𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 ༄ 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗄 𝗈𝖽𝖺𝗂𝗋

chapter twenty seven

- RISKY BUSINESS -

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     NADIA FELT INCREDIBLY embarrassed to be sitting in front of a man she barely knew, helpless in suppressing her quiet cries. She couldn't shake the overwhelming relief she felt from hearing the words 'I don't want that from you'.

     He made her feel less nervous, though, the man fishing a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her insisting she take all the time she needed.

     When she did gather the will to look at him, her eyes wetted and mildly puffy, she found him nervously tapping his fingers against his knee as the other was pressed to his chin in thought with his gaze locked on something on the other side of the room.

     She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, that
was—"

     "No, no." He sat up straighter once realizing she was ready to talk. "I can't say I understand from personal experience what you're being put through, but any idiot can realize how difficult it is."

     She folded her lips together with a grateful nod, hand running through her hair as she glanced to her lap awkwardly. "So, um... why are you here...?"

     He planted his elbows into his knees, leaning closer secretively. "I needed to talk to you and I wasn't allowed anywhere near you unless it was under these circumstances."

     She didn't speak, staring into his eyes she never really got a chance to remember until now. She tried to look in the eyes of her clients as little as possible.

     His held a sincerity that could trick even the smartest of people. So convincing, Nadia was almost sold.

     She felt humiliated sitting there in lingerie while he was fully clothed, her eyes averting to her lap as she pulled his jacket around herself tighter.

     Nadia let out a breath, bringing her gaze back to his as he looked ready and willing to answer whatever questions she might have.

     "I'm sorry, but I'm just a little confused." She muttered, rubbing her head that still had a little scar from the jabberjay attack, only it was covered in makeup.

     "Don't be sorry, I understand it's puzzling." He placed his hand atop her knee, and though she didn't like it, she wasn't going to say anything.

     When he removed his hand, folding it with his other, Nadia couldn't be anymore grateful because now she could breathe.

     "I don't understand..." She paused, gulping down a nervous lump in her throat. "What's changed? We've done this before and I didn't get any indication you were opposed."

     He pursed his lips, Nadia watching him closely and wondering how genuine that shame ridden expression actually was. It hadn't dropped since he walked in here.

     "The program is so under wraps, I didn't know how unwilling you were until I heard the conversation you had with President Snow when you arrived here." He said in a low tone, eyes pointed at the ground.

     She didn't really know how he heard their conversation and he must've detected her curiosity as he quickly explained himself.