Chapter 4

Anastasya's POV. 

Only few things compared to the sight of the all powerful Don Massimo speechless, as he watched me come down the flight of stairs. I couldn't resist dropping one snarky remark as I passed him, not waiting for his reply as I headed out to where I knew a car was waiting for us. I had found an invitation from his mother to a dinner party when I returned to my room earlier, along with a hideous green dress in a garment bag on my bed. 

Too bad, I always did the unexpected. 

We rode in silence until we reached the hotel, my gaze fixed on the city beyond the windows as the car rolled by. All the sights were still new to me, and I greedily took in the sights and sounds of the city. 

We stopped in front of a grand hotel, a valet coming to usher us into the resplendent interior. Massimo placed a hand on my lower back as we approached the ballroom where the dinner was being held, it's weight against me unfamiliar, but comfortable. 

“You've been awfully quiet,” I noted as we drew closer, and I could hear faints sounds of music. 

“And that concerns you how?” He asked gruffly. 

“I'm just worried, I can't have a mute for a husband.” I said and strode ahead of him, shaking off his hold on me. 

We finally reached the ballroom, and just as we reached the giant double doors, they opened from the inside to reveal numerous pairs of eyes staring back at us. 

“A united front. Don't you think, wife?” 

Massimo said just as he grabbed my hand and walked into the room.

The chatter resumed and people started conversing with each other once again, but the occasional gaze still flicked towards our direction. I was used to being the center of attention, and I always basked in the limelight whenever I could, but this was different. 

It was uncomfortable. 

I grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing server and downed the entire thing for some liquid courage, especially as I saw Massimo's mother approaching us from a distance. The frown on her face told me that she didn't agree with my outfit choice, but I didn't care about her opinion anyway. 

I was here to make a statement. 

I snagged myself another champagne flute, sipping this one more slowly this time just as she reached us. She greeted her son with excitement, but her mood took a total one hundred and eighty degree turn as she regarded me.

“Interesting dress you have there, Anastasya. Doesn't look like the one I sent you, though.” She said coolly, eyeing me up and down. 

“That one was a bit too matronly for my tastes, I'm afraid. Surely you didn't pick that dreadful thing now, did you?” I replied, sass evident in my tone. 

I knew my words hit their mark when I noticed the slight flare of her nostrils in annoyance. If she thought she could humiliate me, she was sorely mistaken. 

I never went down without a fight. 

“I'll leave you two to enjoy the party,” she said to both of us, then turned to me specifically, “Mingle and have fun. But don't get carried away.”

I ignored the threatening tone of her voice and replied, “Of course, mother,” placing emphasis on the last word. 

“If you'll excuse me,” She turned and left us alone. If Massimo thought I was rude to his mother, he made no comment as he too left me not long after. 

I huffed in annoyance, moving towards one corner of the room to observe. I had attended quite a number of parties like this at home, and they all had the same air. Rooms full of self righteous people who only postured on the outside, parading themselves in expensive clothes to hide the ugliness lurking deep within them. 

I was distracted by someone moving to stand beside me, and I turned my head to see Massimo's sister leaning against the wall. She was clad in a black sequined jumpsuit, with her hair fashioned into a sleek chignon. She was breathtakingly beautiful, but that beauty did nothing to hide the contempt in the eyes that were staring back at me. 

“Hello, again,” she said, her smile not reaching her eyes. 

I took a deep breath, not having the energy to spar with her verbally right now. The combination of the curious glances I had been getting since I arrived and the pretentious air of the room, combined with the alcohol I had been drinking was starting to give me a headache. 

Adding on the fact that I was still jet lagged and trying to get my life in order, I was on a very short fuse right now, and I could detonate at any moment. 

“Look,” I snapped at her, “if you're just here to give me trouble, I'd suggest you leave me the hell alone. Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to see my other side.”

It seemed like my outburst had its intended effect as she swallowed whatever it was she wanted to say, but I saw the glint of decisiveness that flashed through her eyes before she left. 

Oh, if she wanted a fight, she could bring it on. Just not tonight. 

I had polished my third glass of champagne and was starting feel a bit tipsy, and I felt the urge to relieve myself. Not wanting to find any members of my new family, I slipped out of the ballroom silently, creeping down hallways until I found a restroom tucked at the far end of one. I hurried towards it and finished my business, retouching my lipstick in the mirror before I left the bathroom. 

I was trying to find my way back to the ballroom when I bumped into a tall, muscular body, the impact sending me crashing to the floor in an undignified heap. 

“Hey, watch it,” I said, trying to help myself up. 

“Apologies, malyshka, but I think you should watch where you're going.” The person said, stretching out a hand to help me up. 

That voice had me frozen in shock, as I whipped my head up, only to come face to face with a man I knew all too well. 

A face I knew intimately. 

My ex boyfriend, Vladimir Koschev. 

“What the hell are you doing here, Vladimir?” I asked, unable to keep the shock out of my voice. 

“I'm here for you, malyshka. I'm here to get you out,” he said, pulling me up to my feet. 

“What are talking about? I'm married! You'll get yourself killed!” I shrieked. 

“I don't care if you're married, we both know it's not real. Don't you miss what we had? Because I do,” he pulled me deeper into himself, walking us backwards until I was pinned between him and the wall. 

“I've thought about you every hour since you left,” he continued, burying his face into my neck. 

“Get off me, Vladimir,” I tried to push him off me, but failed due to my slightly intoxicated state, “if Massimo doesn't kill you first, my father will if he finds out you're here.”

He raised his head to stare into my eyes, anger present in his bright blue depths. 

“On a first name basis with him now, huh? Don't worry, you won't remember him once I'm done with both of you,” he said, right before pressing his lips to mine. 

His kiss was raw and angry, nothing like how I remembered it. 

I saw a shadow move in the corner of my vision, right before Massimo appeared in front of us and tore him away from me, shoving him to the ground. 

“Who the hell are you, and what are you doing with my wife?” He thundered.