8

Moral conflicts

When I woke up the next morning, I acted on autopilot.

I dressed in that dark silk dress Nikolay had prepared for me, matching dark and suggestive lingerie, and high-heeled shoes as usual.

I was surprised to still be alone in the room, or so I thought, because when I entered the bathroom, I saw Nikolay with a towel around his waist, drying his hair with another towel. Water dripped down his strong back, and a shiver ran through me.

I quickly moved away before he noticed me and sat at the vanity. I had to calm down and divert my thoughts to other things. Yes, that's it.

I started to do my makeup and hair, and then Nikolay came out of the bathroom, fortunately already dressed. I sighed in relief to see him in a suit, and it amused me to watch him struggle with the tie.

"It seems like you're feeling better," he seemed somewhat nervous, "I insist, I apologize for yesterday's hit..."

"Forget it, Nikolay," I replied quickly and coldly.

"It won't happen again," he promised.

I