Bound by lies Trapped by Desire novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Elena’s POV:

I had said earlier that I’d rather go to his office, but now that I was here, sitting on the plush leather couch with an Ad sheet spread out in front of me, I couldn’t focus.

The room was far too quiet, save for the occasional rustling of paper as Nikolai flipped through some document at his desk. Every few seconds, my gaze flicked toward my phone, the screen dark and stubbornly silent. My mother hadn’t called yet. Not a single message. Not a word.

I tried to concentrate, tried to lose myself in the sketch in front of me. A car. One Td been daydreaming about since the start of the semester. It was for my next university project–a concept design tailored for people with disabilities. More than a vehicle. A symbol. An ambition. My ambition.

I know I should be focusing on my business degree coursework. Something that would help me survive in the job market, keep food on the table But designing cars? That was what made my heart beat a little faster. It was what made my fingers twitch in anticipation. It was a world where I felt like I could truly make something that mattered.

Still, I wasn’t getting very far. My brain was scattered, bouncing between my mother’s glare, Nikolai’s reckless reveal, and the awkward silence that followed. Every scribble on the page looked messy, half–formed. Like my thoughts.

sighed and pushed the pencil across the page again

Then I heard it–the soft, deliberate tapping of footsteps

I looked up to see Nikolai rounding his desk and walking toward me, his gaze curious as it dropped to the sketch in front of me. My stomach twisted in embarrassment

Before I could react, he leaned over the back of the couch, peering at the paper.

I lunged forward and tried to cover it, heat rising in my face, “Hey That’s private

He smoothly reached around me and plucked the sheet from the table before I could grab it, “Is it?” he asked, raising a brow

“Give it back,” I hissed, scrambling to my feet.

He stood too, unfolding the paper with maddening calmness as I tried, and failed, to reach it

He held it just high enough to stay out of my grasp

I was five–foot–eight–uller than most women I knew. But next to him? I felt like I’d shrunk three inches. My arm stretched in vain, my balance tipping forward, and that’s when I became acutely aware of just how close we were.

“This is actually really good, he murmured.

“You’re studying mechanical and automotive engineering, right?”

I blinked. “How did you kijow that?”

He shrugged one shoulder, not looking at me. “I heard.”

My frown deepened. Heard from who?”

“I have my sources.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Okay, I’ve been wondering since the day I walked into your office–have you been stalking me or something?”

His gaze flicked to mine, a klow smirk curling on his lips. “And what if I have?”

I choked. “You realize that’s creepy, right? And illegal”

“Nothing is illegal if you have enough money,” he replied casually.

Igaped at him. Was he flexing his wealth–now?

I crossed my arms and before I could stop myself I asked, “Be honest with me. Do you like me!”

He blinked, visibly caught off guard.

“What?” he said slowly.

“Do you like me.” I repeated, firmer now. “Because it kind of feels like you do. And not just in the passing–fancy sort of way.”

1/2

“Isn’t it obvious?” he said at last.

His tone was so casual it made my heart drop.

‚ for a year, right?”

His eyes flicked over my face. Then he smiled. “I know, malishka. You’re not the first girl I’ve felt interested in, it’ll go away soon enough.

The words hit harder than I thought they would. A dny, unwelcome knot twisted in my chest,

Why? Why did I feel like I’d just heard something I already knew but didn’t want confirmed? I didn’t know why, but I was suddenly reminded of the moment I had found Dmitri cheating on me.

Basically Nikolai wanted to have sex with me and he knows he will eventually become sick of me. That’s why he’s so nonchalant with this. He’s done it many times. It’s not a big deal for him is it?

It wasn’t love. It wasn’t even emotional.

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