"Missus Agnelli makes the best!" Arielle chimes in and she shoves her tiny hands into the plate before her.
"Is it the cook who has off today?" I ask while I gently grip Arielle's tiny arms and then remind her "Princesses eat such food with their utensils and not with their hands."
She willingly allows me to wipe her hands with a napkin before I replace the children's plastic fork in her palm.
Rachael watches us in wonder and proceeds to answer. "No, Mrs.Agnelli resides in the family manor with the rest of our family-We visit there sometimes, oh you'd love her and her cooking! Unfortunately I've moved far from the manor since I need to get to the university on time everyday."
"I'd like to, although I should point out that I'm not a vegetarian-I just eat halal meat or kosher if that's available otherwise I don't mind vegetarian." I confess and reach out for my glass of red juice. I notice the children have glasses of water besides their plates.
"Oh dear, you should have told me beforehand! I could have searched for a halal restaurant to dine us in!" Rachael declares in an alert tone.
"That's fine, thank you and this dish is very filling!" I assure her earnestly.
Bringing the glass of juice before my lips, yet I wrinkle my nose in confusion. "What kind of juice is this? It smells bit off ?"
"How innocent you are! That's red wine, dear." Rachael smiles and then chuckles heartily as she sees me immediately setting aside the glass with shame. "You've never had wine? Or is that also forbidden in your faith?"
"Forbidden and even if alcohol were allowed, I'd never drink it even then." I state grimly than intended.
Unwanted thoughts flash through my mind of my mom's car crash from an oncoming drunk driver.
"I'll order you soft drink ? "
"Water is fine, I don't like fizz drinks"
We end up having a conversation revolving around me through out the entire time we are there. Rachael quizzes me on my family.
I admittedly tell her everything from my moms passing, the move to Australia with my estranged father, the horrid treatment from my stepmother and step siblings and ofcourse my eventfully sinister arranged marriage.
She listens intently more than she talks and comes across as the type of individual who wouldn't judge you for the misery you've encountered.
Maybe she has experiences of her own that warrants such empathetic comprehensiveness from her.
I'm tempted to ask her about her family and the Mafia but she somehow manages successfully to divert the topic back to me.
We depart the restaurant when I divulge to her that I need to offer my afternoon prayers.
◆◆◆
As soon as our jeep pulls up in front of Rachael's town house, our eyes are drawn to a familiar luxurious dark limo parked in front of the wrought iron gates.
"Hmm that's strange, my chauffeur David has Sunday's off." Rachael exclaims as she unbuckles her belt. "Wonder why he's here now.."
She steps out of the vehicle and we follow in her footsteps.
When we enter into the foyer, the guard named Harry approaches us with a serious expression. "Miss Rachael, may I have a word with you?"
Rachael nods motioning for us to go ahead forward without her.
I wonder what's going on, something seems off.....
I shake the strange feeling away as the children and I strut towards the stairwell. The kids are bickering over something trivial and I decide I better intervene before they delve into a full out scuffle.
"Hey ! Who wants to race me up the stairs ?" I query, wiggling my brows in mischief.
"Me!! Me!!" They yell simultaneously in excitement.
"Alright! On your marks get set, go!!!" I bellow. I allow them a head start because I knew I'd win otherwise. As soon as they climb mid way, I rush up after them.
"Oh nooo, I'm losingggg" I feign a look of defeat as I reach out a hand to them while deliberately slowing my steps.
Peals of laughter erupts from their mouths as they pause briefly to look down at me.
"You know what? Since you looked back then I'm going to win!!" I state easily.
With speed, I start bounding up after them. Blinking down at the steps whizzing past, without staring up straight ahead-which within seconds proves as a careless move on my part.
It is unbeknownst to me of how I end up knocking into something as hard as a brick wall on the flight up.
"Ouch" I yelp, squinting my eyes tightly in pain from the unintentional impact of colliding my head against God knows what.
A tantalizing fragrance of expensive cologne swathes my nose, of which I had been acquainted with weeks before.
It's the exact scent of an imposing masculinity-richly effused by dark assertiveness.
Quite swiftly in shock my eyes snap open, accosted by the very unexpected and unwanted familiar sight-poised a step above me.
Oh no ! It can't be !
But yet there he is!
Appearing as fiendishly attractive as ever, garbed in refinement of a very quaint nobility.
Looming above me with that same unfathomable and domineering presence.
And yet again I'm caught in a sudden but mesmerising trance as my gaze drinks him in anew. How is it possible for anyone to be this ensnaring to look at.
My heartbeat sets off pumping abnormally fast against my rib cage.
"You!" That low and cutting tone of voice obstructs me from my daze.
And yet again I'm caught up in those enthralling pair of blue eyes narrowing incisively upon me.
◆◆◆
.'Alhumdulilah' Arabic term for all praise and thanks be to God.
Chapter 10
A sudden dread creeps goosebumps upon my skin. I'm unable to avert my gaze away from his aristocratic visage.
My feet have rooted themselves to the spot as if my shoes were nailed in with a hammer, refusing to allow me a quick escape.
"You dare defy me?" His frigid tone furls around my neck. "Blatant negligence of my warning.."
It feels as if his voice alone is enough to choke me.
With difficulty, I swallow the lump forming in my throat. Noticing my throat bob in a frightened gulp, his eyes glimmer dangerously and he takes a menacing step down closer.
Unknowingly my feet decide to obey me, finally taking slow steps down backwards while my hand grips at the banister rail.
But he only moves along. Following me, looming above closer, forebodingly.
"Warning?!" The shrill sound of Rachael's voice pierces the suddenly suffocating atmosphere.
His attention snaps towards her behind me. Gradually, his lips press into a thin line of agitation.
I tear my gaze away from him cautiously to peer behind at a completely vexed Rachael. Her arms crossed over her chest, standing a steps away from the stairwell.
"More like you threatened her!" Rachael scoffs at him and then orders me. "Sanam, please come down here."
I peer back at Vladimir nervously, his sharp and calculating eyes are still directed on Rachael. Before I can commence upon her request, he swiftly starts to descend instead.
His light overcoat bristles past me. Swathes of that potent fragrance of his wafting over more strongly. With elegant strides and the soft clicking of his cane against the the floor, he arrives to a halt right at Rachael's side facing me.
In height, she merely comes upto his shoulders.
Reaching up a sturdy pale and masculine hand, he deftly tips his classy top-hat in an old fashioned greeting manner right before her "Good afternoon, dear sister."
Her arms still crossed over her chest and with her back to him, Rachael heaves a miffed sigh "Good afternoon Vladimir, quite an unexpected show up as usual."
Vladimir evades her statement and briefly glances back up at me with indignant eyes. His features contort into a grimly disappointed expression as he looks away again at Rachael and hisses "I see you've not heeded my words, sister. And from you might I add, unexpected as usual."
He raises his dark woode
n cane midway and tips it slightly in my direction;the silver dragon with cross emblem handle glimmers under the light. Vladimir continues in a low seething voice. "Allowing infestation of your very residence by pestilence of the like."
Infestation ? Pestilence ?
What the heck is his problem with me anyway!?
My brows furrow in offence by his horrid insults. Rachael whips her head around to pin him directly with her infuriated gaze. "It's My residence, exactly what you seem to be forgetting! I'm your older sister is another fact you need reminding of !"
Lowering his cane back to his side, his glare slackens a bit while he quietly continues staring down at her.
"Vladimir, do not ever insult my guests in my home!" Rachael unflinchingly rebukes him and swiftly points in my direction with her finger. "Had it not been for her!! My daughter was lost into that scoundrels hands! I don't know what would have become of me! So don't you dare ever insult her again!"
Awkwardly, I stand there still studying them both. For what seems like seconds of heavy disquietude, they both continue glaring at one another.
Vladimir speaks with a cutting tone. "Very well then. As you wish, sister."
"I'm glad we have come to a final understanding of this." Rachael remarks dryly. "Now tell me, what brings you here today? And how's the rest of the family?"
"Initially I was here to pick up Arielle and Charlie for an excursion at a new themepark." He answers languidly in that posh Britishy dialect and then his voice turns ever austere. "Upon arrival, that blasted security guard of yours, wouldn't allow my await in your study. Ofcourse the fool couldn't prevent me, I'd snap his neck with one hand if he so ever tries that shįt again."
Rachael's eyes widen in worried realization, Vladimir notices and raises a brow questioningly. "So tell me dear sister, who started that fire?"
"I-what!? You had no right to enter into my study! I was the one who ordered Harry to keep anyone out of there until I say so!" Her voice shook with fury.
"Ah, expressed orders huh? Since when are we banning family members?" Vladimir tilts his head disappointedly as he peers down at her. He continues calmly. "That room is halfway charred, now if you actually show concern for your children, you'd reveal to me exactly what is going on here."
"The children are safe!" She snaps. "I've got everything under control!"
He stares at her dubiously before ordering in a commanding voice. "Rachael, return to the manor at once, it's not safe enough here for the children."
She only shook her head in exasperated denial. "I've told you before , that is unfeasible with my headmistress duties. I've got everything under control here! I can visit sometimes but I can not move back permanently."
"Damn such an employment! You've got plenty from me with your beauty brand at the enterprises!" He glowers composedly yet jabbing his cane down hard against the floor. An apparent gesture indicating his severe inner inclination.
"Don't you dare tell me to quit my job!" She wags her finger at him threateningly. "If it's become the sole purpose of your visit today, you may leave without it being accomplished!"
Again, they glare at each other for unwieldy slow seconds. Finally, Vladimir breaks the silence with his clipping tone of voice. "Very well then...but know that my doors are always open for you and the children, should you ever wish to return."
"There won't be any need to return." She answers tersely while facing away from him again. She crosses her arms over her chest defensively.
Vladimir's jaw clenches in masked ire, he takes a step closer to her and lowers his mouth near her ear. The tone of his voice spills out sleek and torrid. "But know this too, that if I so ever as much discover they are in genuine danger..I will take them into my custody without your approval."
Rachael whirls around in rage. "You dare threaten to snatch my children from me!?"
There is a very brief glint of amusement in Vladimir's eyes as he merely shrugs his broad shoulders. A slight knowing smirk almost tugs at the corner of his lips before it vanishes in less than a fraction of a second.
He cups her chin with his free hand and gravely looks her in the eyes before answering firmly yet softly "I'd never dare threaten my older sister. Consider it a heartfelt warning since those children are one of the dearests to my heart."
With that he leans down and plants a soft kiss on her forehead. Rachael's lips set into a thin line as she stares at him with a mixture of helplessness, exasperation and anger.
"Uncle Vladddy!!! I'm so happy we are going to the theme park!!"
I whirl around to spot Arielle dashing down the steps excitedly, behind her an austere looking Huxley carrying Charlie in one arm.
As soon as Huxley's eyes land on mine, he sets Charlie down on to his feet and promptly the little boy scurries down away towards Vladimir.
"Good afternoon Miss Kashani! Pleasant surprise to see you here." Huxley offers me a smile and tips his top-hat in a manner similar to that of Vladimir's. It only reminds me of those classy etiquettes of old as in regency era inspired movies and books.
"G-good afternoon m-mister Huxley" I manage to reply tremulously, aware of Vladimir's attention on me.
Ughh stupid voice, quit shaking!
"Just refer to me as Huxley." He beams.
"Enough with the chitchat." Vladimir's concise and commanding voice disrupts the temporary lightened mood.
I glance back down and see impatience etched into his noble features while he's staring right up at us. When my gaze locks with his, he nearly sneers.
Promptly, I shift my vision on the rest of his family next to him. Arielle is happily grasping on to his index finger with her small hand while holding onto Charlie's arm with the other.
Rachael still has her arms folded over her chest in annoyance.
"Till we meet again miss Kashani." Huxley asserts and I look back to him. He tips his hat at me in a farewell then descends down the steps.
He conveys the same gesture to an indifferent Rachael and gathers both the children into his arms while awaiting further orders from Vladimir.
"We will return the children after dinner." Vladimir addresses Rachael in a cool manner. He then leans down and kisses her forehead again.
With that they immediately exit the home and finally the heaviness of the atmosphere lessens.
I take a deep inhale of breath in relief while bringing a trembling hand to my chest. My heart beat has slowed a tad bit from moments before.
◆◆◆
"Would you enjoy a cup of coffee over some biscotti?" Rachael asks me at the entrance of her home's wide drawing-room/t.v. lounge.
After Vladimir and Huxley left with the kids in tow, she had silently motioned me to follow her into the drawing room behind the foyer.
But I reminded her it was the time for my afternoon prayer, so she awaited me till I returned. And when I did, I sensed she didn't want to analyze over what I had witnessed between her and Vladmir.
Ofcourse I was very curious but I prevented myself from intruding onto what appeared as restricted grounds.
Deviant Fixation Page 14
