Fated by a Single Night

ISABELLA'S POV :

Three days had passed since the charity gala. And for three days I couldn't stop thinking about him. Not because I wanted to. But because his words kept replaying inside my head.

> "It's you."

Every time I closed my eyes I remembered those gray eyes staring at me. As if he was trying to solve a puzzle. As if he refused to let me disappear again.

---

"Miss Isabella." My secretary knocked gently on my office door.

"Yes?"

"You have a two o'clock meeting."

I looked up from the documents. "With who?"

She glanced at her tablet. "...Petrov Holdings."

The pen slipped from my fingers. "...Excuse me?"

"Their CEO personally requested the meeting."

My heartbeat quickened.

No... Please don't tell me...

---

MIKHAIL'S POV :

"Boss." Igor adjusted his tie. "She's the daughter of the Volkov family."

"I know."

"And she's currently helping manage the international division."

I nodded. Everything about her had been investigated.

Name: Isabella Álvarez Volkov.
Age: Twenty-four.
Half Russian.
Half Spanish.
Recently returned from Spain.
No husband.
No fiancé.
No public relationship.

Everything looked ordinary. Yet something still bothered me. There was a missing piece. And I intended to find it.

---

BOARDROOM

The conference room fell silent as the doors opened. She walked in. Elegant. Professional. Calm. But the moment our eyes met...

I noticed it. She was nervous. Good. So was I. Though I'd never admit it.

---

ISABELLA'S POV :

"Mr. Petrov." I extended my hand professionally. "It's a pleasure."

He looked at my hand for a brief second. Then shook it. His grip was firm. Warm. "...Miss Volkov." His voice was as calm as ever. Yet something in his eyes had changed. He wasn't looking at me like a stranger anymore. He was observing me.

---

The meeting lasted nearly an hour. New investments. Business expansion. Import contracts. Every time I spoke I could feel his gaze on me. It was driving me insane.

Finally the meeting ended. Everyone began leaving the room. I hurriedly gathered my files. "Miss Volkov."

I froze. "...Yes?"

"We need to talk."

I forced a polite smile. "I believe everything has already been discussed."

"I'm not talking about business."

---

MIKHAIL'S POV :

She avoided eye contact. Another clue. If I truly was mistaken she wouldn't be acting like this. "I have one question."

She sighed. "What is it?"

"Were you at Velvet Noir Bar four months ago?"

Silence. A dangerous silence. Then she smiled. "I've never heard of that place."

A lie. I knew it. Because the bartender had already confirmed her photo. She had been there.

---

"You shouldn't lie."

Her expression immediately hardened. "I don't appreciate being investigated."

"I don't appreciate disappearing women."

She crossed her arms. "And I don't appreciate arrogant men."

For the first time in years someone talked back to me without fear. "...You're interesting."

She let out a sarcastic laugh. "And you're unbelievably full of yourself." Before I could answer she walked away. Leaving me standing alone. Again.

---

ISABELLA'S POV :

The moment the elevator doors closed I let out a shaky breath. Why did he have to keep asking? Why couldn't he just let the past stay buried? I instinctively placed my hand over my stomach. The twins kicked softly.

I smiled despite everything. "Easy..."

"Mama's here."

Then the elevator suddenly stopped. The lights flickered. "...What?"

A power interruption. The emergency lights turned on. My breathing became uneven. I hated confined spaces Always had. The air suddenly felt thinner.

"No..." Not now.

---

Outside...

Technicians rushed toward the elevator. Employees began gathering. "Someone's trapped inside!"

---

MIKHAIL'S POV :

I was about to leave the building when I heard the commotion.

"Boss."

"The executive elevator stopped."

For some reason a strange feeling settled in my chest. "Who's inside?"

One employee checked the monitor. "Miss Volkov." Before anyone else could react I walked straight toward the emergency staircase.

"Boss!" Igor called after me.

"The technicians are handling it."

"I know." But my feet refused to stop.

---

ISABELLA'S POV :

I slowly slid down the elevator wall. My breathing became faster.

"It's okay..."

"It's okay..." I whispered to myself.

But it wasn't. The walls felt like they were closing in. Then a voice echoed from outside.

"Isabella." I froze. "...Mikhail?"

"Step away from the door."

"I..."

"I can't breathe."

"Listen to me." His voice remained calm.

"Look at the emergency light."

I did.

"Good."

"Now breathe with me."

"In."

"...Out."

Again.

"In."

"...Out."

Without realizing it I followed his voice. Little by little my heartbeat slowed. Several minutes later the elevator doors were finally forced open. Bright light flooded inside.

I blinked repeatedly. The first person I saw was him. He immediately offered me his hand. This time I didn't hesitate. I took it.

He helped me step out safely. "Are you alright?"

I nodded weakly. "...Thank you."

He looked at me for a long moment. Then his eyes slowly drifted downward. Toward my stomach. His brows furrowed.

"You..."

I instinctively stepped back. "...What?"

His expression became unreadable. "You look..."

He stopped himself. "No."

"...Forget it."

I quickly turned around. "I should go." Without waiting for another word I walked away as fast as I could.

---

MIKHAIL'S POV :

I watched her disappear into the parking lot. Something wasn't right. Her oversized blazer. The way she unconsciously protected her stomach. The slight curve beneath the fabric.

Almost impossible to notice unless you were looking closely.

"Igor."

"Yes, Boss?"

I kept my eyes fixed on the exit. "...Find me the doctor handling Isabella Volkov."

Igor's eyes widened. "Boss..."

"You think...?"

"I don't know." I answered honestly. "But I'm done guessing." If the question that had haunted me for months had an answer I was going to find it. No matter what it cost.