Sophia’s POV: Mistrust.
I don’t know how or when it happened. But it did-I love Ivan. What’s worse is that he’s wrong for me, he’s a walking disaster. Hell, he walked in here and claimed everything I’d ever wanted, yet, I couldn’t stop my heart from racing whenever he was near.
Maybe it’s just an infatuation, a temporary feeling?
Fuck, I’ve never been in love, I’ve never received love or loved anyone. I wasn’t sure about any of this. All I do know is that I wanted to be with him all the time even though he was an arsehole. I wanted to kiss him whenever I could without holding back, I needed him to hold me in his arms like when I’d slept over at his place.
This is all so new to me. I needed someone to explain it to me, but who?
What would my friends say when they realize it’s not just a crush but something bigger and more overwhelming than that?
“…Sophia!” Ivan’s voice snapped me back to reality.
He was standing close to me now, his hand placed firmly on my arm.
His eyes roamed my face. “Are you okay?” He asked calmly, a stark contrast to how upset he’d sounded earlier. “What’s on your mind?”
I pulled back, away from his touch. The warmth from his hand lingered on my skin and I was tempted to beg him to hold me.
“I’m okay,” I said instead. “I just thought of something.”
He frowned slightly, concern etched on his features. “What did you mean by what you said earlier?” He asked.
My heart hopped to my throat and lodged there. “N-nothing, it doesn’t matter,” I croaked out.
His eyes bore into mine as if searching for an answer. “You’re acting weird, are you sure you’re okay?” He moved closer, closing the gap between us and cupped my left cheek.
My breath hitched and I avoided his gaze. “I am fine, I already told you that,” I protested weakly.
“But you don’t look fine to me,” He insisted, his touch gentle against my skin. It took everything in me to not lean into his touch.
I summoned the strength to move his hand away, putting some distance between us again. “Ivan-”
He frowned. “Fine, you and Harry can go ahead with the plans you’ve made. I still don’t like it, but I should not have acted the way I did,” He said calmly.
My eyes widened in surprise, Ivan wasn’t one to back down from anything. “You mean that? You’re not going to change your mind now, are you?” I asked, unable to conceal the hope in my voice.
I had so many reasons why I wanted to push through with this. Yes, the media was getting even more creative with their speculations about me and Ivan, creating more issues for me and all.
He nodded and then he blew out a breath. “I’m sorry, I just-I am sorry about my behaviour.”
“It’s fine,” I reassured him.
“Sophia-”
A knock interrupted.
“Come in,” I called.
The door opened and Sid, his cousin, came into view.
Sid walked in and closed the door behind him. “Hey Sophia, Ivan!” He greeted us with a wide grin, oblivious to the lingering awkwardness in the room.
“Hi,” I said while Ivan ignored him.
“Uh… sorry to interrupt whatever y’all have going on here. Ivan, we have a situation, your attention is needed,” he said.
Ivan ignored him still, staring at me. I squirmed under his scrutiny. What’s wrong with him? I thought to myself.
Sid’s eyes shifted between us, finally sensing the underlying tension. “Everything alright, guys?”
Ivan shot Sid a warning glance before answering. “Everything’s fine.”
“O…. kay,” Sid said, giving him a skeptical look. “Did you hear what I said earlier? About your attention being needed?”
Ivan glared at him. “Yes, I heard you. I’ll join you shortly, you may go.”
Sid smirked. “Cool. Well, see you later then, bye Sophia!” He waved casually.
I managed an awkward smile. “Yeah, bye.”
He exited the room, leaving behind a palpable silence.
Ivan broke the silence first. “I better get going,” he began. “I will see you later, yes?”
Later? Did he mean tomorrow at work or something else?
“What do you mean?” I asked to avoid misunderstanding him, my mind had already made up so many things.
He hesitated. And when I thought he wasn’t going to say anything. “I will text you.”
Then he turned and left without another word.
What was that for?
Never mind. I’ve got to finish up and go home.
Ivan’s POV:
I couldn’t shake off what Sophia had said in her office earlier.
*Don’t act like there is something more to this. We don’t mean anything to each other, we just fuck. It is all meaningless so don’t do this!*
Why had she said that to me?
And what was that expression on her face?
Pain?
Maybe I’d pushed her too far by kicking against her plans and I hated that I’d done that to her, I had no choice but to let her do what she wanted even though I hated every bit of those silly plans.
And it didn’t help that Harry seemed shady to me, maybe it was just the irrational side of me speaking but my instinct never lies.
“Ivan!” Sasha snapped, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I’ve been talking to you,” She pointed out.
“He’s been like that since earlier today,” Sid muttered under his breath.
I ignored them as I took out a cigarette from its pack and lit it.
“What do you mean?” Sasha asks.
“Well… when I went to Sophia’s office they both seemed weird and-”
“Shut up, Sidorov,” I bit out as irritation bubbled inside me. I tossed the newly lit cigarettes into an ashtray. “Mind your business.”
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Someone’s in a mood today. Fine, I’ll drop it.”
Sasha rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms. “Brother, did you hear what I said at all?” She asks.
“No,” I answered simply.
She huffs. “What is going on with you? You and Sophia had a lover’s quarrel?”
I glared at her. “What do you mean by that? I just had some things on my mind.”
“Yeah, whatever,” she scoffed.
I stood up from the couch, irritated by their behaviour. “I need to get some rest, we can discuss whatever it is you want at the office tomorrow,” I said.
“But Ivan-”
“Sasha, whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow,” I said more firmly this time.
She stared at me for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.
I turned to Sid. “Find out everything about Harry, I want any and every dirt you can find on him.”
Sasha gasped and Sid’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Brother, you can’t do that! He’s not an ordinary citizen,” Sasha said, concern etched on her features. “You could get in trouble for this. You’re powerful, no doubt, but this isn’t our country!”
Do I care about that? Not one bit.
“Sid, do as I’ve told you. I expect results as soon as possible,” I instructed, ignoring Sasha’s outburst.
Sid hesitated, but the look I gave him dared him to argue with me. His shoulders dropped.”Sure,” he replied.
“Why don’t you ever listen?” Sasha groaned.
I frowned slightly. “I want you to know that I won’t change my mind about this, I don’t trust that bastard one bit and my instinct is never wrong.”
“Ivan-”
“I know what I’m doing Sasha, I’m not killing him, I’m only investigating him,” I pointed out. “I am not changing my mind, sestra [sister].”
She sighed in defeat. “I know.”
“Good.”