Chapter 30
Andro
Once I was done with work, I stood up from my chair and left the study room. I don't usually work late but one of our warehouses was getting a major supply and I had to monitor the importation of the goods. The family couldn't afford a loss, it'll have a great effect on us.
I walked into the kitchen and brought out the food Caroline had left for me from the microwave. Even though the equipment was off, the food was still warm. I dipped the fork in and started eating.
Caroline has always been helpful with cooking and cleaning around. She had always disagreed with hiring a helper, she felt she could repay me for what I did for Fabi.
She believed pulling Fabi out of the gang he had gotten himself into was the best thing I'd even done for them. Fabi couldn't agree less.
After eating, I dropped the plate in the sink, washed my hands, switched off the light, and walked out, locking the door behind me.
For the past four days, I'd been sleeping in the study room or the guest room just so Annika could have my room to herself but with the way our last conversation ended, I feel I needed to explain some things to her and she also needed to open up to me. Also, when she fed from me, she unknowingly sealed the bond.
What I wish for might be too much. She doesn't even know me that much to have full trust in me to the extent of opening up that easily.
But a man can still try.
I turned the knob on the door and entered the room to discover the person I was hoping to talk to was sleeping already.
Trying as hard as possible not to wake her up, I closed the door gently, walked into my closet, and took a quick shower. I walked back into the room and laid down on the bed.
She was so close to me yet it appeared as if she was far away. I wanted so badly to touch her but the possibility of being labeled a pervert made me stop.
She suddenly rolled on her back and placed her leg on mine. I wanted to push her leg away but I couldn't, I just didn't have the heart.
I closed my eyes trying to sleep when she suddenly wrapped her arms around my torso. I froze.
"Annika," I called out, hoping she'll wake up and change position but she just cuddled into me. I placed my hand on the space next to her body. I didn't want to touch her, even though my heart was fighting against my decision.
I could hear her heavy and slow breathing and to that rhythm and the arms of my Emerthus wrapped me, I fell asleep.
The heavy knocking against the door got my eyes wide open. Annika shifted beside me and I quickly untangled her from my body. She whined a little as I did. So, I kissed her forehead before walking towards the door.
I opened the door widely to reveal Stefan who looked disoriented and frightened or rather angry.
"What's going on Stefan?"
"I'm so sorry to disturb your sleep, boss, but we have a situation" He panicked.
I took a look at Annika and saw that she was still sleeping. Half naked, I closed the door behind me and walked towards my living area with Stefan behind me.
Twelve of the Nicolaev family members were around.
"What's the matter?" I asked as I noticed everyone had a sad and long face.
"The trucks bringing our goods to the warehouse were attacked in the early hours of the morning," Stefan explained.
"What about the drivers?" The life of my family members is much more important to me than any other service.
"They're both dead, sir," Alek reported.
I sat down at the edge of the sofa in my living room and placed my hand in my head.
"Did you find out who was behind the attack?" I growled.
"No boss, but the possibility lies between Dimitri or Igor"
"Fuck this," I yelled as anger coursed through me. If I find out whichever of them did this to my family, I'll make sure they pay.
"Let's prepare for their burial"
The family has a rule. Once a member dies, he must be buried that same day to avoid two things, prolonged mourning, and suspicious police investigations.
"Okay, Boss,"
"Call Snow and tell him I said he should give you his best services. I'll send the payment from here" Stefan nodded before leaving with five other men to the funeral home owned by a man called Snow.
Caroline was already in the kitchen serving some of the men and their wives tea.
"Should we make a call to Dimitri or Igor to find out if they did this?" Fabi asked and I declined.
"We don't have to, whoever did it will soon call to announce his fucking victory," I clicked my tongue.
"We've transported the goods to the warehouse, the men are waiting for the order to start offloading them"
"Close up the warehouses and the offices for the next three days. We'll sort it all out later," I instructed and Fabi went out to make the necessary phone calls.
I turned towards the other side of the house and saw Annika seated at the edge of the stairs, studying everyone. I hadn't noticed when she came down.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as I got to her side.
"I followed you down here," she replied, almost whispering.
I sat down beside her, ready to talk to her.
"So, you heard everything we said," she shook her head.
"I was too sleepy to hear anything,"
I laughed.
"What happened to your drivers?"
"I thought you said you were too sleepy"
"I heard a little," she smiled sheepishly.
"They were killed"
"Why?"
"It's a long story. You can't understand, printsessa. It'll be better if I don't tell you because it'll get very confusing" I explained.
"Okay" At that moment, Caroline came to us, offering tea. I declined and Annika also declined.
"I don't take tea," She told Caroline and the lady smiled before leaving.
Tea wasn't my thing and a part of me was glad that Annika shared that similarity with me.
"Did you sleep in my room?" She asked, getting flustered.
"Originally, it was my room. So, yes, I slept in my room"
"Ooh," was her response before she looked away, not giving me her attention anymore.
Stefan soon came back in with some other men.
"Boss, we're ready" I nodded and pulled Annika up.
"Come with me, Lyubov" I pleaded and she did as I said.
We walked into our room and I made her sit on the bed.
"I'm going to leave you behind with just Caroline because I need to attend to something urgent. Can I trust you enough that you won't leave while I'm not here?" I asked her.
She was silent. Her round eyes bore into mine and suddenly she took my hand and wrapped her tiny fingers around it.
"Will you listen to my request when you get back?" She asked.
"Yes, Annika. I will listen to everything,"
"Then I'll wait. I won't cause any trouble while you're gone" She assured me.
"Thank you,"
She nodded. I held her face and kissed her forehead.
I picked up the box of juice that was on the desk and gave it to her.
"This one is bigger than the last one," She noticed.
"That's because I think your appetite has gotten bigger," I was referring to the way she fed from me yesterday.
She was drinking the juice as I walked into my bathroom to take my bath as well as changing my clothes.
I entered the room with my tie at hand and I stood in front of the mirror, hoping this time I'll get the knotting of the tie right. I struggled with it two times before I finally gave up.
I turned to see Annika studying me. She had a smile on her face but quickly swallowed it when our eyes met.
"Why do you want to use the tie?" She asked as she picked it up from the floor, where I'd angrily thrown it.
"I don't usually wear one but I need to because today is important," I explained.
"Are you attending their funerals?"
"Yes"
"Can I help out?"
"You know how to fix it?" I asked and she nodded.
I threw my hand open, giving her the go-ahead to fix the tie for me. It didn't take her five minutes before she was done.
"Thank you," I appreciated her and began walking out of the door.
"Andro," she suddenly called out.
"What? Do you need anything?" I asked and she shook her head.
"If anyone asks about what business I have with you, what should I tell them?"
Her question caught me off guard but I knew there must be a reason why she asked.
"Tell them you're my girlfriend and don't ever mention what we are, do you understand?"
"Of course. But can I say you're my brother?" She teased as a mischievous smile came to her face.
"Take care, Annika," I ignored her words and walked out of the room.
As I got to the stair landing, everyone was waiting.
"Caroline, you'll have to stay back with Annika. We'll be back in no time and please, keep your eyes on her" I instructed and Caroline nodded.
I walked out in the company of others ready to say our final goodbyes to two members of the family and probably unbury the hatchet.
Translations
Lyubov- love
Emerthus - Mate
Printsessa - Princess
