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Igor is the only one who flinches at the way she speaks.
Boris makes a similar introduction, and as soon as the initial awkwardness is over, we move to the dining room.
I sit down with some of the Olenkos at the table. Thankfully, none of them is Galina. Boris‘s daughter can’t take her eyes off Igor. I don’t wish to end up anywhere near her drooling, no matter how much I might enjoy watching Igor squirm.
“Fedot,” I offer the man a friendly smile, “it’s a pleasure to meet you again. The last time I saw you, we were in kindergarten.”
“Well, it’s nice to see you again too, Katarina. And yes, you were five, but I was seven,” he says with a smile and a wink. “I still remember your pigtails and how much I enjoyed pulling them.”
His wink sends butterflies to my stomach.
“I’ve learned a thing or two in the time you’ve been away,” I tell him as I take a sip of red wine that was served to us.
“Have you now?” His question is rewarded with a slight giggle that slips out of my mouth. He grew into a handsome man, though his good looks are nothing compared to Nikolai’s.
I nod as I lean in. “Being spoiled and pretty is something I’ve mastered,” I whisper. He laughs wholeheartedly at my confession. “What about you, Fedot? What have you been up to?” I inquire in an attempt to keep up the small talk.
“Besides living with a reputation of being my daddy’s heir to a whole lot of strip clubs, I’ve done nothing that’s interesting,” Fedot confesses.
He doesn’t act like someone insecure about his future position in the Olenko family.
“Have you heard about Volkov’s visit to Russia?” Boris asks my father.
The mention of Nikolai catches my attention. I give Fedot a polite smile before turning my head to listen to the conversation between the two power figures.
“Yes, I received a call from my contacts in Siberia,” my father confirms with a curt nod.
“Then you know that it was unsuccessful,” Boris clarifies.
“You were unsuccessful,” my father corrects, and Boris stiffens. “Don’t worry, Olenko. I wouldn’t have invited you here if I was angry with you. Our goal is still the same. We need to weaken the industry leaders to prepare for the shift. No one should have so much power in their hands.”
My jaw is threatening to hit the table. Though I don’t understand most of it, I can read between the lines enough to know that they’re planning something against Nikolai. Maybe my mother is right, and my father is doing more than I thought.
But if that’s so, why would he agree to the arranged marriage in the first place?
With trembling hands, I pick up the glass and drain the wine in one go.
“As soon as we get rid of the head, Fedot will travel to Siberia and insert himself at the top,” Boris murmurs, making me and most of the others watch him with unease. “With our two families standing together, no one will dare threaten us. Not even the Gargarins.”
I take a quick peek at my father. He gives Boris a solemn nod before giving me a reassuring smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Igor and Galina’s marriage will further strengthen our alliance,” Papa adds.
“Hear, hear,” Boris cheers, holding up his half-empty glass.
I grab the bottle and start to pour Fedot a refill before I top off my own glass. He gives me a grateful smile.
Galina giggles and leans closer to Igor’s side. “Oh, Igor, I’m so happy. I promise I will take good care of our home and future kids.”
Igor’s face turns pale.
“What?” he blurts out, looking ill.
I don’t blame him. I felt the same way when Father told me about my engagement to Nikolai.
“The wedding will take place in two months,” Papa says, narrowing his eyes at Igor in warning.
“To the happy couple,” Aleksander says, before Igor can dig himself an even deeper hole.
