Charlotte's arms remained wrapped around Leonid's neck, as if she were clinging to him unconsciously. It was nothing but a subtle shyness that kept her from looking into his eyes after what she had just said; she feared that a mere glance might lead to an awkward conversation, when she was supposed to appear calm and demure.
Leonid climbed the stairs with confident strides, Charlotte's chestnut locks swaying over his arm like a silk curtain. He opened the glass door and stepped inside with her, then gently closed it using his foot.
"Should I set you down now?"
Leonid asked in a quiet tone, though he didn't stop walking he moved on as if he had no intention of putting her down at all.
Charlotte furrowed her brows and turned her head slightly, peering over his shoulder in search of Daniel or Lyudmila, but the place was empty.
That's when she tightened her arms around his neck, as if refusing to let him go, not even for a moment.
"No need."
She whispered possessively, her warm breath brushing his skin, gently caressing the sensitive curve of his neck.
Leonid paused for a moment, barely holding back a small smile that tried to sneak onto his lips.
Having Charlotte cling to him like this was an achievement in itself a culmination of the progress he had made with her. Leonid was thoroughly satisfied, even happy and grateful, as though he had won a battle.
"As you wish."
He whispered with a tenderness he showed no one but her, then lifted her slightly to adjust her weight against his chest and drew her closer, continuing up the stairs toward their room.
Charlotte was calm, secure in his arms, until a thought crept into her mind one she couldn't ignore. Her brows drew together slightly as she tilted her head to meet his gaze.
"By the way… should I tell my family about how our relationship has progressed?"
"Your family?"
Leonid echoed in faint surprise, puzzled by the sudden mention, yet he didn't slow his steps.
"Well… of course you should tell them. You're wearing a ring now, one that carries the weight of my promises on your finger. Still, I hope they won't be too shocked. By the way, had you ever told them we were dating in the first place?"
His tone was calm and measured. Then he paused, and a subtle tension settled between them. His eyes met hers directly.
"Did you?"
"No…"
Charlotte replied softly, her eyes avoiding his, trying to hide the disappointment creeping into her voice.
The truth was, she couldn't reach out to her family again, even if she wanted to. Her mother didn't believe in her right to choose her own partner and she would never have accepted something like this so easily.
Leonid felt the weight of the silence that followed her answer, and he didn't try to break it with a comment. He simply tightened his arms around her, feeling her legs wrap gently around his waist.
He kept climbing in silence. On his way up, his icy blue eyes caught a glimpse through a slightly ajar door where Daniel and Lyudmila stood silently, watching them.
He saw Daniel's gray eyes burning with fury, struggling to shout and lunge at him, while Lyudmila tried to silence him by covering his mouth with her hand.
Leonid didn't look their way, despite the temptation to mock Daniel's state. He kept his eyes forward and didn't stop until he entered the room he shared with Charlotte and quietly closed the door behind him.
"That bastard!"
Daniel shouted the moment he broke free from Lyudmila's grip; she had barely managed to silence him until Leonid disappeared behind the door.
"Why are you cursing him when he didn't even look your way?"
"You don't get it! He knows exactly how much it pisses me off and it drives me insane!"
"It's your fault."
Lyudmila muttered as she rubbed her hand in frustration.
"If you acted a bit more indifferent, Leonid wouldn't keep this up."
She paused, then glanced at the closed door and said quietly:
"He enjoys provoking you… as if it's some kind of revenge."
"Revenge? For what? Is he jealous of me?"
"Of course he is. Tell me have you ever seen a man who'd let his girlfriend hug, feed, and pamper another guy, then say he's like a brother to her, even though they're not even related by blood?"
"No."
"Then?"
Lyudmila gestured with her hand, waiting for his response.
Daniel rubbed his smooth chin and smiled arrogantly.
"I'm the one winning here."
"You're what?"
Lyudmila was surprised by the way he put it, but before she could say more, he turned toward her suddenly and pinned her against the doorframe, trapping her between his arms, his intense gaze holding her in place more than his grip.
"By the way… what about you? Don't you feel jealous of that woman who hugs your boyfriend, feeds him, and pampers him like a brother when in reality, there's nothing between them but words not backed by blood?"
"I..."
Lyudmila hesitated for a moment, then said in one breath:
"I'm not jealous of Charlotte."
She said it with clear confidence, and her eyes betrayed the sincerity of her words.
"But be careful just because I'm not jealous of Charlotte doesn't mean I'm not jealous for you… Do you understand?"
Daniel smiled broadly, not his usual mischievous grin, but one that was warm and genuine. He gently traced his finger along her cheek and replied in a calmer voice:
"I understand you perfectly and I appreciate your jealousy, even if it turns a little possessive... my sweet girl."
He added softly, sincerely:
"I love you."
Lyudmila fell silent for a moment, then turned her face away shyly. She wasn't entirely sure what had come over her, but she didn't move away from him.
She lowered her voice and replied gently:
"I love you too."
Daniel's eyes sparkled with deep gratitude, and he rested his forehead against hers, whispering:
"Tonight… will be a night to remember. I swear it."
Lyudmila raised her eyebrows and looked at him with a cautious glance.
"What are you trying to say?"
"When I give you your gift… you'll understand everything."
Daniel replied with a smile that seemed innocent, but behind it burned a fierce desire to make Lyudmila his, just as Leonid had done with Charlotte.
And though he wouldn't admit it out loud, Daniel had caught a glimpse through the window and seen Leonid confidently approach Charlotte. That moment alone gave him a boost of courage… and maybe a faint sting of jealousy.
Fortunately, Lyudmila hadn't witnessed what had happened. Otherwise, she might have guessed his intentions for the evening. At that time, she was busy organizing decorations and dinner arrangements, darting between calls and directing the team in charge.
At that moment, Leonid gently set Charlotte down on her feet, but she suddenly turned around and threw herself onto the bed, lying on her stomach as if she had fallen off a ledge.
Leonid raised an eyebrow, eyeing the hem of her skirt as it swayed over her thighs before settling. He stood still for a moment, then picked up a nearby pillow and lightly smacked her bottom with it.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
Charlotte grumbled, turning toward him in surprise, propping herself up on her elbows.
"Covering you up."
He replied arrogantly, then placed the pillow over her backside and rested his head on it as if it were a comfortable cushion.
"What is this now?!"
Charlotte gasped, trying to appear annoyed, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her flustered state.
"Shh... no need to pretend you're upset."
Leonid smiled as he raised his hand to her, gently running his fingers through her hair, then nudging her head softly to make her lie down again.
Once she lowered her head at last, he closed his eyes and exhaled slowly before saying:
"I won't pressure you about our relationship or your family… but it's better if you tell them. Ignoring it might create little problems down the road."
Charlotte frowned, pressing her cheek into the mattress without saying a word.
Leonid continued in his calm voice:
"As you know, even someone like me who rarely shares anything with his father… I told him right away."
"Wasn't that hard?"
Charlotte whispered, her voice muffled beneath her arms covering her face.
"It wasn't easy. My relationship with him isn't perfect…"
He paused, then added with a more sober tone:
"But I did what felt right. Whether he agrees or not, I don't live by his opinion anymore. I follow my mind… and what my heart tells me."
"You're very honest…"
"And why shouldn't I be? What matters is being a good son… and I am."
For a moment, Leonid shook his head as he remembered how rude he had been to his father and how he nearly gave the man a heart attack. He stifled a laugh, then sat and looked at Charlotte.
"Anyway, don't worry about it today. You can think about it tomorrow or the next day… and of course, I'll be right beside you."
"Hmm…"
She murmured faintly, closing her eyes, trying to push away the weight on her heart.
Leonid smiled softly, leaned over her, then lay down beside her.
"How about a nap before sunset? Honestly… I'm feeling sleepy too."
"…Are you really?"
"Yes."
He answered in a low whisper as she began drifting off.
"When I'm beside you, I feel completely at peace..."
He wrapped an arm around her and drew her close, whispering as he kissed her forehead gently:
"And that kind of peace… brings sleep."
Then he closed his eyes, and their breaths merged in a quiet harmony.
Downstairs, Daniel was welcoming the coordination team, greeting each member before the work began.
As for Lyudmila, she was pacing around nervously, checking every detail as if searching for an invisible flaw.
She needed everything to be perfect for her birthday tonight her social circle friends would all be attending.
Daniel noticed her unease. He walked over, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her gently into his embrace.
Lyudmila sighed deeply, allowing her body to relax for a moment in the warmth of his arms. A familiar comfort washed over her chest, though it didn't completely extinguish the flickering spark of anxiety still glowing in her eyes.
"Everything will be fine. I promise."
Daniel traced his fingers softly down her back.
"I know..."
She whispered faintly, pulling her head slightly away from his chest to glance around again.
"I just... don't want anyone to think I didn't give it my all."
"Lyudmila… you know exactly what you're doing. And as for your effort, believe me, tonight will be everything you want… and more."
She stopped moving, closed her eyes for a second, and took a deep breath.
"I think you're right… Alright, I'm okay now."
"Good. Then finish up and get a little rest later."
She smiled softly, then turned again to resume overseeing the arrangements, while Daniel remained behind her, silently watching… knowing that behind that composed face was a heart afraid of even the smallest disappointment.