The next morning, at the most expensive and opulent hotel in Seoul, the scene was serene. Viktor and Alia were down on the private, expansive lawn, engaged in a badminton match. The surroundings were straight out of a dream, filled with manicured gardens and elite architecture.
The most striking detail was their attire; both were dressed in matching sets of designer sportswear, subtly signaling the strange, evolving bond between them. Viktor looked effortlessly lethal and stylish, sporting a pair of dark sunglasses that shielded his eyes, adding to his enigmatic aura. They were playing with a rhythm that seemed to have washed away the terrors of the previous night.
The match was heating up. Alia, eager to return a swift shot, sprinted across the dew-slicked grass. Suddenly, her foot slipped. She lost her balance, and for a terrifying second, she began to fall.
But before she could hit the ground, Viktor moved with predatory grace. In a blur of motion, he caught her by the waist, catching her securely against his broad, solid chest.
Alia lay pressed against him, breathless, buried in the scent of his cologne and the undeniable warmth of his frame. Viktor's strong arms were locked around her, claiming her entirely. Through the dark lenses of his sunglasses, Viktor watched her his expression unreadable, yet his grip possessive. Alia looked up at his chest, then toward his shadowed face, the world around them seemingly grinding to a complete halt.As Alia lost her balance completely, Viktor tried to steady her, and they both tumbled down onto the soft grass. Viktor landed beneath, with Alia sprawled directly on top of him. The sunlight glinted off Viktor's dark sunglasses. As Alia realized her position, her face flushed a deep shade of crimson. She quickly tried to push herself up, bracing her hands against his chest.
But Viktor remained immovable. In one swift motion, he gripped her waist firmly, pinning her down against his body. Alia struggled, whispering urgently, "Hey, let go! What are you doing? Everyone is watching—what will the hotel staff or the other guests think?"
Viktor slid his sunglasses down slightly, looking up into Alia's eyes. A mischievous, crooked grin spread across his face. He replied in a calm, low voice, "I couldn't care less what they think. In this world, at this moment, it feels as if there is no one else but you and me. Besides, if they look at us, they'll understand one thing you are mine, and I am not the type to let go."
Alia lowered her eyes in shame and discomfort, but she could find no way to break free from Viktor's firm, possessive hold. Alia, frustrated by Viktor's audacity, whispered a sharp insult in Russian:
"Ты бессовестный эгоист, Виктор! Отпусти меня немедленно!"
("You are a shameless egoist, Viktor! Let me go immediately!")
Viktor didn't flinch at her curses; instead, the sound of her Russian words only widened his smirk. He leaned closer and retorted in a low, cold tone, also in Russian:
"Следи за своим языком, моя дорогая. Твои оскорбления только разжигают мой интерес к тебе."
("Watch your tongue, my dear. Your insults only stoke my interest in you.")
At that exact moment, footsteps approached from behind. Anashia and Alia's other friend—now married to each other—happened to be walking by. Seeing the intimate and strange scene, Anashia chuckled, intending to make a comment. But Alia didn't even acknowledge them; she kept her gaze locked on Viktor, as if Anashia's presence meant absolutely nothing to her. Viktor threw a brief, dismissive glance their way before returning his focus entirely to Alia, choosing to ignore them completely.Alia didn't move from atop Viktor. Instead, she stared straight at Anashia, her eyes filled with nothing but cold disdain. With Viktor's hand still firmly gripping her waist, their intimacy was on full, defiant display.
Alia spoke to Anashia in a chilling, sharp voice: "Aren't you ashamed to show your face here? You have no right to stand before me. You are the biggest traitor of my life, and you dare to come here with your husband? Do you have no shame at all?"
Anashia offered a nervous, weak smile, a flicker of helplessness behind it. She tried to say something, but Alia didn't even acknowledge her. Alia placed a hand on Viktor's shoulder, asserting her place beside him, making it clear to everyone present that she belonged to him.
Viktor, peering from behind his dark sunglasses, offered a sneering, mocking smile at Anashia. He pulled Alia even closer and remarked, "You see, Alia, those who once tried to ruin our lives with empty promises are now left with nothing but to watch us. They aren't even worth our attention."
Alia looked directly at Anashia and added firmly, "You're right, Viktor. They aren't worth a second of my time. Anashia, why are you still standing here? You have your husband right beside you take his hand and leave. Don't you ever dare show your face to me again."
Stunned by Alia's blunt rejection and utter contempt, Anashia stood frozen. She realized that the Alia she once knew was gone; in Viktor's shadow, she had reached a place where Anashia no longer existed. Anashia, feeling insulted by Alia's sharp rebuke, didn't move. She stepped forward, trying to whisper, "Listen, Alia, you're misunderstanding everything..."
Alia didn't even let her finish. Her patience had completely snapped. She lifted her head from Viktor's arms, her eyes burning with fury as she shouted at Anashia, "Shut up! Not another word. You're nothing but a fucking bastard. There is no place for someone like you in my life!"
Anashia was stunned by Alia's harsh and vulgar language; she had never imagined Alia could become this aggressive. Anashia's partner, standing beside her, was equally shocked by the intensity of Alia's outburst.
Viktor simply watched, a twisted look of satisfaction spreading across his face. He pulled Alia even tighter, as if this fierce version of her was exactly what he wanted. Anashia realized that staying any longer would only mean further humiliation. Without another word, she lowered her head and hurried away. Unable to bear the humiliation, Anashia walked away and broke down in tears. Luna, Alia's other friend, stepped forward to comfort her.
Placing a hand on Anashia's shoulder, Luna said in a soft voice, "Anashia, don't cry. Alia is no longer the person she used to be. She is completely under Viktor's influence now. Don't confront her like this; it will only make things worse."
Anashia sobbed, "I just wanted to talk, Luna. I never imagined Alia would insult me like that. She called me a fucking bastard! Why has she become so cold and harsh after being with Viktor?"
Luna embraced her, trying to soothe her, "I know it's hard. But we have no choice but to be patient for now. Compose yourself, and we will talk later."
Despite Luna's comfort, Anashia struggled to calm down, still stung by the memory of Alia's utter contempt. After the heated confrontation with Anashia, Alia hurried back to their hotel room. She was exhausted and agitated, leaving her body drenched in sweat. Upon entering, she collapsed onto the sofa, her breathing still ragged and uneven.
Just then, Viktor entered the room. Seeing Alia in such a delicate and disheveled state sparked a strange, predatory desire within him. He walked slowly until he stood directly in front of her. Alia sat on the sofa, the beads of sweat glistening on her neck and forehead catching Viktor's intense gaze.
Without a word, Viktor sat beside her. He leaned in slowly, hovering near her neck. Alia stiffened as she felt Viktor delicately licking the sweat from her skin. His strange, possessive behavior sent a shiver of pure dread down her spine. To Viktor, Alia was not just his queen; she was his exclusive possession, every inch of her belonging solely to him. Alia recoiled, startled by Viktor's strange and consuming behavior. Flushing with a mix of embarrassment and irritation, she quickly stood up from the sofa and stammered, "Are you crazy? What are you doing?"
Not waiting for an answer and unable to handle the intensity of his possessive gaze, she turned away and hurried toward the bathroom. Her mind was in turmoil Viktor's behavior wasn't just terrifying her; it was beginning to weave an inexplicable, hypnotic web around her that she couldn't seem to break.
Once inside, she locked the door and stepped under the shower. The cool water cascaded over her, trying to soothe her heated skin, but the sensation of Viktor's touch and the weight of his possession refused to fade. Standing before the mirror, she looked at her own reflection was she truly the same Alia, or had she completely lost herself in the dark world Viktor had crafted around her?