Chapter 7 Yellow Dress

• Dmitri
• I had just finished with work in my office and was on my way home, I wouldn't even call that a home. I barely stay there, I just go there to change and sleep some days.
• I spend all my time at the studio.
• As I drove home, my thoughts drifted back to the events this week. It has been an eventful week indeed.
• I met Mr. Ivanovitch at one of those big functions thrown by one of these rich families who didn't know what to do with their money.
• I don't normally go to functions like this, but I had a reason.
• I needed a wife. Not because I was bored and just needed to tie a woman to me for the rest of my life. No, the very thought of marriage was like a bitter pill forced down my throat.
• The weight of my lineage bore down on me. I needed a wife to give me an heir, I didn't want my family's legacy to end with me.
• I've long since embraced the frigid depths of my being, a man forged in the crucible of duty and obligation.
• The memories of my father's stern visage loomed large in my mind.
• I was the only child my father had, my mother died in childbirth, and my father never bothered to remarry.
• According to what everybody tells me, he loved my mother. I didn't think a man like him was capable of love.
• I've never experienced love from him. As soon as I could walk and talk I was already training on how to be the perfect successor for his company.
• I didn't have a normal childhood. I was learning things adults were supposed to learn.
• And when I made the smallest mistakes, I was punished greatly.
• Even though I hated him for it, I was still grateful for it.
• I'm the man I am today because of him. The youngest CEO of the biggest art studio in Russia.
• Although it was my father who built the company and established it, I was the one who turned the company around, after I took over when he passed away.
• My company is now known worldwide. Since that was what I was raised to do, I did it perfectly.
• I hid from the media, doing everything from the shadows, because it's easier that way. I didn't like the idea of going to functions and pretending to like people, or my every movement to be captured by the media.
• I loved being a free man. But now it's time to change that.
• And my first step is marriage.
• Me getting married for an heir was one reason, the second reason was, if I could get married into a family that was a hotshot in Russia. It would be really beneficial for my company.
• This strategic move is the intricate game of power and influence that defined my world. No matter how well known or rich you get, you will always want more power.
• Mr. Ivanovitch was one of those hotshots in Russia.
• I've always had respect for the man, he runs his company well.
• He was a well respected and known man in Russia, he was always at the headlines of the news.
• I heard he had two daughters.
• So at the function, I approached him, we had some small things about this and that. I finally introduced myself to him, he didn't believe me at first, I don't blame him though, but I managed to convince him and I could see the respect in his eyes after that.
• I told him about my reason for approaching him, and I didn't even need to talk too much to convince him, he immediately agreed.
• This was just the way things were in Russia. People gain more power through marriage.
• We decided on when I was going to come see his daughter, and that was the day the world knew the face behind Innovative Artistry Creations INC.
• On the day of the meeting, I arrived quite late as I was busy at the studio.
• No matter how much time I spent at the office, there was always more work.
• I was still getting business calls at the meeting. I was taking one of those calls when someone bumped into me.
• I looked over my shoulders and I saw her.
• She was rubbing her forehead as if she hitted a wall.
• She was about to walk away when I turned around. She seemed surprised, almost unaware she had bumped into someone.
• She looked up at me and her features held me spellbound.
• She was beautiful. Blue eyes so deep, they looked like the ocean. Round face and beautiful plump lips. Her brown hair, almost reddish, framed her face beautifully.
• I wanted to know how they'll feel wrapped around my fist.
• What the hell?! Why did I just think about that?
• She caught herself staring and was flustered.
• "Oh my God, I'm so so sorry sir. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Please don't get mad sir." She rushed out.
• I remained silent, and she just kept on staring.
• Her face turned all pink, looking embarrassed.
• What was she suddenly embarrassed about?
• She cleared her throat and managed to say, "I'm so sorry for running into you sir, I'll be careful next time."
• She turned around to leave, but I couldn't help but say something.
• "Watch where you are going next time, don't be so careless."
• I turned around to leave, not waiting to see if she heard me.
• I went back to the meeting room, and it was packed.
• I found my seat and tried to tune out some guy who was going on about something I didn't care about.
• While he kept talking, I caught a glimpse of her entering the room, with Mr. Ivanovitch and his mother.
• She must be one of his daughters, interesting.
• She felt someone watching her, so she glanced around until her eyes met mine.
• She held my stare, not wanting to break it first.
• Then, someone walked in front of her, breaking off our little staring contest.
• I shifted my focus as Mr. Ivanovitch started the meeting.
• Then things took a dramatic turn when the woman I was supposed to marry announced her pregnancy in front of everybody.
• Well, that was an unexpected twist.
• After everyone left, it was just the four of us - Mr. Ivanovitch, his mother, the woman I was supposed to marry and the beautiful girl from earlier.
• It became clear that she was indeed his daughter. Today was just filled with unexpected twists.
• I told him to give me a substitute bride or the deal was off.
• Then I left, giving them space to deal with their sh**
• The ball was now in his court. It would be a shame if he called off the deal though. But Mr. Ivanovitch was a smart man, he would do the right thing.
• I returned to the company because that was where I particularly lived.
• Not long after, I got a call from Mr. Ivanovitch and he had already made his decision to give me his other daughter's hand in marriage.
• I smiled to myself and ended the call after we set another meeting in two days.
• *********
• Two days later,I was on my way to Mr. Ivanovitch's house. Thoughts raced through my mind as I drove.
• I wanted the wedding to be in a month, not out of haste, but because I needed this to be over so I could focus on other things.
• I got to the mansion and It was just a little gathering today, thank fu** I didn't want to deal with people today.
• After a while, she entered the room, and her beauty captivated me.
• Our eyes met but she looked away quickly. She walked to her father's side and sat at his left.
• The meeting started and I told them I wanted the wedding to be in a month.
• Mr. Ivanovitch's mother attempted to delay the wedding, but my mind was already made up.
• After everybody departed, her grandmother approached her and she suddenly broke into tears.
• What the hell?
• Confused and concerned, I couldn't help but ask her, "Are you being forced to marry me?"
• She suddenly looked up, surprised, as if she forgot I was in the room with them.
• She excused herself and left the room and I followed her.
• Once she sensed someone following her, she turned around and stopped when she saw me.
• "Are you being forced into marrying me?" I asked her again.
• "No, I'm not," she answered coldly.
• "Then why were you crying like that?"
• "It's none of your business, and why do you care anyway, huh?"
• It's none of my business?!
• She looked like she would rather jump off a fu**** Cliff then became my wife, and she was telling me it was none of my business?!
• I told her exactly that and she walked away in anger.
• What the fu** was that?
• I knew she wasn't marrying me out of her own free will, but I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction.
• I walked back to the main room to see Mr. Ivanovitch, and he was still seated there with his mother.
• They seemed to be having an argument but when they saw me enter the room, they kept quiet.
• "Mr. Petrovich, I apologize for that. Evelina was just overwhelmed." He explained.
• Evelina. Her name was Evelina.
• "I understand, Mr. Ivanovitch, but if she's being forced I would like to know."
• "Of course not. She knows it's her duty to this family so there's no way she's being forced into this, Mr. Petrovich, I assure you that."
• Her duty? I see.
• I looked over to the grandmother and she looked like she wanted to say something but was holding back.
• "I would like to take my leave, Mr. Ivanovitch. I'll see you tomorrow."I said as I stood up to leave.
• We were going to discuss the wedding plans tomorrow. Since the wedding was in a month, everything is being rushed.
• As I drove back to the office, I couldn't get her face out of my mind.
• I needed to speak to her again. She still has a choice in this, regardless of what her father says.
• ************
• I packed my car at Mr. Ivanovitch garage and stepped out.
• I really needed all this to be over soon. I've been spending too much time out of the office these days.
• Mr. Ivanovitch did offer to come to my office, but I refused. Me coming to him was a sign of respect.
• A young maid, her uniform crisp and white, approached me with a warm smile. "Good afternoon sir," she greeted me. "Mr. Ivanovitch is expecting you, please come with me."
• I nodded gratefully and followed her through the labyrinthine garage, past gleaming new vehicles. It was clear Mr. Ivanovitch took great pride in his business.
• We reached a heavily wooden door and the maid knocked gently. "Mr. Ivanovitch, your guest has arrived."
• "Please show him in." Came his response from inside.
• The maid opened the door and I stepped inside. It was a spacious room, furnished with dark wood and leather. A large window overlooked the garage, and the afternoon sun streamed in, casting a warm glow over the room.
• "Mr. Ivanovitch." I greeted him, extending my hand.
• He stood up and shook my name firmly. "Welcome, Mr. Petrovich, please have a seat."
• I sat down across from Mr. Ivanovitch and we immediately started discussing the details about the wedding reception.
• After about an hour of discussing and planning, he offered me lunch and I accepted.
• I followed him downstairs to the dining area, it was a cozy space with matched chairs.
• We sat down and a maid brought our meal.
• As we ate, we continued to discuss the wedding plans.
• I could tell Mr. Ivanovitch was a perfectionist, and he wanted every detail to be just right.
• We were almost done when Evelina walked into the room.
• She was dressed like she was going somewhere or coming back, I don't know.
• But she looked different today, and it wasn't because of that yellow dress she was wearing that made her look so hot, no, her eyes were lighter, like the storm of the past few days had cleared.
• She just stood at the door, staring at us.
• "Evelina, don't just stand there, come join us." Her father said.
• "I'm okay, papa," she shook her head slightly. "I'll leave you two to discuss." She turned to leave and I stood up to follow her.
• "Please excuse me," I said to her father before I followed her out.
• "Can I have a word with you?" I said as soon as I caught up to her. She stopped walking and faced me.
• She had this fierce look in her eyes as if she was ready to fight with me. It only made her look hotter.
• "What do you want?" She asked sharply.
• "I need to discuss yesterday with you," I said, ignoring her tone. "I'm aware this marriage wasn't by your choice, so I'm giving you an opportunity. You do have a choice in this. Whatever you decide, I'll respect it. And I'll talk to your father about it."
• Something seemed to soften in her eyes, like she wasn't expecting me to give her a choice.
• "Well, you're not what I expected you to be," she said, her voice finally soft. "I appreciate you considering my feelings, but I'm okay with this marriage."
• "Understood," I nodded softly. "But you should know that our union won't be conventional. Our marriage will be different."
• Evelina, chin high, affirmed, "I am well aware of that."
• "Good," I replied as I turned to leave. "Have a nice day."
• Headed back to the dining room,I found Mr. Ivanovitch still seated there.
• "I would like to take my leave now." I informed him as I approached.
• "Of course, I'll inform you once I've decided on the venue," he responded, rising to shake my hand.
• Driving back to the office, my thoughts were consumed by a certain brown-haired woman in a yellow dress.