His To Claim | 18+

CHAPTER 6

NATALYA'S POV

I woke up to the smell of fresh lavender on my bedsheets and immediately froze.

Where the fuck am I?

I don't have lavender-scented detergent in my house. I looked around at the soft white sheets and this large bed, trying to recall yesterday's events.

I sat up, and a massive headache hit me like a freight train. My head throbbed as if it were about to explode, the pain making my vision blur for a second. I clutched my temples, squeezing my eyes shut in an attempt to stave off the discomfort.

What happened last night?

I opened my eyes and forced myself to take in my surroundings. The room was bathed in soft morning light streaming through sheer curtains. The walls were painted in a calming shade of white, with a few minimalist furniture placed strategically. The furniture was modern but warm, with wooden accents that gave the room a cozy yet sophisticated feel.

Then it all started to come back to me, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place.

Andrei.

Getting robbed.

Coming to live with Andrei.

Oh no!

I quickly scrambled out of bed and into the bathroom to get cleaned up. The sudden movement made my headache worsen, but I pushed through it. The last thing I wanted was to stay in this place a second longer than necessary.

Last night, I had been too exhausted to notice much of anything. Now that my eyes were fully open, I could see that the bathroom was stunning.
It looked like something out of a luxury magazine. The gold accents on the faucets and the white marble tiles complemented each other beautifully. There was a massive shower with a rainfall showerhead that could easily fit five people and a freestanding bathtub that looked inviting enough to soak in for hours.

Despite my throbbing head, I couldn't help but appreciate the attention to detail in the design. The bathroom felt like a sanctuary, a place where someone could escape the stresses of life for a little while. But I couldn't let myself get too comfortable. This wasn't my home. I didn't belong here.

I rummaged through the cabinets until I found an unopened toothbrush. As I brushed my teeth, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My long brown hair was a tangled mess, and my moss-green eyes looked dull, the usual spark in them dimmed by exhaustion. My skin was pale, and there were dark circles under my eyes.

My gaze traveled down my body. I wasn't anything special. My chest wasn't particularly large, and my stomach wasn't as flat as I'd like it to be. But I did have wide hips and thick thighs, traits I'd learned to appreciate over time. Still, I wasn't the type of girl who turned heads when I walked into a room. So why the hell was Andrei interested in me?

I shook my head, trying to banish the negative thoughts. There was no point in dwelling on things I couldn't change. I needed to focus on the present, on getting out of here and back to my normal life.

I took a quick bath, letting the warm water soothe my aching muscles. Afterward, I wrapped myself in a plush towel and headed into the closet. To my surprise, my clothes from yesterday had been washed and neatly folded. I hesitated for a moment, wondering who had done this for me. Andrei? A maid? I decided not to dwell on it and quickly got dressed. I was already running late for work.

I pulled on my jeans and work shirt, then dashed through the door, my mind racing with thoughts of how to explain my tardiness to Mariah. But I stopped in my tracks when I heard voices coming from the dining room. I hesitated, not wanting to eavesdrop but unable to help myself.