Chapter 13
Angela sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers grazing over the smooth silk of the dress laid before her. It was impossibly soft beneaths her fingerps, the fabric whispering against her skin like a secret waiting to be unraveled. A deep crimson, rich and luxurious, with delicate lace tracing as bodice the didn’t need sight to know it was beautiful–it felt exquisite, meant to be worn by someone far more deserving than her.
Her stomach twisted. Why had Mikhail sent this? What cruel game was he playing now?
A soft knock on the door made her jump. The head maid entered, her voice gentle. “Mr. Volkov is expecting you downstairs in an hour. He has arranged a car to take you out.”
Angela’s pulse quickened. Out? The thought of leaving the mansion both thrilled and terrified her. She had been trapped within these walls, her world shrinking by the day, but the unknown outside was just as daunting.
Still, a part of her was curious.
With hesitant fingers, she changed into the dress, the fabric molding to her frame as though it had been made for her. The cold metal of delicate jewelry was fastened around her neck, and her hair was styled simply, letting soft waves frame her face. When she finally stepped out, escorted down by the maid, her heart pounded erratically.
The moment she reached the bottom of the staircase, she felt it–his presence.
Mikhail was waiting. She sensed his gaze roaming over her like a touch, the air between them charged. The scent of his cologne, dark and intoxicating, wrapped around her as he stepped closer.
“You’re breathtaking,” he murmured, his voice a husky caress.
Angela clenched her hands to stop the trembling of her fingers. “Why are you doing this?”
Mikhail chuckled, low and smooth. “Because I can.”
Before she could respond, his hand brushed against the small of her back, guiding her forward. A shiver raked down her spine but she controlled her fear. He led her outside, where a sleek black car awaited. The ride was silent, the tension between them palpable. Every time their fingers accidentally touched, she felt an unspoken electricity, an unrelenting awareness of the man beside her.
When they arrived, she could hear the gentle hum of a violin playing in the distance, the crisp night air filled with the scent of roses and something decadent. It was a private rooftop restaurant, the city lights stretching below them like fallen stars.
He pulled out her chair for her. “Sit.”
The moment she did, warmth spread through her when she felt him close–too close. The flickering candlelight danced against her skin, and as the courses arrived, Mikhail’s presence remained intoxicating, impossible to ignore.
“How does it look like?” She couldn’t help but ask because it was obvious the whole aura of the place was beautiful.
“Not as beautiful as you are,” He said making her breath hitch.
“It’s a private rooftop restaurant, the city lights stretching below us like fallen stars. But you, Angel. You look breath taking. The candle light is falling on you making you look even more ethereal,” As he praised her beauty, she couldn’t help but lower her head as her cheeks burned. What was this feeling? Why was she feeling so jittery.
“Why are we here?” she asked, her voice soft but/steady.
Mikhail leaned back, his gaze never leaving her. “Because you deserve to experience beauty, Angel. Even if you can’t see it, you can feel it.”
Something tightened in her chest. The way he spoke, as if he truly wanted her to feel, to experience something beyond the suffocating darkness she had been trapped in–it unsettled her.
16:57 Wed 18 Jun
Chapter 13
“W… Why do you want to marry a blind girl when you can have
anyone you want?” Her voice was steady as she asked that question,
“Because I can,” he simply diverted the deeper meaning of answer she was searching for.
“Then marry someone without any disability-
“I don’t know, Angel. And stop telling to marry someone else. I’ve said in calm deep voice.
Angela remained silent for the longest time as Mikhail sighed.
my
decision. I don’t know why I made it but I’m certain that t’il marry you. He
His fingers found hers on the table, brushing against her knuckles. “Tell
if things were different, what kind of life would you have wanted?
Angela hesitated. No one had ever asked her that before. She swallowed. What kind of life she wanted?
“A simple one. A quiet home. A life where I could wake
up and
not be afraid.”
Mikhail’s grip tightened slightly. “And what if I told you I could give you that?”
She turned her head in his direction. “I would tell you
that’s a lie.”
His low chuckle sent shivers down her spine. “Perhaps.” He lifted a glass of wine, bringing it to her lips. “Drink.”
His mere words scared her and the fact that he didn’t deny it scared her even more.
She hesitated before parting her lips, the rich taste coating her tongue. The entire evening felt surreal–dangerously intoxicating.
As the night deepened, Mikhail reached out, he pulled her to her feet. His big calloused hands holding her small ones as he escorted to the middle of the place. All of a sudden slow music began to play. Her breath hitched when he placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her flushed to his chest. At that moment she realized the stark contrast in their frames. He was so tall and strong built like a mountain and she was just so small.
Mikhail moved the tunes as he pulled her along. Angela has never danced before but he guided her movements with ease.
Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I won’t let you hide from me, Angel. I will strip away every wall you Angela’s breath caught in her throat as he leaned in, his lips hovering just above hers, the promise of something sinful lingering between them.
build.”
