บท 3: 3) Regrets
Mother Nature decided it would be perfect to let it snow whilst we were on our way to the meeting. Sure I had grown up around snow but it just hit different here. The cold literally pinched my arse when I stepped out the car to go to Yavoks office. The building had a few stairs to climb before you went into the entrance, it was mostly made of glass and had a few interesting architectural advancements but noting I had not seen before.
When we stepped into the reception, employees passing by stopped in their tracks to gawk in my direction. I had that effect on people. I simply smiled and walked to the receptionist, who was beautiful if I had to mention but not the point.
"Good morning love, I'm here for my meeting with Mr. Chernyshevsky," I smiled down at her. Her pale face reddened immediately as she sweetly smiled at me.
"Ah yes, Mr. Coleman. Please just head to the elevator and go to the top floor. Mr. Chernyshevsky is expecting you," she said walking us to the elevator.
"Thank you beautiful," I winked which she squealed too before the elevator doors shut.
"The poor girl probably isn't going to know how to function for the rest of the day," Allison laughed.
"She literally resembled a tomato," John snickered. I simply grinned with an amused feeling in my chest. I would never get tired of making people lose their minds. The elevator ride was relatively short, once the doors opened a young man with a suit stood waiting for us.
"Good morning Mr. Coleman," he greeted. His accent was strong which intrigued me. I shook his outstretched hand and waited as he greeted Allison and John, "I am Andrea, Mr. Chernyshevsky assistant. Let me show you the boardroom," he smiled. Soon we were seated with our collection of coffee Andrea offered us as we waited. Yavok entered the boardroom five minutes later.
My first impression was wow. The man screamed intimidating in ever shape, way and form. He had long platinum blonde hair that reached his waist, his eyes were a grey blue colour which was very rare, and his eyebrows were dark contrasting his hair and his eyelashes. Even though he was wearing a suit I could see the tattoos on his neck and some on his hands. I was pretty sure there were more than met the eye.
"Mr. Coleman. How wonderful to meet you," he smiled as I stood up to shake his hand. His voice was deep and husky which could easily have anyone running for the hills.
"Please call me Edward," I smiled as we sat back down.
"How was your flight? And congratulations on the Oscar that is a big achievement," for someone so… frightening he was awfully friendly.
"It was long but good. Thank you very much. My Apologies for having to reschedule you know how things can get," I hoped he did not see any pictures of me and Bethany leaving together.
"No problem. It gave me more time to make sure the presentation would be perfect," he chuckled as Andrea switched on the projector. From what I understood Yavok wanted to build a large mall and a chain of hotels. My role was to design something futuristic and something never seen in Russia before. That was a big task but I knew my team could handle it well. My company would gain five billion from the first few projects alone and Yavok offered me thirty percent shares of each building to keep up maintenance costs.
It was a huge contract deal and I knew from this project alone I would get a whole lot more clients in Russia. "I will have my lawyers look over the contract but I have a strong feeling we are going to be a great team," I smiled.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he smiled and clapped his hands together. We both were going to be very rich men after this project. "So I understand you don't watch lots of ballet theatre?" Yavok asked as he walked us to the elevator.
"Not really my sister loves them though so sometimes I am dragged along with her," I chuckled.
"Perfect you are not clueless. I got us beautiful seats for the Swan Lake production. Luckily my brother will be able to join us," by the mention of his brother I was intrigued.
"Lovely. I look forward to this evening," we shook hands and said our goodbyes.
When we got back to the hotel I got my black tuxedo ready for the evening. I decided to order room service once again since I did not feel like going out for dinner which gave John and Allison the perfect opportunity to go sightseeing.
It was 5p.m which gave me an hour before I had to go meet Yavok, his wife and his brother at the theatre. I took a quick shower, wore the tuxedo with a red scarf and black coat. John drove me to the theatre and accompanied me inside. He would always be around me but not breathing down my neck twenty four/seven. When we entered the theatre I was impressed by the luxury of it. It had dozens of chandeliers, marble floors and exquisite sculptures.
People noticed me immediately and greeted me as I passed and searched for Yavok. I did not have to search for too long since his platinum hair stuck out like a sore thumb. Next to him was a woman with blonde hair, she was just as pale as him but with brown eyes. I assumed she was his wife.
"Edward. So lovely to see you again. This is my wife Ashley," he smiled gesturing towards her.
"Lovely is meet you Ashley," I smiled and shook her hand.
"My husband says a lot of great things about you," she chuckled; her accent sounded more Swiss if I had to be honest. From what I remembered from what Allison had told me she was originally from Switzerland.
"That's good to hear. I look forward to working with your family," I complimented. Soon we all had champagne in our hands as we waited for the show to begin. "I thought your brother would be joining us?" I questioned noticing it was just the three of us.
"He will be here in a second. He is always running late," Yavok rolled his eyes playfully. After a few more minutes I noticed a figure running towards us. It was a man in a maroon tuxedo. At first I found it strange till I noticed the hair colour. Platinum blonde; had to be Yavoks brother.
"I'm sorry I'm late. I had to help out back stage quickly," the man said panting. From a distance I could not really analyse his face but now I could. His hair was long but not as long as Yavok, it reached the nape of his neck and was pushed back effortlessly. It was a bit messy but alright. Just like his brother, he had dark eyebrows and eyelashes yet his eyes were peculiar. They were the most intense blue colour I had ever seen. He looked young probably in his mid-twenties but also had an aura of intimidation.
From my angle I could see tattoos on his neck. I wondered, what was the story behind him and his brothers' tattoos? "It's fine," Yavok sighed.
"Vasili Chernyshevsky. Nice to meet you," he outstretched his hand for me to shake.
"Edward Coleman. Same to you," I smiled and shook his hand. Vasili did not really smile, he sort of half grinned and from his expression and lack of interaction I had a feeling he did not want to be here. "Are you involved with the theatre?" I asked as Yavok lead us to our seats.
"Yes," Vasili simply answered. The man was pretty closed off and even though I knew we did not really know each other I found him a tad bit rude. Yavok got us lovely nosebleed seats that were close to the stage from above. The area had luxurious red velvet wingbacks and a table with drinks and snacks.
The second I spotted macaroons I was all in. Obviously to look civilised I only put six on my small plate. From the corner of my eye I could see Vasili chuckle at my actions and shake his head. I felt my cheeks flush at the realization he probably thought I was a food whore. My mom fed me a lot.
Soon the theatre was packed and the show begun. On my left there was the wall, on my right sat Vasili and next to him Yavok and his wife. I felt pleased noticing I only sat next to one person which had my nerves decrease substantially. Personally I barley understood ballet and I only went to them for Amanda since she always begged me to go with her. I was pretty sure if they asked me a question about it I would look like an idiot.
The stage was slowly filled with a mysterious fog as the music begun, there was a beautiful picture of a lake behind the stage and slowly a ballerina came out dressed in white. I had to admit she looked beautiful as she started her dance. Many scenes later the same ballerina; the swan queen and the prince danced together moving in perfect harmony.
I was amazed at how effortlessly they moved on their toes. I turned my head to look at Vasili casually and the look on his face was… surprising. His eyes focused on the dancers with such precision, I wondered what he was thinking. His eyebrows were furrowed and even though he seemed to be enjoying himself he looked sad. His left hand moved with the music as if he was dancing himself. It was subtle but in a strange way I could tell how badly he wanted to be on that stage.
When there was a break I excused myself and went to the restroom. As I washed my hands I noticed Vasili come out one of the stalls with bloodshot eyes. His cheeks were slightly flushed and I knew he had been crying.
"Are you okay?" I questioned facing him. It was like only then he had noticed my presence since his eyes widened.
"Yes, allergies," bullshit but I chose not to press on any further.
"I must admit the work you've done is remarkable. The whole production is utterly amazing," I smiled as he washed his hands.
"Thank you," he said coldly his jaw clenching. Shit, Allison had warned me about speaking about his involvement in the ballet world since he could still be sensitive about it.
"My sister in law is a ballerina in New York she would have loved this," I smiled hoping a slight change in topic would lessen the tension.
"Lovely," he said through clenched teeth. Even from here I could tell he was faking a smile as he took a step closer to me. He was just a few centimetres shorter than me and a whole ten years younger but he was stern. "Look Mr. Coleman I am glad you joined us and I know my brother is trying to kiss your ass since this contract would make him a very rich man and all. But we are not acquaintances, I don't know you and you definitely don't know me. So I would appreciate it if you simply stopped trying to befriend me. Let's keep it professional."
Before I could even respond he stormed out the restroom leaving me there to boil. Who the hell did he think he was talking too? I could buy his entire families assets in a few minutes if I wanted too. My net worth was a hundred times more than his brothers and probably a thousand more than his. A huge part of me wanted to just leave. There I was watching something I did not really have much interest in for the sake of being friendly.
If he was going to treat me like dirt under his shoe I rather not waste my time. Sure I was being irrational but as a Coleman we were not really known for being rational. I sighed thinking of Yavok. Him and his wife had been nothing but kind to me I would be a real jerk if I left. Sometimes I hated being a good person. When I got back I grabbed a few more macaroons. I was a stress eater sue me.
When I sat back down on my seat Vasili looked at me briefly from the corner of his eye before looking away. He looked at me again to say something but closed his mouth as the room lights switched off and the music started. He seemed hesitant and slightly embarrassed but I did not care. First impressions last a long time.
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