CHAPTER 47: NIKOLAI VERSUS ROMAN
CHAPTER 47: NIKOLAI VERSUS ROMAN
NIKOLAI’S POV:
I chuckled as I watched Galina pull Lily with her inside. It was better they were together, I need to deal with things and Galina is the only one I trust to keep Lily occupied.
“I should get going Nikolai, mom and I will be around for dinner”, Ivan announced and I smiled faintly, I knew why he didn’t want to be around the mansion for long but I didn’t say anything.
“Okay Ivan. Thank you for today by the way”, I said and shook him.
“Don’t mention brother”, He responded and left with his own family convoy.
I sighed and looked at Lev who just had a normal expression. I walked inside in search of my mom but I was greeted by the family Mazhordom, the butler.
Mazhordom Sergei has been with our family way before I was born, he is in his 60s and his forefathers has been serving The Vladimir for hundreds of decades.
Mazhordom Sergei’s silver hair and wispy mustache are testaments to his six decades of life. Despite his advanced age, Sergei’s piercing blue eyes still sparkle with a keen intelligence and a deep understanding of the workings of our household.
His slender frame, straightened by a lifetime of military service, exudes a quiet dignity and a sense of pride in his work. As he bows slightly to acknowledge my arrival, I am reminded of the countless times he has efficiently managed the intricacies of our estate, always anticipating our needs and ensuring the smooth operation of our daily lives. Sergei’s dedication and loyalty are a credit to his unwavering commitment to our family.
“Welcome home young master”, He greeted.
“Were is my mother?”, I asked as I watched the maids take in I and Lily’s luggages.
“She slept at the hospital, she will be back soon”, Mazhordom Sergei replied.
“And Roman?”, I asked.
“He- He hasn’t been home since the incident”, Mazhordom Sergei hesitated before saying. I scoffed and nodded.
So Roman isn’t home after all the trouble he caused, he was the reason father was hospital and I can guess he is out causing more trouble.
I sighed and decided to address everything later since mother and Roman weren’t around. I went upstairs to my old room, I opened it with the key I requested from Mazhordom Sergei and it was still the same, exactly how I left it.
I guess mother had the maids clean it up since I said I would be coming. I then realized I didn’t tell her I would be coming with someone, a lady at that.
I have to come up with how to introduce Lily as, going in and telling them she was my supposed purchased slave will be bad for Lily and I can’t let that happen.
An idea popped into my head and I smirked.
I went in the bathroom and had a warm shower, got dressed and went to find Lily.
‘She needs her rest because of the jetlag’, I promised myself that was the reason but I didn’t want Lily out of my sight in this crazy mansion, I won’t to tie her to me if possible. Especially now that Roman was roaming around.
I found her in Galina’s room and she was listening so attentively to Galina and her stories. I knocked on the partly opened door and they both looked at me, I noticed Lily taking in my appearance.
“Why are you in here?”, Galina asked, acting like a spoilt brat.
“Lily is tired and jetlagged. She needs to rest”, I said and looked at Lily who had her eyes still on me, She looked away when our eyes locked “… and I also need time with her, don’t you think”, I continued and saw as Lily’s eyes grow wide and she looked at me in shock.
I know she read the meaning in my words.
I watched as Lily tried to convince my sister that she did need the rest and promised to hang out with her later, Galina finally agreed and we both left my sister’s room.
We got to my room and I opened the door for her, I walked in and she still stood by the door, ‘Is she scared to come in?’, I wondered.
“Don’t just stand there. Come in”, I said to her and she looked at me, she walked in and just stood still.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
“Why are you standing?”, I asked.
“You haven’t said I should, I didn’t want to annoy you”, Lily replied and something ticked in my head, I didn’t like what she said but I couldn’t say anything, she was right to be sarcastic.
“The maids brought in your luggages, freshen up and take a rest. I’ll get you when it’s dinner time”, I instructed and left immediately, I was biting down on my teeth too hard. I stood by the stairs and tried to calm myself down.
I went into my father’s study room since I was the only one allowed in there, I couldn’t find anything wrong so I just left things as it were. It would be better if he gains consciousness, then I can talk to him.
***
The day went by quickly, I talked to Lily about why we were here and how I would introduce her to my family. Although she didn’t like it, I made her see reasons. I briefed her on the dos and don’ts, who to expect at dinner, who to talk to and who to be wary of.
After everything was agreed on, I left her to continue sleeping and left the room.
I called Lev to drive me to the hospital as my mother wasn’t back home since morning, I have tried calling her but her line has been unreachable. Just when I set out to go, my mother’s car entered the huge compound, I paused and she came down from the car and ran towards me.
“Oh my sweet boyyyy!”, She exclaimed and hugged me tightly, I revealed a small smile and hugged her back.
“I missed you mother”, I said and she increased her grip.
“Oh I have missed you my dear!”, She said while still hugging me.
I pulled away from the hug and when I look at my mom, I’m amazed by how young she still looks. Her face is smooth and calm, with no wrinkles or fine lines. Her skin is glowing, like she’s radiating a warm light from inside. Her eyes are bright and shiny, like two sparkling diamonds. They’re still the same deep brown they’ve always been, with a hint of kindness and love.
Her hair is dark and full, with no gray hairs at all – it’s like she’s still got the same hair she had when I was a kid. She carries herself with grace and confidence, like a queen. It’s like time has stopped for her, and she hasn’t aged a bit. I’m really impressed by how beautiful she still is.
“When did you arrive?”, She asked as she dragged me inside the house with her.
“This morning. I was on my way to see you and father at the hospital”, I replied. She made me sit on the sofa and she did same. As our eyes meet, her gaze is like a warm embrace. She looks at me with a softness in her eyes, a gentle sparkle that says she’s happy to see me. Her eyebrows, perfectly shaped and still dark, rise slightly as she smiles, and her lips curve up in a gentle, loving way. It’s like she’s seeing me for the first time in years and she’s taking in every detail.
‘Well, that’s true’, I said in my head.
Her eyes crinkle at the corners, and her whole face lights up with a quiet joy.
“Do not worry about us, your father will be fine… He is already awake that’s why I spent more time at the hospital”, She explained.
“He is awake? How is he? Is he doing okay?”, I asked, relieved my father was conscious now.
“He is perfect, I was only trying to convince him to stay longer in the hospital as he tried to convince the doctor to discharge him or to receive treatments at home… You know how stubborn your dad is”, She said and we laughed.
We talked about a lot of things, my life in the US, business, here in Moscow, her train of high class women friends and their single daughters, I was aware of what she was trying to do.
We sat on that spot for hours as we were catching up. Galina came in and joined in the conversation.
As I glance at my sister, I’m struck by the uncanny resemblance she bears to our mother. The same piercing brown eyes, the same dark hair, the same gentle curve of the lips – it’s like looking at a younger version of our mom.
The way she tilts her head, the way her eyes sparkle when she smiles, it’s all so familiar. It’s like our mom has been reborn in her. I’m amazed by the similarity.
“BROTHERRRR!!!”, I heard that familiar voice I couldn’t forget even if I tried, it was Roman. From the way he was dressed, one could tell her was out partying. I didn’t respond to him.
“Son, you’re back!”, My mother stood up from where she sat, a large smile pasted on her face as she approached her first born child.
“Mama”, He called out and I noticed he was drunk. He hugged my mom, I stood up to leave because I still couldn’t stand him, not now. Roman grabbed my hand and I tug my hand away with force.
“Heyyy br-brother! I thought we were cool now, huh?”, He said, smiling.
“Don’t fucking start with me Roman”, I said and left, moving up the stairs, Roman followed behind, he kept saying things to make me react but I didn’t even look back.
“… Come on Nikolai, we used to do things together when we were little, remember when we used to share our toys? Can we still do that with that girl?”, He said and I paused, I didn’t understand him so I turned to look at him. We were already upstairs.
“What are you driving at Roman?”, I asked.
“You know, that girl you keep in your mansion, the one who picked up when I called… the one whose voice would be so nice to hear moan–“, I didn’t give him the chance to complete his words and I plastered a blow on his face.
“Roman!”, My mother yelled.
“Nikolai?!!”, Galina screamed my name.