DON'T BLAME ME | CAESAR X ZHENYA

CHAPTER 04

“So, will you explain why you made that statement in front of that man? And who was he, anyway?”

Arms crossed, I watched him comfortably light a cigar.

“That man works for my father. I’ve seen him all night since we arrived, though he took longer than expected to approach me.”

“Your father’s?—I asked incredulously. Do you understand the implications of this?” he nodded calmly, shrugging.  “Sir, this is very serious.”

“Come on, don’t be so alarmed. From the start, my intention was for him to see us. Soon my father will know, and everyone will be satisfied.”

I couldn’t hide my shock and bewilderment at his words and manner. Without a doubt, he was a man of reckless nature. If the rumor spread that his companion was a nobody, especially someone of a different social standing, his father would be utterly furious. I only hoped my identity wouldn’t be discovered, so I wouldn’t have to bear the consequences of this man’s carelessness.

“Sir, I’ve tried to understand you as best I can, but this time I honestly cannot figure out your purpose in dragging me into this situation.”

He let out a soft laugh before replying.

“You know my father wants to marry me off, right?” he scoffed. “Of course you know. But my point is, I’m not going to obey just to please him. You know well my relationship with him and how stubborn I can be when it comes to defying him. But this time, it bothers me even more that he wants to decide something as important as my marriage” he added, exhaling smoke that filled the car.

“I understand, but…”

“I don’t know if you remember who the person is that my father wants me to marry, but whoever it is, I don’t want it. Not for me, but for them. I’m sure that person isn’t happy about this arrangement either” he said, looking out the window. “The only way my father will leave me alone about this is if I already have a partner someone worthy of being a Sergeyev’s companion.”

That completely caught me off guard. Did this mean he already had someone in mind? If he did, then he must have been in a relationship with them. But… was he in love? No, impossible. My boss was known as a man of fleeting conquests, and I had never seen any interaction suggesting otherwise. Yet if he claimed he had someone, then it must be true. Now curiosity was eating me alive.

“So you already have someone in mind to be your husband or wife?”

“Exactly” he confirmed.

“Do I happen to know them?”I asked, more intrigued than I probably should have been.

“Of course. This person has been by my side for years, and you know them better than anyone” he answered, frowning. I couldn’t think of anyone who wasn’t just an occasional fling, someone who briefly passed through his bed or the office. Or maybe he meant…?

“Is it the woman I saw you with last time?” I asked, remembering his frequent meetings with her.

“That woman… Oh, come on, Zhenya, I thought you were sharper and more intuitive. You’re disappointing me…”

If not her, then who could it be?

"Zhenya... don’t overthink it. The person I’m referring to is you."

"I thought it was... wait, what did you just say?" I asked, a little confused by his words. "Sir, I’m afraid you’ve had too much to drink tonight."

"That’s exactly what you heard. You’ll be the one to become my husband."