INSIDE THE STORE
The salesperson gave them an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, but our matching brooches are only available in pairs of two."
Zoya, Viktor, and Kalix exchanged glances. A brief silent settled between them before Viktor let out a soft chuckle. "Well, that's inconvenient."
Kalix huffed. "Guess one of us is getting left out." Zoya sighed, tapping her fingers against the glass counter. "What about customized brooches?"
The salesperson brightened. "Of course! We can create any design you like."
Zoya glanced at the two men beside her.
"Thoughts?" Viktor grinned. "Let's get 'V' on all of them. For Viktor."
Kalix shot him a flat look. "Absolutely not."
Zoya chuckled.
The salesperson suggested-"Would you like your company's logo or something personal?
Zoya again glanced at them, "What do you guys think?"
Viktor smirked. "If we go with Volkov's logo, it'll look more like, for business, not personal touch.
Then Zoya looked at them before saying , what about "A Blue Iris."
Kalix raised a brow. "Why that?"
Zoya s,iled. It's a flower that symbolise, "Wisdom, hope, and courage." She glanced at both of them. "Fells fitting, don't you think?"
Viktor grinned. "I like it."
Kalix nodded. "It's perfect."
With the order placed they Kalix and Viktor stepped out.
OUTSIDE THE STORE
Kalix's gaze landed on the small shopping bag in Zoya's hand.
"What's in the bag?" he asked.
She cluthed it closer. "Not telling you."
His brows furrowed. "Zoya."
She smirked and walked ahead, "still not telling you."
Before Kalix could press further, Viktor clapped his hands. "Alright, let's go get some ice cream."
"I'll pass" zoya said.
Viktor frowned. "Why?"
"I'm sports person. I avoid it," she said casually.
Viktor raised a brow. Huh. I remember brother mentioning you're a black belt.
Zoya stilled. "Wait. How do you-" Her gaze snapped to Kalix."You did a background check on me?"
Suddenly both of them looked away, as they both suddenly got interested in store nearby.
Zoya scoffed. "Unbelievable."
Kalix, unfazed, simply shrugged. "We needed to."
Zoya exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "So unfair. You two know everything about me, and I know nothing."
Viktor, sensing the shift in tension, nudged her playfully. "Relax, Madam Volkov. If anything, we were impressed. I mean, I thought my brother would end up with some rich, spoiled headache, but you..." He grinned. "You're much, much better." Zoya smirked. "That's the only smart thing you've said all day.
As they walked, Viktor tilted his head. "You don't practice anymore?"
"Before coming here, I used to practice daily." She admitted.
Kalix frowned. "You should have told me. I'll make arrangements so you can continue here as well."
Zoya was about to respond when Viktor cut in, "Just don't say no. And while we're at it, you can teach me too."
Zoya arched a brow. "You want me to teach you?"
Viktor smirked. "Why not?"
She thought for a moment before nodding. "Fine."
Kalix's expression softened slightly. "You'll be able to continue soon." Then, his voice turned just a bit teasing, "But for now, one ice cream won't hurt."
ICE CREAM SHOP
The three of them each picked their flavours, but after one bite, Zoya frowned. She didn't quite like hers. Kalix noticed, and without a word, he held out his own.
"Try this." Zoya hesitated but took a small spoonful. She blinked, clearly enjoying it more than her own. Without saying anything, she swapped hers with his, and turn her back to him.
Kalix blinked, staring at the ice cream in his hand. The taste of her lips still lingered on the spoon.
His fingers instinctively tightened around the cup.
Something inside him shifted. It was stupid-childish, even-but for a moment, just a moment, he felt something dangerously close to content.
Viktor, watching the silent exchange, chuckled. "Hopeless."
Kalix still looking her, admiring her.
AT MANSION
As they stepped inside the mansion, the staff informed them that Ellen had left for an overseas trip for her organization's work. Zoya only nodded in acknowledgement, too preoccupied with the exhaustion of the day to think much of it. She was exhausted-mentally and physically-and all she wanted was to get into bed.
But the moment she opened the door and looked around, she froze.
Everything looked normal... except for one thing.
Her things were missing.
Her dresses, accessories, even her shoes—gone.
Her brows furrowed as she turned back toward the hallway. "Kalix?"
He was already there, leaning against the wall with a smirk, like he was waiting for her.
"Where's my stuff?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Kalix smirked, "Take a guess?"
Annoyed, she stepped closer-so close that the space between them practically disappeared. Tilting her head up, she glared at him. "Don't mess with me," she warned, her voice edged with frustration.
Then, in a softer, almost sleepy voice, she muttered, "I'm tired."
And before she even realized it, she leaned forward, letting her forehead rest against his chest.
Kalix stiffened.
His smirk vanished, his body rigid as his heartbeat stuttered in his chest. For a moment, he didn't even breathe.
Standing a few steps away, Viktor, who had just entered the hallway, froze mid-step. His eyes widened slightly, and then, before he could stop himself, he pulled out his phone.
Click.
The sound was soft, but Kalix's sharp ears caught it. His head snapped toward Viktor, who was now grinning at his screen at his screen like he'd won the lottery.
Zoya let out a small sigh before pulling back, completely unaware of what had just happened. She looked up at the Kalix with eyes. "My stuff?"
Kalix clenched his jaw, forcing his gaze away from Viktor's smug expression. Without a word, he placed a hands on her shoulder, turning her gently before guiding her forward.
"Come on," he said, voice lower than usual. "Let me show you.''
Meanwhile, Viktor leaned casually against the wall, admiring the photo he just took. Oh, he was definitely keeping this one.
They stopped in front of a door she had never seen before. Before she could ask, Kalix stepped behind her, covering her eyes with his hands.
"What-"
"Just trust me." She sighed but didn't resist.
With a quiet chuckle, he pushed the door open and slowly removed his hands.
Zoya blinked as warm lighting bathed the room before her. If wasn't just any room. It was their room. Designed with her choices in mind-the colours, the textures, the textures, the subtle elegance she preferred.
The wardrobe was stocked with her clothes, her vanity arranged just the way she liked. A separate section was added for Kalix's things, seamlessly blending into the room.
She turned to Kalix, her lips parting slightly in realization.
"you-"
"We," he corrected, shoving his hands into his pockets, watching her reaction closely. "Viktor and I wanted to make sure you felt comfortable here. So, we had prepared." For the first time since stepping into the mansion, Zoya was speechless.
Viktor leaned against the doorframe, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "Not bad, right?"
Zoya let her fingers trail over the soft fabric of bedding before glancing back at them, nodded, hm...
Viktor grinned. "Good. Because Kalix has been more stressed about this room more than he has about multi-million-dollar."
Something warm settled in her chest. She wouldn't say it out loud, but this... this was the first time in a long time that something truly felt like hers. Like home.
Viktor clapped his hands, "Enough staring. Go rest, Madam Volkov. You look like you might pass out.
Zoya rolled her eyes but didn't argue. As she sat on the bed, Kalix watched her for a moment before saying, "Get changed and sleep. I'll be back in a bit."
Then, without waiting for a response, he left.
She hesitated, then gave a small nod.
Viktor also walked out, closing the door behind him, she glanced around the room again.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
Maybe, just maybe... she could get used to this.
LATE NIGHT CONVERSATIONS
As she sat on the bed, after changing into her sleep wear, rubbing her temples, she felt Kalix's gaze.
She let out a small sigh. "What now?"
"Come here," he said, voice lower than usual.
She gave him a tired look. "I'm exhausted. If you have something to say, say it from there.
But he didn't. he simply patted the spot beside him again, waiting.
Zoya groaned, dragging herself over. "This better be important," she mumbled, setting down next to him.
For a moment he didn't say anything. He just looked at her, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he spoke.
"My father died in an accident," he said, voice quiet. "And my mother... passed away when I was young."
Zoya blinked, her drowsiness fading slightly. She hadn't expected him to open-especially not now.
She turned to him fully, but he wasn't looking at her. His gaze was distant, as if he was somewhere else entirely.
Then, without thinking, she reached out and pressed the back of her hand to his forehead.
Kalix stiffend. "What are you doing?"
Zoya frowned, tilting her head. "You don't have fever..." She moved closer, checking his face as if inspecting a rare specimen. "You look like Kalix to me...' Then she pulled back slightly, narrowing her eyes. "You're not even sick."
His lips parted slightly, taken aback.
She sat back, crossing her arms. "Then why are you suddenly acting like this?"
Kalix exhaled through his nose, his lips twitching. "Because earlier, you said you know nothing about me." Zoya froze for a second, realizing what he meant.
A flicker of something passed through her eyes. "So?" "So, I figured I'd change that," Kalix said, his voice quieter now.
She watched him carefully. "Why now?"
He leaned towards her, "Because you're here." Her fingers curled slightly against the blanket. "And Ellen?" she asked after a moment. "Who is she?"
Kalix didn't hesitate. "My stepmother."
Zoya's brows furrowed. "Wait...
Stepmother?" Kalix nodded once. "And Viktor is my stepbrother." Zoya stared at him, stunned. "But... you two...act like real brothers."
Kalix exhaled. "Yeah." She watched him for a long moment, her usual sharpness dimmed by sleepiness. Then , she shifted, resting her elbow on the pillow, her face half-buried in it. "That's a lot information for one night."
Kalix smirked slightly. "You're the one who said you don't know anything about me."
She hummed, her eyes already half-lidded. "Fine. But if I have more questions later, I'm asking."
Kalix's smirk deepened. "Looking forward to it."
She rolled her eyes but was too tired to argue. "I'm too sleepy to deal with you right now." He watched her as she closed her eyes
Something about this-her being here, listening to him without-felt... new.
But he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he just leaned back, closing his own eyes.
MORNING...
A morning glow filtered through the curtains as the morning sun began to rise, casting warm light into the room.
Kalix blinked awake, his mind still hazy with sleep until he felt a faint weight on himself.
His gaze lowered, and there she was-Zoya, curled up beside him, her head resting near his shoulder. His heart did that annoying thing again—skipped a beat.
She looked so peaceful, so unlike the sharp-witted woman who challenged him at every turn. A strand of her hair had fallen over her face, and without thinking, he gently tucked it behind her ear.
Zoya shifted slightly, and Kalix barely held back a smirk when he she wrinkled her nose in her sleep, as if subconsciously resisting the sunlight peeking through the curtains.
Then, slowly, she woke up.
It took her a second to realize where she was, but when she did, her entire body tensed.
She quickly pulled back, eyes widened slightly.
Kalix, still very much relaxed, leaned against the headboard. "Nice first morning in the new room, huh?"
Zoya narrowed her eyes.
"Did you-"
"I didn't do anything," he cut in before she could excuse him of anything. "You were the one clinging to me."
Zoya looking here and there, awkwardly , that was not intentional, brushing her hand in her hair.
She scoffed, crossing her arms. "i must've moved in sleep, but you should've woke me up."
Kalix just smirked.
Before she could argue further, Viktor's voice rang from outside the door. "Rise and shine, lovebirds! Breakfast is ready!"
Zoya groaned, rubbing her temples. "I'm going to kill him one day." Kalix chuckled, standing up. "Hurry up, then. Wouldn't want to miss breakfast.
She threw pillow at him.
He caught it effortlessly, smirking. "Better luck next time, Mrs. Volkov."
Zoya huffed, but as she got up from bed, she found herself smiling.
She wasn't sure when it happened, but somehow... this all felt less like a forced arrangement.
And more like belonging.
Before heading out for breakfast, Kalix turned to Zoya.
"You should rest at home today. You were exhausted last night." She replied, "I have work." Kalix frowned. "Zoya."
She sigh, then muttered, "Fine. I'll get off early."
He smirked, clearly pleased. "Good." Her brows slightly furrowed. "You're being weirdly nice."
He smirked slightly. "Maybe it's just your effect on me." And left.
AFTERNOON—AT THE OFFICE
Zoya had been in meetings and work all morning, her mind occupied with work. But as she stepped out of the conference room, she found Boris waiting for her in the hallway. His expression was unreadable, but there was tension in his stance.
"Have you thought about offer?" Boris asked, his voice calm but yet pressing.
Zoya kept walking, not bothering to glance at him. "I already gave my answer."
He stepped in front of her, blocking her way. "Think again, Zoya. You can't afford to be reckless."
She lifted her gaze, unimpressed. "Move."
Boris exhaled sharply, clearly growing frustrated. "You're making a mistake."
Zoya moved to sidestep him, but in an instant, his hand reached out, fingers brushing her wrist. It wasn't forceful, but it was enough to make her stop.
"Let go." Her voice dropped, cold and edged with warning.
Before Boris could react, a blur of movement shot past her.
SLAM.
Zoya barely had time to process what happened before Boris was pinned against the wall. Viktor's forearm pressed hard against his chest, his other hand clenched into a fist, already drawn back.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Viktor's voice was low, dangerous.
Boris coughed, his face twisting in pain. "I was just talking-"
Viktor didn't wait for an excuse. His fist connected with Boris's jaw, the force of the punch making the entire hallway go silent. Employees turned to stare, some even gasping.
Boris stumbled, clutching his face. "Are you crazy?" he spat.
Viktor stepped forward again, jaw tight, ready to swing again. "Touch her again, and I'll break more than just your damn face."
Zoya placed a hand on Viktor's arm, gently pulling him back. "He's not worth it."
At that moment, heavy footsteps approached. Two security guards, already alerted by the commotion, rushed over.
One of them immediately stepped between Boris and Viktor. "Mr. Volkov, we'll handle this."
"Take him out of here," Viktor ordered coldly. "This man shouldn't even be wandering around this building."
Boris's face twisted in anger, but he was in no position to fight back. The guards wasted no time dragging him away, ignoring his protests.
Once Boris was gone, Viktor turned to Zoya, scanning her face. His usual teasing smirk was nowhere to be seen. "You okay?"
She nodded. "I'm fine."
His eyes stayed on her for a second longer, as if double-checking. Then he exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "That guy's an idiot."
Zoya smirked, but then her gaze dropped to his hand. His knuckles were red, already starting to swell.
Without thinking, she reached for it. "You hit him too hard."
Viktor blinked, surprised by her concern. "Worth it."
Zoya ignored his smug response and turned to a nearby staff member. "Bring an ice pack." The employee rushed off while Zoya ran her fingers over Viktor's bruised knuckles, her touch light nut firm.
"You're reckless."
Viktor smirked. "Aw, you do care."
She rolled her eyes but didn't let go of his hands. "I just don't want Kalix blaming me when your hand stops working." Viktor chuckled, watching her fuss over his injury. "If it means making sure no one lays hand on you, I don't mind a little pain." Zoya sighed, finally releasing his hand. "Just try not to get injured from now on."
ZOYA'S OFFICE
The tension from earlier still lingered as Zoya walked into her office, Viktor trailing behind her. He was flexing his fingers, testing the soreness in his knuckles.
She shot him glance. "Sit."
Viktor arched a brow. "Ordering me around now?" "Yes. Sit." he sighed but did as told, settling into one of the chairs across from her desk. The staff member returned with an ice pack, which Zoya took without a word. She stepped closer, reaching for Viktor's hand again.
He let her, watching with mild amusement as she pressed the cold pack against his knuckles. "Didn't take you for the caring type, Madam Volkov." Zoya raised a brow. "Didn't you want me as a sister? Or is it only you who gets to play the 'protective sibling' role, and I can't even put ointment?"
Viktor chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair point."
She huffed, applying ointment. "Exactly. Now stop moving." Kalix stepped in at that moment, his gaze flickering between them before settling on Zoya. His fingers brushed against her cheek, tilting her face as he examined her.
"You okay?"
Her lips parted, caught off guard by his sudden closeness. "I'm fine. It was not a big deal."
Kalix jaw ticked. His voice laced with quiet fury. "A big deal?" he scoffed, shaking his head. "He dared to touch my woman. He has to pay for that."
Zoya's breath hitched. My woman.
Viktor shifted beside them, flexing his bruised hand. "I'm sorry I let this happen," he said, his voice lower now, serious.
Kalix turned to him. "It wasn't you're your fault."
Zoya huffed. "I'm not done with you yet." She pointed at Viktor. "Sit."
Viktor raised an amused brow but did as told.
She sat beside him, grabbing the ointment. "You really need to be more careful with your hands," she muttered, applying it gently.
Kalix, standing beside her, watched silently for a moment before speaking. "Go home. You promised you'd leave early today." Zoya didn't look up. "Viktor will leave as well. He shouldn't be working with his hand like this." Viktor looked up, surprised, shaking his head. "Didn't know I had two people running my life now." Kalix arched a brow. "It's best to listen when she makes up her mind." Viktor huffed a quiet laugh but didn't argue.
Kalix's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Zoya. "I understand that you take care of my brother, but next time..." He leaned in slightly, his voice dipping lower, smoother. "Worry about yourself first." Zoya interrupted, meeting his eyes. "He's my brother as well."
Viktor, who had been leaning back with his usual amused smirk, suddenly stilled. His eyes flickered with something unreadable-shock, warmth, maybe even disbelief.
Zoya smiled slightly before adding,
"Besides, I have you to worry about me."
Kalix stilled. The words struck him in a way he hadn't expected. His gaze steady oh her.
A beat of silence.
Then, his lips curled slightly. "Yes, you do."
As Zoya stood up, she glanced at Kalix, adjusting her coat. "Try to come home early... as well."
Kalix's brows lifted slightly. He hadn't expected that. A simple request, yet it made something shift inside him.
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. "Are you worried about me?"
Zoya rolled her eyes, stepping past him. "Just don't overwork yourself."
Viktor chuckled from his seat. "You heard her, brother. Don't keep your wife waiting."
Kalix shot him a look before turning back to Zoya, his voice softer this time. "I'll try."