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“Out? In the real world? Like a date?” I questioned.
“Yes, in the real world. And you can call it whatever you like. I just want to spend some time alone with you.” He whispered the last part.
“I would love to go on a date with you, Ivan. As for the alone time, I have an idea how we can remedy that.”
He squinted at me, a smirk slowly taking his face.
Without hesitation, I took his hand and guided him to the master bedroom. I closed the door behind us, the soft click sealing us in a world of our own.
Chapter 19 - Audrey
The soft glow of the afternoon light filtered through the leaves of the large tree. I found myself perched on the stone bench in the mansion’s garden. Anxiety churned within me, a tempest of thoughts swirling as I awaited Ivan’s arrival.
The anticipation weighed heavily upon me, my fingers tracing invisible patterns on the fabric of my skirt. Today was special—a chance to step beyond the mansion’s confines, and with Ivan no less. I took extra care of my appearance today, my curly hair pulled into a high ponytail that danced with each movement. The long strands in front had been braided into delicate twin braids, framing my face with a touch of whimsy. Even the choice of outfit was a struggle, something I’d spent the entire morning contemplating until I finally settled on a blue leather jacket, a white and black striped crop top, and black skinny jeans.
What if he got cold feet or he suddenly changed his mind? I murmured to myself, doubt lacing my words.
The bench beneath me seemed to grow harder with each passing second, my impatience building alongside my nerves.
“Hey there.” Ivan’s presence materialized with an air of calm that belied the turmoil that had occupied my thoughts.
“Oh my god! What are you—what are you wearing?” I laughed when I noticed his outfit.
An oversized white hoodie, black sweatpants, and white sneakers—his attire was a departure from the formal ensembles I had grown accustomed to. No longer his signature black vest over a white shirt, gold cufflinks, and a suit jacket hanging over his shoulder whenever he stepped out; all of it had been replaced by a casual outfit that carried with it a sense of approachability. It was as if he had shed the armor of his usual attire, revealinga glimpse of the man beneath, someone younger in energy and more...human. Even his hair had been made into a messy, informal style.
His serious expression met my anxious gaze, a silent communication passing between us. He said nothing, his actions speaking volumes as he took my hand in his, then smiled at me. The touch sent a shock wave through me, a jolt of electricity that coursed through my veins.
Without a word, he led me toward the awaiting car, his presence a steady reassurance. Anton, the ever-present sentinel, waited at the wheel smoking a stick of cigarette. He was to be a silent observer to the unfolding scene. The engine purred to life and we set off on our journey, the anticipation within the car matching the excitement that thrummed through my veins.
Our first stop was a quaint café, a haven of warmth and laughter. The atmosphere was a far cry from the mansion’s imposing grandeur, an oasis of casual charm. As we stepped inside, Ivan’s demeanor shifted, his expression becoming less guarded, more at ease. It was a revelation, a glimpse into a different side of him that he had chosen to share with me.
Seated across from each other, the casualness of the setting allowed our conversation to flow more freely. Ivan’s words were measured, his mannerisms polished yet tinged with a touch of vulnerability. I found myself drawn in, captivated by the layers that unfurled before me. It was a completely different experience talking to him outside the walls of his dining room or overall mansion. To me, he was a different person.
“It’s been a long time since I left the compound and saw...well,normal people,” I admitted, my words tinged with a hint of awkwardness.
I saw a surprise on his face before he could hide it. “You still see me as a normal person, don’t you?” he responded, his voice gentle and amused at the same time.
A small smile played at the corner of my lips as I stumbled over my words. “You know what I mean.”
He nodded, his gaze fixed on my face. “Tell me about the life you led before we crossed paths,” he prompted, genuinely curious. “What kind of friends did you have?”
“I don’t really have many friends. Starting out in college, I was a loner just hanging around the libraries and bookstores of the campus and city. I was actually very boring when I was younger. I doubt you would’ve spoken to me back then.” I admitted.
“Oh, you can’t be so sure about that.” He winked devilishly.
A waiter came to us and took our orders, halting the conversation momentarily, before I continued, “So as I was saying, I was always on my own until Charlotte met me in a bookstore one day. She came up to me and was like, ‘I’ve seen you around this place before. Know which one I should read between these?’ and she pulled out a couple of books and the rest was history really.”
“That’s lovely.” he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my lips.
“What about you?” I inquired. “What kind of friends do you have? I’ve never really seen you with friends. Wait, I haven’t really heard you talk about your friends even in passing.”
“Oh…” he paused. “Like yourself, I don’t have many friends,” he whispered.
“The only people I ever considered to be friends were Anton, Josephine, and Mikhail. Vanya gets on my nerve every chance she gets, but she would jump in front of the moving vehicle for me as I would for her. So, she too, is one of my closest people.” I was absorbing each piece of this puzzle the man in front of me represented.
“You an Anton. You just—you guys don’t seem to have that kind of relationship. It seems like more of an employer-employee relationship to me. I mean, he literally calls youbossall the time,” I said, making sure my tone was polite as I struggled to piece together the right words to express myself properly.
Then I decided to try out something. "I mean, everyone seems to call you 'boss' for some reason."
