A Fated Night

by Kay Loren

  He took a gulp from his scotch before he sat back down to look over some paperwork, “I gotta take care of some business out of state but I’ll be home before you miss me too much.”

  Audrina rolled her eyes. Again with his infamous ‘business’ excuse. He was always in and out of town flying to Italy, Florida, California and everywhere else. It shouldn’t have surprised her that he was leaving yet again but it still bugged her none the less.

  "You know what," Audrina said after a while. "I still don't know what kind of 'business' you're in."

  Michael turned his attention to her and smirked, "I told you already."

  Audrina thought back and didn't remember. All she remembered was that he told her he was a very important business man. Funny, she thought. She was going to marry this guy and he wouldn't even tell her what kind of 'business' he was in.

  "You didn't, but okay," she said as she jumped off of his desk.

  Michael grabbed her quickly by the wrist and for a second Audrina thought that she had got him upset but he just smirked again and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

  "You'll find out in good time mi amore," Michael said and stood up shrugging on the jacket he had hung over his chair. “I got to go. I’ll see you later tonight.”

  ***

  Audrina put on a small smile as she walked hand-in-hand with Michael to the sleek, black, private plane that was waiting for him. She didn’t want him to go yet she needed a few days of space. She loved being alone but living with Michael, it was always hard to find a moment to herself. He always had his house full of security although they usually stayed outside and made their presence minimal. Carmella, Michael’s maid was always there at the house but she too mostly kept to herself. Either way she craved for a few days of space and she knew the perfect place to go to.

  "Alright," Michael sighed as he gave Audrina a sweet kiss on the lips. "I'll be back in a few days. Be a good girl."

  Audrina chuckled as she hugged him tightly, "I will."

  When Audrina pulled out of his embrace, she saw a shiny, black, Rolls Royce pull up alongside the black car that she and Michael had arrived in. Michael said it was just him going on this trip, alone, apart from the few men he traveled with who were already boarded and ready to take off.

  "Who's that?" she gestured over to the black car with her chin.

  Michael didn't answer. He just watched as the man dressed in a black suit stepped out and walked over to him. Audrina didn't notice the man at first, but when he was about five feet away from her she knew exactly who he was…

  Nikolai…

  "Audrina," Michael began, "I've asked Nikolai here to keep an eye on you while I'm gone. He'll make sure you stay outta trouble and he'll help you if you need anything. All you gotta do is ask… okay?"

  Audrina gave a quick glance over to Nikolai and rolled her eyes. Last thing she wanted was him with her this week when she was really trying to stay away. She didn't even want to talk to him after what he did… Leaving the party with her best friend… She couldn’t even spare a second glance his way.

  "So he's basically my babysitter?" Audrina sarcastically sighed, crossing her arms, as Nikolai and Michael shook each other's hands.

  Michael grabbed Audrina gently by the chin and gave her a peck, "Whatever you want to call it. Love you mi amore. I'll call you first chance I get."

  Michael walked up the short flight of stairs and into the plane. She wanted to run into the plane and take off with him to avoid Nikolai, but her legs felt like stone glued to concrete. All she could do was watch Michael take off. Once the plane was closed and took off, Audrina turned to Nikolai and stared at him for a second. He just smiled at her with his hands behind his back.

  "Well-" He started before Audrina brushed past him without a word. She stomped off to the car that he had arrived in.

  Nikolai rushed after her, "Wait Audrina."

  Audrina spun around as soon as she was by the back of the car door, and put up her hand. She wanted to set boundaries between them two. "Look… I just want to go home. I don't need a babysitter, especially one like you."

  Audrina got into the car, closing the door more harshly than she had intended. Her luck could not have been worse, being babysat by a one night stand she was now regretting. Nikolai slid in right after her a few moments later keeping a distance.

  The first five minutes of the car ride were silent except for the few words Sergei and Nikolai exchanged in their native tongue. Nikolai sat like a statue; hands on his lap and his leg crossed just staring straight ahead. Audrina stared out the window, hoping to get home soon.

  There was something about Nikolai that made her want to turn to him just to get a peek of him. When she had faced him earlier she did not want to admit to herself just how damned attractive he was. She could feel something inside of her- or maybe it was around her, she wasn’t sure- that was like a magnetic pool, beckoning her to glance at him. Yet her ego had her eyes glued out the window, gazing at nothing.

  Suddenly, the car pulled to a stop. The ride seemed much shorter than she had anticipated.

  "Thanks for the ride home," Audrina sighed, not even bothering to look at Nikolai.

  Nikolai chuckled lightly, "No need to thank me yet."

  Audrina looked at him confused as he exited the car. What did he mean by 'no need to thank him yet' she thought. She scooted to his side and ignored the big hand he held out for her as she got out. She looked around the area and saw that they were in front of her favorite Italian restaurant. The one you had to book a month in advance. Michael usually got them in quick since his father was the godfather to the owners son, but she doubted Nikolai had that advantage.

  "Why are we here for?" she asked.

  "I thought it would be nice to take you out to lunch before I take you home," he smiled as he gestured for her to walk ahead of him. When he noticed her hesitation, he said, "Please. I know you are hungry."

  Audrina thought about it for a second. She was really hungry even though she was annoyed at the fact he went home with her friend. He didn’t even seemed ashamed with himself and it annoyed her more.

  "Fine."

  She walked past him and into the restaurant. The owner recognized her instantly and upon recognizing Nikolai soon after, he shook his hand and kissed the top of it. Cooks and a few diners there repeated the same gesture and made small talk with Nikolai. The gesture took her back to when she first went out with Nikolai and made her smile momentarily seeing how much every one liked and respected him.

  She quickly shook it off when the owner spoke and gave her the table she liked to sit at whenever she dined there. The table was secluded from the rest and sat outside under a patio overlooking a vast area of green grass and a pond.

  Once they were seated, given their menus, and ordered, they sat in silence and waited. Audrina played with the wine glass in front of her and Nikolai tapped his knuckles lightly against the table. After about ten minutes of awkward silence, Nikolai spoke.

  "I heard this was your favorite restaurant," he smiled trying to make light conversation.

  Audrina narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, "Who told you that? Nikki?"

  "Yes," Nikolai nodded his head. "How did you know?"

  "Well you slept with her didn't you?" Audrina scoffed.

  Nikolai choked on his wine and chuckled. Light blue eyes gazed at her in wonder, "Of course not. Why think that?"

  "Oh please. Everyone knows you left the party with her the other night," she stated bitterly after a sip of wine.

  "No I did not."

  "Yes you did."

  "If I say I did not, I did not," he said in a stern, low voice. "I tell no lies."

  Audrina shook her head. Why would he lie when everyone knew what happened?

  "Then why did she leave with you that night?"

  Nikolai waited to answer as their food came out and the waiter set it down. A million questions ran through her mind yet Nikolai just stared at her with those intense blue eyes of
his. God, the way he looked at her made all the muscles in her lower stomach tighten.

  "Sergei," Nikolai stated after the waiter left.

  His driver?

  "Sergei?"

  "Yes," Nikolai confirmed. "Sergei had a great time with her and asked if she could ride with us in the car so he could spend time with her after he had taken me home. Being that she is your best friend, I did not decline. Instead I took the time to ask her questions about you. One being what your favorite restaurant is."

  Audrina felt a little stupid. His explanation seemed genuine, "So you didn't do anything with her?"

  "The last and only time I will say this," He said, "No. And even if I did, you should have no problem with it."

  "She's my best friend," she retorted.

  "But her personal life is none of your concern," he smirked.

  He had a point. Nikki could go with whomever she pleased including Nikolai. Audrina thought it best to drop the topic and dig into her fettuccine. Nikolai just smirked again and dug into his pasta as well. She glanced at him every so often and was surprised to find his eyes on her as well. Each time her eyes met his she looked away.

  Audrina set her fork down and looked at Nikolai, "Why did you volunteer to watch me?"

  Nikolai wiped his mouth with the linen cloth, "I didn't… Michael asked me if I could keep an eye on you and I said yes."

  "Why couldn't he just get one of those guys that are always around him to do it?" Audrina asked.

  "You mean his bodyguards?" Nikolai chuckled.

  Audrina nodded. She never got used to the two men Michael always had around him at all times. They made her stomach turn. They were twin brothers named Giuseppe and Gino, who shared the same dark eyes -that watched one for too long- and the same dark features. One brother scared her more than the other but she wasn’t sure which one was which. The way they always carried their shiny guns in the waistband of their pants made her even more unsettled. When she asked Michael why they had guns, he explained it plainly. To protect him at all costs.

  "He doesn't trust them around you," he shrugged.

  "And he trusts you of all people?" she scoffed.

  "He doesn't know what happened between us," Nikolai said, taking a sip from his wine. "And I assume you have never told him either, otherwise he would have never trusted you around me."

  "The best night of your life?" she teased remembering his words from a few nights prior.

  Nikolai laughed and flicked a little piece of bread her way, "I'm sure it was yours too."

  "I've had better," Audrina teased again.

  The way Nikolai’s eyes bored into her was enough for her to know he was taking her words as a challenge. She knew she was playing a dangerous game yet the way Nikolai responded made her stomach flutter and her heart beat fast.

  "Really?" Nikolai said with an eyebrow raised.

  Audrina nodded as she bit her lower lip, "Way better. It was actually memorable."

  She was just teasing him. From what she remembered of that night, he was too good for words. She ached for days after and dreamt about him consistently for about a month. Ever since the night of the engagement party, she relived the memory of their night repeatedly in her mind.

  Nikolai threw his napkin on the table and stood up, "Let's go."

  Audrina put her wine glass down then stood. "Where are we going?"

  Nikolai just grabbed her gently by the arm and led her deeper into restaurant. She thought that he may have been offended with her comments and wanted to take her home so she just followed along with her head down. She didn’t even notice that they had entered a room in the way back of the restaurant.

  Suddenly Nikolai spun her out of his grip, throwing her against the wall, and shutting the door behind him.

  "What the hell are y-." Audrina said before Nikolai's lips came crashing on hers.

  Chapter Six

  Nikolai pinned her body against the cold white wall with his. She tried to push him off of her but he just pinned her hands down against the wall and deepened the kiss even more. His tongue soon entered her mouth and she let him take over. She actually gave into it all. She couldn't help but moan lightly as he took control. Oh god. He’s an even better kisser than Michael, she thought. Nikolai had so much passion in his kiss and poured himself into her. Nothing could compare to him in that moment.

  A loud ring came from Audrina’s purse. Her eyes sprang open. She pushed Nikolai off of her successfully, fumbling through her purse until she grabbed her phone. A restricted number flashed on the screen. What a relief, she thought. Saved by a phone call.

  "Hello?" she greeted, glaring at Nikolai who just stared at her. He now stood about a foot or two away from her catching his breath. Her lips were still tingling from when he kissed her just moments before.

  "Ciao bella," she heard Michael's voice on the other side of the line.

  "Hey Michael," Audrina sighed, putting a hand to her forehead as she leaned against the wall.

  Michael chuckled, "Hey baby. We had to make a quick stop to pick up someone else, so I decided to call you while I have a chance… What are you doing?”

  Audrina gulped, "Nothing… Nikolai just took me out to eat and now he's taking me home."

  Michael must have not been paying attention to what she said because he just shrugged it off quickly. Usually, he kept men away from her unless he was around or ordered. She was surprised Michael tasked Nikolai with even watching over her. Before she could think any further, she heard a lot of people in the background, especially female squeals.

  "Oh well that's good for you baby, um… I gotta go. We're gonna take off."

  "Oh ok," Audrina sighed. "Love you."

  "Me too," Michael replied quickly. "Bye."

  Audrina hung up her phone and sighed. It was starting to become a pattern to her that whenever Michael called her and there was anyone, especially a girl in the background, he quickly ended the call. She just hoped that he wasn't doing what her gut told her he might be doing again.

  "Everything okay?" Nikolai asked, noticing her mood had changed. She looked as if she was about to cry.

  Audrina quickly nodded her head, "Yeah… I just want to go home… Please."

  Audrina walked past Nikolai and through the door they had entered from. She made her way out of the restaurant in silence. Nikolai followed right after her, and out front. As they waited for Sergei to bring the car up front, Nikolai decided to talk to Audrina, who had been completely silent.

  "I'm sorry if I… offended… you in any way," Nikolai began with his eyes downcast at his shoes. "I guess I let my emotions get the better of me."

  Audrina turned to look at him and smiled. He looks so cute trying to find the right words to apologize for something he didn't do, she thought. She wanted to reply right there, but the car pulled up. Nikolai opened the backdoor for her, letting her in first, then himself.

  After a quick glance at Sergei in the driver’s seat -who had his eyes trained on the busy street before him- she turned to Nikolai.

  "It has nothing to do with you," she quietly said. "You did nothing."

  He turned from the window, surprised that it was not him who almost made her cry. He wanted to know what it was that bothered her. "Then what is it?"

  Audrina shook her head and smiled tightly, "I guess it's just me…"

  Nikolai wanted to say something but he bit his tongue and nodded. He didn't want to ask too many questions so he just turned to the window and looked out at the passing cars.

  Guilt set in for Audrina. She knew she shouldn’t have kissed Nikolai. Who was she to get bothered by Michael having females on the plane when she was kissing a man she had slept with a year ago. She felt stupid.

  The car was silent for a few minutes until Sergei asked in English, "Where to Boss?"

  "Michael's house," Nikolai replied still looking out the window.

  "No!" Audrina said quickly.

  Nikolai turned to Audrina, "No?"

  Sergei stoppe
d at the red light. His eyes met with Audrina’s in the mirror. This was probably the first time he had acknowledged her presence. "Then where to Miss Audrina?"

  "My place," Audrina replied. "It's in Midtown."

  "You live in midtown?” Nikolai asked surprised. He thought she now lived with Michael in the Upper East Side of Deep Falls and got rid of her old apartment.

  "Yeah. If not, I can take a cab."

  "No," he shook his head.

  Nikolai said something to Sergei in Russian and nodded his head before quickly replying back in Russian. "Da," he nodded his head.

  "Is that okay?" Audrina asked, not sure that they wanted to take her judging by the way they spoke.

  "Of course," Nikolai said with a reassuring smile.

  "Thank you for bringing me here," Audrina smiled as soon as they pulled up in front of her apartment building.

  Nikolai recognized the building immediately. It was the same one she had disappeared into when he first laid eyes on her. He wished in that moment to go back in time and introduce himself to her. She would have been mine right now and not engaged to Michael, he thought.

  "No problem," Nikolai and Sergei replied at the same time.

  Nikolai exited the car first and Audrina followed soon after accepting the hand he offered this time. She was so close to him as she climbed out of the car that she could smell his divine scent of soap and cologne. It was the same cologne he had wore when she first met him. Nikolai looked down at her with an arched brow.

  "Well…" Audrina sighed hiding her reddened cheeks. "Thank you for lunch… I’m sure I will see you around."

  Nikolai chuckled lightly, "Not going to invite me in?"

  Audrina felt a light blush warm her cheeks and a tickly feeling in her stomach. No one had ever come to the apartment except for Nikki. Perhaps he is joking, she thought.

  Yet she found herself saying, "Would you like to come in?"

  Nikolai nodded his head. "Hold on, one moment."

  Nikolai walked back to the car and stuck his head through the passenger window. Audrina could hear him speaking to Sergei in Russian and Sergei just nodding his head. Nikolai walked back over to Audrina as Sergei drove the car away.