Mika caught the subtle tremor in Yelena's body as she clutched the chain tighter, her proud facade wobbling just slightly under the weight of his stare.
He hadn't meant to push her this far, at least not yet. So, softening his tone just a little, he asked to tease her out of her nervousness.
"Hey, Yelena...do you want me to take the lead, or do you want to do it yourself?"
The question caught her off guard, pulling her attention to him. But before she could even form an answer, his lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk.
"Ah, but it doesn't really matter, does it?...There's no way you could take the lead in something like this, since you're completely inexperienced."
"You've never had a man in your life to guide you in these matters after all, so asking such a question is a waste of my time."
The words stung more than she expected. They were true, painfully so, but the way he said them, so condescending, so smug, ignited something sharp inside her.
