Page 77 of Taken By My Grumpy Pakhan

In all my time working for Kazimir, the only time he had a woman looking for him was if she was a part of a team. A woman has never come to see him on her own.

“Where is she?”

“On her way up. Sylvie tried to tell her the boss was busy, but she said she was special.”

“Special?” I repeated.

“Yup.” Caroline leaned back. “It’s why I called you out. I’ve got to say, I’m anxious to meet her.”

As if on command, a knock rang on Caroline’s door.

“Come in.”

The door opened, revealing Svetlana in a gorgeous silk shirt and dress pants, paired with heels that took her height to six feet or above.

“Hello, Genevieve,” she greeted when she saw me. “The receptionist said to drop by here before proceeding to Kazimir’s office.” “Hello.” She acknowledged Caroline like she was just seeing her.

I recovered from my shock faster than I thought possible, clearing my throat and slapping on a fake smile. “The boss is currently in a very important meeting and has requested not to be disturbed.”

“Nonsense,” she scoffed. “He’ll see me.”

“Do you have an appointment?"

She gave me an incredulous look. “I don’t need one.”

“Svetlana, I know you share a very close relationship, but this is a very important meeting. Do you think you can wait a little?”

Her brows widened briefly when I used her name, but she recovered immediately, glancing at her watch.

“I’m sorry, dear, but I don’t wait.” She turned back to Caroline. “Was there another reason I had to stop here?”

“Only to know if you had an appointment and sort you out if there was a mix-up,” Caroline replied.

“Alright then. I’ll just head in.”

I hurried after her as she left the office, catching up with her before she reached Kazimir’s office. “I’m sorry, Svetlana, but I can’t let you in. It’s an important meeting.”

She studied me through the bridge of her nose. “I know you’re trying to do your job, dear, but trust me, Kazimir won’t like it if he found out you kept me from entering his office.”

Maybe it was her tone, or maybe it was the condescending way she was currently staring at me, but something in me shifted, taking the politeness out of my voice. “He won’t like it if I let you storm into his meeting either.”

Her lips tipped. “Let’s see.”

She pushed past me with a force I didn’t expect a woman as slender as she was to possess, entering the office before I could recover.

I hurried after to prevent the chaos, but she was already in.

“I’m so sorry, I tried to—”

“Hello, gentlemen.” She flashed a bright smile, revealing a clean set of porcelain teeth.

“Svet.” Kazimir nodded at her, his eyes shifting beside her to me.

“I told her you were in a meeting.”

“It’s okay, Miss Sinclair.” His voice hardened. “I’m sure Svet here has a good reason for interrupting my meeting.”

Svetlana smiled, walking towards him with an extra sway to her hips. “Depends on your definition of good, but I do consider my reason important.”