The next few weeks pass by in a blur of events. First, Ivan never told me what exactly he did to Alfred but i heard rumors amongst his men, Naya, Aliyah and even Lev that Alfred's death was brutal and one that would not easily be forgotten. I know he killed Alfred and I should be relieved that there would be no more trouble from him anymore, but be it a facade or not, I really held Alfred to high esteem when we were together. Seeing what became of him still makes me wonder what the hell happened to him and why he changed courses. Was he always that crazy but I was just too blind to notice? I guess I'll never know. I'm just super glad that peace reigns again. “What's on your mind?” Ivan's smooth voice speaks into my ear. His arms enclose me on either side as he stands behind me on the balcony overlooking the beach of the private island he apparently owns in Maldives.“Everything that's happened since we got married. It's been a hell of a ride.”“It's all over now, my love.” He kisses
I stare at the back of the head of the man sitting four rows ahead of me. He's yelling at someone over the phone. Probably his personal assistant, Pietro. Poor guy. He must sense that he's being watched because he turns and looks straight at me. I don't break eye contact, though. I stare at him head-on like he taught me to. He doesn't say another word to Pietro, except to stare at me intently… like he's looking into my soul through my eyeballs. I break out into a sweat from nervousness because I am no longer comfortable. We've been staring at each other for a minute now. I'm about to give up when he smiles and breaks eye contact. I'm jumping internally but I don't smile back at him. He doesn't deserve my smile. "What did he do to you this time?" Antonio, my older brother, sits beside me. He knows damn well why my mood is sour. It's always like this whenever I'm in the same room with our father. Well… not a room per say. We're sitting at the airport waiting for the go ahead from our
Four hours later, we arrive the capital of Russia, Moscow. It's a big and gorgeous city. If it were under normal circumstances, I would have definitely loved to tour this place. It has always been a dream to visit St. Basil's Cathedral, The Kremlin, amongst other historical sites. But I'm only here for… business. Fuck my life. Antonio tries for the umpteenth time to start a conversation with me in the car but I ignore the coward. I should feel bad for insulting him in my head but I don't. He deserves more than an insult. So much for being my bodyguard. "Where are we going? I direct my question at no one in particular but Antonio picks the opportunity to talk to me. "A restaurant…" I know what he's probably about to say next but I interrupt him. Aside from not being in the mood to hear it, I'm confused on why we're going to a restaurant instead of the home of my potential husband. "We'll be picked up from there, il mio bambino" My dad says, as if reading my mind. The car goes qui
"Girl, he what?!" One of my best friends, Andrea exclaims. So far she's been the only one actually saying any words. Sophie and Kim are still dumbfounded just like I was last week. I called the girls out for lunch mostly because it was high time we had our monthly meetup. We're seated on the roof top of an exquisite restaurant having lunch and catching up on life like we usually do monthly. It has been six months since we all graduated from college, and because everyone has real life things going on in our lives, meeting up has been a little bit difficult. It's either I and Andrea are present in New York when Sophie and Kim aren't or it's vice versa. On occasions like that, whoever isn't physically present, joins us virtually. Currently Kim isn't present so she's on a video call having lunch on the other end. "Please tell me you have a picture." Sophie looks at me. "And risk my phone being contaminated? No, thank you." I reply seriously. "His name then?" Kim asks from over the phon
A knock on my office door pulls me out of my fumbled thoughts. I mutter a "come in" and Nikolai, my personal guard and trusted man walks in with Pavel, another of my most trusted men, and my younger brother, Lev, right behind him. “Did he talk yet?” I inquire from Nikolai and Pavel as Lev walks to the window with a blunt between his lips, indicating how stressed he must be. We're both alike in more ways than we'd like to admit. "Not yet, boss. Whoever he works for sure pays him well." "Doesn't look like he can hold on much longer, though." Pavel chips in. "See if you can push harder, if not just finish him off and dump him where you left the other two last week." They both nod and exit my office while I think about the next line of action to take. Just over a month ago, four consignments of valuable goods were stolen from the port upon arrival. Those goods cost millions to purchase and ship from South Africa. When I heard that my goods went missing I drove down there to confirm it
This morning Antonio told me we'll be having dinner with the Dmitry's later today. I don't know what he and dad has with keeping me up to speed on instances like this. Already done with my makeup, I begin raiding my closet looking for what to wear. I was going to wear this really cute sundress I got from shein but when I saw the restaurant that was picked out, I changed my mind. I eventually settle for a moss green coloured, zip front corset dress that has a halter neck. I pair it with my gold heels, a matching purse, jewelries and style my jet black hair in a low bun. I'm aiming for a simple yet classy look and looking at myself in the mirror, I can't help but to feel like I've done a great job. Especially as the dress hugs my curves so well, it accentuates how thin my waist is. The sound of my phone's notification goes off and I go to see if it's my driver. Instead I see a text from Antonio. Antonio: John won't be driving you today. Expect Ivan in a few minutes. O My God! I don
I would be lying if I said I didn't expect Lucia to head out without me, especially since Antonio gave me a heads up that it can be really difficult for her to take instructions. I imagine being a spoilt brat, she thinks she's above taking orders, but in a world like ours where nothing is as it seems, a single mistake can send you to your early grave. It won't be long before the news about my marriage spreads like wildfire, which a lot of people won't be happy about because my hold on the city and Russia will only become stronger after the wedding. Eventually, more trouble will come, and if i lose my guard for one second, I could lose a lot. Including my wife to be.Which was why I told Antonio to inform her that I would be picking her up for dinner today. I intended to use the opportunity to make up for my rude behaviour the other day, but her disobedience only reinforced why I shouldn't have considered acting nice to her at all.I had Pavel keep an eye out in front of her apartment
The next two months goes by in a flash. Like literally. One moment we were having dinner and then the next I'm going wedding gown shopping with my girls. I know the groom isn't really supposed to be around when shopping for a wedding gown, but isn't he supposed to be present for the cake tasting and the other things?I honestly didn't even know what to expect since all Olga told me was that everything concerning the marriage preparations are already being planned out and that all I had to do was to show up looking pretty. I didn't know if I was to be flattered or not on hearing that.Olga's been doing all she can to make up for Ivan's absence over the past two months. She came with me for the cake tasting, and for the first gown shopping; I told her she could just let me and the girls pick out something the next day since we couldn't come to an agreement that day because she kept suggesting archaic looking gowns. I don't know why they would even still have gowns like that in this mode