Craved by the Wrong Volkov

Braelyn’s POV

In less than a week I was out of the hospital. My body didn’t take long to recover compared to my first coma but my mind was an entirely different case. The doctor had suggested that I stay longer but I couldn’t stand staying in the hospital a second more.

I moved back to Lucien’s place. Ever since we left the hospital he had been keeping a close eye on me every moment. Nothing from the outside world, not the close fall of Volkov Apex or the fact that Lucien had been secretly buying the shares of shareholders who wanted out at low prices.

He kept all that chaos from me. He was caring and tended to everything personally. Even when I sat on the balcony wrapped in thick blankets staring at the woods in a daze he sat right beside me.

At times he talks, something we just drink hot chocolate in silence while other times he just works on his laptop. But that spot on the balcony had become a part of me.

Lucien has tried getting me to go outside or travel but I really couldn’t whenever he pushed, I straight up cried. He would just hopelessly watch me.

I knew I was breaking not just me but him but I just couldn’t bring myself to accept it. The air was crisp. The cold winter air blew past me tingling my nose.

"Achoo.." I released a sneeze. My hand came to my red nose to rub it. It was a bit cold and I shouldn’t stay in the cold this long. A heavy sigh let my lips, forming white mist underneath my nose. I instinctively reached for the flask on the small table beside me.

It was unusually light. I shook the bottle and confirmed it was empty. Out of habit, I called out for Lucien. "Lucien, the tea flask is empty.." I called out. Lucien always made sure the tea flask was always filled so I wouldn’t catch a cold from staying out for long.

After calling his name there was no reply. My eyes darted around and I noticed the seat he normally sat on beside me was empty. That was weird, my brows pulled together as I pulled myself from the chair. I instinctively held my stomach then froze halfway not feeling the tiny bump there.

It was right that I lost the baby. My already bad mood plummeted. At times I truly forgot my loss. I drew in a deep breath to get my thoughts together before dragging my feet inside.

The corridor felt unusually empty but from the top of the stairs I could hear a faint voice coming from downstairs. I took 2 steps down the stairs then froze because the voice got clearer. It was Lucien he was on a call at first I thought it was from the company until I heard him say.

"She still refuses to leave the balcony. I just stay with her making sure she remembers she still has something to hold onto in this life." My heart clenched and I held onto the glass railing to hold my bearing.

"Honestly I don’t know what is going through her mind so far she hasn’t shown any suicidal attempts although I never let her alone with any dangerous items, and even under the balcony an invisible net is there in case she decides to jump.." I felt the air being knocked out of my lungs.

It explained the constant supervision and the way he never relaxes around me. Even yesterday he claimed all our silverware had metal poisoning and suggested we start using plastic. What next he would swap the plates?

Lucien was worried I would hurt myself.

"She just stares at the woods. I have never felt so helpless before but I would take your advice. I should start playing music, I wouldn’t let her hurt herself. " he said then went quiet. I stayed on the stairs for a moment listening to his footsteps fade away before walking down..

I headed straight to the kitchen, from the doorway I spotted him standing by the counter dressed in thick hoodies and joggers since he spent most of the day with me on the balcony wrapped in blankets

Just watching him looking distraught staring at a glass of water made my heart clench. There were even dark circles under his eyes from watching after me. The pain increased, he barely escaped death after multiple surgeries although he had recovered, his wounds weren’t fully healed and he had to look after me.

My fist clenched and I walked up to him. He was completely lost in his thoughts; he didn’t notice someone was walking up to him. My arms wrapped around his waist and I rested my head on his back. He froze for a moment. His voice came out shaky.."Viper.." he said in a low whisper.

I kept my voice low but loud enough for both of us to hear. "Let’s go outside. I want to skate.." I said and Lucien spun around immediately, his eyes going wide like he couldn’t believe his ears.

The woman who had been stuck on the balcony was willing to suggest leaving.."You are not kidding me." He blurted. I nodded.

"Yeah. I’m tired of being holed up here like I am radioactive. " I joked and he smiled. A rare one he hadn’t smiled in a day.

"Of course, you are not radioactive. "

*********

Raphael and I skated a lot in the past and I have been wanting to skate with Lucien for a while now but I was pregnant.

Don’t think about it. I snapped at myself, shoving the thoughts aside. There was a particular ice skating rink that I loved because it wasn’t crowded and the price was good.

I held Lucien’s hand as we walked into the arena. There were a couple of skaters around but it still felt empty from how large the rink was. It was winter and a lot of lakes were probably frozen solid now.

"Are you sure about this?" Lucien asked me when we got to the edge. I let go of his hand and took a seat to put on my skates.

"Don’t tell me you are scared of my talent. " I taunted him. A smirk curled up his lips

"You wish." His ego wasn’t going to allow it. We both put on our skates. I didn’t have any problems because not to brag I was like a pro in my defence, although not to the level of figure skaters.

The one who was talented was Raphael. As unbelievable as it might sound Raphael once competed professionally in the junior category of figure skating as a child and got medals then later joined the hockey team in his senior year in sec school to build credits for his university application.

When it came to the ice he was like a king.

We both got on the ice, and Lucien had a bit of an issue getting his balance. It was obvious he didn’t skate frequently but he could survive on ice.

"You are bad at this." I teased holding his hand as I led him on the rink. I caught a faint red tint on his cheeks.

"I always hated ice skating," he revealed, leaving me stunned. I let go of his hand and started skating backwards while facing him.

"Why?" I blurted, curious why he hated ice skating.

Lucien clicked his tongue irritably. "It was the one thing I could never beat Raphael so I gave up learning because I got tired of hearing, ’ Why aren’t you as good as Raphael?’ You have no idea how annoying it is to grow up and be constantly compared to the perfect son." He begrudgingly complained and I couldn’t help but laugh leaving him stunned.

"You are cute when you complain, Lucien." I chimed leaving him stunned. "Why did you agree to come here if you hated the ice?" I couldn’t help but shake my head.

He gave me a helpless smile. "It was the price to get you away from that balcony. " My heart skipped a beat. My lips parted to speak but I was caught by loud gushing sounds.

"Oh my God who is that,"

"He is so talented he must definitely be a pro..".

"So handsome and talented. "

The several gushes caught my attention. Curious, I turned around and glanced at the area everyone was gawking at. A familiar figure was skating like he was born on the ice.

He threw a back flip, a dangerous move that everyone was holding their breaths and landed on one foot laughing. His laugh was light until his eyes unexpectedly met mine. I heard Lucien draw a sharp breath.

It was Raphael.

Of all days he chose to come to the ice it just had to be today. A round of applause rang around him.

.

The back flip was a dangerous move even pros avoided because one wrong move and you end up injured. In all the years I have known him he has never done it

The arena faded around us for a moment. Why was he being this reckless?