Page 31 of Beautiful Deception

“Can I talk to you in private?”

“I have guests, Inessa. I can’t leave. Whatever you have to say can wait.”

“It can’t wait.”

Natasha is seated right beside Viktor. The victorious smile she gives me sends shivers down my spine. The fact that she could be so cold hearted as to ruin this party just to embarrass me speaks to her character.

“You can tell me,” he says.

I glance around at the table of people. If I say this in front of everyone, I will embarrass not only myself, but Viktor as well.

“It needs to be in private,” I urge.

“Just tell me,” he says in a much harsher tone than he’s ever used with me. I can’t help but flinch.

“Just spit it out, girl,” says one of the men.

“The cake… there’s no dessert.”

Viktor’s frown transforms his face into something terrifying. “Excuse me.” Finally, he follows me into the kitchen and stops when he sees the cake on the ground.

“What happened?” he asks flatly.

“I made the cake, sir. I really did. I had it already to go. I made it. You have to believe me.”

“Well, I do believe you seeing as the cake is a mess on the floor. But why is it on the floor?”

I don’t feel comfortable throwing Natasha under the bus, especially when I didn’t technically see her do it.

“I’m not sure,” I whisper. “It must have just… fallen. Somehow.”

“The cake just fell off the counter by itself?”

“I’m not sure. I left and came back and found it like this. I’m so sorry, sir. What do you want me to do? I can go buy a new cake.”

“Yes,” he says stiffly. “Do that. Here.” He pulls out his wallet and hands me a hundred dollar bill. “Buy a new cake. But understand this, Inessa. I am not happy about this. I was trusting that you could handle this on your own.”

“I’m sorry.”

His sigh is dismissive. “Go buy the cake. And then we’ll talk after the party.” He goes back to his guests and I go to buy a new cake.

Seeing as it’s later at night, nothing is open. I call Viktor. It takes him three rings to answer.

“What?” he snaps. It hurts more than I care to admit.

“Nothing is open.”

“Shit. Ok. I’ll call a place and demand that they open.”

“They won’t have any fresh cakes though. They’ll still have to make something and there’s no time.”

He makes a low sound that sends goosebumps over my skin. “All right. Just come back. I’ll deal with this.” He hangs up without a goodbye.

When I come back home, I find the guests are still eating their dinner. I pour more wine and settle back against the far wall in case anyone needs anything more.

Natasha’s grin is triumphant.

“I apologize, Samuel,” Viktor says. “There is no dessert for tonight. Something unexpected happen. I never allow for these things but I am only human.”

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