Adira moved away from the door immediately as she turned to see Nikolai. Did he know her? "Nikolai!" The lady's eyes crinkled in a smile as she made her way into the house, her shoulder brushing pass Adira. Excitement was all over her. "My goodness! Look at you. You're even more handsome than the last time we met." She rubbed her palms together. Adira could tell she wanted badly to hug him, but it was obvious she was aware of his hatred for touch. So, who was she to him? A friend? Why's she with a luggage? Surprise etched the lines of Nikolai's face. "What're you doing here? We didn't talk about this." "Uh! I know," she tucked some strands of hair behind her ear. "I actually wanted it to be a surprise. How're you doing?" But Nikolai didn't look satisfied. Adira noticed he was trying so hard not to look at her. Has he become irritated by her? "This is not a worthy surprise," he uttered to the lady with a frozen inflection. "You should've told me you were coming, Na-ri." Na-ri was beginning to feel embarrassed, considering the fact that Adira was there. "Oh! Come on, Nik," she chuckled nervously. "Fine, I'm sorry okay? I forgot how difficult it is to please you. I honestly thought you'd be surprised and happy if I showed up unannounced. Don't be mad at me, okay?" Nikolai looked away, still seeming upset. Then, Na-ri turned to Adira, wearing a feigned smile. "You must be Adira, right? His wife? Well, I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Na-ri - Nikolai's..." "That's not necessary," Nikolai cut her off, his voice crisp. Adira pondered. What was he preventing her from saying? Who was she to him? For the first time, he looked at Adira. The brief contact made Adira's heart flutter helplessly in her chest. It was as if time had stopped moving. Was she just noticing how very charming his eyes were? Those images came again - images of how he had kissed her. Goodness! What was wrong with her? Na-ri noticed how they looked at each other, and this got her upset. She ambled to the door and rolled her luggage in. "I was so scared when I heard about the gunshot. I hope you weren't hurt in any way, Nik?" She inquired as she brought the luggage in, but Nikolai paid no attention to her question. "Why are you with your luggage?" He questioned, his face a little too serious for Na-ri. She paused and glanced at the luggage before looking up at him. "Uh...well, you know I don't have friends or family here, Nik - not anymore. And since I'm here because of you, I think it's only right that I stay at your place." Nikolai closed up the distance between them, his height towering over her. "You didn't tell me you were coming. And even if you did, you can't stay at my place." He tried to keep his voice low, but Adira was still able to hear it. She was beginning to lose her mind. "But why?" Na-ri sported a sulky mouth. "I have nowhere else to go, Nikolai." "You can stay at an hotel. I'll book the best for you and take care of the entire bills." Na-ri didn't like the idea, not at all. "Come on," she tapped his shoulder. "You know how nervous I get around strange people. Just let me stay here, please. I'll use the guest room. Your wife wouldn't mind, right?" She turned to Adira who said nothing. "Please, Nikolai," she returned her attention to Nikolai, clasping her palms together. "No," Nikolai responded rigidly and began walking away. For a moment there, Adira felt a great sense of relief. "Okay, just for today?!" Na-ri's words made him stop walking. "Just today and I'll be out by morning." He turned slowly to look at her. Eyes so cold, they glanced at Adira before looking away. "Just today, then." He grumped and took the stairs. ****†****†****† Vesper reclined on the plush couch, his eyes fixed on the slumbering figure before him. Curiousity mingled with a sense of fascination as he watched her turn and yawn, her delicate features coming alive with a sleepy charm. Last night was the best night of his life. He's been with several ladies, but none has been as good as the one in front of him. She had been too awesome in bed, it drove him nuts. Now, he was blaming himself for not meeting her sooner.Finally, her eyes fluttered open. She took them round the room until they landed on him, then smiled. "Don't tell me you've been staring at me like that," she stated drowsily as she sat up. The duvet covered her clothless body. "Okay, I won't tell you," Vesper rolled his thumb on his lower lip. "Did you sleep well?" "I sure did. You pumped enough sedative into me," Kalina chuckled and gave her lower lip a tiny bite. This intrigued Vesper. He rose from his chair and reached for his wallet on the table. "I have to leave now. Thanks for your time." He brought out some cash and dropped on the bed close to her. "I hope that's enough to pay for last night. It was good." Taking up the money, Kalina chuckled. "I can't believe you're giving me this." She held it out to him. "Take it back, handsome mister. Last night was simply a gift. Money's not my problem, you know?"Vesper found it strange that she rejected the money. But that was what all ladies wanted in exchange for sex, right? He's never seen a woman reject money from him before. Who was she? "Why?" He questioned, not taking the money from her. "Even if it was a gift, why would you..." "Because I already have enough of it," she cut him off with a warm smile. "I'm not a street girl, mister; neither am I a beggar. You probably don't know who I am, do you?" She stood up from the bed, letting the duvet fall of her body and coming out naked. Vesper felt his legs jerk, staring at her tempting body. It brought back memories of how perfectly she had ridden him all night. She walked towards him and fixed the money into his palms. "I don't want it. Let's just do this again, shall we?" She cooed. In a low voice, Vesper asked. "Who are you?"She giggled, cupped his cheeks and kissed him. ****†****†****† Na-ri was shown to the guest room while Adira returned to her room without finishing her meal. Her mood had been totally ruined and she couldn't stop thinking about that Na-ri. Why did she seem like one who would bring so much trouble to her? And the way she had communicated with Nikolai, it was too informal and seemed like they were friends - close friends. Adira wasn't comfortable. 'What is wrong with you? Are you forgetting this is a contract marriage that is about to end?' she heard a small voice in her head. It was right. She shouldn't be feeling this way. Still, why couldn't she control it? ... Na-ri heaved a sigh of relief as she finally settled in the guest room. She wasn't completely happy, considering the fact that Nikolai wanted her to leave the next day. She had expected more from him - a little more affection. Afterall, they used to be very good friends and she was presently his financee. As soon as he's done with his fake marriage to Adira, they'd be getting married right away. She couldn't wait for it. She reached for her phone and dialed Mr. Vincent's line, but he didn't pick up. So, she sent him a text instead, letting him know she had arrived and was with Nikolai. She also needed to thank him for alerting her to come over. Truthfully, Nikolai and Adira were beginning to develop something they shouldn't. She could tell it wasn't so strong yet, but it was dangerous. But, now she was there, she was going to make sure she destroys it. Nikolai was hers and hers alone. And she'd go to any length to make it stay that way.