Mafia Men: Nikolai's Inferno - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

-Evangeline.
I approached the woman with sweaty hands and trembling legs, there were just so many people behind her. I have never been a part of a crowd. I have never even been in a place with so many people before. My heart pounded against my ribs as if trying to fulfill a thousand beats. I deeply exhaled, releasing some of the tension that had built up in my muscles.
"Welcome to Columbia University, Ms. Bolton. My name is Tara Wells and I'll be your guide through everything..."
I smiled politely at her. "Thank you..."
"Although your admission was kind of last-minute, you arrived just i time for the orientation week."
"Oh..." was all I could say as I didn't even know what orientation week was.
Nikolai must have something to do with my last-minute admission, and now I don't know how I will ever repay everything he has done for me.
"Let's start with the campus tour"
With a smile on my face and anxiety shooting through my veins I followed Tara as she showed me around the campus.
"Usually NSOP leaders help the new students but Mr. Costello wanted this to be as comfortable for you as possible. I was told you might get frightened by the crowds since you have been homeschooled your whole life..."
I swallowed to help with my parched throat and tucked an unru
She nodded. "Will you be staying at the dorms?" "Um... No"
ily lock of ha
tir behind my ear. "Yeah, it's the first time I will attend classes on campus"
We toured around the campus, she informed me everything about the core curriculum and classes. She introduced the faculty and the staff, and everything I needed to understand college life a bit better. The whole day, I met a lot of people, some were my age, and some were older but they all were incredibly friendly and helpful. Most of the people here had the kind of personality that would make anyone comfortable. They joked around freely and they didn't even treat me like some freak when they found out that I have been homeschooled my whole life. I have made a few friends since the morning. My phone rang and even that made me excited. This is the first time, I got a call on my new cell phone, it's stupid to get this excited but for me... it's everything.
I pulled it out of my handbag and saw an unknown number. I picked it up.
"I'm waiting for you outside" he deadpanned.
Scott... It was Scott.
Seriously the first time I get a call and it's from him? Irritation surged up inside of me as I maneuvered out of the campus and saw a line of black SUVs parked out front. People eyed it weirdly but not me. I know it was Scott and his bodyguards. They always follow Nikolai and Scott wherever they go.
I heaved a sigh as I saw him leaning against a silver car. His car stood out between all the black SUVs. I walked straight to the passenger side.
"Get in the car!" he ordered.
His order annoyed me a lot because I was already getting into the car. What's the point of ordering me to do something when I am already doing it? He just wanted to annoy me, that's all, well, mission accomplished. I got into the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt.
The whole car ride we didn't talk to one another. I kept looking out of the window while he silently drove the car. When we reached home, I unfastened the seatbelt and was about to get out when Scott held my forearm, stopping me in my place.
"I'm not your fucking driver, tell Nikolai that you don't want me to drive you around," his voice held such venom that made my insides clench, like here being in the same car with me disgusted him. "Gladly, I don't want you to drive me around too!" I snapped back.
His grip on my arm tightened and his gaze turned darker, lethal. He was furious, I could see his veins popping out of his forehead.
"You are lucky I can't kill you"
I pulled my arm out of his grip. "What is that supposed to mean?"
d the door fr
"You will find out soon enough" saying that he got out of the car and slamme
om his side.
ared at me.
I got out too and aggressively shut his car door. He turned at the sound and gl. "This car cost more than your entire life" he taunted.
I rolled my eyes and walked past him, ignoring his presence. I made my way to Nikolai's office, I wanted to tell him about my day and everything that happened but as I was about to turn the doorknob, someone grabbed me from behind and pushed me away from the door.
"He's busy" Scott gritted out.
"I need to talk to him..."
"Fucking wait your turn" saying that, he disappeared inside Nikolai's study leaving me out there alone.
I huffed and decided to freshen up first. I put on some fresh clothes and then ran straight to the kitchen to get something to eat. The kitchen staff perked up when they saw me, I ordered what I wanted and settled on the living room couch, and used my cell phone. I was still learning everything about it too but I was a fast learner so, it wasn't rocket science.
The best thing about having a cellphone is whenever I won't understand anything, I can just search for it on the internet. The information on it was endless, having a cell phone was a lifesaver.
Four hours passed by in a blur, but I was so engrossed in my cell phone I couldn't just stop. I searched about everything that was bothering me and read articles about different things. I watched videos of people dancing and singing, and traveling to other parts of the world. It was all so new, I never knew there was so much more to life than just books and stargazing. I also searched some of the new words I learned from people at college, turns out they were slang.
I heard a mixed chatter of manly voices as they stepped out of Nikolai's office. I shrunk into the couch, so, that no one could see me. I discreetly eyed the big, muscled men that walked out of Nikolai's office. At last, Nikolai also stepped out, he seemed so brusque, serious, and vicious. His expressions scared me for some reason. Nikolai nodded at Scott and Scott escorted the men out of his home.
One hand was in his pocket while the other held a cigar, the smoke of his cigar hung in the air. He wore an expression most people would run from afraid for their life.
I placed both of my arms over the headrest of the couch and placed my chin on them as I watched Nikolai, my back was now facing the TV.
I really liked staring at him... does that make me creepy?
As if he felt my eyes on him, his gaze flicked directly toward me, making my breath hitch. We just stared at each other in silence. His expressions were nothing but indifferent, and cold, and yet I felt like my whole body was suddenly on fire.
He slightly rolled his eyes, just slightly, and god! If it wasn't the hottest eye roll I have ever seen in my life. I smiled in return, I know it was my staring that vexed him.
He narrowed his eyes back at me. "How was college?" he asked, his voice rough and demanding.
I gave him a wide smile. "Perfect..."
Like you I wanted to add but I didn't.
I think I have a huge crush on Nikolai Costello, maybe, it's because he is the first man I have ever known, and maybe I'll grow out of it when I'll meet new people at college. Because being cramped up in a house with a man like him can be a little distracting and confusing for a girl like me, who had never experienced a man's attention or touch.
And yes, I researched everything on the internet. My every confusion, my body's reactions whenever Nikolai was around and that heartbeat between my leg, I researched about everything, and turns out, I'm just a hormone-driven wench.
It was completely normal, happens to everyone.
He lodged the cigar between his lips and then blew out a thick puff of smoke, his face disappeared behind the smoke for a minute before it dissipated and I found him still looking at me.
He leaned his back against the wall beside his study doors and smoked his cigar. Not once did he take his eyes off of me and neither did I.
Then I remembered what Scott had said. "I don't want Scott to pick me up from college..."
A hint of dry amusement crossed his eyes. "Why?"
I blew out a breath. "He is annoying and for some reason he hates me... I don't mind because I hate him too"
"I trust Scott," he answered.
I lifted a shoulder. "I don't..."
He gave his head a gentle shake and his thumb ran over his lower lips. "I'll see what I can do. Anything else?"
A smile stretched over my face when he said that. The way he asked me if I wanted anything else. I gently shook my head which still rested over my arms. "No..."
"Motherfucker..." he hissed under his breath but I heard it.
Motherfucker- a curse word, I know it now.
It's someone who had intercourse with your mother. I don't know why Nikolai called me a motherfucker because I have never had intercourse with his mom. It would be weird.
Cursing is also not socially acceptable but I guess Nikolai didn't care.
I heard the guttural sound of the car engine, implying that Nikolai's guests were leaving.
"Who were those big scary men?" I asked.
He rolled his cigar between his fingers as he watched me with burning intensity. "My business partners"
I frowned, I suddenly realized I had no idea what Nikolai did for a living. "What do you do for a living, Nikolai?"
He chuckled, my eyes widened, at first I couldn't believe that he did but then I perked up as I realized that he really did chuckle. I have never seen him smile like that. The sound of his laugh was beautiful, rough, deep, the kind that you feel in your stomach and your toes.
"You're too young to know about that, Evangeline"
"Why? Do you work at the bank too?"
He looked down at the cigar in his hand and then back at me. "Something like that..."
"So, you and my dad worked at the same bank?"
He gave me a lazy, lopsided half-smile. "Your father worked for me, Evangeline"
"So you own the bank?"
He gave his head a gentle shake as if he was finding this conversation ridiculous. "Multiple..."
"Woah!"
This explains why he has so much money and way too many cars, servants, and bodyguards.
The sound of heavy footsteps broke our staring contest, and both of our gazes flicked toward the man that entered.
"Boss, they are here."
Nikolai nodded before his attention turned back to me. "Evangeline, go to your room and stay there until I tell you to come out"
rag doll.
I nodded and immediately got to my feet. Didn't he know that I was an expert at staying in my room? I will stay inside until he wants me to because I really don't want Scott
toss me around again like I am some
"Okay..."
"Evangeline, I want you to stay there until I personally come to get you. Do not open your door to anyone else. No matter what you hear, no matter what anyone tells you. Do. Not. Open. Your. Door." his voice was low and dangerous as if he was about to murder someone.
I nodded and turned to leave for my room. As I reached the top of the stairs, I turned one last time to see Nikolai. He was still staring at me. I gave him a smile which he returned with a single nod of his head. Entering my room, I closed my door and locked it. I sat on my bed crisscrossed and downloaded some games play to pass the time.
Until I heard a distant gunshot.
No...
Nikolai...