Page 15 of Care: Part 1

"Well, I do not lie or joke or kid," he explained.

She nodded her head slowly before turning back to the piano. Just as she was about to start playing again, he suddenly stopped her hands from pressing another key.

As his hands hovered over her own, a warmth seemed to splurge throughout her entire body. She kept recalling their moment from last night. It led to a blush taking over her entire face.

"You are supposed to play like this," he whispered with his lips only a few centimeters away from her ear.

Pressing down while using her fingers, he helped her play a small part of the song, Fur Elise.

It sounded beautiful, and she couldn't help the smile that coated her face.

Suddenly, a voice cleared.

Avelina quickly snatched her hands away and looked up at the intruder.

"Mr. Zolotov," the man from yesterday had greeted.

"Anton," Adrik repeated while never looking up at him at all.

Avelina quickly stood up and dusted off the imaginary dirt from her pants as she looked at Anton.

"Hello, Miss Avelina. You’re his caregiver because I can no longer speak for Mr. Zolotov while at work. You'll be his voice, and I must teach you what exactly to say for him and when to do it," Anton explained.

She glanced over at Adrik before returning her eyes to the muscular man in front of her. "Why doesn't Adrik just speak for himself? He's more intelligent than I will ever be.”

"He may be able to speak to you, but he doesn't speak to everyone. We've told you that Mr. Zolotov is different," the man said.

At that moment, she noticed how Adrik hadn't said a word other than Anton's name. Even while Anton spoke about him as if he were not there, he did not bother to glance up or say a thing.

"Boss, I took care of the situation," Anton told Adrik, leaving her completely confused.

Adrik didn't say a word; he just returned to playing on his piano with his eyes shut and his fingers moving. Only this time, the song was a lot sadder than the piece he had played earlier.

"Are you ready, Avelina?" Anton asked, pulling her away from the intense gaze she left for Adrik.

Nodding her head, she smiled at him as he held his arm out for her to take. "I'm ready."

Avelina followed Anton out of the room but not without sparing one last glance to Adrik, who continued to busy himself with his piano.

Anton walked her to the couch in the living room, where he sat her down right beside her. "Speaking for Mr. Zolotov is simple. Most of the office people know what to do to stay out of Mr. Zolotov's way. You will assist him when it comes to speaking in larger settings. Most people in the office know to stay out of his way, so that shouldn't be an issue. Though in private meetings, he speaks for himself. All you have to do when you talk for him is say the things that people want to hear to get the conversation to end as quickly as possible.”

Her brows knotted together in confusion as she processed his words.

"I know it may seem complicated, but once you start, you will be quick to get the hang of it," he stated.

"I didn't realize I would be going to the office with him," Avelina said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

He smiled gently at her before nodding his head in response. "Yes, you start today. Mr. Zolotov's assistant, Zaria Kensley, will be there to help you every step of the way.”

She quickly realized that he had said a woman's name. Avelina couldn't help but wonder if Adrik was more communicative to all women in general, or if it was just Avelina that he was most comfortable around.

"I don't think I have any business attire," Avelina told him.

"Zaria already made sure to pick out some clothes for you to wear.”

She nodded her head with a tight-lipped smile. There was that name again, Zaria. "Where are the clothes?"

"They should now be in your closet. Be ready in one hour; you will be leaving with Mr. Zolotov," Anton instructed.