Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'5

I woke up in the middle of the night; my throat was dry, and I was still in the clothes from earlier.

Had I really slept that long?

I quickly changed into a pair of sweats and a tank top. I took my hair down, brushed out the knots, and applied some leave-in conditioner. Just that made me feel ten times more human. I padded down the hallway toward the kitchen, eager for a glass of water.

I didn't expect to find Czar sitting at the dining room table, bathed in the soft glow of the chandelier, a glass of what looked like Scotch in hand.

"Why are you up this late?" he asked.

I walked into the kitchen, grabbed a glass from the cupboard, and turned on the sink. "I was thirsty."

He came up behind me and placed his glass beside mine on the counter. "You should get back to bed."

I turned to look at him, but my eyes dropped to his hand.

His knuckles were bloodied.

"Oh my god," I gasped and gently took his hand. "Your hands..."

He pulled away quickly. "Go to bed, Zariah."

I furrowed my brows. "You're hurt. Let me help."

He turned away, his tone tighter. "Zariah, please. Just go to bed."

I moved around to face him. His eyes were closed, and his hand was pressed to his forehead like he was trying to keep something inside.

"What happened?"

"Business," he muttered, before turning and walking away, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I stared after him, heart heavy, then grabbed my water and headed back to my room.

~*~

I was woken by a sharp knock at the door.

I scrambled out of bed and opened it to find Czar standing there, now fully dressed.

"We leave in five," he said.

"Where to?" I asked, still groggy.

"Just get dressed."

He walked off, leaving me irritated and confused.

I shut the door and rushed to the bathroom, taking a quick shower and brushing my teeth. I slicked my hair into a neat bun, which took forever and left my arms aching. I dressed in a plain but fitted black dress, black pumps, and added a pair of earrings and a matching necklace. I grabbed a handbag, stuffed my phone inside, and headed out.

Czar was waiting in the living room, speaking angrily on the phone in Russian. When he saw me, he ended the call abruptly.

He looked me over without comment. "Come on."

I followed him outside. He opened the car door for me—a rare display of courtesy. I blinked, muttered a thank you, and climbed in. We drove in silence.

"We're going to my office," he said finally.

I only nodded, watching the city blur past.

When we arrived at a towering building with his name on the sign, I raised an eyebrow.

Of course it's his.

He parked and walked off without opening my door this time. I sighed and got out on my own, jogging to catch up.

"Stay close," he said sharply. "This is my workplace. If you try anything, I won't hesitate to punish you."

I scoffed. "I'm not a child."

He gave me a cold glare that shut me up.

Inside, the atmosphere was sterile and suffocating. The second we walked in, everyone went silent and scrambled to look busy. The air buzzed with tension as we made our way toward the elevators.

People stared. I kept my gaze down.

The elevator doors closed behind us, and for a moment, the world went still.

I glanced at him again. His hands. Still bruised. Still unbandaged.

"You should wrap that," I murmured.

He didn't respond. Just glanced my way.

"Seriously, what happened last night?"

"Nothing you need to worry about."

I stepped closer and gently took his hand. "But your hands—"

"The other guy looks worse," he muttered.

I met his gaze. For a split second, something flickered behind his eyes—pain, maybe? Vulnerability? But it vanished just as quickly as it came.

He yanked his hand away and cleared his throat. "Personal space."

The elevator dinged.

He strode out like I was contagious.

I rolled my eyes.

What a big baby.

~*~

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