ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 132

" Roman , a brief minute of your time please."

Nicholas looked up from the Wall Street Journal he was reading as he sat behind his desk in his study. His nephew stood before him with his usual immobile and expressionless face. He was so much like his mother in appearance but Nicholas sensed that he had too much of that father of his in him as well. He had not trusted his brother in law Sergey but his younger sister Marina had loved him so much and he loved his sister so he accepted the marriage as it came. And when they both perished in the accident he and Irena had raised the orphan Roman as their own. He tried his best to treat his nephew no different than his sons. And he would always protect his sister's only child. But down deep he could not help mistrusting the young man.

" Yes , Uncle. Have I displeased you in some way? ," he said in a flat tone of voice. His usual speech really.

Nicholas folded the newspaper and laid it to the side beside the gold framed picture of himself and Jenessa on their wedding day. He wore a simple black suit and she a long pale blue silk dress with matching shoes and flowers  in her hair. That wedding was not as elegant as his first one. The first was in a large elaborate cathedral in Moscow and the second DuBuis' rehab center room as he recovered from his stroke. He adored his first wife but he had to admit his second wedding made him happier. Irena wed him because their families approved it. Jenessa married him because she loved him and wanted to.

" You have not displeased me, nephew. Have a seat. "

Roman remained standing. " You know I prefer standing. Is this about the American headquarters? Things are moving along well. Relatively fast. We have pinpointed essential staff to move here to Maryland and will pay relocation costs. Alexi is whining less. When is the other one starting? "

Nicholas raised an eyebrow at him. By the other one he assumed Roman meant Nigel. He suppressed a sigh. He wished they would all learn to support, like and appreciate Nigel because he was going nowhere. He was his son after all. Blood. " If you mean Nigel I was hoping he could start work by the end of the month but with Richard's..... condition I don't know. I offered to have the finest specialists consulting on his case but Nigel said no. He can be stubborn. " Like his mother, he thought as he tried to supress images of the woman he tried his best to ignore on social occasions. It was best to avoid her because upon him seeing her at the first family dinner he had been too much emotionally affected. His wife was beautiful but so was Matilda. Alas he was not going to make the same mistake twice. " Anyway this is not company related. Although I am happy things are proceeding well. Keep up the good work. Tell Alexi as well. Max says things are equally well in London. Natasha is expecting the baby in another month. He's more nervous than she is. No. I wanted to talk to you about your..... about Lyle Anderson. "

Roman remained expressionless except for a slight twitching of his lips. " What of him ? "

Nicholas stood up regally and stared at him coldly. " I want you to stay away from him. And his husband. There has already been a police report made. And possibly there will be a restraining order. If you continue this.... crush of yours I will have you sent to the hospital again. For a longer stay this time. Do I make myself clear? "

Roman smiled slightly. " Quite clear , Uncle Nicholas. I will attempt to obey your wishes but you know how romantic I tend to be. "