Page 34 of Dark Seduction
As he walks away, my mind wanders back to Lev. Things have shifted between us and it's unsettling. There's no proposal, no ring, nothing concrete.
The night of the attack, he was my rock, but now, he's distant, almost absent. What's going on with him? Why the sudden coldness?
It's been a whole week since Lev dropped that bombshell about marriage, and he's been as elusive as a ghost. Each day drags on, leaving me to wonder if his comforting words that night were just a knee-jerk reaction to what happened, or if he's having second thoughts.
I rest my hand on my belly, still in disbelief that I'm actually pregnant. The whole idea of becoming a mom is overwhelming, and I have no idea how I’m going to break the news to my parents. I mentally kick myself for being so careless with birthcontrol.
I need some answers soon. This waiting game is driving me up the wall, and with a baby on the way, I don't have the luxury of time to waste on uncertainties.
I definitely need a break from my spinning thoughts so I head out of my office toward the break room, aiming for some much-needed tea. Just as I walk in, I spot Vladimir closing his laptop, his eyes lighting up a bit when he sees me.
“Care to join me for a coffee?” he asks, already rising from his seat.
“Actually, tea for me,” I reply, sliding into a chair opposite him.
He raises an eyebrow, then asks, “What kind?”
I shrug, feeling a bit out of my depth. “Something calming.”
He gives me a look that makes me feel like he's reading more into my words than I intended. He reaches for the box of chamomile tea and pulls out a bag.
“Chamomile,” he explains as he heats the water, “is good for relaxation. Might help with any stress you're dealing with.”
The way he says it, so casually yet pointedly, makes me wonder just how much he’s picked up from our little interaction. I nod, grateful for the suggestion, and watch as he carefully prepares the tea, his movements precise and practiced.
“You sure know what you’re doing,” I say.
As Vladimir carefully pours the steaming water over the tea bag, he speaks. “My mother used to brew tea whenever she felt stressed," he begins, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Back in Moscow, she was the pillar of our household, never allowing anyworry show—especially in front of my brothers and me."
He chuckles lightly, continuing. "As a single mother, she had a lot on her plate. But the one tell she had was her tea. Whenever I saw her with a cup, I knew things were weighing on her."
With a playful grin, he adds, "That was my cue to ease up on the mischief. Well, for a little while at least."
He hands me the mug of tea, the steam curling up gently.
"Maybe it's a bit of inherited wisdom, handing you this cup," he says, smiling, his eyes meeting mine with a warmth that's both comforting and slightly piercing.
I wrap my hands around the warm mug, grateful for the story and the tea. "Thanks, Vladimir," I say, smiling back.
He gives me a knowing nod. "You're welcome," he replies, then falls silent for a moment as he stirs his coffee. With a half-smile, he continues, "You know, my mother also taught me never to pry into a woman's affairs, but I must confess, I never quite mastered that lesson."
He leans forward slightly, his expression turning serious. "How are you doing after what happened at the gala? It was quite a night."
I take a moment, sipping the tea to gather my thoughts before answering. "Honestly, I'm more worried about Lev than anything. It's been a lot to process."
Vladimir chuckles softly, his gaze thoughtful. "Don’t worry about him. Lev is tough. Trust me, what we saw the other night was child's play compared to some things he’s faced. But" he pauses, his voice softening, "he's been quite concerned about you, Dalia. He talks of little else."
A warmth spreads through me at his words; comforting, yet tinged with the complexity of my feelings about Lev. "That's reassuring to hear," I admit, allowing myself a small smile. "Thanks, Vladimir. It means a lot knowing that."
"Well, Dalia, since we’re chatting like old pals now, just call me Vlad," he says with an easy grin.
“Ok, Vlad, in that case, what can you tell me about all these things he’s faced? I know he was in the military, but the way the whole family reacted that night…” I trail off.
Vlad nods. “That really is something you should hear from Lev himself,” he says.
I groan, frustrated. “Yes, in a perfect world, but he’s been pretty scarce lately. If I’m going to stick around, do I need to be worried about the threat of another shootout? Please Vlad, help me out here.”
He thinks for a moment before speaking. “Lev’s family is part of a very old tradition in Russia.”