CHAPTER ELEVEN

TATYANA 

He just stared at me like I was a ghost. But I knew i couldn't just sit around waiting for when I will be killed. He might not be able to protect me at all times and I was not yet ready to die. Not when, for the first time in my life someone sees me. 

  He sees me as someone he could have sex with, he finds me worthy enough to stay by my side in the hospital, he finds me good enough to be a ‘showoff material’ by taking me to events and looks jealous when people just stare at me. My side job was picking up the pace and most people called me the best. 

   I have atleast a little reason to live as long as I want, if these had been a few months back I'd have helped them carry out their wish by killing myself but not now again. I intend to live for a very long time and if that means running far away from him then by all means let it be so.

     His voice interrupted my thoughts, “I'll be back.” He walked out in haste, his backside staring at me as he walked out reminding me of when I grabbed it to press him down on me. Look at me incapacitated and still getting turned on just by this man's ass.

    My phone had been lost in the accident so when he came back I asked him, 

    “Did my parents call?”

There was something in his eyes as he looked at me, I recognised that look very well. My father had that look on his face when he gave me out to be married, my mother as well when I said ‘I do’. It was pity. They all pitied me.

   “No” he replied curtly.

My accident had been broadcasted on the news yet none of my parents found it in their hearts to visit or call me. Maybe they were probably really busy.  

   I nodded my head to his reply and tried to turn my neck the other way, away from him. 

   NIKOLAI 

My chest ached so much that I wouldn't be surprised if there was a gaping hole in it. I couldn't breathe properly but I understood her. Who would stay knowing they are always a few days away from being killed? 

    My phone pinged, it was Lev,

  “Sir there is a board meeting with shareholders this morning.”

   The sun rays blared through the louvre in the room, Tatyana had pretended to be asleep through the night,

    “You can go if you want to.”

Then I headed out. The first stop was home before I proceeded to the office. Heading first to my office, I dropped my briefcase before heading to the conference room. 

  The eyes that stared back at me were not welcoming. I laughed, seems like they came to fight me today. They all stood in unison,

    “Good morning Sir,”

    “Why did you all request a meeting with me?”

   They were all quiet till one of them had the balls to speak up,

   “Sir there's a rumor that the Markov family are splitting, that the company is about to be divided, so we were worried hence the meeting.”

   “And this so called rumor has it been verified?”

     “Not exactly sir,”

     “So why the fuck did y'all bring me out here?”

 “But sir, Mr. Ivan came here the other day threatening whoever did not get on his side,”

      “What!?, 

    Lev get in here! When did this happen?”

  “Sorry sir, when what happened Sir?”

    “When did Ivan come here threatening my staff?”

   “Sir it was immediately after the meeting you had with the council”

    “Why wasn't I informed?”

   “I'm sorry sir, it skipped my mind”

I dismissed him with a wave of my fingers.

  “No one is going to split my company in two, this meeting is over.”

 Stepping out of the office, I went to the car and drove to Ivan’s house. The nerve of that man.    

 His gate man recognised me and let me drive in. Getting to his house, I stormed out of the car screaming his name, 

      “Ivan! Ivan!! Ivan!!!”

     “Who the hell is screaming my name so loud in my com..”

I stared as the words got caught in his throat when he saw me,

   “N..Nikolai what are you doing here?”

     “What the fuck were you thinking going to my..”

     “Our company you mean?”

      “The fuck you mean by our?”

He laughed, this man actually had the audacity to laugh,

     “Nikolai, your father and I built this company together plus I have a 30% share in that company and remember company policy..

      You can't kill me Nikolai else you forfeit your shares.”

     He seemed to be enjoying this,

   “Alright, Ivan, don't forget there are many ways to end a man's life besides don't quote company policy to me when you are not clean.”

     Stammering,

 “Don't threaten me Nikolai, I don't know what you're talking about”

   “Oh don't be a scaredy cat Ivan,

 Cat got your tongue already? You seem to have forgotten that same company policy states any shareholder guilty of involving in fraudulent businesses will have their shares forfeited. Don't test me old man.”

    I could feel the heat of his stare when I turned my back to leave, but I'll be damned if I'd let him divide the very thing my parents worked their asses for.

     Going back to the office, I got back reviewing the files I had left there yesterday. It wasn't until Lev came to ask me if I wasn't leaving did I check the time and it was 11pm already.

   “Go on without me Lev, I would be staying here for the night.”

    He gave me curious stares but still turned his back to leave, 

     “Check on Tatyana and report back to me.”

     “Okay sir.”

I had pushed the ache that gnawed at my chest when she said she wanted to go to the back of mind this morning and I've been so busy with work that it didn't come.

   But now I was alone and done with work, the thought came again with its pain. I looked beneath my table, punched the keys and my alcohol cabinet stared at me in my face. Grabbing a bottle of whiskey, I got a glass from the mini rack opposite my table and poured myself a glass. 

    I needed it, I could not see her today else I'd be more miserable. Too fucking miserable.