Mockingbird84, meri24, manydreams1216, setsuna Bu thanks for your tips and reviews! Here is Chapter 4 i will try and get 5 up in the next couple of days.

Chapter 4

The cab pulled up at the gate of her Aunts house, although Sydney considered it more of a mansion. Sydney climbed out of the cab and retrieved her suitcase which depressingly was the sum total of her belongings. Wheeling her suitcase up the drive Sydney was greeted by Alexander, Katya's butler.

"welcome back Miss Sydney, your Aunt is waiting for you in the sitting room."

"

Thanks Alex, its good to be back" Sydney forced a smile on her face as she walked passed Alex and headed towards the lounge and the impending inquisition.

"Sydney darling" Katya spoke in her heavy Russian accent.

"

Aunt Katya" Sydney spoke as they embraced

Come on darling we will talk more, I'm sure your hungry, dinner is ready."

Sydney's stomach growled in approval of the idea of food, Sydney hadn't eaten since this morning before she left London and she was really hungry.

Claiming she was tired and wanted to unpack, Sydney excused herself after dinner, bidding good night to her Aunt, Sydney made her way up the stairs and to her bedroom. It hadn't changed since she left it last time.

The room was done in dark reds and gold. It was more like an upmarket hotel suite with a large bath room and sitting room adjoining the main bedroom. Unpacking her things into the draws, Sydney wondered just how long she could stay before she would have to go back to teaching. Her aunt had been scandalised about the last job she had and the disastrous ending and encouraged her to take a long break before going back to teaching, but Sydney wasn't sure how long she could spend not teaching the languages she loves and socialising with the rich snobs that her aunt Katya spent her time with. Curling up in her soft bed Sydney contemplated the direction her life had taken. She was if she admitted to herself hiding in Russia away from Anna's father. She was still mad at him but he sturred something up inside her she just wasn't sure what exactly it was yet.

The next morning after eating breakfast with her aunt, Sydney headed out into the garden to catch up on some reading. Picking up her first edition Alice in Wonderland, Sydney lounged back in beach chair that Alexander had put there at her request.

Later in the afternoon, after Katya had returned from her day of shopping, where she had informed Sydney of the dinner she was hosting tonight with some of the most prominent business people from around the globe. It meant dressing up and this was one of the main reasons Sydney didn't come to her aunts very often, she simply couldn't afford all the formal gowns she would have to wear. Racking through her clothes earlier in the day Sydney had found a simple black dress that would suit her aunt's formal requirements and not attract any unwanted attention for the sleazy business men that thought they were simply irresistible.

Curling her hair and leaving it loose Sydney applied minimal makeup before slipping on her favourite pair of black stilettos.

Greeting her aunt as she made her way through the ballroom and greeted most of her aunts friends, Sydney desperately wanted to curl up in her bed with a good book over conversing with these people who thought working hard was a crime and would result in early onset of wrinkles.

Picking off a glass of champagne of the passing waiters tray Sydney scanned the ballroom looking for anyone that was at least younger than 50 and looked remotely interesting. Spotting a tall figure in the corner talking to her Aunt, Sydney held her breath as she looked him over, It couldn't be she thought. NO NO NO NO NO! Blonde hair, tall frame, a stance of arrogance and superiority. Shit Sydney swore to herself.

Even from the back Sydney knew it was him, turning away quickly Sydney felt a sudden headache coming on as her checks flushed with both anger and embarrassment that she had left London so quickly. What she didn't' realise was that the man had seen her and was equally as shocked to see her.

Sydney let out a breath she was holding when they were informed dinner was served, waiting until most of the party was seated she only hoped that she wasn't seated next to Anna's father, she wasn't sure she could stand another conversation with him after the last time. Sure he was gorgeous but he was cold and wanted to send his daughter away to a boarding school, Sydney wasn't sure she could keep from making a comment about it and upsetting him further that and she was still angry about the way he had spoken to his just days before.

Unfortunately for Sydney, this was not her day as she walked into the elegant dining hall her Aunt beckoned her over to where the arrogant blonde was now seated, standing as she arrived. Well at least he has manners Sydney thought.

"Sydney darling, this is Mr Sark, a business associate of mine" Katya's accented voice broke through Sydney's thoughts.