The rain poured down in sheets, casting a somber veil over the bustling streets of the city of London. I hurried through the crowded sidewalk, my heels clicking against the pavement in rhythm with my racing heart. I clutched my coat tighter around me, seeking refuge from the biting chill that permeated the air.

In my haste, I bumped into a solid figure, the force of the impact sending me stumbling backward. I blinked away the rainwater that blurred my vision, my eyes meeting those of a man who stood before me, his expression a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

"Watch where you're going," he snapped, his stern voice cutting through the din of the city with a clear Russian accent to his words.

I bristled at the tone, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Excuse me? You walked right into me!"

The man's lips curved into a sardonic smile, letting out a gentle scoff, a flash of amusement dancing in his eyes despite the seriousness of his expression. "Well, aren't you a feisty one?"

Before I could retort, the man stepped closer, his proximity sending a jolt of awareness through my veins. I took in his sharp features, his platinum blonde hair cascading in waves, the intensity of his gaze, his blue-greyish eyes reminiscent of stormy skies, and the demeanor that exuded confidence and sophistication that surrounded him like a cloak.

Despite myself, I felt a spark of curiosity igniting within me. Who was this man, with his arrogant demeanor and enigmatic presence?

"Forgive me, where are my manners I'm Louis Vasiliev, and if I may ask for your name, dear?" His tone was rather soft and sultry and that accent that trailed in his words made my cheeks flush.

"Ah yes, it's ahem... Evelyn Rivers " I said avoiding eye contact before I lost my goddamn mind

How could someone be this attractive.

This perfect..! He can't be real...

His eyes.

Louis interrupted, "Evelyn, I'm sorry for my rude behavior earlier. Allow me to make it up to you. Are you free right now? I know a great little place nearby. Dinner, perhaps?" the man conceded, his tone softer now, laced with a hint of amusement. 

I hesitated, taken aback by the unexpected invitation. Hesitation lingered in the air.

"Dinner, now?"

I hesitated, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. I barely knew this man, and yet there was something about him that drew me in, a magnetic pull I couldn't resist. "yes why not~ are you free?"

But out of sheer curiosity, I found myself nodding. By sheer coincidence, I was. "Well, surprisingly, I am." Against my better judgment, I found myself nodding, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

And just like that, we found ourselves seated across from each other in a cozy restaurant, the rain still drumming against the windows. 

And with that simple exchange, the first thread of our tangled web was woven. In the heart of the city, amidst the chaos and the rain-soaked streets, Louis Vasiliev and I embarked on a journey that would irrevocably alter the course of our lives.

.

.

.

.

.

In the chilly darkness of the night, a crisp Russian accent pierced through the phone, reaching the ears of an anonymous listener.

"Arnold, it seems I've stumbled upon a little mouse. Keep her under your watchful eye. Don't let her slip away." the voice commanded, possessive and authoritative, with a sharp edge that could slice through steel.