolai interrupted smoothly.

“Have you always been good at pretending to care?”

My head snapped up. “Excuse me, mister?”

He smiled, slow but deliberate. “I said it's rare to see someone so dedicated to family.”

Victor laughed, oblivious of the tension between us. “He's just teasing Clara. Don't mind him.”

“Of course, why should I?” I said softly, forcing a smile.

The partners immediately picked up the idea I brought. Some praised it, saying it would make the staff members want to focus more on the company as a way of repaying the good deed.

Under the table, Nikolai's shoe brushed my ankle, once and I shrugged it off thinking it was a mistake but he did it again, this time, a knowing look followed my fingers tightened around my wine glass.

Victor turned to me. “You okay, baby?”

“Fine,” I said quickly. “Just a bit warm.”

Nikolai leaned closer. His voice was so low that only I could hear. “You hid it so well. I mean the tremble.”

“Nikolai,” I whispered, “stop.”

“I can't.” His smile didn't reach his eyes. “It's too easy.”

I kicked his leg lightly under the table as I glared at him.

He chuckled. “There's the fire I missed.”

Victor's gaze darted between us. “You two seem to be getting along tonight.”

“Something like that,” Nikolai said, still looking at me.

“This should continue I'll be so fulfilled seeing you two get along.”

The very unpleasant dinner soon came to an end and I could finally breathe, away from Nikolai's choking gaze. When the guests left, Victor wrapped his arms around my waist.

“You were so perfect tonight.”

“Was I?” I asked in a flirty tone.

He kissed my temple. “Always… and my partners totally loved your idea.”

My eyes lit up, “They did?”

“Yes… In fact, they offered to invest more and start the project ASAP.”

I squealed, jumping into his arms I'd always watched him talk about big business plans I never understood and I feel so happy being able to contribute to them today.

“I love seeing you happy,” he murmured, nuzzling against my neck.

“Thank you for always making me happy.”

He nodded.

“I'll go change now. I've been so uncomfortable in this—”

He blinked an approval and I scurried up the stairs like my heels were on fire. As I entered my room, I shut the door and pressed my palms to it, breathing hard. The night was silent, except for my heartbeat.

Remembering all Nikolai's annoying advances, I muttered.

“He won't touch me again,” I told the empty room. “I won't let him.”

I started unbuttoning my dress, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My lipstick was smudged; my eyes looked haunted I wonder how I managed to pull that perfection before the guests.

“You're losing control,” I whispered to myself. “Get it together.”

A soft sound behind me made me freeze.

The door clicked.

“Victor?”

No answer.

I turned only to see Nikolai sitting on the edge of the bed. His jacket off, sleeves rolled to his elbows.

“I— I thought you’d left already.” I managed to say.

“Where exactly?”

“To your girlfriend…” my brows furrowed

He chuckled lightly. “You don't seem happy about it.”

“Quite the contrary,” I scoffed

“I'm so happy I'm very happy my soul could jump out of my body. At least, you can finally let me be.”

“Clara, I can't let you be not when I'm not done with you.”

“Get out,” I whispered. “If Victor—”

“He won't.” Nikolai's tone was calm, almost mocking. “He doesn't even notice what's right in front of him.”

“You shouldn't be here.”

He took a step closer. “Maybe not. But you don’t really want me to leave.”

“I do.”

“Say it like you mean it.”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. “Nikolai, please…”

He stopped inches away. “You don't miss my touch? The way I called your name? The way I fucked you from behind? You don't miss any of that?”

“Leave—”

“Yes, you do.” His voice was softer now, dangerous in its quiet. “You think I don’t see how much you want this?”

“Nikolai, enough.”

For a moment, we just looked at each other, breathing the same air, the tension was thick enough to make me choke.

Then.

A knock at the door.

“Sweetheart?” Victor's voice called, calm and close. “Are you still awake?”

I froze, my eyes on Nikolai who didn't move.

“Don’t say a word,” he whispered.

I stared at him, wide-eyed. “He’ll hear you.”

Nikolai tilted his head slightly, daring me.

Victor’s voice came again. “Clara? I thought I heard voices.”

“N—no!” I stepped toward the door, shaking. “I—I was just…”

The handle turned.

Light spilled into the room.

“Fuck!”