(Jenna's POV)

I skipped dinner, feigning a headache, although Ursula brought me up a snack and two aspirin.

Other than that, I sat in my room all night, just thinking things through.

Overthinking is probably more like it...

Needless to say, I barely got any sleep, but since I've arrived here, that's pretty much been the norm, with the exception of the night that Nik stayed in my room and told me a story.

That was the best night sleep I ever had, to be honest.

I don't know why, but he makes me feel safe...but at the same time, he makes me feel out of control and so very confused.

I just don't know how to deal with all of these conflicting emotions.

I wish I'd had a boyfriend or two before I came here...some kind of experience, then maybe I wouldn't feel so lost.

I wish my mom was still alive – not just because I need her now...need to talk to her, because I'll always need her...miss her, but she was such a great person to talk to – the kind you could tell anything to.

I feel the same about Aimee, but...there are certain things I'm embarrassed to tell her sometimes.

She always was and still is the popular one – the one that all the boys...and even a few girls liked. 

She told me that if I wasn't so shy, I could've been popular too, but I didn't have the clothes and stuff that she did.

Don't get me wrong...I had friends, mostly through Aimee though, and boys asked me out too, but...I just never felt confident like she did and still does.

If Aimee were here instead of me, she'd already have Nik eating out of the palm of her hand.

And for some strange reason, just the very thought of that makes me angry...makes me not like Aimee.

See what I mean? I don't know what the fuck is wrong with me!

Anyway...I've spoken to Nik as little as possible again today – all through breakfast up until now, which makes me feel like complete and utter shit.

He's been gracious and kind as usual, giving me my space, but I can tell that he's just as confused as I am...or at least I think he is.

How I wish I knew how to read people better...

But hopefully, once I talk to Aimee, I'll have a better perspective on things.

We arrived at his other mill which is just as nice as the other one, but is a bit larger.

My mind is still working overtime as I try to stay focused on these invoices...while feeling Nik's eyes on me, despite the fact that I hear him pecking away at yet another antique typewriter of his.

Click, click, click, click, click...ding...click...click...click...ding...

Deciding that I can't take anymore, I turn and tell Nik that I need to use the restroom.

He points towards a door across the room and I practically sprint to it.

God...I'm an idiot.

I find the light switch and lock the door.

It's a spacious room with a masculine feel to it, which is no surprise since its Nik's private bathroom.

But like everything around here, it's very old but immaculate.

There's a small padded bench next to some old, cast iron clothes hooks on the wall, so I quickly take a seat and dial Aimee.

It rings three times before she picks up.

"Hello," she says groggily.

"Aimee, it's me," I say.

"Jenna!" she replies excitedly, sounding fully awake now.

"Sorry if I woke you," I say sincerely.

"Don't worry about it," she brushes off. "I've been waiting on your call, girl!" she giggles.

"I finally got a charging cord," I state the obvious with a smile that she cannot see.

"Good!" she exclaims. "Now there's no excuse for you to not call me, ho," she laughs, but I don't return her jovial sentiment.

"Do you...have time to talk?" I ask, cutting right to the chase. 

"Sure...Jenna, what's wrong?" she asks concerned.

"I'm afraid I'm in...over my head here," I reply with trepidation.

"What do you mean? What's going on? Do you need to come home?" she fires off rapidly.

"No...nothing like that," I assure her. "It's just that...my boss, Nik...I mean Mr. Rykov, he's..." I pause, trying to find the right words to say.

"He's what?!" Jenna nearly yells. "Do I need to come there and whoop his ass?! Cause if you tell me, I'll be on the next plane to Mold...that moldy place!"

God I miss her.

"It's Moldova, and no, you don't need to come whoop his ass," I giggle.

"Whatever..." she sighs happily. "But you know I would, if I had to," she laughs.

"I know," I smile.

"Well...don't keep me hanging here in suspense," she prods once our laughter dies down.

"I don't even know where to start," I sigh tiredly. "I had all of these things I wanted to tell you and now that I'm on the phone..." I trail off.

"Just tell me," she cuts in.

"He's...perfect, if there is such a thing," I admit vulnerably.

"Oh my God, Jenna..." she giggles. "You have your first crush, don't you?" she teases.

"No!" I deny embarrassedly. "It's not some childish crush...that I can assure you."

"Then what is it?" she asks.

"I...don't know, really. That's why I called you," I chuckle self-deprecatingly.

"Okay...answer this...is he hot?" she asks in her best no-nonsense voice.

"Obviously..." I admit, rolling my eyes at Aimee's one tracked mind.

"Then what's the problem?" she asks exasperatedly. "This is like pulling eyeteeth with you, Jenna!" she huffs impatiently.

"What can I say, that he's the most handsome man that I've ever seen, or that he lives in a freaking castle, or that he has the most impeccable manners, or that he's a bit of an oddball loner like me, which all seems too good to be true?!" I blurt out all in one breath.

"Whoa...you've got it bad," she whistles.

"Duh, really?! Ya think?!" I ask sarcastically with a bit of anger...mostly at myself. "But that's just it, ya know? How could this ever be...work?"

"Is he into you?" she asks.

"I think so...but...I'm not sure," I answer with doubt tinging my voice.

"Tell me some things he's done that make you think he's digging you," she says.

"Well...just things he says sometimes like, my opinion is the only one that matters to him, calling me love...always offering me his arm...but that could just be a European thing, for all I know," I roll my eyes. "He's kissed my hand, but...after dinner one night, in the solarium, he was playing records and asked me to dance," I pause, taking a deep breath. "While we were dancing, he tried to kiss me, but I chickened out," I frown, thinking about what an idiot I've been.

"Jenna...the guy is totally into you," she says as if it's the most obvious thing. "In fact, he sounds just as sprung as you are."

I shake my head...not knowing what to think yet.

"There's more..." I tell her. "I went into his room the other morning, looking for him, and I found a picture...of me."

"What do you mean? Where did he get a picture of you?" she asks with suspicion.

"No...it wasn't a picture like that, but...one that he'd drawn," I explain. "He's quite the artist," I feel my cheeks heat.

"Wow..." Aimee says in awe. "It sounds like you're starring in your own real life fairy tale, you lucky bitch," she giggles. "Remember when Jack drew Rose in Titanic? That was so hot," she muses. "But speaking of pictures, I need some, STAT!"

"I took some of the castle and I snuck a few in of Nik..." I admit bashfully.

"Nik, is it?" she teases once more.

"Yes...he told me to call him Nikolai, but I call him Nik in my mind," I admit.

"Well, sounds like you've found your future husband," she states. "Don't forget I'm your maid of honor!"

"I don't know..." I say doubtfully. "We ran into these weird guys in town and they said he normally likes long-legged, hungry types, whatever that means."

"So what? Maybe he used to be into tall chicks, but now, by the sounds of it, he certainly seems to like you," she tells me. "Maybe even love you."

"I hope so," I whisper, finally admitting the truth to not only myself, but to Aimee as well.

"I'm so happy for you, Jenna, truly," she says softly. "You deserve this more than anyone I know."

"Thank you," I reply with tears in my eyes.

"Shit...I wish I could talk longer, but I have to get to my study group. I was taking a quick nap, knowing we'd be up most of the night," she sighs.

"Okay...but don't work too hard," I smile.

"I won't, but you send me those pictures when you hang up. I'm dying already!" she giggles.

"I will," I assure her. "Love ya!"

"Love you too!" she replies before hanging up.

I go into my pictures and select all of the ones I had taken of Nik and the castle, and send them to Jenna.

I stand and walk over to the mirror, making sure my makeup is alright, before heading back into the office where I see Nik standing up on one of the balconies, thumbing through some books.

"Ready for lunch?" he turns and asks with a wide smile.

"Yes," I smile in return, ready for so much more now...and hoping that I don't mess it up.

My phone buzzes with a message from Aimee.

I look down and read it...

"WTF!!! HOLY FUCKING HELL!!! You're dating a real life Dracula! I hate you!!! 😂😂😂"

I bite my lip to keep from laughing before I look back up at Nik's handsome face. Dracula ain't got shit on him, I think as my heart races. 

Holy fucking hell is right...

A/N : How do you think Jenna & Aimee's talk went? Do you think Nik eavesdropped? Lol Will things get steamy soon? Let me hear from you! ❤️

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