New Beginnings

I was weak. I should have never allowed Milo to touch me or kiss me. I should have protested and told him I wasn't interested in him.

But that would have been a lie. 

The truth was, he had been right. I thought about him almost every day since that kiss two years ago. I liked him. That much I couldn't deny.

Who would blame me? He was tall, muscular, hot, and from the looks of it, great in bed. Every woman in Moscow lusted after him and feared him at the same time.

I wasn't exceptional.

I bet he was used to women throwing themselves at him all the time. I had fallen for his seduction like every other woman. I would hate to be just another notch in his belt.

Pushing aside those thoughts, I packed the valuable items I had. I didn't have a lot—just a few necklaces, underwear, some pictures, and all my novels.

When I opened the door, Milo's men were waiting outside. One of them grabbed my bags and guided me downstairs.

With every step I took, I wanted to go back to my apartment and just sleep. I didn't want to live in the same house as Milo. 

It was only a matter of time before I angered him enough that he thought of hurting me. I didn't want to die. I wanted to live long enough to get married and have my own children. 

After being associated with the mafia, I wouldn't blame a man if he was too scared to be with me. I released a sigh and decided to put my thoughts into surviving. 

I didn't have many expectations when it came to Milo since the moment I met him. However, I was still disappointed when I realized he had left. 

By the time we got to the cars parked outside my building, Milo was nowhere to be found. I wanted to ask where he was but I also didn't want to give anyone the idea that I cared about him.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked one of Milo's men.

"Your new home."

I silently got into the car and allowed the men to take me to Milo. However, when we stopped at the most luxurious hotel in Moscow, I hesitated to get out of the car. I thought I was going to Milo's house. 

"Am I staying here for the night?" I asked the driver nervously. One of Milo's men opened my side of the door and stared at me expectantly. "I don't know if I can afford a room here for the night."

"You don't have to worry about that. The boss owns this hotel." 

I nodded and got out of the car. If he was covering all costs, I might as well have enjoyed the luxury of being in an expensive hotel. A man led me and three others followed behind me. It was very intimidating and it made everyone look at me. 

I ignored the stares and concentrated on my surroundings. The hotel boasted an impressive design. The overall theme was gold and some traces of white. 

The reception area was elegant. At the center of the scene was a beautifully curved reception desk adorned with intricate floral carvings and paneling. 

The desk itself was made of polished wood, accented with detailed moldings, and featured soft lighting beneath the counter. Behind the desk, large floral arrangements in oversized, decorative vases stood out, composed of orange and white flowers.

The floor was made of polished marble, with ornate mosaic tile designs near the reception area, adding to the overall luxurious feel of the space. 

The hotel lobby was grand with a strong emphasis on luxury. The space was expansive, with high ceilings supported by large, ornate columns featuring intricate carvings and detailed molding, reinforcing a sense of grandeur.

Central chandeliers hang from the coffered ceiling. Each chandelier was adorned with glittering crystal, casting a warm, golden light that enhanced the luxurious feel of the lobby.

 The ceiling itself was a work of art, with recessed lighting and painted dome sections. The floor was a polished marble with an elegant geometric pattern, reflecting the light from the chandeliers above and creating a sense of vastness. 

The marble appeared to be inlaid with darker stone accents, giving the floor depth and sophistication. The seating areas were arranged on either side of the long central aisle, with plush armchairs, sofas, and small tables. 

The furniture was a mix of warm tones like beige, brown, and gold, offering both comfort and refinement. Potted plants and indoor greenery were carefully placed throughout the space, adding a touch of nature to balance the luxurious interior.

In the distance, large glass doors opened to the outside, allowing natural light to pour into the space. 

Milo's men led me straight to the reception. 

"This is Emilie Smith. She's the new guest at the penthouse. Mark her face so you don't cause trouble for her." 

The receptionist gulped and handed me a keycard. She was clearly afraid of the men accompanying me. How could she not? Even though they were in suits, they were still covered in tattoos and they were carrying guns. 

The man who had spoken to the receptionist grabbed my arm and led me to the elevator. 

"The penthouse…uh…Milo didn't have to. I'm comfortable in a normal room."

The man didn't respond. In fact, he acted like he didn't hear me. 

The elevator stopped at the very top floor. When the doors opened, I almost gasped at the sight. The penthouse was amazing. 

Its walls were made of glass, the floorboards were a golden brown color, and the pillars were painted light blue and white. There was a three-hundred-and-twenty-five-inch television sitting on top of a modern fireplace. 

The couches were white and leather and there was a grand staircase leading upstairs to the second floor. The penthouse was so huge that I wondered how one person could live in it. 

I didn't have time to explore the kitchen but I knew it was huge as well. What I loved most was the huge balcony adjacent to the living room. There were comfortable seats there as well as a small jacuzzi. 

I could see myself spending the day there enjoying the fresh air and enjoying the view of the city. However, I couldn't get too comfortable with things that didn't belong to me. Plus, I would be gone by morning.

I wasn't built for that kind of life of luxury and I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable trading my body for it. 

'Technically, you are trading your body in exchange for your father's life.' A voice in the back of my head whispered but I didn't care.

I didn't want to be a burden to Milo. I wondered how much he was losing out that night for letting me stay in the penthouse. 

I immediately took out my phone to ask him to take me back to my apartment.

"He's busy. You're not going to reach him." 

I turned to the man who had spoken to me.

"What's your name? You seem to be in charge."

"Boris, ma'am."

"Well, Boris. Please tell Milo that I'm not accepting any of this. I don't want to be indebted to the devil for the rest of my life."

The man chuckled. 

"You can tell him that yourself. I don't act as a middleman or a messenger."

Jerk!

"Now that you've brought my bags, you can leave," I told him. As soon as he was gone, I planned to dash out of the hotel and return to my humble apartment. I would die before I let Milo trick me into accumulating more debt than my father had. 

I would remain indebted to him for life. A man like Milo had no morals so nothing from him was free. 

"No. We're here to protect you. We will remain here all night."

I fought a groan. Just as I was about to argue, a text came in. My heart stopped when I read who it was from.

Ivan.