Chapter 3 White Rabbit Restaurant.

Sophia's POV

TWO WEEKS EARLIER

Ugh!

I am still not getting the look I was going for. I sigh wearily looking at my reflection in the big, fancy mirror in the hotel suite.

I'm wearing a cream-colored trouser suit, paired with a cream-beige camisole and a black heel. I had styled my strawberry blonde hair in a tight ponytail, my makeup heavy enough to make me seem older while highlighting my hazel eyes.

It's not enough for me. I'm well aware my facial features make me seem like a teenager and not a twenty-four-year-old. I am constantly being reminded of that fact, hell I still need to show the bouncers my ID anytime I go to a club.

I'm a tad too pale, and my height... well at twenty-four, I'm five feet four inches tall only.

"Babes, what do you think? Do I look like I mean business?" I walk away from the mirror towards the king-sized bed, where Daisy is currently sitting watching me like a hawk.

She lets out an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes, "Really? Soph, that's what you are worried about right now. I can not with you."

"Oh come on, we've talked about this," I said with a pout.

She looked at me with concern, "Sophia, are you sure about this? Meeting with Ivan Kozlov without your father's knowledge? It sounds risky. What if something goes wrong?"

For the umpteenth time since I let her in on my plan, I try to reassure her, "Daisy, it's just dinner at a popular restaurant. Nothing is going to go wrong. I just want to understand what Dad's business with this guy is."

"Babe, I still think you're being reckless," Daisy said with a frustrated sigh.

I am sure she knows I have made my decision. I'll meet up with Ivan Kozlov no matter what. What could possibly go wrong?

"I already told you, I have a good feeling about this. If I can just have a decent conversation with Ivan Kozlov and handle whatever issue he has with the business, my dad is going to start acknowledging me."

She gives me a puzzled look, "I don't get how putting yourself at risk and meeting up with someone you barely know would make your old man stop being misogynistic."

Alright, she has a point but I am a stubborn mule. I still need to know the connection between Dad and Ivan. Period.

Please tell me I'm making sense.

"Do you even know what he looks like?" she asked after a beat.

Oh. "Uhmm, no?"

She starts typing out something on her phone. "Holy shit!" Daisy blinked at her phone, her eyes widened, it's almost comical. "Sweetie, come look!"

Sitting down beside her, I stare at her phone screen. I'm instantly blown away. On the screen is a picture of Ivan Kozlov and a small personal information on him.

Ivan Kozlov, thirty-two, is a Russian oil tycoon and a multi-billionaire. Owner of KLV Corp. A parent company to dozens of other companies across the world and had shares with other powerful companies.

Wow... that's... impressive.

Ivan Kozlov seems fascinating. And that wasn't only about being a billionaire at his age, it was the way this man looks like a freaking Greek god, a celebrity even, not a damn businessman.

I'm sorry, but I thought all billionaires looked like my father, all big-bellied, grey hairs, weird fashion sense, etc.

"Fuck, he is one gorgeous man!" she squealed excitedly, "I'll have to place him above Chris Evans on my list now, he comes second."

"Oh, please. Just now you were talking me out of seeing him and now you're fangirling?" I laughed.

"Excuse me, I have eyes and they work! I still think it's dangerous. See how scary and ruthless he looks underneath his extremely handsome face, I guess that's what makes him irresistible."

"I know right?" I replied. "There is something about those eyes. They're beautiful, the most fascinating blue eyes I ever saw, yet they feel like they can squeeze the life out of a person."

Daisy shook her head. "Be careful, Sophia. You never know what you might be getting into. You know I worry about you because I love you right?"

"Yes mum, I love you too." I teased.

She slaps my head. "Ow!"

"Silly girl," she laughed. "What time do you leave?"

Glancing at my watch, the time is currently 7:12 p.m. "I'll be leaving in a few minutes. The scheduled time is 8 p.m."

She planted a quick kiss on my cheeks, "Just keep me updated, okay? And by the way hon, you look amazing. Don't you ever forget that."

Sigh, she's just the sweetest.

✬✬✬✬✬

Smolenskaya Square, White Rabbit, 8:06 p.m.

The restaurant was a haven of elegance with a fashionable charm. Intricate designs adorned the walls, and the dim lighting added an air of sophistication.

Handing my coat to the doorman, I approached the hostess with a smile. "I'm here to meet Ivan Kozlov," I informed her in English.

The young lady smiled warmly, responding with equal fluency, "Of course, Miss. Right this way."

She led me through the well-decorated restaurant, the eclectic mix of antique furnishings and contemporary art creating an ambiance that felt both nostalgic and modern. We arrived at a secluded corner table with a panoramic view of the city lights, it was fascinating.

Ivan Kozlov was already seated at the reserved table, he seemed almost bored.

Rounding the table to sit at the opposite seat, my breath hitched.

Oh, wow.

The pictures didn't do this man justice. Pictures didn't capture his breathtaking features properly and those eyes... were even more unnerving in person.

I was fighting so hard to hide my attraction, I could feel my neck and face heating already.

"Hello, good evening. I am here on behalf of my father," I said extending my hand for a handshake. "I am Sophia Smith, a pleasure to meet you."

Ivan Kozlov looked at my extended hand, his piercing gaze making me uneasy. His face was expressionless, making it hard to read him.

Awkward...

I sat down, in an attempt to school my composure and not give away how nervous I was.

After what felt like hours, "Is this a joke?" His accent is non-existent, graced with a smooth deep voice.

"No, this isn't a joke of any sort. My father is currently in London, he couldn't leave on such short notice. I was already in Moscow, so he sent me to represent him."

Yeah, I'm lying through my teeth, shaking in my seat.

"If Smith couldn't be bothered to show up, the least he could do was inform me," he scowl deepened as he stood up. "I'm done here, this was a total waste of my precious time."

"Wait, I–" He was gone before I could say a word, his four bodyguards accompanying him on his way out.

I looked around to see if anyone witnessed what had just happened. I was beyond embarrassed and it was a relief to know that no one paid us any attention.

I signaled to the closest waiter and ordered some food. Taking my phone out I quickly texted Daisy

Me: Okay, I may have fucked up.

Almost immediately, the text bubbles popped up to show that she was typing.

Daisy: Please tell me it is nothing serious *inserts the eye roll emoji*

Me: I don't think so... at least not yet. Ivan was pissed off I came instead of my dad. He didn't even let me talk, he just left.

Daisy: Shit! Sorry about that though, it could have been worse. Are you on your way back?

Me: Lol, you know me. I was so embarrassed, I had to order food.

Daisy: *sends a GIF with a laughing baby* Just make sure to bring takeouts for me. Love ya.

Me: Aye aye your grace *inserts laughing emoji*

Almost an hour later, after having dinner, I got takeouts for Daisy, settled my bill and left.

I hailed a taxi, outside the restaurant, giving the driver the address to my hotel. After settling down at the backseat of the taxi, I closed my eyes and my thoughts took me back to my meeting with Ivan Kozlov. I have failed at executing my plan tonight and it hurts.

The car starts swiveling, forcing me to peel my eyes open. I look around us and nothing about where we were seems familiar.

"Uhmm, Mister? I'm pretty sure this isn't my hotel's route.

No response.

"Ty menya slushayesh." [Are you listening to me?]

My heart is pounding so hard right now, threatening to explode.

Still nothing.

"Look, you don't have to do this. I can give you money if you want. Lots of it," I pleaded, breaking out in cold sweat. I tried opening the door. Locked.

We got to a dark alley.

Oh fuck, oh God, no, no, no.

"Please, I will–"

A gun was being pointed at me before I could blink, everything was happening so fast, and my mind was haywire.

"Shut the fuck up! You'll step out of this car quietly and not a word, you hear me?" He said in heavily accented English.

I nodded and watched as he stepped out of the car. He opened the door to the backseat and dragged me out. That was when I noticed the big black van, two huge men standing by the door to its back seat.

I feel a prickly pain in my neck and the world goes black.