Lorraine Lebedeva
"Holy shit." Halette gasps. Rolling my eyes I let myself in and smiled when I saw aunt Nadine in the kitchen.
The flight to France wasn't bad. I slept the whole time so I didn't get the chance to see the view kind of bummed cause it's my favorite thing to do whenever we fly. Father had an emergency call so he couldn't stop by and pay a little visit to aunt Nadine's.
Dante is currently at the hotel where we'll be staying for the next two weeks. "You can't just ignore me like that Lora," Haletta yelled behind my back.
Giggling, I turned around and pulled her into a bear hug. "Oka-okay Lora I-I can't breathe." She gasps as she tries to push me away. "Oh, how I've missed you," I say, tightening my grip around her. "Lora!" She gasped.
Rolling my eyes I let go and she stumbles back, catching her breath. "Are you trying to kill me," Haletta says.
"Yeah, maybe," I responded. "Lora!" I spin around, even though it's aunt Nadine. A big smile is plastered across her face. She has such a beautiful smile.
She reminds me of my mother. With her cherry blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "Aunt Nadine." I greet her cheerfully.
"Oh my gosh, you've grown." She says. I politely smile. "How are you?" I ask. "I'm good now that you are here, how is Darcey?"
"Oh, she's doing well uhm she said, she misses you guys," I tell her as I avoid eye contact.
Mother didn't say anything about them before we left. My mom and aunt Nadine aren't on good terms now. They haven't talked to each other for a while now. The only time they get a chance to talk it's always a hello or 'how are the kids' and that time only happens when it's a family gathering dinner party or Christmas. I couldn't just tell aunt Nadine that mother didn't mention her once, it would break her heart. I know she misses her sister and I see a little bit of hope whenever I mention Darcey to her, I just hope they fix things between them.
"I can't believe I have you for the next two whole weeks." Haletta squealed as she spun around in circles like a Disney princess. "Don't go crazy on her Haletta." Aunt Nadine warned and pecked my cheek before she walked back to the kitchen and continued to do whatever she was doing before I arrived. "C'mon," Haletta says, then grabs me by the wrist and drags me to her room.
She shuts the door then faces me with a smirk on her face.
Oh no.
"No." I say. "What the fuck Lora, you don't even know what I was going to say."
I already know what she's going to ask.
"You want to go shopping with me." I said with a blank expression. She groaned in annoyance. "Fine, yes. Let's go shopping." She said with a frowny face. "I'm tired, so we will go tomorrow." I protested as I threw myself on the bed. "It's only 3pm Lora!"
"Yes, time for me to get some rest."
Haletta dragged me off the bed and my body stumbled on the cold floor. "What the hell Haletta!"
She rolled her eyes and tossed me her purse. "Now get up, we are going shopping."
I groaned. "You owe me dessert."
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Shopping with Haletta wasn't bad. I'm still upset because I was forced to go shopping with her. We are currently eating our desert while planning what we will be doing these past two weeks.
"What about bowling?" Haletta stated as she took a bite of her cake. I gave her an unsure look.
I'm not a fan of bowling. The reason for that is because I suck at it. "I'm not so sure about that." I say.
"Anything else in mind?" I asked. I waited for her response but she didn't reply. "Haletta?" I looked up to find her looking at something else behind me. "Look behind you." she whispered. I turned my head but I didn't see anything interesting. "What am I looking at exactly?" I asked. "That man." She pointed to a group of men.
"You're not being really specific Haletta." I said, rolling my eyes. She groaned. "The man that's on his phone."
I noticed him quickly and my jaw dropped. That's the guy from the club, well I assume I was drunk but I'm certain it's him.
What the hell is he doing here? Out of all places, why is he here?
In France in the same restaurant I am in. What a fucking coincident.
He's really attractive.
What! No, no I did not just call him hot. He looks very familiar like I know him from somewhere.
That's when it hits me.
Raphael Romano.
Holy shit I was flirting with the Raphael Romano. This is bad this really fucking bad! If father finds out, fuck if he finds out that I sneaked out and flirted with his enemy. I'm dead and so is Katina.
I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't realize I was staring like a creep. Before I could turn around he looked up and caught me staring. My eyes widened. His hazel eyes caught mine and I was taken by surprise when he smirked.
Why does he look so hot?
I shake my head, getting rid of that thought. I quickly turned around and cleared my throat. "He's hot." Haletta said as she bit her nail while admiring him.
"I'll be back." I said. I stood up from my seat then rushed to the bathroom. I wasn't watching where I was going so I bumped into someone.
I already know who it is. Clenching my fist I looked up and I was correct.
"I saw you checking me out." Raphael said as he scanned my body. I sucked in a breath and spoke up. "I know who you are." I said hoarsely. "Took you a while to figure out Miss. Lebedev." He replied.
"How is your father?" He smirked. "Stay the fuck away or I'll-"
"Kill me."
"Inform your father the 'devil'."
"You'll do what red?" He said with a bored tone.
Red?
The letter. It was him RR that stands for Raphael Romano. He chuckled. "Do whatever you want Lorraine."
"You sent the gift." I said. He tilted his head and took a step forward. Leaned in then pecked my cheek. "You like it, don't you?"
I do. "I don't."
What is happening? From being cold to flirty I can't predict this guy and why the hell aren't I doing anything about it. I gasped when he snaked his arm around my waist, my body was on fire and my legs suddenly went weak. "Great, your father for me red." He said in a low voice.
Before I could speak up he let go of me and walked away. My eyes followed him until he left the restaurant followed by the other men that were with him.
What the fuck.
Lorraine Lebedeva5 YEARS LATER"Calm down Lora." Abree exclaimed, she gripped onto my shoulder and forced me face her. "Deep breath in..." she proclaims then takes a deep breath in. I mimic her actions. "And out." she says, exhaling and I did so too.My heartbeat was quick, goosebumps trailing up my spine as my palms sweat from the nervousness."What if something goes wrong? What if I trip and fall? What if I say the wrong words? Wha-" Abree interrupted my panic when she shoved a piece of chocolate in my mouth then turned me around as I came into view with myself.For the first time I felt and looked beautiful.I did not want to style my hair. It was black and long as it grew over the years till it reached my mid-back. My makeup was light as always, my cheeks powered with a rosy colour. My lips painted red and my light eyeshadow made my blue eyes pop with a touch of mascara.The dress runs vertically from the shoulders straight to the floor like a gown a royal would wear. Layers of l
Lorraine LebedevaThe aroma of spaghetti and mince hangs in the air when Raphaël walks into the kitchen.Unbuttoning his jacket, he takes it off while his eyes scan over me. "You cooked?" is the first thing he said to me in 4 days.Raphaël and I have been living together in Italy for the past five months. It has been heaven, but I hated that work got in-between our time we had together. When he left for a business trip for days I would be left home and with me it would be vice versa.These 4 days without him has been awful. I missed him when he wrapped me around his arms. Home did not feel like home without him being near me but I have grown close with the Romano's they have accepted me in like their own. Flavio and I would always hang out whenever I visited the Romano's. Abree and I eventually tolerated each other and grew close over these past few months.I can actually call her my friend.Raphaël's parents treat me like I'm their own daughter which makes my heart melt. They finally
Lorraine LebedevaToday is the day.Just calm Lorraine. You can do this..."Hey..." a soft voice pulled me out of my trance. I lift my head and I meet his gaze. "I'll be by your side okay. Just remember to hold your head up high because you are the queen of the Bratva and will always be my queen." Raphaël reassured me.Warmth filled my chest. Raphaël leaned in, placing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Plus, whoever tries to cross the line with you I will fucking destroy them."I let out a small laugh. "Thank you...?" I trailed off.Once the SUV pulled up in-front of a skyscraper I took the building in aware. I was definitely not expecting this... I must my admit Simeon had a taste for modern architecture.As we pulled into the driveway, I'm helped out of the care even though I can manage on my own. I've given up scolding Raphaël whenever he tried to help with things I'm capable of doing. This man does not listen to me. He placed his hand on my lower back as we walked into the building
Lorraine LebedevaIt was raining.My eyes focused on the grave 16 feet away from me as I sat in the car. It's going to be my first time actually seeing her.I let out a shaky breath and shook of the nervous feeling.Come in Lorraine, you can do this. You have to do this. For her...A week has gone by since the incident with Simeon. Dante tried to escape but Simeon's- my men caught him along the way. I'm going to save him for something special.Raphaël and I agreed that we will not take down the house Bratva instead we will expand the territory and finally sign a peace treaty to end the feud that has been going on between the Russian and Italians. It's time for something new to be born. I will leading the Brava under the knowledge that Simeon has forced me to know. Organized crime groups exist in many countries, but the most powerful groups are Russian and Italian mafia. There is a great difference between origins and predispositions of the Italian and Russian organized crime groups. s
Lorraine LebedevJust as I casually walk by a set of sliding doors, I see a group of men gathering around three parked SUVs. I knew something was up. Simeon was not home, he left five days ago due to an emergency.Just as Raphaël promised, I was on the lookout for anyone who might be sent by Raphaël and I have spotted all five. They are either cleaners or gardeners who were replaced.Josephine and I talked two days ago as she explained the plan for me. Raphaël managed to wreck one of Simeon's biggest shipments of the year from the Irish which cost Simeon over half a billion dollars of stock being stolen. Probably more weapons and illegal substances. That was phase one of the plan. A distraction. Phase two was to swap around the workers for the house so that they could work from the inside and plus with Simeon being distracted no one really pays attention to do background checks with swapped workers. Simeon will be back before midnight as I was informed by one of Raphaël's undercover w
Lorraine Lebedeva"Eat Lorraine." Simeon demands.I didn't bother to look up as my gaze was fixed on my plate filled with chicken and vegetables."I'm not hungry." I mumbled as I used my fork to move the vegetables around the plate.Silence hummed in the air as I felt Simeon's gold stare lasering into me. I slowly lifted my gaze and gawked at him. "You need to eat." he said slowly, more so you could hear the threat in his tone.His annoyance flared, as his pulse slammed in his neck.I forced down the sick feeling by climbing on the table and stabbing him in the eye with my fork. I stabbed a piece of broccoli with my fork and shoved it into my mouth, his threatening gaze on me as the tension rose by the second our anger and disgust mixed together creating a dangerous combo.Tick tock, tick tockThe sound of the clock ringed in my ears, as the atmosphere darkened.The audacity of him, forcing me to sit down and have family dinner like everything is normal and okay. Like our relationship