89 Charity Event

Ann Shumilskaya:

Nazar told me what his guy had dug up about the children. Why they never told us they had a guardian, and most importantly, why they’d been wandering the streets instead of staying with their aunt, remained a mystery. Mikhail promised to keep digging for information. And we planned to figure everything out tomorrow, because tonight was the Yartsevs’ charity evening.

I was nervous as hell, because the entire rich high society would be there. And the worst part: there would be Nazar’s father!

According to internet gossip and rumors, he was a very strict and influential man, with a steel character and a dead grip. If Kirill alone awakened horror in me, then meeting Oleg Yartsev made me genuinely afraid I’d faint.

Before, I honestly couldn’t have cared less about meetings and introductions with different people, no matter how unpleasant or intimidating they were. But now Nazar and I were together, planning a future together, which meant his family mattered and somehow I needed to find common ground with them. That’s why I was nervous.

The charity evening was held in a rented cultural center closed off for the event. There were crowds of people in expensive tuxedos and dresses, and I’m not even going to start on the jewelry. The place practically reeked of wealth, glamour, and snobbery. Everyone was decked out to the nines, competing over who had pricier trinkets hanging from their necks, fingers, and ears.

But no matter how polished and pomaded the local men were, one stood out among them all: my Nazar.

The stylish tux fit the strong body of the brown-haired man so perfectly, that my knees trembled. He radiated confidence and something uniquely his own among all the guests. Nazar could speak and joke openly and bluntly, which sharply distinguished him from everyone else trying to flatter and fake their way through the evening.

“Don’t worry. Just be yourself,” my beloved whispered into my ear, smiling his dazzling smile while wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Easy for you to say,” I sighed. “You’re used to events like this.”

“You can have a pretty damn good time at these things too,” he laughed. “I always liked smashing arrogant people in the face with the truth at events like this. Their expressions are a separate kind of pleasure. Though that’s probably why I was never considered one of the desirable bachelors.”

“Oh please,” I looked at the man as we walked inside. “You’re very attractive.” And that was putting it mildly.

“It’s not about looks. Or even money,” my man laughed. “It’s about reputation. Kirill and I are identical twins. Crowds of girls lined up around him trying to charm him and drag him into marriage. He was the perfect bachelor. Me, though? They tried to avoid me like the plague,” Yartsev laughed deeply. “Well… unless they planned on ending up under me in bed, of course.”

“You’re awful!” I laughed too, looking at the handsome bastard completely smitten.

“And completely yours!” Like a satisfied cat, Nazar quickly kissed my lips, but got a little too carried away until we heard a pointed cough.

“Nazar, perhaps we’ll finally greet each other properly and you’ll introduce me to your companion?” a stern male voice sounded, and I jumped away from Yartsev. But he caught my hand, pulling me closer instead.

Several people stood opposite us. Kirill with gorgeous Vicky, and an older man accompanied by a pleasant woman with very kind eyes full of amusement. There was no way I wouldn’t recognize that man, and my legs shook from fear.