Chapter-5: Into the unknown

The jet-black luxury car rolled to a stop in front of the Grand Volkov mansion, a massive structure standing against the snowy landscape. The mansion was architectural marvel-white stone walls, towering windows, and intricate iron gates that screamed both power and secrecy.

Zoya stepped out pulling her coat tighter against the biting cold.

Beside her, Kalix volkov stood tall, cold, unreadable. His breath formed white clouds in the air, but his demeanor remained like solid block of ice.

Before zoya could process anything, Viktor's annoyingly cheerful voice cut through the cold air.

"Welcome home, sister-in-law, hope our hospitality meets your standards." He grinned, leaning lazily against the car.

Zoya [gave him a fake smile, then deadpan] "Wow, Do all your guests get this warm welcome, or just the ones forced to be here?"

Kalix [amusingly side eyes her] "She's just getting started, Viktor. Don't take it personally."

Viktor crossed his arms, Oh! I won't, but "Started already? Defending your wife, huh?"

Kalix rolls his eyes, said, "More like warning you."

{Viktor chuckles, shaking his head.} "This house was quiet anyway."

Before zoya could say anything, another presence approaches. A woman, elegantly dressed in soft colours.

Kalix got a call, then left for the study to resume his work.

Ellen: [smiling] gently at zoya] "You must be tired from the journey. Come let's sit. Viktor, stop teasing her on her first day.

Viktor: Can't promise that, but I'll behave... for now.

Then Ellen leads Zoya to the sitting areas, a beautiful decorated room that feels warmer than rest of the house.

Ellen: pouring tea for Zoya, "I you'll be comfortable here. Moving to a new place, especially under such circumstances, isn't easy."

Zoya: taking the cup, polite but distant, "I'll manage."

Ellen chuckles lightly, "You remind me of Kalix, he also says that when he doesn't want to talk about something."

Viktor: leaning back with smirk "Except she's little sharper with her words."

Zoya raising her eyebrow at viktor, smirking slightly. Sharp words for sharp company.

Viktor [mock offended] "Did you just call me sharp? Sister-in-law, I knew you liked me."

Ellen: suppressing smile, glancing at zoya. You're quick witted. That'll serve you well here.

Zoya: carefully observing her, "You don't look like a woman I expected in this house."

Ellen: smiles knowingly, "And you don't seem like the kind of women who backs down easily."

Viktor: "You know, mom, I think Zoya's going to shake things up around here.

Ellen: Good this house needs a little shaking up.

Viktor: "She already got Kalix acting like a husband."

Ellen chuckles, said She must be tired. Viktor, show Zoya to her room.

Viktor surprisingly said; Me? You trust me with such an important task? Ellen replied with, I trust you to behave.

Viktor: grinning as he stands, No promises. He gestures towards zoya. "Come on, sister-in-law. Let's see your new kingdom.

Zoya follows viktor through the halls of the mansion. She takes in the intricate architecture, luxurious details and eerie quietness. As they reach the room, Viktor stops at the door and gestures dramatically.

Viktor: [smirking] "This is where you'll be living with your dear husband. If you don't like anything, let me know- I'll get it changed to your liking..." pause then grins "... except for your husband. He's non-refundable."

Zoya rolls her eyes but doesn't reply, pretending not to be amused. Viktor watches her reaction, clearly entertained.

Then his tone become more serious, as he said; "Make yourself comfortable. I know it's not easy for you." He paused and then with more sincerely he added-

"If you need anything, just let me know. If I'm not around, there are plenty of house staff who will serve you."

Zoya looks at him for a moment, slightly off guard by his sincerity.Viktor, as playful he is, doesn't seem like someone who says things he doesn't mean.

Zoya: nods slightly "Thanks"

Viktor stepping back, Anytime, Lady Volkov. Now, get some rest before dinner. I know things are new for you, but I think you'll be fine. He gave her lazy salute before leaving. "Rest up, lady volkov. Welcome to the family."

Zoya sighed once he was gone, turning towards the luxurious bedroom she would now share with Kalix. Their room.

She stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The room was vast, but it feel strangely empty. The air carried Kalix scent. She glanced at the massive bed, the realization settling in.

They were expected to sleep in the same room.

Just then, her phone buzzed, breaking the moment. She pulled it out and saw a message from an unknown number.

Unknown: I'll have the first set of documents ready by tomorrow. You'll get time and location, be there on time.

Taking deep breath, she set her phone down and moved towards the wardrobe, determined to focus on what mattered.

By the evening, Zoya stood near the window, lost in her thoughts, when she heard the sounds of approaching footsteps.

Just as she turned, the door opened, and Kalix stepped inside. His expressions was unreadable as always, but there was something in his gaze-like he was about to say something.

Before he could, there was a knock at the door.

"Madam, Sir," a house staff member said politely from the doorway. "Dinner is ready. Madam Ellen has asked for you both to come down."

Zoya glanced at Kalix.

Kalix, instead of answering, simply stepped aside, silently gesturing her to go first.

With a slight tilt of her chin, she passed him, her posture poised. Kalix followed closely behind, his hands in his pockets.

As they descended the grand staircase, Viktor was waiting at the bottom with arms crossed, and an amused smirk on his face.

"Took you two long enough," he teased.

"Were you having moment?"

Zoya shot him a sharp look. "Yes. The moment I was considering jumping from window instead of coming down."

Viktor smirked, if you jump, what will my brother do? Don't break his heart right after making him fall for you.

Before zoya could reply, Ellen voice called "Come down already, food is getting cold."

Kalix exhaled sharply. "Can we just eat?"

Then kalix passed by them, zoya ignored viktor and followed Kalix to the dinning hall.

The dinning hall at Volkov mansion exuded elegance. Zoya sat beside Kalix, across viktor and ellen.

As the staff poured wine and placed dishes before them, Ellen spoke with a polite smile, Zoya, I hope you are settling well. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask."

Before zoya could reply, Viktor leaned forward, resting on the table "And if you need a break from my brother's brooding silence, you know where to find me."

Zoya raised an eyebrow, regaining her usual composure. "There's something I want to know."

Viktor's eyes lit up, Ask me anything.

She tilted her head, "Are you always this annoying, or just with me?"

Ellen said, He's not really like this.

"That's true" Viktor admitted. Then he sincerely begin to answer, "My brother is always calm and focused, and I... well, I don't have any friends, I can chill or have fun with. Kalix is all I have. So never really got chance to act playful.

Kalix remained silent, unreadable expressions as usual.

"I always wanted one little sister," he continued casually, but mom never gave me one."

Ellen's grip on her wine for a spit second before she placed it down.

"But now I've sister-in-law," Viktor added, a flashing smirk. "Can I treat you like my sister, Zoya? Though I hope for younger one, I guess I'll have to settle for older version."

Zoya stilled. A rushed memory crashed over her before she could stop them.

The dim glow of TV flickered across the room as thunder rumbled outside. Zoya clutched her bowl of instead noodles, eyes wide as the eerie background music built up.

"Don't go in there, you idiot," she whispered, tensing.

Aniket slurped his noodles loudly. "She's obviously going to-"

A sudden jump scare made zoya shriek, flinging a noodle at him. Aniket choked on his food before bursting into laughter.

"You should've seen your face!" he teased, dodging the cushion she threw at him.

She huffed, crossing her arms. "Next time I'm picking the movie."

Aniket grinned, ruffing her hair. "No way. Scaring you is too much fun.

The warmth of that night- the laughter, the comfort-felt far away.

Zoya's chest tightened. She quickly mask the flicker of sadness before anyone could notice.

"If I'll irritate you too much, or if you're in bad mood, viktor continued, just let me know I'll shut up- for a little while."

Zoya let out small breath, offering a slight smirk. "Noted."

Kalix glanced at her. He had caught the brief change in her expressions- just for a second. But he didn't say anything.

"Shall we eat now?" he said instead.

The rest of the dinner passed without much conversation.

The walk to the bedroom was quiet, but the tension was anything but.

When they stepped inside, Zoya's gaze landed on the one bed. She crossed her arms. "Where am I sleeping?"

Kalix leaned against the doorframe. Where do you think?
"There's a couch."

He scoffed. "Not happening. Just take the bed."

She hesitated. "What if you snore?"

Kalix took a slow step closer, lowering his voice. "I don't." Then before she could react, he leaned slightly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ears.

His fingers barely brushed her skin, but she felt it- a little too much.

"Nice excuse," He murmured, his eyes flickering to her lips for a second before meeting her gaze again. "But let's be real... you're just scared you won't be able to control yourself."

Zoya's breath hitched.

Kalix smirked. "Can't blame you. I mean, with a husband millions of women pray for-"

Shut up, she cut in, grabbing her things and heading to the bathroom.

Kalix chuckled, shaking his head. But as soon as she disappeared, he frowned slightly rubbing his chest.

The bathroom door opened, and Zoya stepped out with her damp hair. She wore an oversized shirt and shorts-comfortable, effortless.

Kalix looked up without thinking.

And regretted instantly.

The casualness of it- her bare legs, the way the oversized shirt slipped slightly off her shoulder- felt too intimate for two people who were supposed to be strangers.

He cleared his throat and looked away, shifting his position as if that would help. Why does it suddenly feel warm here?

Zoya noticed his stare and frowned. "What?"

He grabbed his own clothes and walked past her, shutting the bathroom door with more force than necessary.

By the time he returned, Zoya was already curled up on one side of bed. Kalix slid next to her, careful to keep space between them.

Kalix leaned against the headboard, arms crossed as he watched Zoya adjust the pillow beside her.

In a gentle, concerned and low voice he said, "If you need anything or anything happens, tell me. Or if I'm not around than viktor. Just don't trust anyone here except for me and viktor."

Zoya raised a brow. "Why?"

His jaw tightened. "coz not everyone here wants you to belong."

She held his gaze, reading into his words, before casually saying, "Well, there's one thing I need for now."

Kalix leaned back slightly, expecting something serious. "What's it?"

She crossed her arms. "Space in wardrobe."

Kalix blinked.

"Unfortunately," she continued, since I'm sharing room, I need space for my clothes too.

For a second there was a silence.

Then Kalix let out a small laugh,

Zoya tilted her head. "Great."

He leaned slightly closer. "If you don't like this room, we can shift to another- with an interior of your choice."

Zoya blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

He leaned slightly closer, his voice smooth. "I can make that happen. All you have to do is ask."

For the time, zoya didn't know if he was teasing or being serious. Her fingers curled into sheets. "This is fine."

Kalix hummed, "if you say so."

Then he reached over, dimming the bedside lamp. Shadows stretch across the room, the warm glow flickering against the edges of their silence.

Just as she was about to lay down, her phone buzzed against the nightstand.

Unknown number.

She knew who it was.

"You must be careful where you go. Choose the place, and I'll bring the document. Make sure no one suspects you."

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

She inhaled sharply, forcing her expression to remain neutral as she cast a cautious glance at Kalix. He lay still, his back turned to her.

Zoya locked her phone and placed it back on the nightstand, her mind racing.

Tomorrow she had to make decision.

And she had to make it carefully.