In the morning, when the sun penetrated the sheer curtains, Merri woke up and glanced around the unfamiliar room. Disoriented, she squinted her eyes. Where am I?
After remembering drinking wine last night she lifted the covers and breathed a sigh of relief. She laughed, what am I thinking..haha..CEO Rushkin isn't that type of man!
She grabbed a bottle of water from the nightstand and saw the note he left. Oh...that explains why he didn't take me home.
Merri walked into the bathroom and washed her face. She opened a new toothbrush and after brushing her teeth she combed her tangled hair. While gazing at her reflections she recalled the details from last night and was satisfied she didn't pounce on the handsome man. She blushed thinking about sitting on the couch so close to him and holding his hand.
After straightening out her clothes she left the bedroom to find Nikolai. When she didn't see him she assumed he must still be sleeping. Last night she noticed his refrigerator was well stocked so she decided to make breakfast for him.
Merri was on her tiptoes stretching up to reach the flour when Nikolai entered the kitchen. He had a surprised expression as he quietly walked over to Merri. "What are you looking for?"
Startled by his sudden appearance she screamed"AHHH!"
She lost her balance and fell into his warm embrace. Her face was pressed against his chest and she could smell a refreshing woodsy scent on his body. Shyly lifting her head she fluttered her long black eyelashes, "The..the flour"
Her heart was thumping and cheeks were bright red because his arms were tightly wrapped around her thin waist. She could feel the heat of his palms and an electric current ran through her body.
Nikolai wasn't much better, his heart was racing and he abruptly let go, "I will get it. You didn't need to make breakfast."
He usually only had a protein drink in the morning.
Merri took the plastic cannister from his hand, " I said I would cook for you, I appreciate your kindness allowing me to practice on your exquisite piano. Sit, I made coffee."
As he walked to the table his pitch black eyes were filled with complex emotions. He sat down and watched Merri with an intense gaze as she poured the coffee.
Her fair cheeks were still faintly dyed red, the girl in front of him was like a ray of sunshine in his dark life. Kind? The little angel has no idea how cruel and merciless I am.
Merri brought the coffee to the table and smiled sweetly stirring his heart. "Breakfast should be ready soon."
"Thank you." He could smell a familiar aroma and asked, "Are you making Syrinki?"
"Yes, and fried eggs and ham. I looked up the recipe online, I hope you like it."
The doorbell rang and Nikolai grimaced, who could that be? He reluctantly stood up and went to the front door. Looking through the monitor the corner of his mouth twitched and he opened the door. "Why are you here so early?"
Vladi pushed past him, "Look at these dark circles under my eyes! I didn't sleep a wink! Why didn't you go over to my sister's apartment when she called?"
"Leave."
Vladi smelled a delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen and brushed past him, "Since when did you start making breakfast?"
Nikolai was pushing him towards the door when Merri walked into the living room. Vladi's eyes darted back and forth between Nikolai and Merri. In a barely audible voice he stuttered, "You..you.."
Nikolai grabbed his shoulder and leaned down whispering in his ear speaking Russian, "It isn't what you think... now, scram."
Merri didn't sense the tension between them and said, "Breakfast is ready, did your friend want to eat? I made plenty."
Before Nikolai could respond Vladi quickened his pace over to Merri, "I'm starving."
Nikolai regretted answering the door as he followed them into the dining room. He knew if he forced Vladi to leave now that he would get the wrong idea about Merri and his relationship. That could prove disastrous should he mention it to Alexi.
Vladi walked into the kitchen and his eyes lit up when he saw the cheese pancakes, "You know how to cook Russian food?"
"No. I found a recipe online and I thought Mr. Ruskin might enjoy having them for breakfast."
Vladi raised his delicate eyebrow, "You finally hired a cook?"
Realizing Vladi didn't recognize Merri he nodded his head, "Part time."
Merri assumed Nikolai didn't want to explain the situation so she didn't say anything. She poured Vladi a cup of coffee, "Do you want cream or sugar?"
He took a sip, "This is good."
Merri flipped the pancakes over and then smiled, "Almost ready. I will make a couple more eggs."
Nikolai pulled Vladi's arm because he didn't like the way he was gazing at Merri. "Let's go to the dining room."
Once they were seated in the dining room Vladi remembered why he came. "Nik, why didn't you return Nina's phone calls? You know how much she depends on you."
"I made it clear the last time she pretended to commit suicide I wouldn't be fooled by her again."
"You are the only one who can calm her down when she has these manic episodes. She cried on my shoulder all night and she has a performance tonight."
"Nina needs to grow up. She fulfilled her dream, she is Nina Niralova, Prima Ballerina and the spoiled wife of the heir to the Yakinowa Group."
"She told me that she loves you and wants to get a divorce."
Merri stood at the doorway then ducked back into the kitchen and didn't hear Nikolai's's response. Nina Niralova, the world famous Russian ballerina and Mr. Rushkin?
Nikolai gulped down the coffee, "You know I have never thought of Nina in that way. I think of her as my little sister."
" I called the doctor and he gave her a sedative she should be calm. Go and see Nina."
Nikolai clenched his fists and didn't waver, "I won't."
Vladi needed him to coax his sister, she will get into big trouble if she doesn't appear on stage tonight. He has a serious expression as he puts his hand on Nikolai's shoulder, "Brother, do me this favor and I will owe you. If it is within my power I will do whatever you want. Nina has been causing problems and is very close to losing her position in the dance company. She can't afford to miss tonight. The Director already has an eye on her replacement."
He knew if he was to leave Alexi's side he would need Vladi's help so he agreed. "Don't forget what you said. I am busy today, there was an incident at the construction site last night. Tell Nina I will come to her performance and we can go to dinner afterwards."
Vladi breathed a sigh of relief, "I knew you wouldn't let me down."
Nikolai had a serious expression,"I am doing this for you, not Nina... so remember your promise. Your sister needs help for her issues, coddling her isn't the solution."
Merri looked at the food that was going to be cold soon if she didn't serve it. She picked up the plates and as she walked to the doorway she raised her voice to alert the two men, " Umm...I am coming with breakfast."
"..." Did the little angel hear us?