“I wasn’t given the details. He’s sent over some outfits for you to choose from, and says you should be ready for seven.”
I took a deep breath. “All right, I’ll be back in an hour.” I ended the call.
Charlotte was leaning against the cart staring at me. “Why is your face like that?”
My heart was pounding in my chest. “Yuri just requested I join him for an event tonight.”
She took a minute to think about it. “Isn’t this a good thing?”
“He left early yesterday and made no mention of this whatsoever.”
“Well… I really don’t know what to say. Maybe he really missed you.”
“He could have called me himself to speak to me. Since he left, he hasn’t even called to ask after Yulia.”
“I am officially confused by the both of you,” she said. “Either way, attend the event with him.”
I opened my mouth to say something.
She held up her hand. “Don’t interrupt me. Attend the event and let’s see what comes out of it.”
“Why should I? It’s not part of my job description.”
“And fucking him is?” She sighed. “Whatever this event is it must be high profile, which means that he isn’t reluctant to have you seen with him. That’s amazing to me. He’s not some random business owner, he is a billionaire. Think, April. He could have called any woman and he didn’t.”
“Charlotte…”
“Give this a chance. Let’s figure out what he is up to. I still want that pizza though.”
I called up the Dominos and ordered their biggest pizza with extra toppings and a whole pile of sides for her.
Chapter 31
April
Four exquisite dresses were laid out on my bed for me.
A hot pink, figure-hugging Versace with a plunging neckline, an Olive green loose and short Christian Dior, a stark white, structured Carolina Herrera number, and a two piece, Chanel champagne train skirt with a stark white lacy bodice.
I studied them, still confused about what exactly was going on. I heard movement behind me and turned to see Zelda walk in with Sandra. They laid four pairs of shoes at the foot of the bed before straightening up to meet my bewildered gaze.
I felt strangely guilty and ashamed.
Didn’t Yuri know that by doing this he was exposing our relationship, or whatever we had to the world, especially my colleagues?
The look on Sandra’s face for instance was toxic. She’d been my friend and now she glared at me as if I were her enemy.
“You have an hour to turn yourself into a Princess,” Zelda said, with a warm smile.
Her friendly attitude allowed me to breathe just a little bit easier.
Then Sandra chirped in, her tongue ready to do damage, “I think it now makes sense why he fired the entire house when you left, then rehired everyone when you returned. It had nothing to do with Yulia, did it?”
Zelda ignored her. “Do you need help with your hair and makeup? There is an excellent service that he suggested and—”
“It’s fine Zelda,” I said to her. “I’m not going. I don’t really understand why he’s asking me to go with him.”
Sandra snorted in disgust. “Snake,” she muttered under her breath, and made her way out of the room.
I was fuming as I watched her go.
Zelda gently touched my hand. “Don’t pay any attention to her, she’s just jealous.”
“There’s nothing to be jealous about,” I responded, almost sorry for myself.
She gave me a reassuring pat on my arm before leaving the room.
Immediately, I picked up the phone and called Yuri. He didn’t pick up. After three more tries he eventually did, and my tone was icy, “I’m not going,” I declared.
Silence. “Then who’s going to take care of Yulia?”
Ah, the humiliation…I retraced my steps. “What? Yulia is going to be there too?”
“Why wouldn’t she be?”
I was silent and confused, both at myself and him. Before I could say another word, he ended the call. I slapped my palm to my head. Why didn’t Zelda tell me? Ugh. I hurried out to find Zelda to ask about Yulia’s whereabouts
“She hasn’t yet returned from her session with her psychiatrist,” she said with a frown.
“But Mr. Volkov said that she will be accompanying us to the event.”
Zelda cocked her head in surprise. “Of that I am not aware, but maybe he has his own plans.” She gazed nervously at my unchanged outfit of khaki shorts and a white tee. “Please get ready,” she pleaded. “Mr. Volkov will not be pleased if you are late. I will sort Yulia out and make sure she is ready at seven.”
Chapter 32
Yuri
For the first few minutes after the call, nothing was said.
Then Alex spoke, “April is going to be there?
We were riding in the back of my Bentley, and on our way to the airport in Paris to catch my plane back to London. I couldn’t say a word, and Alex looked away.