Doubts{87}

As Vasili sat in the meeting room, his eyes narrowed as he glared at Vasha, who was smirking back at him. Aether, sitting nearby, couldn't help but watch the two with an amused smile. The tension in the room was palpable, especially with a petrified Ashley slumped in his seat close to Vasili.

Aether's gaze flickered between Vasili and Vasha, finding entertainment in their ongoing argument. Vasili refused to agree that he "belonged" to anyone, vehemently stating that he wasn't a property to be owned. However, Vasha remained stubborn, repeatedly asserting, "My omega, our omega," with a devilish smirk playing on his enchanting lips like a broken record that sounded aggravating yet oddly pleasant.

Frustration built up within Vasili, threatening to burst forth. Yet, despite the intensity of the situation, his mind and eyes kept wandering back to Vasha's lips and Aether's alluring presence. Vasili realized the dangerous path his thoughts were taking when Vasha teasingly suggested that Vasili could have a taste whenever he wanted.

Shaking off his perverted thoughts, Vasili sighed wearily. "Look, this back and forth between us won't amount to anything. How about we sit for a quiet meal the day after tomorrow and talk things out calmly?" he proposed, trying to find a resolution.

"That sounds nice, but he can't come," Vasha replied with a straight face, pointing at a red-faced Ashley.

Interrupting the tense moment, Aether finally spoke up. "Stop pressuring the poor kid, Vasha. He might be an Alpha, but he can't stand your aura," Aether said, referring to the visibly flustered Ashley. "And Vasili can bring whoever he wants as a plus one."

After a moment of consideration, Vasha reluctantly agreed, but not before threatening the already petrified Ashley to stop flirting with their omega. With smirks adorning their faces, Vasha and Aether left the meeting room, leaving Vasili to reflect on the chaos that had just unfolded.

Only after they were gone did Vasili realize that they had completely forgotten about the business deal they had originally set the meeting for. The tension and personal dynamics had taken over, overshadowing the purpose of their gathering. With a mix of amusement and exasperation, Vasili wondered how they would salvage the situation and address the neglected business deal.

"Ashley put a call through to my mother," he said with a tired sigh. It was only their first day at the office but it already felt like a lifetime of workload and bullshit!

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I took a deep breath and as Ashley dialed Luna Cora's number, my hands trembling slightly. The phone rang a few times before she finally picked up, her voice filled with warmth.

"Vasili, darling! How lovely to hear from you," Luna Cora greeted me, her tone cheerful.

"Cora," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "We need to talk."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Of course, Vasili. What's wrong?"

"I can't help but feel like you intentionally set me up to meet with Vasha and Aether," I accused, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. "And I want to know why."

There was a moment of silence before Cora responded, her voice tinged with surprise. "Vasili, what makes you think I had anything to do with that?"

"You've always been pushing me to settle down with an Alpha," I explained, frustration seeping into my words. "I feel like you orchestrated the whole meeting, hoping I would click with one of them."

"I have only ever wanted what's best for you, Vasili," Cora said softly. "But accusing me without any facts... it hurts."

I closed my eyes, feeling a mix of guilt and anger. "I'm sorry, Cora. I don't mean to hurt you. But it just felt like too much of a coincidence."

Cora let out a sigh on the other end of the line, a sound weighted with sadness. "Vasili, I know you don't want a relationship with any Alphas right now. And I respect that. It's not my place to force anything upon you. When the right time comes, I believe you will find your Mr. Perfect."

Her words struck a chord within me. Cora had always been supportive, and I shouldn't have doubted her intentions. "I'm sorry, Cora. I shouldn't have accused you without any evidence. It's just...I've been feeling overwhelmed lately."

"I understand, my dear," she replied, her voice filled with understanding. "I apologize if I've ever made you feel pressured in the past. It was never my intention to make you uncomfortable."

Cora paused for a moment before continuing. "In fact, it was Vasha and Aether who reached out to me with a business proposal. I thought it would be a great opportunity for your first deal as the new CEO of the company. I had no prior knowledge of them personally."

A mix of surprise and confusion washed over me. "Wait, what? They approached you?"

"Yes, Vasili," she confirmed. "I hadn't met them before, but they seemed genuinely interested in working with you. I saw it as a chance to support your new role and help you establish connections within the business world."

I sighed tiredly, realizing how quick I had been to jump to conclusions. "I'm sorry, Cora. I shouldn't have doubted you. Thank you for clarifying."

Cora's tone softened. "No need to apologize, my dear. I understand how these things can happen. Trust is fragile, but I hope our bond is resilient enough to withstand it."

We spoke for a little while longer, discussing other matters unrelated to Vasha and Aether. Cora mentioned she had a spa or salon appointment to get to, but my mind was too consumed with our conversation to pay much attention. Eventually, she said her goodbyes, assuring me once again that she only wanted the best for me.

As I hung up the phone, a sense of relief washed over me. I realized that I had been unfair to Cora, doubting her love and care for me. She had always been my rock, my guiding light. And in that moment, I vowed to be more mindful of our relationship and the trust we shared.