Tainted - Chapter 1

November's temperatures were already so cold, a slap of wind on Theia's face had reminded her that she needed to dress a bit warmer if she intended on surviving this winter. Stepping out of the car, the girl pressed her hands into her jacket and hurried straight toward the large doors. Before her stood a man, tailored in an all-black suit, greeting her politely and welcoming her inside upon opening the huge doors. If the mansion was beautiful from the outside, then it was twice, or even triple times as magnificent on the inside. Theia paused, shortly greeting the older man and took a minute to look around, it was the perfect embodiment of modern with a beautiful classic style. Baroque designs flattered the walls, in a flush colour of white and gold accents, filling its way up to the ceiling and then at the crown. Textured designs, a flash of colour and a beautiful large crystal chandelier hung in the middle.

"Ms Zelgar, it's a pleasure to have you here" he greeted her, taking the girl's attention away from the interior and back to him, removing the jacket and pressing her lips into a small smile. She was momentarily distracted, but once again she remembered the reason she was here. Cael Zakharov, a man almost a decade older than her and the man she had been infuriatingly in love with since she had met him at seventeen. Her brother Thian was completely unaware of her fatal attraction to the man when he decided to seek his help in looking after her during their current crisis, but that was all to Theia's advantage. She had already known that her brother would never let her see the light of day if he knew about it, so she had been extra careful not to let her desires show through.

Cael was a long term business partner, a friend and a man who had far too many connections to be considered within her league of 'dateable' men. In her brother's eyes, after losing their parents, Theia was still a kid, even at twenty, her brother refused to give her the freedom she had argued for. Too many unanswered questions, too many fishy actions and far too much control over her life should have probably given it away, whatever he was a part of, was dangerous. Theia had slowly stopped asking questions the night her brother came home with strange bruises and a wad of money that finally put them out of debt. At fifteen, she didn't give a shit about who he was beating up, all she knew was that she could finally stop eating stale bread and leftover soup for dinner.

"Would you mind waiting in the office for now?" the butler asked, waiting for her to respond so that he could guide her down the hallway to the stairs that led them to the first floor. A few steps further and they were greeted by another maid who had stepped out of a room and gave a polite head bow to Theia and the butler, whispering something in a foreign language to the older man. 

"You may wait here, for now, he will arrive soon" that was all he said before leaving her to get comfortable inside of the large study room. If Theia had to measure the size of the room, it would be comparable to her old house's living and dining room combined. A large bookcase amassed the wall, from the floor to the ceiling, followed by a nearby desk and chair directly placed at the open windows. It was a sight to witness. Settling on the couch and crossing her legs she closed her eyes shortly, she should've taken a nap in the car earlier but her stomach had been too busy folding itself over in thought of meeting Cael. She had let her excitement get the better of her, not a single minute to spare for anything else, instead, she wondered how to form her words, if she should smile with her teeth or just her lips, if she should've worn something more flattering or not. Her mind was so preoccupied with silly thoughts they had reached the mansion before she could rest for even a minute. 

Stifling a yawn and opening her eyes once more to look around, she got up from the couch and busied herself with the library of books in front of her. Recognising the classics, some Charles Dickens and the like, she didn't take Cael for much of a reader. Strange, she had thought she knew a lot about him, but reading was not a hobby she could see him enjoying. He had always been rough, playful and more on the sporty side, in fact, just thinking about him holding a book was an image she couldn't quite piece together. Touching the spine of one of her favourites, A Tale Of Two Cities, she smiled to herself. It was the first book her parents had given her for her birthday when she turned ten. No doubt she found it unbearably difficult to read, and very boring, but the memory of having her mother read a page each night before bed caused a sliver of pain to run through her chest. 

Turning away from the book and immediately shook the thoughts from her head, focusing her attention on the unfamiliar language of the other books. French, Italian, and Russian. This was even more shocking, Cael could understand other languages to the extent of reading books? Was this even the same man she knew? A brief knock on the door stripped her attention away, in walked the man on her mind and following right behind him was the sight of another man who she had not quite recognized. Cael was exactly as she remembered him a few months ago. His hair was cropped short, a broad smile on his lips and easily taking up the space of the study with his broad frame, she knew his muscular build was just as tempting under those layers of clothes. 

"Theia, it's been a while, hasn't it? I'm glad to see you are well" he spoke first, a husky voice reached her ear. 

"Of course... I apologize for the inconvenience, I'm guessing Thian already told you the details" she stepped away from the books and walked over to sit opposite him at the couches. He was gorgeous to look at, her heart was racing and she was toying with the ends of her sleeves so much the fabric was sure to rip if she kept fumbling with it so much. 

"Mh, sadly yes. Not to worry, you're always welcome here. It's just such a shame I'm too busy, I can't keep a direct watch on you" 

What? 

"Oh, I... Didn't expect you to..." she had to lie. There was no way she was going to admit that the news was shocking, but it's fine, right? She would still be staying with him, right? 

"Xander will take care of you, you do remember him don't you?" Cael beamed a smile and looked at the man leaning against the wall on the left of her. Oh God no. 

Theia's entire body froze, she couldn't believe the words that just left Cael's lips. No wonder the other man looked so familiar. Turning her head stiffly to look at Alexander Kasimir, Theia flinched a bit at the sharp glare the man had directed to her. He didn't seem to take being ignored too well, of course, she had completely disregarded his presence the minute Cael stepped into the room, but in her defence, she wouldn't have noticed anyone for that matter where Cael was involved. 

Alexander Kasimir, Cael's beloved half-brother, the man who had been at her throat the day they met, stood against the wall, a scowl over his lips as he turned his attention from Theia to look at his brother once more. The relationship between Theia and Alexander could be described as oil and water, they not only did not get along, but they had every intention of making sure that the other was miserable in their presence. Pursing her lips tightly, Theia turned back to Cael with the most plastic smile she could muster. 

"Cael, I don't think my situation requires someone like... your brother to babysit me... I know Thian is overprotective but I--" 

"Nonsense! Your safety is important Theia. I would hate to learn that my negligence could cause something terrible to happen" he cut her off and shook his head stubbornly. God. This wasn't going to be good. 

"I... It's only to college and then home... There isn't anywhere else..." Theia's stomach churned, being stuck with Alexander was going to make her rip every strand of hair from her head out, she had to convince him otherwise, or she would wake up to a life of nightmarish hell every morning. 

"I know you may think it's burdensome, but this time, we really must keep you safe. Xander is the best person for this, besides, your dorms would also be at risk." Cael's concern for her had her feeling guilty each time she tried to go against him. She knew he was only looking out for her, but she couldn't quite blurt out that his brother was an asshole and she hated his guts. Opening her mouth to say something, the sound of a phone ringing interrupted them, she had no choice but to silently watch Cael answer as he stood and apologised for the disruption. 

"I'm sorry, I have to go. Xander, fill her in, Theia, keep safe. I'll check in with you soon" he gave another smile, leaving just the two of them in awkward silence. 

Taking a breath and sighing heavily, she buried her face into her hands and didn't even try to hide how appalled she was by the idea of having this ogre be her bodyguard for the next few weeks. Rubbing her face lightly, she peeked through the spaces of her fingers to watch Alexander walk over to the seat Cael previously occupied, sitting down and lounging effortlessly on the sofa. God, she hated even the sight of him.