Page 38 of Taken By My Grumpy Pakhan

I was done in record time. The theme of the party was Old English, and the dress paired with my hair in loose curls was an absolute dream. I wished I had more time to admire myself in the mirror; I couldn’t remember the last time I looked this good—if there had been any—but the driver was here and it was time to leave.

“The gala will be full of rich snobby folks, so blend in the best you can and do not give away the fact that it’s your first time at one of these.”

Rose’s advice was fading with every inch of the party hall I took in.

It was the most elaborate display of amber lights, gold decor, and cream drapings. Everything seemed to be intentionally and meticulously put together.

The guests complimented the ambiance with long dresses and suits floating around the hall. The view was beyond breathtaking.

You just knew this was a gathering for the one percent of New York.

“Drinks?” A server lowered a tray of drinks to my face.

The elegant tapered stem held a pale bubbly liquid that triggered the thirst centre of my brain, but I knew better than to drink on my first work outing.

“I’ll just have water.”

She smiled warmly at me like I was the most important person in the room. “Water coming right up.”

My eyes were drawn to the far end of the room where a gorgeous blonde was draped on the arm of a tall man with strong shoulders who had his back to me.

I couldn’t see his face, but something about the aura he exuded drew me in. I couldn’t look away, and when the blonde leaned to whisper something into his ear, something twisted in my stomach.

The fuck was wrong with me?

He laughed at whatever she said and turned to his side to whisper into her ear, when I caught sight of his profile.

Kazimir.

I don’t know what I was expecting; we never discussed expectations. Hell, there was actually nothing going on between us. We hadn’t had sex since the first, but the sight of him cozying up with another woman had the same effect on me as I imagined swallowing acid would feel.

“Hello, Gen.” I nearly jumped at the feel of warm air on my ear.

Nikolai stood behind me, a glass in hand and a smile on his face. Did the man ever frown? I was growing tired of his knowing smile.

“Hello, Nikolai. Fancy seeing you here.”

His lips curved deeper. “I can say the same for you.” He eyed my glass. “Work?”

“Yup. Need to stay alert.”

He chuckled, his gaze traveling to where Kazimir stood with the blonde and some others. “Then it’s best to start early, wouldn't want to meet him when it’s all done.”

I sent him a quizzical look. “Huh?”

“The meetings, darling. Don’t tell me you expected the traditional meeting setting.”

I didn’t know how to reply. Kazimir had said it was an important event and he needed his assistant to take note of what was important, but now that Nikolai had informed me of the nature of the gathering, I conducted another sweep of the environment.

Everyone was in pairs and in the middle of different conversations. This was hardly a gala, it was a networking event for the rich with charity being the side attraction.

Nikolai’s brow was raised when I looked at him again. His lips curved. “Ready to do your job?”

“Do I get a say?”

He held out his arm and I slipped mine into the triangle his arm formed with his body.

The closer we got, the more the tightness in my stomach increased. She was gently stroking his arm while he spoke to a bald man with multiple piercings in his face.