CHAPTER 18: VIKTOR’S ENGAGEMENT... NEXT WEEK!

Elias stood frozen in the kitchen, his hands clutching his torn shirt to cover his chest after he watched Viktor leave the kitchen as if nothing had happened. The sting of Clara’s scratch on his cheek and the burn of the spilt stew on his leg barely registered compared to the heat of Viktor’s touch, his cedar scent still lingering in the air.

’Why did he do that?’

Elias thought, his heart racing. Viktor had sniffed him, pinned him to the counter like he owned him, searching for marks that weren’t there. It was intense, invasive... and, to Elias’s shock, part of him liked it. He shook his head, muttering,

"Am I losing it? What is wrong with me?"

A soft weight settled over his shoulders, and he looked up to see Gerald draping a blanket around him. "Elias," Gerald said, his voice low and kind. "You have to be careful around the master. And... keep your scent in check if you want to stay safe."

Elias’s eyes widened, his stomach twisting.

’Did Gerald know? Of course, he would have known after that morning,’

He nodded, his voice small. "Thanks, Gerald. I’ll be careful."

Gerald patted his shoulder. "Go clean up. I’ll take the trays to the twins."

Elias managed a weak smile. "You don’t have to do that for me. I would take it to..."

"I insist," Gerald said, his tone firm but warm. "Go. Immediately!"

Elias nodded, heading to his room, the blanket wrapped tight around him.

Gerald waited till Elias left before he sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead as he watched Elias leave. He’d seen Viktor storm out of the kitchen, his face a mix of anger and something else... something Gerald hadn’t seen in years.

Viktor hated physical contact with men, a scar from his rough childhood, but with Elias... it was different. Gerald shook his head, hoping Elias could somehow help Viktor heal, even if it was a long shot. He grabbed the trays and headed to the twins’ room.

.

.

The next morning, Elias knocked on the twins’ door, ready to get them up for school. He couldn’t sleep the whole night thanks to what Viktor did to him.

"Dante, Dario, time to wake up!" he called, but the room stayed quiet. He didn’t hear them groaning like they always do. So, he pushed the door open, finding them sprawled on their beds, still in pyjamas, grinning.

"There’s no school today," Dante said, stretching. "It’s our day off."

Elias frowned, confused. "Day off? What do you mean by ’Day off?’ Gerald didn’t mention that to me."

Dario smirked, sitting up. "That’s because we didn’t think you’d last this long. It’s our monthly training day with our personal trainer."

Elias sighed, crossing his arms. "Training day? What, like sports?"

"More like fighting," Dante said, his eyes gleaming. "Dad says we gotta be tough since we’re going to be his heir."

"Yeah," Dario added. "But we’re mostly happy ’cause no school!"

Elias shook his head, smiling despite himself. "Fine. Get into your sportswear then. I’ll make breakfast... something healthy, right?"

"Super healthy!" Dante said, hopping out of bed. "Protein shakes, bananas, oatmeal! And a lot of milk! Our trainer recommended that,"

Elias nodded, heading to the kitchen. As he sliced bananas for the blender, his mind wandered to Viktor’s words last night:

"I’ll get a chef."

’Was Viktor doing it to make my job easier? Or was it another way to push me away? I don’t mind having a new person around to make my job easier,’

He poured the blended protein into water bottles for the twins, saving a cup for himself. Just as he took a sip, the kitchen door swung open.

Viktor stood there, blood splattered on his face and shirt. Elias’s heart stopped, the cup almost slipping from his hand, but it landed safely on the kitchen island. He grabbed a clean towel, rushing toward Viktor.

"Master, are you okay?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Viktor raised a hand, stopping him. "It’s not my blood," he said, his voice calm but rough. "That’s enough."

Elias exhaled, his shoulders sagging. He handed Viktor the cup of protein shake that almost fell out of his hand.

"Here, you look like you need it more than I do."

Viktor took it, his fingers brushing Elias’s, sending a jolt through him. He gulped the shake in one go, handing the cup back.

Elias stared at the empty glass a bit sad that he didn’t get to drink the shake. As he turned to wash the cup, Viktor’s voice stopped him.

"Why are you acting so nice?" he asked, his tone low. "After what I did yesterday... pinning you, ripping your shirt. Why? Why are you acting like you’re not bothered by it?"

Elias paused, touching the scratch on his cheek.

"I don’t hold grudges," he said quietly. "And you’re my boss. I can’t stay mad at you since I’m just an employee here."

Viktor’s eyes narrowed, but a small smirk tugged at his lips.

"You’re too soft, Elias. Maybe that’s why the kids tease you a lot." He paused, his voice softening. "I’m sorry. For yesterday."

Elias froze, the word sorry echoing in his head.

’Viktor Drago, apologising? Is this a joke? No way! No fucking way!’

His thoughts ran wild and his hands kept fiddling with his shirt.

Before he could respond, the twins burst into the kitchen, Luka trailing behind them, his phone in hand.

"Did Dad just say sorry?" Dante asked, his eyes wide. "Did you hear that Dario?"

"Yeah!" Dario said, grinning. "He never apologises. Not to us or anyone! Did Nanny make Daddy a good man?"

"What do you mean? Dad is never a good man," Dante tilted his head as he stared at his brother.

"Ah! Yes. That’s true!"

Luka laughed, holding up his phone.

"I caught it on video! I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction once I send it to the family chat right now!"

Viktor’s face darkened. "Don’t you dare, Luka."

"Oops! Too late!" Luka said, smirking as his phone buzzed with replies. "Oh, man, our sisters are losing it.

’Who’s he apologising to? No way it can be Clara,’ ’Is that really our brother???’ ’TELL US RIGHT NOW!!!! WHO IS HE APOLOGISING TO?’

"They’re dying to meet you, Elias," Luka said, as the notification kept going off. He then turned to Luka with a suspicious look. "Why aren’t we hearing your notification? You didn’t leave the group chat again, did you?"

Viktor rolled his eyes. "I muted that chat months ago. Too loud."

Luka shook his head, grinning. "You’re the meanest, Vik. No wonder you scare everyone."

"Enough," Viktor said, his tone sharp. He turned to Luka. "Take the kids to training."

The twins bounced on their heels. "Nanny, come with us!" Dante said.

"Yeah, it’s fun!" Dario added. "You can watch us kick butt! And maybe kick butts too if you can,"

"Nanny is weak. There’s no way he can do that Dario,"

"Oh! My bad!"

Elias smiled but shook his head. "I wish I could join you but I can’t. Jace is coming over for our project."

Viktor’s fist clenched at the name, his jaw tightening. It was the same name he saw on Elias’s phone. The one who mentioned something about ’going harder’.

"Oh! That... Jace!" Dario’s eyes turned cold and Dante turned to their father. "What about you, Dad? Are you coming with us?"

He turned, heading for the door. "I’m busy," he said, his voice flat. "Train with your uncle."

Dario frowned, watching him go. "Something’s wrong with Dad. Why’d his face change when Nanny called that Jace?"

"Maybe it’s because he just got back from a fight," Dante said, pointing at the blood on Viktor’s shirt. "Look at him."

Elias’s stomach twisted, but he forced a smile. "Come on, you two should get to training. Your bottles are ready."

"Let’s go, Uncle!"

Luka nodded. "Go on, kids. I need a word with your nanny."

"Yay!" the twins said, grabbing their bottles and racing out.

Luka stepped closer to Elias, his grin fading. "What did you do to my brother?" he asked, his voice low.

Elias blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

Luka chuckled, but his eyes were serious. "You’re clueless, aren’t you? Vik’s acting weird... jealous, maybe. Anytime you mention that name... Jace, and he loses it."

He leaned in, whispering, "When I sent that video to the family chat, they went crazy. They want to meet the nanny who made Viktor apologise. You’re coming to his engagement, right? They’re all dying to see you."

Elias’s heart sank. Viktor’s engagement... next week.

The same day his contract ended, the day he planned to take his pay and leave the house.

"Yeah," he said, forcing a smile. "I’ll be there."

Luka grinned. "Good. Let’s go shopping later... get outfits for the wedding. Don’t forget."

Elias nodded, his chest tight. "Sure." He couldn’t say no, not without raising suspicion. Luka waved and left, following the twins.

Elias touched his chest, his heart aching. He’d come here for money, for Lila, but now... leaving felt wrong.

The twins, Gerald, even Viktor... they’d become part of his life. He shook his head, trying to focus.

’Jace will be here soon. I’d better clean the kitchen, and set up for the project,’