Chapter 29: Meeting In L'Fleur Restaurant
He slept soundly with his face pressed into the pillow until evening then reluctantly went to the theater to watch the ballet.
Nina's graceful and supple movements were mesmerizing during the performance,. She was tall and slender, her lithe body exuding elegance. Nikolai had to admit she was an extremely beautiful woman who shined under the spotlight.
It would be a shame if she lost the position as Prima Ballerina that she had worked so hard to obtain. I will do my best to convince Nina to concentrate on her career and not let her emotions get out of control.
After the performance while he was waiting for Nina to change he was staring at his phone. He had taken a picture of Merri while she was at his apartment. She was sitting at the piano with her head tilted to the side, a few loose strands of her long blonde hair were hanging on her shoulder.
Her lips were slightly curled up into a hint of a smile as though she was in her own world. Nikolai was drawn to her serene and peaceful appearance as her delicate white fingers touched the keys. Just looking at the picture made him forget the darkness in his life. If only the little angel could be mine.
Nina walked out of the dressing room and leaned over his shoulder to see what he was looking at on the phone. As the screen went dark he turned his head and she saw a flash of infatuation in his eyes and was disturbed. She tried to grab his phone, "Let me see what made you so happy."
He put the phone into his pocket and calmly hid his emotions. "Are you ready?"
She affectionately wrapped her arms around him, "What did you think of my performance?"
Nikolai pushed her off of his body and in Russian warned Nina. "Don't. It wouldn't be good if we were photographed."
Being tall and wearing 10cm high heels she reached his shoulder. She ignored his cold and aloof attitude and coiled her slender arms around his neck. She pressed her lips on his ear as she pouted, "I don't care who sees me. I only want you."
His only reason for coming was to appease Vladi because he would need his help in the future but Nikolai was getting angry. He growled, "Let go or I am leaving."
She knew if she pestered him that he would do as he said so she complied, "Where are we going to eat?"
"I made reservations at L'Fleur."
Nina puffed out her cheeks, "Good. I don't want to go to Riverside Mansion. I am mad at my stinky brother."
She raised her delicate eyebrow, " I heard the new chef at L'Fleur is amazing."
Merri and Karl are walking into the French restaurant and Merri's eyes are sparkling, "This restaurant is so pretty."
Karl nodded, "I ate here last week with Ren, the food is good."
The hostess smiled gazing at the handsome man at the door, "Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes. Karl Wu."
"Follow me."
She walked them to a table by the window and set down the menus. Her eyes lingered on Karl thinking he was very good looking. His eyes were deep black and slightly turned up at the corners giving him a seductive appearance and his face was flawless. "Enjoy your meal, your waiter will be right over."
Merri looked around the crowded dining room, "We were lucky to get a seat by the window. The view is amazing."
"The city has changed in the last couple years. I don't remember the building across the street."
"Oh...yeah...that is the ANB Towers, condominiums. There have been a few high rises constructed downtown since you left."
The waiter came to the table and Karl ordered a bottle of red wine.
Karl gazed at Merri, she was wearing a burgundy off the shoulder dress that highlighted her snow white skin and delicate clavicle. With very little makeup on her small oval she looked pure and beautiful. It was gnawing at him that she knew Nikolai Rushkin and in the picture she was entering the building where he lived. The very building across the street they were looking at through the floor to ceiling window at the moment.
He wanted to pry some information out of her which is why he requested this table. Karl was upset that Merri was friendly with a man who could be extremely dangerous if he is tied to Alexi Baralov. His investigation hasn't unearthed any connection yet but New Leaf Construction has won several bids in the past year making him suspicious.
The waiter poured the wine and Merri lifted her glass. She smiled brightly, "Welcome back."
He touched her wine glass with his. "Thank you."
Nikolai entered the restaurant with Nina and as the hostess was guiding them to their table he witnessed the harmonious scene. His body stiffened and a flash of killing intent crossed his face. Nina noticed his expression wasn't good and asked, "What's wrong."
He ignored her and said to the hostess, "I would prefer that table." He pointed to one not far from Merri.
The hostess smiled, "I'm sorry that one is reserved."
Nikolai looked at her with a piercing gaze and the aura surrounding him was terrifying. The manager saw them standing in the middle of the room and walked over. His face paled when he recognized Nikolai, "Mr. Rushkin!"
The manager awkwardly pushed the hostess away and broke out into a cold sweat,"Is there a problem?"
"I want that table."
The short bald man smiled, "Of course."
He took the menus from the stunned hostess and led Nikolai and Nina to the table. 'Please forgive the woman, she is new."
Nikolai replied, "A bottle of St. Michel Bordeaux and a double Pinstripe Black Vodka."
The waiter's eyes lit up with a greedy gleam. "Yes Sir..right away."
Nina has a surprised expression, "Why did you want to sit here?"
"Less crowded."
"Oh."
The waiter returned and poured the wine and set down the glass of expensive vodka, "Did you want to order?"
"Not yet."
His eyes were like a bottomless abyss riveted on Merri as he gulped down the glass of vodka. She was laughing then sipped the wine, afterwards her lips were glistening with red droplets. He almost lost his mind when he saw Karl Wu wipe the wine from the corner of her small mouth.
Nina sensed the murderous vibes emitting from him and she reached out to hold his hand, "Why are you angry?"
Merri happened to look up and see Nikolai and a beautiful woman at a table not far away. The woman was affectionately holding his hand across the table and Merri's heart was in chaos. She recognized the woman, Nina Naralov, the world famous prima ballerina. After overhearing the conversation earlier between Nikolai and Vladi Naralov she had some idea of their relationship.
Several people at the surrounding tables were commenting on how beautiful and breathtakingly spectacular Nina Naralov's performance was this evening. Merri's breathing became disordered and she gulped down the sweet wine. Well...She is the type of woman who can match up with an outstanding man like him.
She sighed, Nikolai Rushkin is so incredibly handsome and out of my league. How can I even think he might be interested in me? He only feels a sense of responsibility for me because he saved me that snowy night.
Nina had an aggrieved expression, "Why didn't you come over to my apartment when I called. I was so upset. I needed you."
He was afraid with Nina's volatile temperament she might throw a tantrum and he didn't want Merri to see.
"I had to go to the construction site, there was a fire in one of the completed buildings."
"Oh. That explains why you didn't answer your phone. Did my brother tell you what I have decided?"
"Be reasonable. Genji Fujihara will never let you leave him."
She sneered,"I don't care what he wants anymore. He lives with his mistress in Kyoto and never returns home unless his father summons him. I am just an ornament he can discard whenever he gets tired of it. He doesn't treat me like a woman, I am his possession. He brings me to banquets and social occasions because his father doesn't approve of the little whore."
Nikolai's eyes narrowed, although he isn't interested in Nina, she is Vladi's sister and grew up with him. "I investigated Genji before you married him, you knew the situation. You insisted on marrying the bastard."
She twisted the napkin in her hand and her eyes were full of scorn, "I thought I could get rid of her, she is just a woman from the countryside. I didn't know he married me to satisfy his father and was bewitched by that lowly slut.
She coquettishly fluttered her eyelashes, "I am so lonely. I miss you."
He is tired of coddling Nina. "Don't act the victim. You married him because with his backing you could rise to the top. You both had selfish reasons for getting married. I told you at the time if you gave me and Vladi more time we could support your dream. But, you were too anxious or.." He scoffed, "Had no faith in our ambitions and didn't believe we could do it."
Nina's face paled, it is true, I didn't believe they could help me achieve success. She regretted not waiting, but at the time her brother and Nikolai were in Alexi's gang. She never thought Nikolai one day would be the CEO of a thriving company and have extensive real estate holdings. Now he is worth millions.
She pursed her lips and her eyes reflected her complicated emotions, "I couldn't wait! How could I wait? I was eighteen and stuck in a third rate ballet company in Moscow. When I met Genji and he pursued me, I was desperate. You are right, he offered me what I wanted most...a chance to shine. To show the world that I, Nina Naralov, am the best ballerina in the world!"
Since they were speaking Russian, Merri didn't know what they were saying but she could tell Nina was getting emotional from the sound of her voice. She was facing Nina's back and couldn't see her face but Nikolai appeared unfazed.
Merri couldn't help being curious as to what was going on between the two of them and didn't hear Karl. Suddenly he waved his hand in front of her eyes and chuckled, "What are you thinking about?"
She blushed when she realized she was staring at Nikolai and Nina. "I was wondering where the restroom is located."
"It is by the entrance to the left. Do you want me to show you?"
"No..no...I will be right back."
Merri regretted making up that excuse because to go to the ladies room she needed to walk past Nikolai and Nina. She was apprehensive as she stood up, should I say hello?
She straightened her back, get a grip, act natural... if he makes eye contact say hello..if he doesn't just keep walking.
As she passed their table her heart was racing. There was a thin layer of sweat on her back and her hands were trembling.
Nikolai had been watching her and was amused by her shy expression. He had seen her stealing glances at him and was a little happy. As she approached the table her head was lowered.
He took the initiative to speak, thinking maybe he would ask her to join them for dinner to make a connection with Karl. "Miss Winslow."