The Billionaire Mafia’s Slave

CHAPTER 79: ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR CHEQUE

LILY’S POV:

I would not lie, I was terrified. I shouldn’t be, because I was thinking of speaking with Mr Vladimir but for him to request for Nikolai and I? He was up to something.

Nikolai held tightly to my hand as we walked the hallways to his father’s study room. My heart was pounding with every step we took.

As if reading my mind, Nikolai turned to me and smiled.

“I’m here”, He said and I smiled back.

We got to Mr Vladimir study and Mazhordom Sergei was at the door, he showed a slight bow to Nikolai and knocked lightly on the door before opening, Nikolai and I walked in.

As we entered Mr. Vladimir’s study, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of power and control emanating from him. His aura was like a strong force that filled the room.

The room had big bookshelves that went up to the ceiling, filled with old books with gold writing on them.

My eyes accessed the room, it was a bit dark. A large stone fireplace took up one wall, with carvings on it. The air smelled like old books and smoke. A thick, red carpet covered the floor, making our footsteps quiet.

Mr. Vladimir’s desk was at the far end of the room, looking important and powerful. The room felt fancy and serious, like a place where big decisions were made. I felt a bit awed and nervous.

He sat behind his massive desk, his back straight and his eyes fixed on us. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he nodded at us to approach. Nikolai took my hand, and we stepped forward together.

Mr. Vladimir’s gaze seemed to bore into us, especially me. I felt a sense of protection with Nikolai by my side, but Mr. Vladimir’s presence was intimidating. He exuded an air of authority, and I knew that we were in for a serious conversation.

“Sit”, He said. Nikolai and I sat on the vacant chair opposite of Mr Vladimir. He took off his reading glasses to look at us like he wasn’t seeing us before.

“Why are we here father?”, Nikolai asked, looking straight at his dad. I, on the other hand, avoided this man’s fearful gaze.

“You have always been impatient, not playing with your time or letting someone play with it”, Mr Vladimir said, I raised my head and caught the smirk on his face.

‘Is he… proud?’, I wondered.

“You raised me that way, remember?”, Nikolai said, tilting his face a bit.

“And I am impressed”, Mr Vladimir replied.

Oh, so he was truly proud?

“I want you two to end what ever this is”, Mr Vladimir declared, putting back his serious look. Nikolai’s face morphed into anger.

“That is NEVER happening!”, Nikolai replied with the same velocity.

“It was not a question or suggestion, I’m ordering you to end things now!”, Mr Vladimir said, his face turning more intimidating.

Even though I had wanted to talk to him before, seeing this commanding and scary side of him made me give a second thought. Nikolai’s malicious laughter filled the room and I shivered, Mr Vladimir wasn’t surprised by his son. It was as if he expected such reaction.

“I have never known you to be a jokester father! Have you ever thought of joining the circus?”, Nikolai said and I gasped, looking at him in surprise. Mr Vladimir furrowed his brows and he stood up in anger, slamming his hands on the desk.

“How dare you make ridicule of me?!!”, Mr Vladimir roared and Nikolai’s fake laughter disappeared, he stood up too, hands in his pocket and half a head taller than his father, he wasn’t scared of his father as he looked him straight in the eyes.

“And how dare you try to destroy the little peace I have found in my life, the only thing that makes me look forward for daybreak… father?”, Nikolai asked.

I just sat there as I haven’t said anything since, I looked at father and son going head to head. I was surprised that Nikolai would challenge his father for me but this is not something I like. I never wanted to be the reason for their estranged relationship.

I sighed and stood up, holding Nikolai’s hand.

“That’s enough Nikolai”, I said to him, he looked at me and I pleaded with my eyes. I looked at Mr Vladimir, forgetting for a second how scary he was.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“Can we talk sir? Please…”, I stopped calling him ‘dad’ as he was always offended by it.

“Lily, no–“, Nikolai tried to object.

“You promised”, I reminded him in a whisper.

“What makes you think I would want to talk to you?”, Mr Vladimir asked, chuckling like I just said the joke of the year.

“Because I want to clear whatever misconceptions you have about me a-and to prove that I am a good partner for Nikolai”, I tried my very best not to sound weak or scared.

“And what ‘misconception’ might that be?”, He asked.

“You don’t need to talk to him, he-he’s stubborn–“, Nikolai still tried to talk me out of it.

“Please… please”, I begged and Nikolai sighed.

“Okay”, Nikolai agreed.

***

Here I was, still in Mr Vladimir’s study room and seated in front of Mr Vladimir, Nikolai wasn’t in sight after several pleading for him to let me talk alone with his father.

I was tongue-tied, I have all the words to say to him but my mouth wouldn’t move to open. Mr Vladimir’s eyes scrutinized me then I cleared my throat, finally finding the confidence.

“Dad– Sir”, I quickly corrected myself, “… I know you don’t approve of my relationship with Nikolai, but I want to show you that I’m committed to making it work. I care deeply for your son, and I want to prove myself to you”, I paused to read his expression but he didn’t give anything out.

“I know you may have misconceptions about me, but I want to clear the air. I’m not just some fleeting infatuation for Nikolai. I-I’m his partner, his friend and I support him and I want to be a part of your family’s life”, I continued.

I have watched in many movies how this is supposed to be the other way around, the guy is meant to be the one seeking for permission from the lady’s family but here I was…

Mr. Vladimir leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk.

“I’ve seen many women come and go in Nikolai’s life. What makes you think you’re different?”, He uttered, expecting me to be surprised but I wasn’t. I have a wild idea of Nikolai’s sexual life but I was not jealous, I am his last.

“I understand that you may have doubts, but I assure you, my intentions are genuine. I know how rough Nikolai’s life is and I want to bring out the best in him”, I replied.

Mr. Vladimir’s expression remained unreadable, he reached out to his desk drawer and brought out a brown envelope, he passed it to me and leaned back to his chair.

“Open it”, He said and I looked at the envelope with confusion. I opened it and read its content and my eyes grew wide.

It was proof of Nikolai purchasing me from the trafficking house, how much he got me for, the date I was kidnapped, how I was locked up in Nikolai’s dungeon back in US, everything… I gasped at each page I read.

“Ho-how?…”, I managed to ask.

Mr Vladimir had a smirk on his face.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out? That I would not dig deep when my son came back just to introduce a white girl to his family as his girlfriend?”, Mr asked. He stood up and walked around his study room, touching each book within his reach then he continued, “… I must say, you are an incredible actor, fooling my wife and family. I know my son put you up to this… into deceiving us, but I can help you escape, to go back to your father and make sure Nikolai doesn’t come back for you”.

I was still in disbelief, trying so hard to find the right words to say to him.

‘How am I supposed to tell him that all these was the past, I and Nikolai are in love now and no more pretence’, I asked myself.

I shook my head and stood up.

“No-no sir, y-you don’t understand–“, I tried to say but he cut me off.

“There is also a cheque of one hundred million dollars for you… something to help start over”, he said and I was offended, truly.

Mr Vladimir made it look as if he was trying to ‘save’ me from Nikolai’s clutches but he was only trying to pay me off. I scoffed and the tears came pouring down.

I should be happy that I finally have a way out, I would go back to my old life, away from Nikolai’s mafia life, back to my papa where it’s just him and me against the world… but, I love Nikolai and everything about him, both the good and bad, I can’t imagine my life without him.

“I-I don’t–“, I tried to say when I heard a piercing scream from outside.

‘Isn’t this study room meant to be soundproof?’, I asked myself.

“What was that noise?!!”, Mr Vladimir asked, rushing out and I dropped the file and followed behind.

“Stop it you two!!”, I heard Mrs Vladimir’s voice. Nikolai and Roman were yet again in a heated fight with Roman on top of Nikolai, hands to Nikolai neck, choking him.

I gasped in shock and rushing to the scene.

“Stop please!”, Galina yelled, crying.

“I SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU MYSELF IN THAT ICE!!”, Roman roared and I froze in fear.