CHAPTER 70: YOU LOOK… BREATHTAKING
CHAPTER 70: YOU LOOK… BREATHTAKING
NIKOLAI’S POV:
I brushed the hair off Lily’s face as I silently watch her sleep. I replayed the event that just happened in my head and my heart swelled. I have to say, I was completely shocked when Lily came into the bathroom unclad.
Hearing her say those three words to me made me the happiest man on earth, she loves me and nothing else matters, even the marriage could wait.
I carefully stood up from the bed and left the room, going downstairs to the kitchen to make something for Lily when she wakes up.
The preparations for the ball was ongoing and I couldn’t care less, I was never a fan of it. The ball was hosted every new year since I was born with different theme and I have attended every single one of it until I went to The States.
My grandfather founded the fundraiser ball and it has been passed on since then.
“Young master Nikolai?!”, The head chef gasped when he saw me in the kitchen. The other maids flinched when they heard my name, I didn’t pay them any attention.
“You can’t be here–“, The head chef tried to say but I cut her off.
“Teach me how to make mac and cheese”, I announced. Everyone in the kitchen looked at me like I just grew two extra heads, some whispered to each other while others looked away in fear.
“Uh– I don’t… I don’t understand”, The chef said, looking confused.
“What’s not to understand? Show me how to make macaroni and cheese… I didn’t speak Latin, did I?”, I almost growled. The chef looked as if he would pee in his pants out of fear, he immediately shook his head.
“No no! Of course you didn’t…”, he immediately denied, “… how about I make it and bring it to your room?”, he said.
I moved closer to him, frowning down at him and he cowered in fear.
“If I wanted it done by somebody else, I would not have bothered coming down here right?”, I asked and he nodded vigorously.
“I’m re-really sorry sir”, he apologized and I let it slide just because I was in a good mood.
It was just me, the chef and a maid, everyone else left because they won’t be needed. I got to it, following every thing the chef told me to, stir and I stirred, pour and I poured, jump and I jumped.
I was so sure he ordered me around on purpose, he was enjoying giving me orders and I wanted to punch his satisfied smirk off.
After what felt like forever, the mac and cheese was ready, it was plated and I took it upstairs for Lily.
“Good, you are already awake”, I said once I was in the room and saw she was already up. Her red cheeks didn’t go unnoticed and I smirked to myself.
I sat on the bed beside her and placed the tray of food on her thighs.
“Thank you”, She said and I nodded.
“Eat up… you missed dinner and it is almost time for the ball”, I reminded her, not forgetting I was the reason she missed dinner.
“Riighhtttt, the ball. Galina and I need to get ready together”, she said, already trying to get down without touching the food I lovingly made.
“Eat first, you’ll meet her later”, I said and she pouted. I carefully kept an eye on her as she munched on every last bit of the dinner.
“It’s really nice”, she commented and I smiled.
Of course it had to be nice, I spent so much time in making it, the three first ones I made was a disaster and I only got it right on the fourth trial.
“You like it?”, I asked, watching her like a hawk.
“Alot”, She replied and giggled.
After eating, I let her go to Galina and I also started getting ready. My father has made it a tradition that as the host of the fundraiser ball, we have to be the first to arrive and welcome other guests. 10pm was the ball so we have to be in the ballroom before 10pm.
I give myself a once-over in the mirror, and I’m looking like a straight-up boss. My suit is custom-made, fitted to perfection, and screams luxury. It was pitch black like my hair, it’s like a badge of honor, showing off my strength and status. I look like the head honcho, the big cheese, the mafia boss that I am. I’m dressed to impress and I know I’ll be making a statement at this ball, I can’t wait to introduce the world to Lily.
It was pass 9pm and I went downstairs to wait for Lily as my dear sister wouldn’t let me see her while she get ready.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
My father and mother came downstairs, hands crossed as they looked like the power couple. My mother shone like the diamond that she was, ever young and elegant for someone in her 50s.
“Oh, if it isn’t my sweet boy!”, My mom praised me, pinching my cheeks.
“Man. I’m a grown man mother”, I said, kissing her hand. She smiled dotingly at me, not saying anything else.
Next was my aunt Maria, then Roman, He was dressed in a navy blue suit, nothing special about him.
Galina walked down the flight of stairs, in a blood red dress, like the goddess of the red sea. She is beautiful, befitting a princess of the Vladimir family.
“If it isn’t my lovely princess!”, My father put his hand out for his favourite child, helping her down the stairs as she giggled in excitement.
“Oh dad, stop it”, Galina said and I rolled my eyes, she was enjoying the attention.
“Where is Lily?”, I immediately asked, I was impatient and couldn’t wait another second.
“Chill brother, I didn’t eat her”, Galina commented.
“Well you didn’t let me see her”, I said and she rolled her eyes back at me.
“I’m here, I’m here!”, I heard Lily say, I turned around to where her voice came from and it was like time has stopped.
As I stood there, I saw Lily coming down the stairs, and she took my breath away. She looked like a dream come true, a vision of beauty. Her dress was amazing, hugging her body in all the right places, and her skin looked perfect against the color. She moved with grace, like a princess, and her hair fell down her back like a dark waterfall.
She smiled at me with her pink lips that was painted red like a cherry, I couldn’t move or speak.
Lily’s elegance was undeniable, and her beauty was like nothing I’d ever seen before. I was captivated, unable to look away, my heart racing with excitement. In that moment, I knew I was in trouble, caught up in her loveliness, and I couldn’t escape.
“Wow”, I heard someone comment. I cleared my throat, coming back to my senses, I offered her my hand and she took them. I felt like an electric shock when her skin touched mine.
‘What is this? This isn’t supposed to be weird!’, I said to myself.
“You look… breathtaking”, I whispered in her ears and she shivered, looking at me and she smiled as we walk to the rest.
“And you look really handsome”, She said.
“I do?”, I asked like I didn’t know and she nodded.
“Very”, she said.
“Can you stop drooling already”, I heard Galina say and I gave her the death stare and everyone laughed.
“We don’t have time to spare, let’s go”, My father said, not looking once at Lily.
The ballroom is located at the East Wing of the mansion, a large open floor made of polished marbles, high ceilings with chandeliers, its wall was adorned with ornate mirrors and paintings. It had grand a entrance, plush seating areas for guests to rest and socialize, a stage and orchestra pit for live music performances.
“Wow, it looks beautiful”, Lily commented and I smiled at her. She was the most beautiful thing here.
It was five minutes left for 10pm and the giant doors would be open. The ball is strictly by invitation, security was tight as to protect the safety of everyone that was to come, politicians, businessmen, celebrities, underworld leaders etc.
“Open the doors!!”, My father commanded and the doors were opened, everyone started tripping in and I sighed, time to put on an act and pretend like you don’t know everyone is just trying to get on your good side.
“Let the show begin”, I said to myself, clinging tightly to Lily.
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