stood frozen, my eyes locked on Natalia's figure, my mind reeling with shock and confusion. I forced myself to maintain a stoic expression, refusing to let my emotions betray me. As I turned to face Emily, I felt a surge of anxiety. I couldn't look at her, couldn't bear to see the questions in her eyes.
I kept my gaze fixed on some point beyond her shoulder, my voice cold and detached. "I'll handle this, Ryurik. You take care of Emily."
I watched as Ryurik nodded and led Emily away, his eyes narrowing slightly yet he didn't say a word, he just followed Emily who had run off. I knew I had to keep my composure, couldn't let anyone see the turmoil brewing inside me.
As soon as they were out of earshot, my gaze snapped back to Natalia. My heart was racing, my anger and fear simmering just below the surface. "What are you doing here?" I hissed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Natalia's smile was like a knife to my gut. "Firstly don't ask me that stupid question I can come and leave my husband's house as I please and yeah I'm here because the budget i made for the ball is insufficient " she said, her voice dripping with venom.
I felt my face twist in a snarl, but I quickly regained control, my mask slipping back into place. I knew I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me, not now, not when my father's plan was at stake.
If that was the case, "Why didn't you schedule an appointment with my secretary?" I demand, my voice low and even. "Why did you barge into my house like this?"
I take a step closer to her, my eyes narrowing. "You come in here, uninvited, and speak to me like I'm some kind of...I don't even know what. What is your problem, Natalia?"
I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my temper. "Didn't I already give you money for the Winter's Ball? If it wasn't enough, couldn't you have just called my secretary to discuss it? Why did you have to come here in person and create a scene?"
I turn away from her, my back muscles tensing with frustration. I don't want to look at her, don't want to deal with her games and her drama. I just want her out of my house, out of my life.
I turn back to face her, my expression stern. "Let me make one thing clear, Natalia," I say, my voice firm. "Under no circumstances are you to barge into my house again. If you need something, you'll speak with my secretary. You'll ask for the money you need, and you'll do it through proper channels."
I take a step closer to her, my eyes cold. "I don't want to see your face around here again, Natalia. You're not welcome."
Natalia's eyes flash with defiance. "What's your problem?" she asks, her voice rising. "I have every right to come to my husband's house. I don't need to go to any secretary. If I say I want to sleep here, I'll sleep here."
Her words are like a slap in the face, and I feel my anger surging. I struggle to keep my composure, to maintain the mask of control. But it's getting harder by the minute.
What was I going to do? Emily was hurt, and I didn't blame her. I had put her in a terrible situation, and now I had to figure out how to make it right.
I couldn't shake the image of Emily's face, her eyes welling up with tears as Natalia belittled her. I felt a wave of anger towards Natalia, but it was nothing compared to the anger I felt towards myself.
I was furious, unable to stand Natalia's presence any longer. "I've had enough," I said, my voice firm. "Leave before I have Viktor throw you out ."
Natalia looked at me, her eyes flashing with defiance. It was a look that said "do your worst." But I wasn't playing games. I called out to Viktor, , and Natalia's expression changed. She realized I wasn't kidding, and her eyes narrowed in anger.
"You think you're going to kick me out?" she spat, but I just nodded. Viktor appeared, and Natalia stormed out of the house, her anger and frustration palpable.
As I watched her leave, my mind couldn't help but wander to Emily, had she arrived home? What did she think of me now? Was she okay? I thought about how everything had been going fine until Natalia showed up and ruined it all. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and regret. I had put Emily in pain, and the thought of it was eating away at me. I sighed, feeling frustrated and helpless.
I pace anxiously by the door, waiting for Ryurik to return. As soon as he walks in, I ambush him with questions. "What happened? How is she? Is she doing fine? What's the situation?"
Ryurik's expression is grim. "She' was really sad, it was painful watching her, I felt helpless," he says. "But I tried to get her to promise to trust me, to trust us. She refused. She wants to know the truth, everything."
I feel a surge of anxiety. "What did she say?"
Ryurik's eyes lock onto mine. "She said you didn't say a word, that you didn't give her any reason to trust you. And she's right, Alec. How long are you going to keep her in the dark? It's time we told her what's going on."
I hesitate, knowing Ryurik's going to disagree with me. "You know why I can't tell her, Ryurik. Father's plans... everything. We can't let the entire plan crumble at this moment."
Ryurik's face twists in frustration. "Do you think if we tell her, she'll bolt? We're the ones running the mafia now, Alec. You're the boss, and I'm your underboss. Do you think she'll stay with us if she knows the truth?"
I know Ryurik's right. Emily's strong, but she's also fiercely independent. If she finds out about our mafia dealings... I don't know if she'll be able to handle it. Or if she'll still choose us.