2. DMITRI ROMANOV

DMITRI ROMANOV'S POV

"You think this will work?" Nikolai, the youngest one of our triplet brother trio, said in his devilish tone.

"Of course, have any of my plans flopped till now?" I said while playing with my Rubik's Cube.

"Hmm... But there is a difficulty: I don't know anything about Denver's house. How am I going to enter it?"  Nikolai said while having a concerned face.

"You don't need to worry about anything, Nikolai! Denver King has gone bankrupt now. They live in a small apartment in the outskirts of New York with his mother, and his wife, Lauren, works in a flower shop while her husband is having an affair behind her back."  I explained.

I see him clenching his fist while the anger on his face is clearly visible.

Poor him, falling in love at such a young age (he is 31), and that too with his enemy's wife.

May God forbid this type of destiny to anyone, but Nikolai has always been different. 

"I am going; see you later." Nikolai said while waving his hand in the air.

I see, there has been something more divilish going on in his mind. And I don't think he will step back after knowing that Denver is cheating on his wife.

Whatever, that's none of your business. I am just here for the plot. I thought while smirking.

"Things are going to be so interesting."

I walk towards my desk and sit on my chair.

I take my telephone inside my office and place it on my ear.

It started ringing.

"Hello! Is the work that I gave you done?"  I said.

"The meeting with Russians has been confirmed; the meeting is going to be led by Jeremy, sir. But there is a problem!"

Jeremy Romanov, My oldest one out of the triplet, a crazy psychopath whose fist and his brain work as efficiently as each other. He is so perfect that sometimes it's suffocating, but he also has a weakness. A woman. A particular woman. 

"What problem?" I exclaim.

"The Pakhan are not agreeing to our terms; they are demanding more for the weapons."

Hmm...interesting. The Pakhan are enemies disguised as allies. It's a mutual relationship; we hate each other's guts but tolerate each other for the sake of business. 

But the Pakhan doesn't seem like an intelligent person, or maybe he just plays stupid—whatever, time will decide its own game. no matter who the opponent is. The crown will belong to me.

"No need to worry, Jeremy knows how to bend people on their knees."

If he can't do it. Then and only then will I step in.

"Okay, sir!"

.

.

.

At dawn...

I revved the engine of my Ducati, weaving through New York's evening traffic. The city's vibrant energy pulsed around me, a rush of adrenaline as I navigated the crowded streets.

As I stopped at a red light, the sounds of honking horns and revving engines filled the air. But one car caught my attention—the thumping bass of its music stood out amidst the chaos.

I glanced over, curiosity getting the better of me. Inside the car, a young guy sat lost in thought, oblivious to the commotion around him. His eyes stared blankly ahead, a mixture of sadness and longing etched on his face.

The music, a soulful melody, seemed to match his mood. I recognized the song—Taylor's haunting voice echoed through the night air.

For a slight moment, our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of connection. I don't think he noticed me, but his gaze was piercing, his eyes a deep shade of brown that seemed to hold a world of emotions.

The light turned green, and I accelerated, leaving the car behind. But the image of the guy lingered in my mind.

Who was he? What was troubling him?

I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the road ahead. But the memory of those haunting eyes stayed with me, a fleeting glimpse into a stranger's life.

As I rode toward home, the city's lights blurring around me, I couldn't shake off the feeling that our paths would cross again.

I pulled into my driveway, killing the engine of my Ducati. The familiar sight of my mansion's facade welcomed me home.

As I stepped inside, the sound of laughter and conversation drifted from the living room. I followed the noise, finding Annika and Alex lounging on the couch.

"...and it's this week!" Annika exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm the opener for the show!

Alex's eyes were unsurprised, and his voice was laced with boredom. "That's amazing, Annika! Congratulations!"

Annika beamed. "This is huge for me. NYC Fashion Week is the biggest event of the year."

I cleared my throat, announcing my presence. "Hey, guys."

Annika turned to me, her smile unwavering. "D! You have to come to Fashion Week. It's this weekend. Everyone has to be there to support me."

I raised an eyebrow. "Everyone?"

Alex intervened. "Yeah, Dmitri. We're all going. It's supposedly a big deal for Annika."

Annika's eyes locked onto mine, pleading. "Please, D. I need my family there. It'll mean the world to me."

I couldn't resist her enthusiasm. "Of course, I'll be there. We'll all be there to support you."

Annika squealed, jumping up to hug me. "Thank you, D.

As I hugged her back, I caught Alex's little smile. He seemed genuinely happy for Annika.

"Who's the designer?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"SPENCER HAYES," Annika replied, releasing me. "He's one of the biggest names in American fashion history."

I have heard this name a lot in the fashion industry but never got the chance to meet him in person.

I nodded, impressed. "You're in good hands."

Annika's face glowed with determination. "I'm going to nail this, D. Just watch me."

I smiled, confident in her abilities.  "I have no doubt you will."

Annika is an A-lister model in her industry; she has many connections in the industry in foreign lands too. If she is excited for this event. It must be a huge event for her career.

The conversation flowed easily after that, centered around Annika's preparations and expectations for Fashion Week.

As I listened, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in Annika's accomplishments. She'd come a long way since joining our family.

And now, it was time to support her on the biggest stage of her career.

As the dawn wore on, Annika's excitement became contagious. Alex and I found ourselves caught up in her enthusiasm, discussing everything from runway walks to designer gowns.

"D, you need to wear something stylish," Annika instructed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.  "No boring suits, okay?"

I chuckled, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "I promise, Annika. I'll consult with Hayes himself if necessary."

Alex snorted. "Dmitri in a designer outfit? That's going to be a sight."

Annika playfully rolled her eyes.  "Hey, D can pull off anything. He's got the looks and the charm."

I shot Alex a wry glance.  "I think someone's trying to butter me up."

Annika grinned.  "Maybe just a little."

As the night drew to a close, Annika yawned, exhaustion creeping in.

"Get some rest," I advised, standing up. "You've got a big week ahead."

Annika nodded, snuggling into Alex's side. "Thanks, D. It means a lot to me."

I smiled, feeling a sense of family unity wash over me.

As I headed to my room, my mind drifted back to the guy I saw at the traffic light. His haunting eyes lingered in my memory.

I pushed the thought aside, focusing on Annika's Fashion Week debut.

But the image persisted, a nagging sense of curiosity.

Who was he?

Would our paths cross again?

I shook off the questions, stepping into my bedroom.

Tomorrow would bring its own challenges.

But for now, I let the darkness claim me, Annika's excitement and the mystery of the stranger swirling in my mind.