Chapter 17

Nicholas POV

What the hell is that stupid sound... Oh wait, that's my phone. Who the hell could be calling me by this time of the morning I thought as I answered, "what? " I growled.

"I was hoping that you would be more enthusiastic about my call."

Oh shit, "oh i'm sorry Mr secretary." I said sitting up.

"That's ok. I see you were asleep right."

"Yes Yes I was." I said I was already going to the bathroom.

"And I presume you wouldn't be going back to bed right?"

"Yes I won't."

"Good, meet me in the cafe across the hotel in an hour."

And he hangs up. Rude

I showered and dressed in record time and left my room with my hair in a low man bun and my wallet in my pocket... Hey that rhymed I think.

I am getting more nervous as I get closer to the cafe. I think I can already see his shadow or maybe I'm just hallucinating because of the lack of food in me.... Shit i'm hungry.

Wait, it just registered in my head that I didn't tell Victor that I was staying in the same hotel as him.... Oh my God is he stalking me I thought as I looked around eyes wide open.... Probably I mean I would if I were to be in his shoes.

I got to the cafe and walked in and went straight to his table, "Good morning Mr victor."

"Ahh good morning to you too Mr Ivanov, I see you have got your shit together. "

"I totally have, sorry about the call. " I said sitting down.

"I'm sure you would like to order something to eat seeing that you just woke up. " he asked, calling the waiter over.

"Yes I would. "

"Good morning gentlemen, what can I get for you today. "

"Umm I would like to have a cup of coffee and 6 blueberry muffins and a glass of water... For now that is. "

"Is... Is that for only you or.. " the waiter who's name is Abel trailed off.

"Yeah... Is that a problem? " I said, looking at him in confusion.

"No it's not sorry, I would return with your order in a few minutes " he answered sounding a little bit brittle and walked off.

"Well that was weird, don't you think. Victor said with a quiet amazement, "do you always eat like that? "

"The way to my heart is food Mr victor... I hope that answers your question. "

"It really does, anyway I didn't call you down here to talk about food.

I live in Washington tomorrow and I would like for you to come with us. "

I would love to come with him but I don't know... I think his request was a little bit strange and vague, "why? "

" Don't get your head in a twist, Nicholas, I just think that it would give me more time to know more about you, your company and make a little bit of adjustment to the contract. " He muttered the last part.

"Well when you put it that way... Sure I don't see a reason not to. " I wasn't that gullible and naive. I knew something was up but I will give him the benefit of doubt besides I want to see the adjustment he wants to make.

The contract I am sure benefits both parties so I wonder what he would like to add and why, " ok I guess that makes sense. What time do we leave? "

"I would like to go back early so I assume 8am is a good time. " he asked.

"Yes it is. "

"Sir, here is your order. "

"I'm sorry but can I get it to go. " I don't feel like eating here anymore besides the meeting is over I guess.

"Sure...I would get right on that. "

"Ok thank you. "

"Well that would be all for now, see you tomorrow Nicholas. " he said leaving the cafe.

"Here you go sir. "

"Thank you very much. " I took out a 100 dollar bill and paid, "here keep the change. "

"Oh my- thank you so much sir. "

I nodded and walked out.

The next day I woke up bright and early, ready to take on the world and it's problems but that feeling died immediately. I got on the plane and laid my eyes on the woman I swore never to set my eyes on again.

"Ah Nicholas, welcome aboard and thank you for making it early. " Victor greeted eyes wide with excitement.

"Thank you Victor. ``My mouth was answering him but my mind and eyes were on the woman standing beside and wondering what the hell could she possibly be going here, " I don't mean to be rude but I am sure introductions are in order Mr Victor. " I said, staring at her intensely, which made her give me a rictus grin. I know she remembers me, her smile alone can testify to that.

"Oh my, where are my manners? " he says turning to face her, "Sonia, this Nicholas Ivanov, the person I am working with on a new and hopefully successful business venture. "

"Nice to meet you Nicholas. "

"And you too. " Maybe I should spice things up a little bit, " Sonia said, not trying to be rude or anything... Have we met before? "

She turns pale and to be honest it's a good look on her.

"I-I don't think so. " she fidgets, "I would surely remember, I never forget a face. "

I narrowed my eyes on her, she had better not forget the face of my mother with fear written all over it begging for help.

"Come on Nicholas we have things to discuss, let's go to the bar. " He says and I follow.

Wow this plane looks amazing, the designers must be very proud of themselves.

"It's beautiful right. " Victor says.

"Yeah it, maybe you could give me the contact of your interior designer.... I could really use a makeover in my house. "

"It was my son..... He designed it. " he says looking proud, I wish my dad could look at me like that.... Even if it's just once.

"Your son... Ravi. " I continued after a pause.

He looked at me in surprise with slight wrinkles on his forehead, "you know my son? " he questions.

"No I don't know him personally " I clarified, "Bennett talks alot about him. Says he is a ball of sunshine. "

"Ahh! " he says with a knowing look, "I should have known. Benny loves that boy to death and if he wasn't married and in love with his husband, I would definitely say that he is head over hills for Ravi. "

"I too thought of that but Benny reassured me that it is a completely platonic relationship. He even tells me that they fight all the time like an old couple. "

He laughs, "that they do." He calls over the bartender, "what would you like to have Nicky boy?"

That name surprised the shit out of me, I have never heard that name from anyone other than my father and I should hate it.... But it doesn't sound that bad in fact it doesn't sound bad at all coming from him.

"...cholas Nicholas are you ok? "

"Yes I am, sorry I was just thinking about something... Nothing to worry about." I completely see as he might ask what I was thinking about.

"Don't worry, I wasn't going to ask what was on your mind, it isn't any of my business.... But just in case you know how to talk, you know where to find me. " He says holding my shoulder, "so what would you like to drink? "

"A glass of bourbon on the rocks please. "

"Should have known, you are the bourbon type of guy..... I'd take the same, thank you. "

After our drinks were served and a few minutes of silence, I couldn't take it anymore, "so what changes do you require to make to the deal? " I asked.

"Well I wouldn't exactly say changes.... Just some demands. " he says, twirling his drink.

"I don't understand. You did say changes so why the change of mind. "

"Calm down sonny, I am going to help you save your company and in return I need a favor from you. "

Favor I thought, what could I possibly give him that he doesn't already have. I mean I literally ran to him to help me, "I have nothing to offer you Mr Victor. " I said calmly.

"Huh. '' he says nodding, "you see that's where you are wrong Nicky boy, you have a lot to offer me. "

"I don't understand, can you please stop with the hints and clues and just tell me. "

"Like I said before, son , calm down...... I know about your past Nicholas. " he says, sounding serious.

No. God please No, not this shit again, " I don't know what you are talking about. "

"Come on Nicholas, you are smarter than that. "

"That's not possible. " I said, my nerves are on fire because I am literally freaking out now, "No one is supposed to know about it besides my records are clean. "

"You seem to forget who I am Nicholas, I can find anything and anybody I want on this earth besides no one in our line of work can have such clean records... I know you worked for some very important people as spies and most times assassins but don't worry yourself Nicholas, I don't need you to kill anyone..... Not yet anyways."