Chapter 4 - Rules

 Nikolai ascended the stairs and disappeared into a room leaving Isabella brewing in frustration. Roman gave her a brief nod before stepping outside, leaving her alone in the suffocating luxurious living room.

 Isabella stomped across the living room, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She couldn’t believe her father had sent her to some island to a man who clearly had no patience for her.

 Her eyes scanned the room, landing on the massive windows that offered a breathtaking view of the ocean. The villa was undeniably beautiful, but she didn't like it even for a second.

 Her moment of contemplation was interrupted when Nikolai reappeared, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his piercing gaze fixed on her.

 "Settling in already princess?" he asked, his tone dry.

 Isabella turned to face him, her arms crossed. She didn't like the way he called her princess, it felt like mockery, but she let it slide. "Can you tell me why my life is in danger? I think at least I have the right to know."

 Nikolai’s expression didn’t waver. "Your father’s enemies don’t need a reason to come after you. You’re a Moretti. That’s a reason enough."

 "And you?" she shot back. "What’s your role in all of this? Why would someone like you agree to take me in?"

 A shadow flickered across his face, but he didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to the bar and refilled his glass. "Let’s just say your father and I have mutual interests."

 Isabella’s jaw tightened. "That’s not an answer."

 "It’s the only answer you’re getting from me," he said, his voice cold. "Now, let’s get a few things straight. While you’re here, you’ll follow my rules. You don’t leave the villa without my permission. You don’t ask questions about my business. You don't call your parents without my permission. And you don’t test my patience."

 Isabella scoffed. "Rules? You can’t be serious."

 "Oh, I’m very serious, princess," Nikolai replied, his gaze narrowing. "You think I have time to play around with you? This isn't a game, young lady. If you want to survive, you’ll do as I say!"

 Isabella rolled her eyes and scoffed at his commanding tone. "As if I care.

 Nikolai set his glass down with a sharp clink, his patience visibly wearing thin. "Listen to me, princess. The world you come from doesn’t exist here. Out there, people will kill you without hesitation. You may not like me, but I’m the only thing standing between you and them."

 With the seriousness in his tone, for the first time, Isabella felt a flicker of unease. She hated to admit it, but there was a truth to what he was saying, because why would her father trust him with her safety if he could protect her on his own?

 "I don’t need your protection," Isabella retorted defiantly. "I can take care of myself."

 Nikolai’s laugh was low and humourless. "You’re as naive as you are stubborn."

 He turned and walked toward the door, pausing briefly. "Your room is down the hall to the left. Dinner is strictly at seven. Don’t be late."

 And just like that, he was gone, leaving Isabella alone once more.

 "Don't worry about the young master, miss, I think he only wants to keep you safe," an old lady whispered from behind. "I'll help you to your room," she picked up one of the bags and led the way upstairs, as Isabella politely followed her.

 After several hours of contemplating in her new room, later that evening Isabella reluctantly made her way to the dining room, her hunger outweighing her stubbornness. 

 The long wooden table was set with an array of dishes, the aroma of roasted vegetables and seared fish filling the air. Nikolai sat at the head of the table, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as they followed her every step.

 “You are three minutes, ten seconds late!” Nikolai declared his eyes on his wristwatch. Isabella didn't even mind answering him, instead, she headed and sat at the far opposite end of the table, determined to keep as much distance from him as possible. They were only the two of them in the long table which made Isabella wonder whether he didn't have any family in this villa. She hadn't noticed a wife or any kids earlier on.

 The silence between them was unbearable, but Nikolai seemed entirely unaffected as he poured himself another drink.

 "You’re quiet today," he remarked, breaking the tension, his eyes glued on his glass. "That’s new."

 "I don’t have much to say to you," she replied, picking at her food.

 "Good. I prefer it that way. Your voice irks me," Nikolai spoke disinterestedly. 

 Immediately Isabella shot him an accusatory glare, but he didn’t seem to care.

 As she swallowed the food, Isabella couldn’t help but stare at him. There was something about him that intrigued her. He carried himself with unopposed authority, but there was a darkness in his eyes, a weight hidden deep in his heart that he seemed to carry alone.

 "How do you do it?" she asked suddenly.

 He looked up, his expression cold and guarded. "Do what?"

 "Live like this. Alone, on an island, I have not seen your wife or kids. Apparently, with enemies lurking around every corner, what’s the point?"

 Nikolai set his fork down, his gaze piercing as the temperature of the room dropped by several degrees, making Isabella subconsciously shiver. "Some questions don’t have simple answers. I'd prefer it if you never asked this again. Stay away from my business!" he growled 

 Isabella frowned, frustrated by his evasiveness. "You’re really not going to tell me anything, are you?"

 "No," he said simply and stood up, not touching a single meal on the table. "And the sooner you accept that, the easier this will be."

 Without another word, he walked out of the room and climbed up the stairs, leaving Isabella with more questions than ever.

 Isabella felt her stomach drop as uneasiness washed over her. The more mysterious Nikolai grew, the more she felt fascinated by him. And as much as she hated to admit it, she wasn’t sure she could survive this place without him.

 "Master doesn't like to talk about his wife or kids," the elderly woman from earlier walked to the dining table with a glass of milk. "Five years ago, something happened to his wife and their two-year-old daughter, and he couldn't save them. Ever since then, he has always blamed himself for what happened to them."

 "He might be cold but he's very kind, in a matter of time you'll bear me witness," the lady added. "Master doesn't like anyone in his room but he hasn't had any meal since he arrived. He was the one who prepared your room, and he might be very hungry, but he's stubborn. Here, warm this milk and take it to him," the elderly woman dropped the glass of milk before Isabella before she left.