Six years was enough time for cities to change, for power to shift, and for empires to fall.
But for Adrian Volkov, six years wasn’t nearly enough to forget the way Mikhail Orlov had looked at him the night everything shattered.
Not that he cared.
Not anymore.
At least… that’s what he told himself.
Adrian stepped into the gleaming marble lobby of the Orlov Corporate Headquarters, the click of his boots sharp enough to silence every conversation around him. Heads turned. People stared. Some swallowed their breath.
He pretended not to notice.
He always pretended.
His black gloves slid off smoothly as he approached the reception desk, revealing fingers elegant enough to be sinful. The receptionist, a nervous young man, practically tripped over his own tongue.
“G-good evening, sir. How may I assist—”
Adrian tilted his head, voice honey-coated frost.
“I have an appointment with the board.”
“Yes, of course! Name?”
He gave a wicked little smile.
“Adrian Volkov.”
The receptionist froze.
Everyone in the lobby froze.
Because that name… belonged to a ghost.
Adrian enjoyed the reaction a little too much.
Being dramatic was one of his few remaining hobbies.
“P–please head to the private elevator, Mr. Volkov.”
“Good boy,” Adrian replied lightly.
The receptionist nearly passed out.
🥃 BOARDROOM — SAME MINUTE
The board members whispered among themselves as Adrian entered, coat flowing behind him like a shadow with attitude.
“Volkov—?”
“But he disappeared—!”
“He looks… dangerous.”
Adrian dropped a file onto the table with a soft thud, and every man in the room jumped.
“I’m here to discuss the assets you stole while assuming I was dead.”
A pause.
A deadly smile.
“Shall we begin?”
The men stuttered.
Adrian crossed his legs with elegance that should’ve been illegal.
And then—
A presence filled the doorway.
Heavy. Cold. Familiar.
His heart stilled.
Don’t look, he ordered himself.
He looked.
Mikhail Orlov stood there.
Late-20s.
Broader shoulders.
Sharper jaw.
Suit straining against muscle he definitely didn’t have six years ago.
But those eyes—
Storm-grey, unreadable, unbearably gentle when they landed on Adrian.
The room fell silent.
Mikhail took one step inside.
Adrian’s breath hitched, but he kept his expression perfect—bored, annoyed, uninterested.
Mikhail spoke first.
His voice was deeper now, rough around the edges.
“Adrian.”
A thousand memories slammed into him.
Adrian lifted an eyebrow.
“Oh? You remember me. Miracles do happen.”
The board flinched.
Mikhail didn’t.
He walked toward Adrian, slow and steady, like approaching a frightened animal ready to bite.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, smirk sharp enough to cut.
“Don’t come closer. The last time you did, I made the foolish mistake of loving you.”
The entire board gasped.
Mikhail stopped, jaw clenching.
“Adrian… I never wanted to hurt you.”
“And yet, somehow, you were excellent at it.” Adrian’s tone was sweet poison. “Congratulations.”
Mikhail inhaled shakily. “I looked for you for years.”
Adrian’s voice turned cold.
“And yet you found me only after I arrived at your doorstep.”
He tilted his head. “Funny, isn’t it?”
A dangerous silence filled the room.
One of the board members cleared his throat.
“Mr. Orlov, should we begin the meeting—”
Adrian shot him a look.
He shut up instantly.
Mikhail exhaled. “Adrian, we need to talk.”
“About the weather? No, thank you.”
“About us.”
“There is no ‘us,’ Mikhail. There’s me.”
A pause.
“And there’s your talent for ruining things.”
The board stared, horrified and entertained.
☕ BREAK ROOM — 10 MINUTES LATER
Adrian walked out of the boardroom, heels clicking like gunshots.
Mikhail followed.
“Adrian, stop.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“…No.”
Mikhail grabbed Adrian’s wrist gently.
Adrian froze.
Because no matter how cold he became,
no matter how much he forced himself to bury everything,
his skin still remembered Mikhail’s touch.
He pulled his hand back slowly.
“Mikhail,” Adrian said softly, dangerously, “let me make something very clear.”
He leaned in, lips almost brushing Mikhail’s ear.
“If you try to come back into my life…”
His voice dropped to a whisper.
“I will destroy you.”
Mikhail didn’t flinch.
He smiled.
A soft, broken smile.
“You can destroy me, Adrian,” he murmured, “but I’ll still choose you.”
Adrian’s heart stopped.
For one second.
Just one.
Then—
He slapped Mikhail’s chest lightly.
“Don’t say cheesy lines like that! Do you want me to throw up?!”
Mikhail blinked.
“…You’re still dramatic.”
Adrian gasped.
“How dare you—?! I am elegantly expressive.”
Mikhail actually laughed.
Adrian hated how good it sounded.
---
✨ AUTHOR’S SASSY NOTE
HELLO MY SUGAR-LOVING CHAOS GOBLINS 😈🔥
Chapter 1 is DONE—
with drama, sass, love tension, and Adrian bullying Mikhail (again).
If you want Chapter 2 (Damian × Leonid chaotic entrance)
JUST SAY: “Start Chapter 2”
Go read my other stories too
because my confidence needs more boosting than Damian’s temper. 💅🔥
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