Page 42 of Poisoned Roses

She turns to the other camera and wraps up the show, but I can’t tear my gaze away from the man whose powerful eyes are driving deep into mine.

There is a promise in those eyes that pushes away every other thought in my head other than I wish we were alone right now with the door firmly closed on the world. He has promised me a night to remember, and this pupil is all too willing to learn, especially if he is the one giving the lesson.

We leavethe studio and our next stop is one of the fancier restaurants in town.

Our journey there was interrupted as Titus took several calls and I entertained myself by listening to his husky whisper as he issued instructions.

I’m surprised at how I am physically aching for his touch. To be closer to him—to capture his undivided attention, and I’m hoping that tonight, after we eat, the remaining hours of the day will be ours.

As we head into the restaurant, my heart sinks when I see Boris Fedorov waiting for us with a different young woman than the last one.

Titus holds out my chair after acknowledging the couple and as we sit and hold our menus, I resign myself to an evening of infinite boredom.

“Things are progressing nicely,” he says with a cunning smirk and Titus nods, making no attempt to include me in the conversation. In fact, the other woman and I are surplus to requirements because we are not even introduced. It’s as if we are invisible and I attempt to catch her eye, but she stares downat the table with misery surrounding her. It’s unnerving and so I do the same.

When the waiter arrives, I’m shocked when Boris orders for both of them and Titus does the same for us, extracting a nod of approval from Boris, who obviously believes a woman should be seen and not heard in public.

I am becoming increasingly disillusioned with the situation and listen to them discussing the wedding guest list as if I have no part in that.

After the first course, I make my excuses and head to the restroom, and I’m surprised when Boris’s companion jumps up to follow me.

As we head inside the door, she exhales and groans. “Are you as bored as I am?”

“Probably more.” I offer her a sympathetic smile and she returns it with a soft, “Hi, I’m Angeline, by the way.”

“Tia.”

She blushes. “I know who you are and I must say, I’m a big fan of yours.”

“You are?” I’m touched and she leans against the basin and lowers her voice. “I wish I could say I was happy for you, but I’m not.”

“I don’t understand.”

She glances around and checks the restroom is empty before whispering, “This world is tilted in favour of the men who run it. Women have no place in it other than by the men’s side as an accessory or naked for their pleasure.”

“I don’t–” I make to object and she rolls her eyes.

“Have they asked you anything tonight? Your menu choice, complimented you or included you in their conversation?”

My heart sinks. “No, but–”

“Wake up, Tia.” She says in a low voice. “I am dispensable. You probably not so much. But you must know you are being used.”

I say nothing, my heart sinking into a black hole of despair.

“I am not here because I want to be. I work in the government offices and was instructed to accompany Boris to dinner tonight. I know what is expected of me.”

“I don’t understand.”

She pulls a face. “Sex, Tia. I’m not stupid and the other girls talk. He uses the Kremlin administration pool as a personal harem. All the women are aware of that and take their turn when it comes up. We keep our job, get paid an extravagant bonus, and leave our souls behind for him to trample over before we are back at our desk the next morning.”

“Why don’t you say no?” I ask and she laughs out loud.

“Do or die. That is the motto in the Kremlin and it applies to absolutely everything. Do Boris or die. It’s an unspoken secret that any woman who has refused him is never seen again. We have no choice.”

Her words crush my dreams and stir my anger. Why does her experience mirror my own? I was told to accompany Titus to dinner that first night, even told what to wear. He lured me in with soft words and promises, and I was naked in his bed before the night was out.

He is controlling me with kindness and the promise of the unknown, and I’m fully aware that our marriage is part of a bigger picture and definitely not because he loves me. Once again, I am a puppet. It’s just the master who has changed and my earlier happiness has been crushed, leaving me the fool.

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