《Her Volkovs #Book 1》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Belle''s POV Finally, New York! This moment is written down on my bucket list. Go to ''merica, live in an apartment exactly like in the movies. Concrete staircase and iron handrails painted in ck and a beautiful hardwood door frame with intricate carvings. Normally with two to three stories and the attic being the most romantic ce overlooking the city. Outside are huge trees lining perfectly giving the streets a golden surreal look However, some family beat me to the main apartment so I settled in the basement apartment. I am kind of disappointed but I''m notining. The basement is close to perfection. It also has these concrete stairs going down and just a few steps to the left is a tiny porch where a wooden round table and two all up, colorful lights the size of chestnuts hang around the tiny porch. It''s surreal and romantic. While taking a stroll around the block, a flower shop instantly caught my attention. Some orchids hang in front of the shop and batches of pink, red, yellow and white roses, tulips, carnations, baby''s breath, and lilies are disyed outside. And then there it is my personal favorite, the long-stemmed red daisies. Ugh! They are adorable! I hurriedly walked towards the direction of the daisies when all of a sudden, BAM! N?velDrama.Org ? content. "Oww! Ouch!" Dammit! My face hit the ss window! The daisies are in fact disyed inside the shop and not in the aisle outside along with the other flowers. Whoever cleaned that ss window to perfection should be given a raise. He did a good job in making it seamless! Oh god. I then realized my current situation. I can feel my blood rushing up my face. I quickly gathered my wits and decided to y it cool. I nced from side to side just to make sure that no one saw what just happened. To my utter horror, I heard a soft chuckle from the back. My heart instantly skipped a beat. Shit. My panic button ticked off like never before. I think it''s time to disappear from the face of the earth. I dare not turn around. I gathered all the strength I have left and flee like I stole something. And then, the wind blew-- hard. The next thing I know, my dignity as a woman was shattered into tiny pieces. I wished at this point that the ground will just swallow me alive. My flowy skirt blew all the way up and revealed my panties to the world! A total Marilyn Monroe moment that I swear to the gods, I did not ask for. Gah! As I struggle to hold my skirt down, I remember that I wore the pink undies my best friend gave me with the words EXTRA on the front side and VIRGIN on the backside. Urgh! I''m so gonna strangle her for this! I know I should not have worn it in the first ce, but that was the first thing I was able to grab from my luggage since I still wasn''t able to unpack. Oh God! Strike that lightning of yours and just hit me as strongly as you can and allow me to die at this very moment! ~ Niki''s POV "Do I sound like a give a fuck?! I want the delivery tonight! And don''t you fucking call me again until that piece of shit holds his end of the deal." I ended the call fisting my hand tight in frustration. "Tell Alexei we might be needing our menter." Yuri nods and dials his phone. It''s almost 10 am, a Saturday and it''s Yelena''s birthday. It has been three years since that awful incident. I can still see her face every time I close my eyes. I can still smell the blood that was rushing down her face. She won''t wake up no matter what I did. She was gone. I wasn''t there for her that day. I wasn''t able to protect her. I should have fucking died instead! I squeezed my eyes as I try to erase her bloody and lifeless image out of my mind. As I walk across the street to get Yelena flowers in the small flower shop where she would always hang around, my world took a sudden halt. This could not be happening. This could not be real. If this is a dream, I would rather not wake up. Yelena? I got my answer almost instantly when the image turned slightly toward my direction. A strike of disappointment hit me like a fucking bullet through the heart. This woman looks almost exactly like Yelena. Every perfect angelic feature, every twist and wave of her hair, every single flutter of her eyes. I was snapped back to reality when she suddenly gasped as if she found God or something. She got too excited and walked rather fast towards the ss window which eventually hit her face causing a strong bang. My men and I just stood there in awe. "Oww!" She muttered, obviously hurt. I took a step forward to ask her if she''s okay but I stopped when she looked sheepishly from side to side. Well shit. First, she looks exactly like Yelena and now she acts as clumsy as her. Is this for fucking real? I slid my hands inside my pockets and waited for things to unfold right in front of me. She then shoots her fist in the air thinking that no one saw what just happened. And that was thest straw. I spit out a chuckle in both disbelief and amusement. It''s as if what just happened is not enough. I was clearly up for the best morning I have ever had for a long time. As the beautiful angel was running for her life to get away, her skirt flew up exposing her full legs and her bountiful ass. Clearly, I am going out of my mind since everything around turned slow motion. Her long wavy hair danced with the blowing wind as she struggles to hold her skirt down. I''m sure the fucker Alexei will enjoy the sight of her. Is that? EXTRA VIRGIN? Fuck me. Yuri cleared his throat, snapping me out of my thoughts. I straightened my tie and try to collect my focus back. What the fucking hell? Yuri already paid for the bouquet of red daisies--Yelena''s favorite flower-- while I''m still half-dazed out, dumb stricken. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Belle''s POV Nothing feels like living alone and free! The thought that I can do whatever I want to do without seeking my father''s approval every time, makes me the happiest. My father is as stiff as a dead owl while my Ma is quite the opposite. My mother is very sweet, delicate and affectionate. She can always influence my pa. One caress from her, you can be sure as hell that the old man will fold. This is mainly the reason why I was able to break free and live here. It took some time and maybe tirades of convincing and caressing from my mother for my Pa to let go of her only child but eventually, Pa gave in. And so here I am, living the dream. Freedom! Don''t get me wrong, I love my parents. I would never be who I am today without them. It''s just that this time I want to do things on my own. I want to make mistakes without the fear of my father''s overbearing heart of steel. I want to meet people. I want to share the overflowing love in my heart. Life is too short to be enclosed in the protective shell that they made for me. I cringe every time I remember what happened yesterday. It was so embarrassing. My gosh! Thank goodness all this cleaning up and unpacking will keep me upied. I collected my hair into a messy bun. I''m wearing short shorts and a white crop top with the British g printed in front. I grabbed a sandwich leftover from my bag, took a bite and started to move some stuff. The basement apartment is spacious. It has two bedrooms facing each other, one is bigger than the other. I''m gonna be sleeping in the bigger room. It has a bathroom and a study table on the left side of the double-sized bed. The kitchen is on the right side a few steps away from the main door and the living room is right across the kitchen. The couch is all worn out and I think it''s time for it to retire. Down the hall are the wash area and another bathroom. I finished unpacking and cleaning the whole apartment at about 5 pm. I''m already famished so I quickly dialed pizza. It is not to arrive until thirty minutes so I still have time to dispose of the garbage. I''m carrying two garbage bags and dumped them into the dumpster right across the street. "Damn girl! You fine!" Someone called from not too far. The voice was from a teenage boy. He''s wearing a baseball cap, baggy pants, and a shirt. He''s with five other boys with the same "swagger". One of them is holding a baseball bat. The other one has a glove on while holding the ball in his other hand. They are sitting on the front stairs of the next-door neighbor. "Sup girl?" Said the one in the middle. I leaned closer to the one who seems to be the leader of the pack. "What''s your name kid?" "Matty, and I''m not a kid! I can prove that to you muh." The other boys chuckled. "So you boys y baseball huh.." "Yeah a little... Do you want us to teach you how to y ball bae?" Matty replied all too arrogantly then giving the other boy a hi-five. I hissed at them and acted arrogantly as well. "I bet you 50 bucks, I can beat your ass to the curve." "Oooooooooohhhh..." The other boys said in unison. He now looks at me intently like I just flicked his ego nerve. "So what''s it gonna be kiddo?" I taunt him even more. "Next Saturday 3 pm, on the field." Answered Matty. "Tell you what, if you boys win I give you 100 bucks if I win all of you will be my friends. Yes?" They looked at each other confusingly. "Yeh, I think so..." Said Matty with a puzzled look on his face. "Nope, all of you have to agree of course." They huddled for quite some time. I was was just there smiling in amusement. When they finished huddling they nodded at me one by one. "Great! See you then future friends!" "Huh, you wish!" One of the boys said. "Well, I guess we''ll see about that on Saturday. Ciao!" ~ Pizza arrived just on time and I finished dinner after a few slices. I feel sleepy and so tired of all the cleaning and unpacking. I looked around and I figured I needed to go shopping for a new couch, maybe a small TV and bedding tomorrow. Dn, my best friend''s half-brother, will collect me tomorrow for a job interview he got me at St. Mary''s School for kids with special needs. Dn knows someone from the school so he was able to hook me up for an interview. I am actually not that close to him, in fact, I haven''t met the guy personally. I just knew him from pictures Amy, showed me. She said Dn is a good guy. He''s two years older than Amy and I and that he''s a model sh MMA fighter sh mechanic. Cool huh?! And I must admit, he''s an eye candy but Amy warned me that he''s kind of a yer with the girls so that''s a huge turn-off. ~ I was awakened by my phone vibrating, "Hello" I answered, my voice still husky. "Hey, Belle?" "Yes, this is she." "Hey, this is Dn, Amy''s brother." "Hey Dn, good morning!" I replied enthusiastically. "Oh hey, good morning! I''ll be there in an hour. Something came up so ill just drop you off at St. Mary''s N?velDrama.Org ? content. and pick you up after your interview if that''s fine with you?" "Oh, yes sure Dn." "Great, ill see you then." "See you!" I decided to wait outside for Dn. I''m wearing a printed yellow and ck Sunday dress and wedge shoes. A guy in a ck motorcycle pulled over in front of my apartment. He took his helmet off and saw the familiar face. It''s him. "Hi, Belle?" "Hi, Dn?" He lets out a sweet smile. Omg. Dn is even hotter in person! Damn Amy! Why did you have to corrupt my mind toward this guy, your own brother?! He looks like he came straight from a magazine cover. He is every inch a model but still looks manly. His brte hair is a little wavy and looks like a mess but a hot kind of mess. He''s wearing a leather jacket, a white shirt and faded jeans. "Yup, hi Belle." He extended his hand and I shook it back. "Hi. I have heard so much about you." I said as I look at Dn''s beautiful face. "Yah? Well damn, I''m dead." A chuckle escaped my mouth in response. "For the record, my sister exaggerates stories sometimes. You know just to spite me." "I''m sure she did." "So shall we?" "Yes. Sure." I replied a little bit hesitant. Had I known that we would be riding a motorcycle, I would have worn a more appropriate outfit. I stared at the bike as I try to figure out how to ride without exposing my soul just like what happened the other day. "Hey, it''s okay. You can sit on your side and clutch your arms around my waist. You''ll be safe. Trust me." Dn said trying to make me feel at ease. He ced the extra helmet on my head and locked it in ce. He then taps the helmet twice and lets out a beaming smile. The ride to St. Mary''s was surprisingly enjoyable. Dn is an adventurous biker. He would sometimes cut other drivers which made my heart jump a little but other than that it was a smooth ride. Dn introduced me to the school director who happens to be his friend''s father. Dr. Riley Thomas is a big man who smiles andughs a lot. The kind of person you easily get along with. He read my CV and after a few questions, he asked me if I can start next week. I graduated college with flying colors. After college, I took my masters degree in special education and shortly afterward I began my volunteer work at a public school for special children. I really love kids. I don''t have siblings, maybe that''s the reason why I really like being with children, especially children with special needs. Dr. Thomas asked Lilly, one of the teachers, to introduce me to others and give me a tour. St. Mary''s is a charitable and educational institution for children with special needs. It is located right inside the would be enough for me. This is actually a win-win situation. I get to do the thing that I love the most while getting paid. One can neverin. Lilly and I are in the cafeteria when I received a text from Dn asking about my interview. I texted him back and said that he can collect me if he''s done with his thing. It was almost lunch so I asked him to have lunch with me. I waited for him outside St. Mary''s church. "Whats up Belle? Did you get the job?" "Yes! Thank you very much, Dn! Really, you are an angel." "I know. I know." He acted arrogantly. It just made me smile even more. He and Amy did reallye from the same mother. When I''m with him I feel like I''m with Amy. It''s weird. He''s like Amy with a dong. If only he could read my thoughts. Dn brought me home after lunch. He agreed to help me go shopping for some stuff for my apartment tomorrow. Aside from being hot, he is also such a darling. I scanned my schedule for next week. My sses will only be on the mornings of Mondays to Wednesdays. Yay! So I would still have time for some other things. I''m thinking to enroll in culinary school. I want to be able to learn how to cook. Since I live on my own now, I''m sure I''m gonna miss my mother''s cooking. I tried to cook once and I almost died from it. I swear, even our dog got sick after I fed him with it. I just realized I still have plenty of sweets from home. Ma told me to give these to my future neighbors. I took three bags of assorted sweets and went first to my upstairs neighbor. A woman in her forties opened the door. "Hi", she smiled. "Hello, my name is Belle. I''m from the basement apartment." "Oh hello Belle, pleasee in." "Thank you." I went in and took my shoes off. "Oh, no need to do that Belle. It''s okay. Pleasee in." She gave me a sweet and sincere smile. She looks tired but still pleasant. Her eyes are like my mama. I already can feel that she''s a good person. "I''m Loraine, I live here with my son Sawyer." Her phone vibrated while in the middle of our conversation, "I''m sorry I have to take this. Please make yourselffortable." "No problem. Please don''t mind me." I replied. I sat on the couch in the living room. The apartment is really nice and pleasant. The walls are mainly painted white and some shades of ck and blue. Curtains hang on ss windows, a firece and a staircase leading to the second floor. There are white lilies disyed around, ced in light pink vases. I can hear Loraine''s voice from where I was sitting. She sounds upset and worried. No, no no Rosa. You know that I would be needing you for a week. No one will take care of Sawyer when I''m away. I''m sorry. I understand Rosa. Bye. "I''m sorry that was Rosa. She helps me with Sawyer but she said she has to go back home for a family emergency. Anyway, what can I do for you dear? Is there something that you need?" "Oh no, I''m just here to give some sweets from back home. I hope you like it." "Wow, Thank you very much." "Uhmm...about Sawyer, I''m free this week. I won''t be starting my teaching job at St. Mary''s until next week. Maybe I can help out if you want?" Loraine really looked surprised. "Are you sure? I mean, I would really appreciate it Belle." "Yah, I would love to help. Is Sawyer here? I love kids. In fact, I worked with kids all my professional life so it won''t be a big deal really." "Oh, Belle. Come with me." We walked towards the first door down the hall. "Sawyer honey, can I talk to you for a second. I just need you to meet someone." When the door was wide open I see a guy in a wheelchair. His brown hair is tousled. He''s wearing a white shirt and ck shorts. He has a cast on his right leg down to his foot. "Yes?" He replied. "This is Belle. Our new neighbor. She lives downstairs." He looked at me like he was examining me from head to foot. "Hi!" I muttered, "I brought some sweets. Maybe you''ll like it." "Thanks. Nice to meet you." Sawyer replied faintly. "Mum, may I be excused. I''m not feeling well." "Of course baby. Just call when you need anything okay?" "Okay." He gave us a faint smile and closed the door. Loraine and I went back to the living room to continue our conversation. She told me that Sawyer was a college football quarterback. He studies in Boston. He figured in an ident while driving his car. He was in the hospital for three months and he is now recovering but it would be a gradual process. There''s a little chance that he can go back to ying football and that made Sawyer feel depressed. Loraine asked me if I still want to offer my time. You see I''m really not that good at saying no to people and besides, I would be needing the extra cash. So here I am, a sitter of a 20-year-old grown man. I will be taking care of Sawyer for the whole week this week and whenever I have free time from school. Loraine was so thankful and I told her I was d to help. I still have two more bags of sweets. I tried to ring the next-door neighbors to my left and right but nobody seems to be at home. So I decided to go to Lariza''s, one of my most favorite spot in the block, minus the face mming incident the other day of course. A small bell rang as I entered the flower shop. I was greeted by a man perhaps in his fifties. He is wearing a green apron and a hat embellished with small flowers. "H!" He greeted gleefully. When I was able to step closer, his lips parted while looking at me with a surprised expression. Oh my gosh, did he identify me from the other day when I mmed my face on the ss window? "Hello." I replied coyly. "Uhh...What can I do for you? My name is Gonzalo. I own this humble ce." He said while clearing the table from stems and leaves. "My name is Belle. I live a few doors from here. I came over to give some sweets from back home and maybe buy some flowers." I answered while handing him the bag. "That''s mango tart. Try it." "Oh wow, thank you very much. I, uh apologize for the mess. Here let me just clear the table." "It''s okay Gonzalo, no need to do that. I''m not gonna stay long anyway." Perhaps he was able to sense my uncertainty, he tried to act normal but he obviously failed, "I am so sorry Hermosa if I''m weirding you out. I''m just overwhelmed, is all." "Oh, well would you want me to leave for now? I''ll just go back--" "No, it''s okay. Please stay for a while. I''ll brew some tea. It would be a perfect match for these delish treats." I decided to stay since I have a lot of time in my hand. Plus meeting new people in the neighbourhood whilst being around flowers is not bad for the new girl on the block. After several sips, Gonzalo and I are having a fewughs here and there. The man is quite the character actually. And he''s not ashamed of his fascination with the male reproductive organ. I almost spit out my tea a couple of times in shock at his bluntness. "Uh darling Belle, may I just ask one question?" "So long as it does not involve you asking me about a man''s penis." I retorted as a matter of factly. "Hahaha. Okay, I promise." "Go for it." "Okay. Are you in any way rted to my darling Yelena?" "Yelena?" "Yes, she lives across the street. I mean she lived in that over the top, ssy building across the street." "I don''t think so Gonzalo. I arrived here in New York the other day. I don''t know anyone named Yelena and I don''t recall having rtives here at all. Why?" "Oh, don''t mind. I was just curious. That was a silly question anyway." Customers are starting toe in the shop so I decided not to ask further about Yelena and maybe continue the conversation next time. "Darling Belle, please... please... choose any flower you like. On the house. Come on. Don''t be shy." "Really?" "Yes. Yes. Please. Do you like roses? Here, I''ll give you a dozen. These are fresh from Ecuador." "Wow, these are beautiful Gonzalo, but can I have those daisies instead?" Once again, Gonzalo''s surprised and almost utterly shocked expression is back again. What is going on with this man? "Daisies?" He asked. "Yes, the red ones." "R-red daisies?" He asked, almost teary-eyed. Well, now I''m kind of freaked out. He took a dozen of the red daisies from the green container near the ss window while still looking like he was drenched in cold water. "Are you okay Gonzalo?" "Uh, yah. I''m fine Hermosa." "Are you sure?" "Well, at this point I don''t know what''s sure anymore. Can you give me a hug?" Gonzalo is on verge of tears so I stepped closer to him and gave him a tight hug. "Come over whenever you can darling, okay?" "Of course. Thank you so much for the cup of tea and the flowers Gonzalo." "I said a hug, not a smother. Girl sure is pretty but cant take a hint. Gosh!" He said yfully. A fit of giggle escaped my mouth in amusement. He is such a character. I stepped out of the Lariza''s flower shop somehow feeling cheery. It''s nice to surround yourself with naughty people from time to time. I giggled. Look at these red daisies. They are very beautiful. I inhaled while the daisies are in front of my nose. I feel content and happy. Inded another job. I found new friends and a new life in New York City. What more can I ask for? I am overjoyed. I might as well be the happiest, most content person in the whole world right now. I still have one bag of sweets. So where to next? Right after I asked that question. The most beautiful man my eyes have ever--like ever-- set into is just standing like a god right across the street. Tall guy with a perfectly ripped body, not too big but definitely not too skinny either. He has dark brown hair brushed to the back. He''s wearing a navy blue suit with pinstripes pocket square. He has this scruffy beard highlighting his perfect jawline. Oh god, this man is breathtaking. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Belle''s POV I feel like I''m floating. My heart is pounding hard. I have never felt this feeling ever before. What is happening to me? A wave of heat rushes up my face when I noticed that he''s also looking intently towards my direction. All of a sudden, I feel something''s tugging my skirt down. I was snapped from the euphoria when I realized that a little boy maybe four or five years old is the one tugging my skirt. Where did this kid He''s mumbling something while yanking my skirt down. I looked up again and nced at the most beautiful man in the world while trying to y it cool. To my utter horror, I felt something cold and wet on my left thigh. When I looked down again, I realized that the kid is actually licking my thigh like it''s a lollipop. ~ Niki''s POV I have to meet with Dimitri and fix the mess that Marki left. That bastard deserved whatever happened to him. I trusted that piece of shit and this is how he repays me. "Boss, Dimitri has been waiting for you. " "Where is he? " "In the living room." "Let him wait in my office." As soon as I stepped out of the car, my eyes locked on the familiar face right across the street. That''s her. My angel. The virgin. She''s holding a bouquet of red daisies, the exact favourite of Yelena. She really is beautiful. Wait a minute, what the fuck is that tiny fucker doing to her leg? ~ Belle''s POV The kid''s name is Jacob. He is really cute minus the licking part. His mother took him off of my leg after I kissed him on his cheek. While I momentarily lost my attention, the most handsome man in the world is still looking at my direction. Has he been looking at me? Omg. I hope I''m not blushing. I looked around just to make sure he''s actually looking at me. Yup. He''s definitely looking at me. I smiled and waved at him. He smiled and waved back at me as well. What are you doing Belle? Run! Ahhhh! Oh wait, I still have one bag of sweets and he''s technically my neighbour so--seriously Belle? I just Okay. I''ll go there and introduce myself just like what a good neighbour would do. Yes? No. I cant do it. I just can''t. But wait, I can do this. While I was glued to my position and struggling with an internal strife, I saw him closing in on me. Omg! Shoo! What are you doing? I''m going to freak out. "Hi." He greeted, his voice low and hoarse. Gahd he''s too handsome. He has a smirk stered on his face as he looks at me from head to foot which instantly made me feel ufortable. I nced around the second time just to be perfectly sure that I am the one he''s talking to. Yup. It''s me he''s talking to. I feel like everything around us turned surreal. Electric current run down my spine as I continue to glue my eyes on him. Now that he''s close enough. I can see that there''s a tattoo peeking from his cor and his right wrist which I must say added to his overwhelming godlike charm. "Hi." I greeted back. Oh my god he has the sexiest green eyes ever! "I see that you''re quite popr with the boys." He said in a teasing tone. He has this very sexy ent I could not specifically identify. "Ha! Very funny." I replied. "I''m Niki. I live there. And you are?" He pointed at the huge apartment building right across the street while his other hand is in his pocket. "Hello I''m Belle, I live there." I pointed at my apartment''s direction. "I just moved here a few days ago." Geeez.. too much sharing of personal info Belle, shut up! "Really? Well, wee to the neighbourhood Belle." "Thank you, Niki. You have a very nice home." At this point, I don''t know how I can still manage to speak sanely to him. "Thank you." He replied. "Oh, by the way, I''ve got some sweets from back home." I said interrupting the awkward silence that was about to happen. "Really? Wow. Thank you Belle." When he took the bag from my hand our fingers touched and in an instant, volts of electric current run through my body causing waves of tingles inside my heart and abdomen. What in the world is happening to me right now? "Pleasee inside. Have some tea or coffee maybe?" Niki offered still not removing his eyes off of me. "Oh, maybe next time? I kinda had a long day today. But thank you for the offer." Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh! I feel like I''m running out of breath. "Okay, next time then." "I have to go. Nice meeting you Niki. Bye." ~ Niki''s POV Fucking hell! I can''t believe she said no to me! This is the first time a girl said no to me. Fuck. ~ Belle''s POV Chat conversation between Amy and Belle. Amy_Lee143: What''s up bitch? Are you enjoying New York yet? Red_daisyBelle143: I miss you Cru de Vil! You changed my ringtone. You''ll pay for this. Amy_Lee143: For as long as you are a thousand miles away, you can''t do that so...Yah, Hahaha! *evil Red_daisyBelle143: I met your brother, he''s really nice unlike his devil of a sister. Amy_Lee143: OMG! You had sex with my brother?! You''re not so virgin anymore arentya? E.....my own brother! Red_daisyBelle143: What? Crazy bitch. Amy_Lee143: So you guys did not do it? Wow, that''s a change for my brother. Well, I forgot to consider that you are the Queen of Prudes, I believe you. Red_daisyBelle143: I''m not a prude! Amy_Lee143: You''re a 26 yr old virgin. Need I say more? Red_daisyBelle143: Can we stop talking about my chastity now? Amy_Lee143: Okay so spill it. Red_daisyBelle143: Well-- Amy_Lee143: Well what? OMG! We''re not talking about Dn here right? I warned you about him! Red_daisyBell143: No! Omg. Dn is really nice okay, he''s hot too... Amy_Lee143: Eww...he''s my brother. Red_daisyBelle143: Hahahaha! Amy_Lee143: Soooo omg the suspense is killing me! Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Red_daisyBelle143: Well I met this guy... He lives across the street. He''s .....he''s like...uhhhhh I can''t even begin to describe him! Amy_Lee143: Did you feel like your underwear was getting wet and your bra unhooked on its own when you met him? Red_daisyBelle143: What?! Amy_Lee143: Kidding. But seriously answer the question-- Red_daisyBelle143: Amylinda Cabezares Lee! Amy_Lee143: Yes, Mary Arabe Galves?....*batting myshes* Red_daisyBelle143: You have no hope, you know that..*sticking out my tongue* Amy_Lee143: Okay fine, then describe what you felt when you met him. Red_daisyBelle143: That''s the point. It''s indescribable. I can''t find the right words. My heart was pounding so hard when I met him. It felt like the world stopped revolving around us. I''m confused A. I wish you''re here with me right now. I''m miserable. Amy_Lee143: Don''t make me cry now B. Red_daisyBelle143: I guess I just miss you. No one''s gonna snap me out of this insanity. Amy_Lee143: Oh B. I can call Dn to give you a huge smack in the head. He''s good at it you know, he''s doing it professionally. Red_daisyBelle143: :( Amy_Lee143: That''s it! I''m flying there tomorrow. Red_daisyBelle143: Don''t be silly. I know Ana is still sick. I''m sorry A. Amy_Lee143: It''s okay. Red_daisyBelle143: I''m sure she will be fine. She has the best, most badass Nurse taking care of her. Amy_Lee143: You know it! Sooo what about the hot guy. Does he have a name? Red_daisyBelle143: His name is Niki. Amy_Lee143: Nice name. Well, maybe what you are feeling is puppy love? Red_daisyBelle143: Haha you''re funny. Amy_Lee143: I can feel you''re grinning like a retarded seal. Red_daisyBelle143: yeah yeah I am. Thanks, A! So what now? Amy_Lee143: Well, just try to enjoy the feeling. Maybe it will just disappear tomorrow. Sleep it over. If its still there tomorrow. Well, it''s really puppy love. Haha! Red_daisyBelle143: Thanks A. I miss you soooooooooo much! Amy_Lee143: I miss you too. Love you! Red_daisyBelle143: Love you! See you soon k? Amy_Lee143: K bitch. Red_daisyBelle143: Slut. Xoxo. Amy_Lee143: Sleep it over and don''t have sex with my brother. I''m out! Amy_Lee143 is now offline. Dammit, that bitch didn''t even give me the chance to get back at her. I closed myptop and tossed it on my bed. Amy''s right. This feeling will eventually go away. I''m gonna meet with Lily and some of the teachers from St. Mary''s at a club called ze. This will be a good distraction. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Belle''s POV I''m wearing a ck strapless dress perfectly fitting my body and of course the requisite ck pumps and a glittery ck clutch for my phone and money. I took the cab going to ze. I have been texting Lily that I was on my way but she is not responding so I decided to go ahead inside, perhaps they are already there. A huge man wearing all ck is guarding the door. There is a long line on the right side of the club. I''m quite surprised that I am able to go in easily. I just smiled at the muscle man and he unhooked the red thingy separating the waiting line and him just like that. It was so cool and weird at the same time. The club was already crowded when I arrived but I was able to squeeze my way towards the bar. And then, I received a text from Lily that they are canceling because something came up. How convenient. Since I''m already here, I might as well enjoy the night. I don''t want this outfit to go to waste. I ordered iced tea since I have very low alcohol tolerance. A few percent in my system and I''m already intoxicated. Thank God Amy was there during our graduation party. She saved me the first time I passed out. Now that she''s not here, there is no way I''m getting drunk. "Hi, can I have iced tea please?" "Iced tea? Are you sure? How about some tequ? First shot''s in the house." Said the bartender. "I''m sure. I''m still waiting for some friends, I don''t want to get hammered early you know." I lied. "Okay, as you wish." "Thank you." Geez, why do I have a weird feeling that someone is looking at me? I instantly shake off the crazy thought and just enjoyed the music and my iced tea. While I''m enjoying the music, a guy wearing a suit and sses approached me in the bar. He is sporting a thin beard and he looks pretty decent. "Hi." He said with a smile on his face. "Hello." I replied. "I''m jrrwdd" "What?" I didn''t hear what he said so he leaned closer to my ear. "I''m Jared." "Oh, hi Jared. I''m Belle." "Belle, nice name. Like the princess." "I''m surprised that you know Belle." "Hahaha! I have a sister and she loves Beauty and the Beast. In fact, that''s what I bought her for her birthday, a Belle doll." "Aww that''s sweet." "What are you having?" "Iced tea." I pointed at my ss. "But why?" He had a questioning look. "But why not?" I retorted. "Haha! Okay. Belle." "Queen." I said. "What?" "Belle is actually not a princess. She''s a queen. She married technically the king that makes her a queen." "Good to know." He replied. We bothughed at our silly conversation. "One more drink? Perhaps with alcohol." He added. "Uhm okay but just one ss." "Okay promise. What would you like?" "Surprise me." While Jared was calling the bartender, the weird feeling was still there. I looked around and noticed that the club has an upper floor with lounges and several private corners perhaps for the VIP. "Here you go. For the Queen." "Thank you, Jared." "Cheers." Wow, this drink is actually good. "You like it?" Said Jared while leaning close to me. "Yes very much." "So who are you with tonight?" "Oh, supposedly some people from work but they bailed thest minute. So here I am, talking to some stranger." "Ouch. That hurts." "Haha!" "Care to dance with a stranger?" "Dance? I thought you''d never ask." "Haha. Well, let''s go." We walked into the crowd. Jared is holding my hand as we make our way closer to the middle. His eyes are glued to me and down at my body and back to my eyes. He now has a very unsettling look on his face. Slowly, I felt like I''m seeing double and strikes of bright lights are blinding me. I can feel Jared''s arms wrap around my waist all too tightly. He grabbed me closer to him not allowing me to move. I tried with all my strength to pull away from him but I can''t seem to find my ground. I felt trapped and helpless. The smell of smoke and alcohol became too distinct. I feel like I''m suffocating. What is happening to me? Suddenly, I felt someone grab me from the back and held me around my waist. "Take him out." Said the one who grabbed me. He has this very familiar ent, I thought I have heard before. Everything around me slowly became a blur. Thest image I saw was that a huge guy hooked his arm around Jared''s neck as another one stood in between me and Jared. And then I cked out. ~ I can hear some voices. I try to open my eyes but everything around me is a blinding white. I flicker my eyes, even more, to see in blur an old man wearing white and it seems like he is talking to me. "How are you feeling child?" Oh my goodness, "God?" Wow, I died a virgin. I might as well be called The Virgin Mary now. Amy would have flipped teasing me if she''s here. I never thought I''d go down like this. I heard someone chuckle from my side. "Volkov is right. She''s cute." I tried very hard to get up and open my eyes to have a clear view of my surroundings but my head feels too heavy. "It''s okay. Don''t get up just yet. How are you feeling?" Said the man in white. "Where am I? Who are you?" "My name is Marcus, I''m a doctor. You are in a clinic." "Why am I here?" Then I remembered vaguely what happened in the club. "How long have I been here? " I tried getting up again. There are three men in the room. One is sitting on my right side who I assume the one who mentioned the name Volkov. The other one standing on the other side is a muscr guy who looks very familiar. Yes, that''s him. The one who grabbed Jared around his neck. And Marcus who has now a small shlight in his hand. "Hey, hey calm down you''re safe here don''t worry. May I?" He then pointed the light straight at my left then the right eye. "Do you remember being with a man in the clubst night?" "Yes, his name is Jared." "Well, he drugged you. He might have ced it in your drink when you weren''t paying attention." "Have you not been told not to ept drinks from a stranger especially when you''re at the bar?" Said the guy to my right. I shot a re towards him. Oh god, he looks very handsome. Why have I been surrounded by scorching hot men the past few days? "Who brought me here?" "Volkov. He owns club ze. My name is Alexei, and that''s Boris." "Where is he? Volkov?" "He''s not here. He said you call this number the next time you get in trouble. Like, the next time you decide to ept a drugged drink from a stranger again." The man named Alexei said all arrogantly and sarcastically. He then handed me a piece of paper. I took the paper but I didn''t even bother reading what''s written on it. He''s right. I was careless. It was stupid of me to have stayed in the club on my own let alone trust a stranger easily. I could have been raped or worse killed by some psycho who pretends to be nice. Tears are now flowing from my eyes. I feel alone and miserable. I don''t want to be here anymore. "I''m sorry. It''s just that you should be careful. You''re lucky Volkov was therest night." Said Alexei and he sounded worried and apologetic. I, on the other hand, am not having any of it. I just want to get out of this suffocating ce. "Where''s my purse?" I asked while wiping the tears from my face. The other guy named Boris handed it to me. I grabbed my phone and dialed Dn. My only family here. I was still tearing up when he answered. "Whats up Belle? Miss me already?" "Hey..." My voice was a little shaky... "Hey what''s wrong? What happened?" T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. "I''m okay. Can youe over and collect me?" "Where are you?" Dn sounds worried. "Ill text you the address. Come for me please?" "I''ll be there. Are you sure you''re okay? You don''t sound okay Belle." "I''m sure. Juste get me, please. " "We can bring you home instead. It''s Volkov''s order." Said Alexei butting in. "Please extend my thanks to Mr. Volkov and I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused. I will be forever grateful to him for saving my life. Dr. Marcus thank you very much. Please just send the check to me for the bill." "Oh no, Volkov took care of it. He owns this clinic so you don''t have to worry." Dr. Marcus taps my shoulder and left the room. I will have to thank Mr. Volkov personally. He must be a very nice person or maybe he''s just worried about the reputation of his club, either way, I should pay him a visit soon. As of now, I have to go, I don''t want to stay here any longer. A few minutester, Dn came barging in. He''s still sporting a rugged look with his leather jacket but he has a fresh cut on his left brow. He looked like he got into a fight. "Hey what happened." Asked Dn worriedly."Are you okay? What happened? You know Amy''s gonna kill me if anything bad happens to you right?" "I''m okay." I try to give him assurance. "Nothing really, I''m okay I just felt dizzy, maybe its the weather, that''s all." Dn noticed the presence of Alexei and Boris. He now has this questioning look on his face. "I''m Alexei." "Dn." They shook hands but they are looking at each other like their measuring up each other''s guts. "Uh, yah they are just checking up on me." I interrupted them abruptly. I feel bad for not telling Dn the truth but he should not know what happened or else he will tell Amy. "Can we go now?" I said impatiently. Dammit, I feel like I''m carrying a huge rock on my head. "Okay. Can you stand?" "Yes." "Are you sure?" "Yes. I wanna go home now Dn." I bid goodbye to Alexei and Boris, and once again thanked them for everything. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Belle''s POV Loraine already left for a business trip in Hawaii. So far, Sawyer has been keeping himself in his room. Thank goodness Loraine left us food in the refrigerator good for one week. She told me we can also have restaurant take out depending on Sawyer. Having to look after Sawyer is a good distraction to whatever happened the other night. It took some time for the headache to disappear. Dn has been consistently checking up on me. The man has called three times in a span of 5 hours. I swear that guy is as tenacious as his sister. They are both overprotective too. He surely is Amy with a dong. I noticed that Sawyer has been really quiet for quite some time now. The door to his room his half-open already. "Sawyer, can Ie in?" He just nodded. "Do you need anything?" "None at the moment." Sawyer said nkly while glued to theputer screen. "I made sandwiches for both of us. And some cranberry juice too. This is good for you." I said with glee. "I''m crippled, not feverish." Sawyer retorted. "Whether a person is crippled or feverish, he still needs to eat. And please stop calling yourself crippled." He lets out a sigh of frustration and looks at me in the eyes. "I''m hungry Sawyer, and I don''t like eating alone. Come on!" "You know you are whiny and needy." "I am not! Although the needy part, I''m not sure yet. I''m just really really hungry." I''m actually not hungry, not at all. I just needed to engage Sawyer and I know ill get to him. I walked towards his direction, turned his wheelchair to face me and leaned closer to his face. We had a staring challenge for a while. I am gutted to see his blue eyes which are filled with sadness and hopelessness. "Come, ill tell you a secret while we eat." I let him take his own sandwich and I ced one ss of cranberry juice near his end of the small square table. I took my sandwich and made a huge bite. Wow, this is actually good. I''m so proud of myself. Sawyer took a bite and looks like he enjoyed the sandwich as well. "So?" Sawyer asked impatiently. "So? What?" "The secret..." He said while munching on his sandwich. "You know for a guy, you like to gossip." "You''re the one who told me that you will tell me a secret." "I''m kidding." I winked at him. He lets out a smile in response. The first ever genuine smile from him. My heart is instantly filled with warmth. The exact feeling I get whenever my kids from the schools I have volunteered in, randomly hug or kiss me out of nowhere. "I got drugged in a club the other night. Some sick guy slipped the drug into my drink." Sawyer looked horrified. I told him everything that happened to me in the club. He listened to me attentively while clutching his hand in his wheelchair. "What if that Jared got into you. God knows what he could have done to you!" He said almost scowling. "Easy there champ. I have had that sermon from Alexei, no need to reiterate it. I get it. I know I have been careless." "No, just imagine what could have happened if that Volkov guy did note to your rescue." The memory of that night came rushing back to me. Volkov really saved my life. And I haven''t even met the guy. I feel guilty leaving the clinic without even asking for Volkov. Is that even his real name? Where can I find him? Oh my gosh! I suddenly remember Alexei gave me a piece of paper where I can contact Volkov, the man himself. The man saved my life but I have been one ungrateful bitch. I quickly stood up from my chair. "Hey Sawyer, I''ll grab something from my apartment, don''t move." Sawyer had a puzzled look on his face. His eyebrows crinkled while looking at me leave the room. I quickly ran towards my apartment. I scoured through my belongings to find my purse. It''s just around here somewhere. Here! I found it under my bed. I took the piece of paper and instantly ran back upstairs to Sawyer. At this point, adrenaline is pumping through my system. I never thought the person who I''m supposed to help, was the one who made me realize something. "I got it!" "What''s that?" "It''s Volkovs number. Alexei gave this to me in the clinic." Oh god, my judgment was so clouded I even forgot about this. I slowly opened the folded piece of paper. My eyes widened when I saw what''s printed on it, a phone number and theplete name of Volkov. Niki Vyachev Volkov Oh my god. I feel like all the air evaded my lungs. "Sawyer, can you search this name on the inte for me. Limit your search to New York only." Sawyer wheeled his way towards hisputer and typed in Volkovs name. I on the other hand just stood there. Glued to the floor. I can feel the blood pumping in my heart very fast. "Here! Niki Vyachev Volkov, President and owner of Volkov Holdings. I think that''s him." Sawyer said while pointing at the screen. A picture of a man walking in a ck trench coat surrounded by other men in suit. Oh my god! My hunch has been confirmed. Volkov, the man who saved my life is none other than Niki, the Niki I met the other day. "Hey, are you okay?" Asked Saywer while holding my hand. "Yah, I''m okay." My hands are already shaking. I decided to text the number from the piece of paper. Are you home? Belle. Several secondster, he replied. Yes. Are you okay? I''ll send Boris over. Where are you? Oh my goodness. I kissed Sawyer''s forehead and stormed out of the room. ~ I ran across the street and towards Niki''s house. Boris was on his way out of Niki''s apartment perhaps on his way to me. Niki''s home epasses almost half a block. It looks very elegant and old rich from the outside, and I could just guess the interior of this huge apartment building. "I want to see Niki." "He''s in his office." Replied Boris while pointing at the door. I walk past him and went inside. Just what I have guessed, the interior lives up to its facade. Everything inside is old shiny wood, marble, and an intricately designed carpet. The pieces of furniture are abination of brown leather and dark green with a gold monogram V on them. I walked several steps down the hallway when I heard voices in what seems to be the living room. In the living room, I saw Alexei with two other men in ck suit. They are smoking and drinking something from a ss. It''s obvious that I took them by surprise. "Hi Alexei, I need to see Niki." I said barging in. "Hey, Belle? He''s in a meeting in his office. Are you okay?" Asked Alexei while crinkling his eyebrows. "Yah, I just have to see him at once." The door on the right side of the firece opened. Two men in ck suit went out of the room. And the next one who stepped out from the door is Niki. Oh my god. I am so happy to see him. He is wearing a grey suit and looks all too perfect just like the first time I saw him. N?velDrama.Org ? content. "Belle? I sent Boris over--" Said Niki. I did not give him a chance to finish what he was about to say. I ran towards him, made a small jump so I can reach his shoulders and wrapped my arms around his neck. I was trying so hard to stand on my toes. Damn, he''s tall! Niki was able to sense that I''m struggling so he clutched my waist with his hands while letting out a wicked smile. "It was you! You''re Volkov! I didn''t realize until a few minutes ago. I''m sorry I didn''t know. Thank you for saving--" All of a sudden--his lips are now on mine. And I felt his hand on my back pulling me close to him even more. My first kiss. My first ever kiss is Niki! I was taken by surprise but my body just stood still. I feel like I belong here in Niki''s lips and tight embrace. To my dismay, however, he pulled away from the kiss. "I''m sorry what were you saying?" He said teasingly. I cleared my throat and tried to pull myself together from the shock and embarrassment. "As I was saying--" He again pulled me close to him and kissed me the second time. This time, it''s more intense and more passionate. Tingles of electricity run all over my body as his lips connect with mine. "I have been wanting to do this." Niki said while looking at me in the eyes intently. "Yah?" I muttered, feeling my face flush. "Uhuh, you have no idea." He slowly runs his hands on my face and cups my cheeks gently. I just gave him a coy smile as I try so hard to gaze down. "You know you are really cute when you get embarrassed." "So you get amused when I get embarrassed, is that right Mr. Volkov?" I retorted. "Yes, indeed." He answered, still looking me in the eyes intently. "You can let go of me now." I said in a low voice. "What if I don''t want to?" I leaned closer to his right ear and whispered. "There are people watching." A soft chuckle escaped his mouth. "What people?" I looked behind and the other guys are nowhere. "We''re all alone baby..." He added, sounding arrogantly hot. Ah! Everything with this man screams perfection. Before I get carried away again from his intoxicating kiss. I thought of making an excuse. "I have to go. Sawyer is waiting for me." "Who''s Sawyer?" Niki asked with a furrowed eyebrows. "He is my upstairs neighbour, his mom went on a business trip so I volunteered to help out while she''s away." "Hmm--have dinner with me tonight?" He asked obviously not being responsive to myst statement. Oh my gosh. Is he asking me on a date? Geee I sure am getting ahead of myself right now. Even if I''m squealing inside, I still try to y it cool. "Uhm I can''t go too far from the apartment. Sawyer might be needing me. How bout pizza in my apartment at seven? "Hmmm okay." He replied, his dark green eyes still looking at me intently. Someone from the back cleared his throat. "Boss--" "Seems like you have been saved by the bell." He lets go of me and so I quickly walked away from him. "Uhh..See youter." I said while I look back at him. Little did he know that my heart is already doing the jumping jacks inside. Gaah! I immediately regret walking away from him. God, I can''t believe I already miss his lips on mine! Without hesitation, I ran back towards him and initiated a long sweet kiss. He pulled me close once again and wrapped his arms around my back. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Belle''s POV Sawyer and I just finished our lunch together. Sawyer is really nice and sweet. Sometimes he''s quiet, perhaps too quiet but every time I engage him in a conversation, he would sincerely oblige. We also have grown close together. I feelfortable sharing my thoughts with him and I think Sawyer feels the same way. "So, let me get this right. You challenged a group of teenagers to y baseball. Yes?" "Yup." "And you are dragging me to the game even if I''d rather stay here." "Uhuh." Sawyer lets out a sigh of defeat. "What are you doing?" He said. "Getting you a shirt and some pants. Unless of course, you want to go nude, I wouldn''t mind." I said teasingly while scanning Sawyer''s closet. "Here, this would be fine." I went towards his direction and handed him a shirt and pants. Sawyer crossed both his arms in front of him like a stubborn child. "Really? Really now Sawyer? Are you seriously getting shy on me right now? I have practically seen everything except of course the uhhh... you know." Sawyer''s face slowly turned red. "How many times do I have to tell you Belle that I''m not an invalid! I can put my clothes on my own." "Just please let me do my job Sawyer. You know, you''re stubborn like that Tom Sawyer kid from the book. And speaking of Tom Sawyer, that kid is aplete gentleman even though he is terribly hard- headed. He''s really nice with girls too, especially with Becky. So please just be nice to me just like Thomas Sawyer." I give him the puppy face. "You know, you''re the only person I know who wins an argument by telling a children''s story." Sawyer said in defeat. "Yay. Okay so chop chop. I don''t want to bete." Honestly, I really want Sawyer to get some fresh air. He only gets to go outside the house during his therapy sessions. Otherwise, he just stays in his room, sulking. I want him to be around people. Matty and his gang were already there when we arrived at the baseball field. "Hey kids, ready to eat some dust?" I approached them all too confidently. "Okay so here''s the deal, I''m only up for at least 5 innings. Are you good with that?" Truth be told I think my legs would not be able to keep up with my enthusiasm. Since that incident when I fell more than twelve steps down the stairs in one of the buildings back in college, my activities had be limited to non-strenuous ones as per my father''s advice or to be exact his order. "Fine." Matty eximed. While stretching, I see Sawyer smirk. "What?" I mouthed. Sawyer just shook his head in response. My heart is filled with joy every time I see Sawyer smile. I can see in his eyes that he is sincerely happy. I could never ask for more. In the fifth inning, I was able to hit a home run. The ball went over the fence, to Matty''s dismay. They were all in awe as I made the run. "Yay! Did you see that Sawyer? I killed it!" Sawyer lets out augh from his stomach. Oh thank you heavens for this wonderful day and for putting a smile on Sawyer''s face. "You know, you''re really badass." Said Matty as he and his teammates approach my direction. "Well thank you very much." I made a small curt in response. "So are we cool?" "Yeh, we cool." Said Matty. I walked towards Sawyer while the boys went to pick up their things. "Wow Belle, I didn''t expect that you have it in you." Sawyer sounded amazed. "To be honest, I also didn''t know I still have the grip. I guess I just got lucky." Sawyer shook his head in response. "Cmon let''s celebrate my victory. Hahaha." I look in the boys'' direction. "Hey boys cmon let''s go grab pizza, my treat." "Yeah?" Matty said. "Yeh sure. Now cmon before I change my mind." We went to a pizza ce not far from the neighbourhood. Me, Sawyer, and the boys had a great time, time, I see Sawyer forget about the fact that he''s in a wheelchair and the possibility that he might not be able to go back in ying football again. ~ We were almost halfway to the house but my legs are doing it again. I feel like anytime now, my legs are going to give up on me, and Sawyer was able to sense it. "Come sit here, don''t worry I can carry you. I''m just crippled from waist to feet but I''m strong." "No, I''m okay Sawyer." "No. I insist. You have been very helpful to me, now it''s my turn to do the same in my own little way." "Okay. I don''t want you to change your mind." I said all too quickly. I then sat on Sawyer''sp and wrapped one arm around his neck. I giggled when I felt Sawyer slightly tickle my side. "You know Belle, sometimes you really are peculiar." "Peculiar good or peculiar bad?" I said while I crinkle my eyebrows. "Peculiar good, don''t worry." Sawyer is wheeling us both smoothly. He''s right. He is strong. Maybe because of his training as a quarterback. "Sawyer, I really believe that you can go back to ying football. You are a very strong person both literally and figuratively. Mark my words, you will be out of this wheelchair in no time." "You have too much faith in me Belle." "I don''t say words that I don''t mean Sawyer." Something caught my eyes. DELICIOUS BAGEL poster from a small restaurant. "Buy me a bagel Sawyer, I want to try it. Puleeze? I have money but I want you to buy it for me to make it more memorable." "Haha. Okay okay." I wiggled my feet in dness. My first ever bagel. "Thank you Sawyer you''re the best!" "It''s just a bagel." I just stuck my tongue out in response. While Sawyer is doing the manualbor, me on the other hand is just sitting on hisp eating my bagel. I would put some in his mouth from time to time. ~ It''s past 6 pm. I told Sawyer to just text me if he needs anything. I told him about Niki and he wished me luck. Sawyer has been very nice to me. He''s like the little brother I never had. I really think that if I had little brothers or sisters, I would be the best sister ever or at least I would try to be the "bestest". Pizza has arrived five minutes ago. Ill just reheat this againter. I touch my lips as I remember my kiss, my first kiss. Ahhh! I intertwined my fingers in front of me and wiggle like a 16 yr old teenager who just saw her crush. It was the most amazing feeling ever! I almost jumped off my couch when suddenly my phone vibrated. It''s him. I cleared my throat and pull myself together to not make my voice sound too excited for tonight''s kinda date. "Hello." "Hello Belle. I just called to say that I won''t be able to make it tonight Belle. It''s just that--" "No it''s okay." I interrupted him. "You don''t have to exin really. Uh if that''s all, I really have to go. I''m kind of caught up in something." I lied. He was about to say something but I quickly said goodbye and hit cancel on my phone. I decided to turn it off. I don''t want to talk to anyone especially Niki. I can''t understand what I''m feeling right now. Moments like this I wish Amy is here. I opened myptop and prayed that Amy is online. AmyLee143 is offline. Dammit A, I need you right now! I feel like my apartment is suddenly suffocating me. I decided to go for a walk. I changed to my running sweats, pink Nike shoes, tank top and gathered my hair to a ponytail. I haven''t done this for quite sometime now, my weak legs being the main reason and my heavy breasts secondly. I swear these babies give me backaches all the time. Not that I''mining. No matter what I do, I cant seem to shake off the thought of Niki from my head. Did I misunderstand everything? Maybe the kiss was nothing to him. It was just me who made a big deal out of it. And asking me for dinner was just him being polite. Wow, I surely got ahead of myself this time. I am so stupid! Naive even! After almost thirty minutes, I decided to return to my apartment. I am at least five blocks away from it. I didn''t even notice I went this far. As I was nearing our block, I noticed three persons in hoody jackets that are attempting to spray paint Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Lariza''s. "Hey! What do you think you''re doing? You know Vandalism is against thew? That''s private property!" I uttered with conviction. They just looked at me andughed. "Stop it or I''ll call the police!" I yelled at them. "Beat itdy!" Said the one slowly walking towards me. The other two followed him. I suddenly feel like they are going to harm me so I took a step back. "Don''t move any closer or I will scream." "Toote bitch." One of the men spits. As I take another step back, I collided with someone. "Do we have a problem here?" Said the familiar voice and ent behind me. One of the hooded men took a halt and I can see the look of surprise on his face. It looks like he recognized whoever is behind me. He then tapped the other guys signaling to retreat. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Belle''s POV "What do you think you''re doing here at this time princess?" I turned around and I see Alexei, his hands are in his pockets, he''s wearing a ck suit and looks all too dapper. "You always attract trouble don''t you?" He said while looking down at me with a smug face. I rolled my eyes at him in response. I know too well he''s going to give me a sermon again. "Huh! You act like my father. I had the situation handled. You didn''t have to but in!" I said arrogantly. Truth be told, I feared for my life. Against three men, I doubt if I would even have a chance. Alexei snorted. "Clearly you had the situation under control. Okay, so enlighten me. What are you going to do with those thugs who might have guns with them?" "Enlighten you? Who am I, Buddha?" I really don''t know how to answer Alexei''s question. He knows very well I cant. "Haha. Smartmouth. Let''s go." He then grabs my hand and drags me with him. "What are you doing?" "Getting you home and safe. The Boss got worried when he was not able to reach you after yourst conversation on the phone. He sent me to find out what happened. And he''s right. You clearly are in trouble, AGAIN." He faced me sternly emphasizing thest word. I was not able to say a word to Alexei. I just let him drag me. I was exhausted and my legs are tired. And I hate to say this but he''s right, again. "My brother had to deal with some business. We can''t afford to let this one pass because this might blow over us." Alexei exined and he looks serious. We arrived home and my eyes widened when I saw my door. It''s broken. "What the hell? What happened to my door?" He ignores me and continued to drag me inside. "I did that. We cant reach you on your phone. When I came here, the light is on but nobody''s answering. I went to your neighbor and he said that you already went back to your apartment." Geez this man is paranoid. "But my door." I made a sad face. "We''ll have it fixed tomorrow. Sit." My lips parted in disbelief. Is this man serious? Normally I would stand my ground but not this time. I obliged. I''m too exhausted to argue with Alexei and I feel lightheaded. "Eat. Volkov said you were supposed to have dinner together. He can''te but you must eat." I just stare at the food in front of me. Alexei lets out a sigh of frustration. "Look, whether you like it or not you''re part of the Boss'' life now." Huh? What in the world is this man talking about? "You''re kidding me right? Your Boss and I have just met." "Sure but I believe he has alreadyid a im on you." T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. I snorted in disbelief. Is this man being serious right now? im me? "First of all, I am not a property to be imed. And second of all, let me humor you and say that your Boss stood me up on our dinner. Sending a proxy on a date is quite the very opposite of iming." "Something came up that is why Volkov cant make it tonight. He will exin it to you when he gets back. He specifically told me to take charge tonight and make sure that you''re not in trouble again." I rolled my eyes at him and decided not to push any further. I''m too exhausted and famished to even argue anymore. I inhaled and sighed in defeat. "Eat with me Alexei?" "Whoow whoow, I will have my head in the stake if Volkov finds out. Although I can''t me you, I know I''m attractive and all but you''re the most off-limits woman in the whole of New York right now. People should know better." "What?" I swear I''m going to choke this man to death. "You asked me to eat you." He answered. At this point, Iughed like a crazy hyena. "I said eat WITH me. Not eat me, silly!" "There you go, that beautiful smile is back." I hit him with a piece of bread but he just caught it and put it straight to his mouth. I just shook my head in amusement. "Okay so tell me more about Niki." Suddenly the smile on his face dissipated. "Niki was born in Russia. He did not know his mother because his father took him from her when he was a baby. And the old man made sure that Niki did not have any connection with her. Eventually, his father met someone here. They had a baby when Niki was about three years old. Her name was Yelena." "Niki was molded by his father to be like him. He was his only son and heir to a growing empire that the old man built. His father was a ruthless man. He taught Niki everything. Niki on the other hand looked up to his father with admiration. His father died when my brother was twenty one. He was devastated when his father died but he did not have much time to grieve, he knew that he had to continue the legacy of his father at a very young age. He knows that his father''s enemies are just prowling around waiting for the Volkov empire to crumble down. At a young age, he was left with an enormous responsibility and huge shoes to fill in. At that point, Niki became known in our world as VOLKOV, the only son of Vyachev Roustam Volkov, both respected and feared." I was still processing everything that Alexei said. "What do you mean your world? Are you talking about Volkov Holdings?" "Princess, there are truths in life that are better told by the right person. I have already shared too much. Perhaps in the future, you can ask Volkov yourself." "What about Yelena? Niki''s half-sister? Where is she?" "She died two years ago. Niki felt responsible for her death. She was his only family left. He thinks it''s his fault that she died. The media and the police think it was an ident." "What do you mean?" "We believe it was a hit. Same as what happened to Vyachev and my father." The questions in my mind keep on piling. I''m more confused and curious now. "You mean they were murdered?" "We believe so. Let Volkov tell you the whole story himself in time." Alexei''s right. Maybe in time. All I know is that Niki is hurting. I decided to let it go. "How about you Alexei. How did you and Niki know each other? "My father was Vyachev''s right hand. He was the only person whom Vyachev would trust with his life. My father died together with Vyachev. Niki and I grew up together. Were like brothers. I trust Niki with my life same as Niki trusts me with his." My perception of Alexei somehow changed. I suddenly feel bad for being bitchy to him. "Uhm, Alexei..." I hugged him tightly. "Thank you." "Thank you for what princess?" "Thank you for being with Niki all these years and for saving me a while ago from those men." "No problem. And since you somehow have an idea about who Niki is, you must understand that you are part of his life now. And he will be protective of you, perhaps overprotective. I have never seen him like this before. To be honest, your effect on him is quite scary." "What do you mean scary?" "Let me put it this way. When Niki puts his head into something, the man bes relentless. This time it''s different, with you, it involves the heart. I can''t even start to imagine what Niki is capable of. I have seen him lost it when his father died and again two years ago when Yelena died. All hell broke loose. Before you came into his life, the organization was the only thing that keeps him alive but now he has found another purpose and it''s you. Just give him a chance. I can see that you got it bad as well princess." I stood up and ced my te in the sink, I know that Alexei will see the truth in my eyes. Am I really in love with Niki? I remember his touch and his kisses. Deep inside me wishes what Alexei said is true. I try to change the subject. "Uhm how old are you Alexei?" "I''m twenty eight, Niki is three months older than me." "Oh." "By the way, you''re not sleeping here since your door is destroyed." "Hum I wonder why?" I retorted sarcastically. Alexei just smiled. "I''ll have this fixed tomorrow, meanwhile you have toe with me, your room is ready at Niki''s." I suddenly panicked. At Niki''s house? Is he kidding me? No way! "Uhhh well don''t bother, I can sleep upstairs. There would be no problem, I''d be safe there." "You mean with Sawyer? I wonder how Volkov would react if he knows that Sawyer is in fact in college and not just a little boy?" "Who said Sawyer is a little boy? You mean Niki thought that Sawyer was a kid? I did not lead him to believe that. He just assumed. And besides, Sawyer is like a brother to me. " Alexei snorted "Is there a brother who refers to his sister as his girlfriend?" "What?!" "Yeah, that''s right. Your little brother has a crush on you princess. And he was highly territorial about it." Alexei snorted. "He''s lucky he''s on a wheelchair, I would have punched him in the face to put some sense on him." "Alexei, I swear if anything happens to him I would hate you or anyone who would hurt him forever! You don''t know what he is going through right now." "Well?" "Well what?!" I''m confused. And I''m really tired both physically and mentally. I did not argue with Alexei anymore. We went to Niki''s house after I took a shower. He brought me inside a huge room on the second floor adorned mostly with brown and ck leather furniture. The room looks simple yet elegant. The floor is made of shiny wood and right in the middle is a king-size bed covered with white pillows and abination of white and dark green sheets with gold monogram V embossed on them. After what has happened today, this bed is a nice constion. I quickly took off my bra. Uggghh that feels so damn good. No bra day should be everyday. I turned off themp to my right and just a few minutes past I drifted off to sleep. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Belle''s POV My eyes flickered from the small amount of sunlight peeking through the curtains. I was awakened by a familiar scent from behind me. I wanted to move but a tattooed arm is wrapped around my belly. I can also feel someone breathing on my nape. I panicked and quickly removed the arm from me. I struggle to find something to protect myself with. I was able to grab an rm clock. "Hey what''s wrong?" It''s Niki, he still looks sleepy and tired. It was however toote as I was able to hurl the rm clock towards his head before I could even realize that it was him. Dammit, I hit him like a pro! "Ow!" Niki eximed. Oh god, he looked seriously hurt. "Oh my gosh." I quickly ran towards him. "I am so sorry Niki. You startled me, I didn''t know it was you. Oh my gosh you are bleeding." "It''s okay. Good morning baby." He said while looking at me with a smile on his face. Oh Niki, I have hurt you and all but you still manage to be sweet. "Where''s your medicine kit?" "Over there at the cab to the right. The bottom case." When I opened the bottom case I see a gun and beside it is a small pouch with a green cross on it. I quickly grabbed the kit and paced back to Niki. We are now sitting face to face on the corner of the bed. The blood is dripping from his left side of the forehead down to his cheek. I took a generous amount of cotton and put it directly into the wound. "Here put pressure on it to stop the bleeding." I took his hand and guided it to the right spot. "There." I can see from the corner of my eye that Niki was staring at me but I did not let it bother me, I went back to unwrapping the gauze and the bandage. I was able to put a stop to the bleeding and cleaned the wound. I also wiped clean the blood on his left cheek. Now that my panic is gone I noticed that Niki is wearing a white cotton shirt and dark blue boxers. His hair looked disheveled but it still suits him well. Does this mean we slept togetherst night? Was I that tired that I didn''t even notice him cuddle me all night? "Come here." He signaled me to sit on hisp. Suddenly I feel the blood rush to my face. I wrapped my arms around his neck while I try to gaze down in embarrassment. "You were ignoring mest night." I did not even try to deny it I just stayed quiet. I dare not to look at his eyes. I didn''t know what to say. "I was right to worry because from what I have heard, you got yourself into trouble again." Niki said so gently. "Alexei is really talkative." I retorted. It made Nikiugh from his stomach. "What am I going to do with you?" He said, while wrapping his arms around me. "I miss you." Is all I can answer. He removed me from his embrace and he slowly lowered me to bed. "Look me in the eyes baby." Niki is now on top of me. He slowly lowered his head to kiss me. The feeling was just like the first time. It is surreal. "You''re mine. These lips are mine." Niki said while giving me small kisses. "Ya lyublyu tebya." "Hmm?" I murmured, trying to figure out what he just said to me but he just softly chuckles in response. Niki''s body pressed me even harder to his bed. He then cups my face andnded a long sweet kiss on my lips. "You have no idea how much I want you.." I feel like suffocating as the weight of his body squishes me hard against the bed. "Hey, what''s wrong?" "Uhmm, I can''t breathe Niki." I swear I feel like I''m turning purple already. "Oh shit, I''m sorry." He releases me from his tight arms and he rose to his knees. "Are you okay?" "Uhuh." While I stilly on his bed, I notice his tattoo peeking outside his cor down to his right arm reaching to his wrist. "Enjoying the view yet?" He said teasingly. "Ha! I can ask you the same question, sir!" "Hahaha, trust me I have been enjoying sincest night." I gasped in horror. "What do you mean? What did you do to me?" He crossed his arms and acted arrogantly. "What can I do, when I got home I found sleeping beauty on T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. my bed. It''s the opportunity of the lifetime." "Niki! What did you do!" I said, almost yelling at him. "Hahaha! Knock knock." "Seriously? I was asking you a question Niki Vyachev Volkov!" "Just humor me Mary Arabe Galves." "How did you know my full name? I don''t have social media ounts and I''m sure as hell I didn''t tell you that information." "I have ways." He quickly brushed off my question and pinned both my hands tight to the bed effectively immobilizing me. "Knock knock." I let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine! Who''s there?" "The man who ced a hickey somewhere on your body." He suddenly unpinned my hands and went to the bathroom. I opened my mouth in disbelief. "What!?! You''re lying! And by the way, that''s not how a knock knock joke works!" I looked at the mirror and inspected my body for any sign of hickey but I see none. He''s bluffing. He went out of the bathroom and sat on the chair directly behind me. I can see his reflection in the mirror and he''s smirking like a puppy. Suddenly his phone rang and he went to the other side of his room near the windows. "Set the meeting before lunch." He then closed the call. I am now scanning the room looking for my bra. It''s around here somewhere. "What are you looking for?" "Uhh.. something private." "Like this?" He''s holding my ckce balcte bra on his right hand. "Give it to me." My mouth parted in horror when he puts my bra on his nose and sniffs it like a maniac. "Niki! You''re sick!" I yelled at him but he ignores me and continues to sniff it like it''s some kind of a drug. "Hmmmmm. You''re right baby, I''m sick. Lovesick." I just shook my head at him. "What time is it?" "It''s almost nine." "What?! Oh my gosh I have to go." I run my fingers through my hair and collected my hair to a messy bun. "Have breakfast with me first? My head aches." He''s pointing at the bandage on his forehead. I can''t believe he''s using the guilt card right now. "I promise I''ll make it up to you. Now hand me my bra." "No! Why are you in a hurry anyway?" "It''s Sawyer, I''m sure he''s been expecting me like two hours ago." Niki''s mood suddenly changed. Geeez. "I want you to stop with whatever you''re doing with that Sawyer." "Niki, Sawyer needs my help. And besides, Lorraine, his mum would be arriving today from the trip. I won''t be spending as much time with him anymore. And I will start teaching at St. Mary''s tomorrow so you don''t have to act all grumpy about Sawyer." "I still don''t want you to see him from now on." Alexei must have told Niki about his encounter with Sawyerst night. Dammit Alexei! Sawyer is just a lonely kid. I''m sure he didn''t mean a single word that he said about me. "We''ll talk about thister, I promise. Now my bra please? Unless you want me to go downstairs bra less" "Put this on." He handed it to me at once. "Good boy. Now turn around I''m just gonna put this on, no peeking!" I scolded him. "What, no way!" Said Niki like a stubborn child. I looked at him sternly. Niki lets out a sigh and finally gave in. I gave him a kiss hoping it would somehow ease him down. "I have to go." "If you will not do it. I will have to do it my way." Niki sounded certain. I ignored his words. I''ll deal with himter. As of now, Sawyer must have been starving and most importantly he has to take his meds on time. Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Alexei and Niki in the dining area having their breakfast. Alexei: Is this really happening? Volkov left by a girl in his own fucking bedroom. Wow! Niki: Shut the fuck up. Alexei: Hey bro, I''m just saying. I never thought that this day woulde. And what the fuck is that in your head? Is that blood? Did she? Niki: She hit me with the rm clock. Alexei: Unfuckingbelievable! Not even one day in the rtionship and you get battered. Damn Boss. Do I have to call Marcus? It looks pretty bad. Niki: I don''t have time. I have a meeting at VH in a while. Alexei: You know for a man who got hit by an rm clock, you look disturbingly happy. You really got it bad don''t you? Niki: This Sawyer kid... Alexei: He''s not gonna be a problem. I mean at least for now since he''s in a wheelchair. It looks like he''s into her but your girl ispletely oblivious about it. When I took his phone, I found pictures of Belle, lots of them. The kid is obsessed with her. When I asked him why he had her pictures, he told me Belle''s his girlfriend. He''spletely lost it, bro. Reminds me of you. Ha! Niki: I told her to stop seeing him but she''s too stubborn. Alexei: Do you want me to take care of it? Niki: No, I got this. How about that Dn you met in the clinic? Alexei: I found out he''s an MMA fighter. He once made it to the mainstream but went back to underground fighting. He''s under Arkady. We can have him destroyed. Just give me the signal. Niki: No. Not now. Alexei: When are you nning to tell her? She''s been asking me questions, and your girl can be quite persistent. Niki: In due time. Alexei: By the way, Yuri will be back from Boston tonight. I heard he''s got some news. Let''s just hope it will finally lead us to whoever screwed us over. ~ Sawyer is in the living room when I arrived and it looks like he''s been waiting for me. "I have been worried shit about you! Where have you been?! That Alexei guy went herest night looking for you. What did he want from you?" Sawyer looks hysterical. "I''m okay Sawyer, really. Now let''s heat up some food from the fridge so we can have breakfast and you can take your meds. I''m so sorry I got you worried." I walked towards the kitchen while Sawyer followed from behind. "Worried? I am mad Belle! You could have at least messaged mest night that you were fine but you did not! I was calling you but I can''t contact you on your phone." I know it''s my bad, I could have at least called him but after everything that happenedst night, calling him, did not cross my mind. "I''m so sorry Sawyer. I never really meant to worry you. Forgive me?" I give him an apologetic eye. He just stares at me sternly. What''s up with him? I decided to ignore his tantrum. "Cmon, let''s eat, I''m starving." "Why was he looking for you?" Geez can''t he just let this one go? "Uhm. Alexei needed to tell me something but my phone was dead. Then, I went for a runst night, I didn''t bring my phone with me. So he went here personally." "So he''s your boyfriend now?" "Who Alexei?" I retorted but he didn''t answer me, he just stares at me like he was expecting me to answer my own question "No but..." I was about to tell him about Niki but Loraine arrived earlier than expected, interrupting our conversation. "Hey Loraine, how''s the trip?" "It was fine Belle, thank you so much for everything." "No problem." Loraine went in Sawyer''s direction, cups his face, and kissed him on his forehead. "How are you honey? You look upset, is there something bothering you?" "I''m okay mum." Loraine nced at me perhaps expecting an answer. "I was calling Charlie but he''s not answering my call sincest night." Sawyer said while looking at me intently. "I''m sure your friend will call you soon." Lorraine then came up to me and gave me a tight hug. "Thank you so much for everything Belle." Momentster, the doorbell rang. Loraine answered the door and I can hear from afar that she''s talking to someone. I was slicing an apple for Sawyer when suddenly, "Hey Belle, a guy named Niki is here, he said he''s your boyfriend?" said Loraine. My eyes widened in disbelief, what is he doing here? "Hey baby." Niki walks in wearing a dark blue suit and his usual God-like presence. It slowly sinks in that he''s actually my boyfriend now. From the corner of my eye, I can see that Sawyer is looking at Niki intently. Yep Sawyer that''s him, that''s Niki Vyachev Volkov. "You left this in our bed." Niki is holding a cellphone, but I''m sure as hell that''s not my phone. I just decided to go along with him. What is he even doing here? "Oh, thanks." He went close to me, perhaps too close. He grabs me on my waist and nted a kiss on my lips. I blushed and felt ufortable all of a sudden. Dammit Niki, what has gotten into him? "No problem." "Uhm, by the way Niki this is Loraine and her son Sawyer, this is Niki my boyfriend." "You look perfect for each other. Young man, you are one lucky guy. Trust me when I say that, she''s all a man could ever want. Just ask my Sawyer here." Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Niki smiled and looked me in the eyes, "I know, that''s why I''m keeping her and I''m gonna make sure no one gets in our way." Now I know what''s going on here. "Why don''t you join us for lunch Niki?" Asked Loraine while making her way to the fridge. "I would love to but I have a meeting twenty minutes from now. It was nice meeting you, and Sawyer." Niki and Sawyer had a staredown. Niki looks arrogantly handsome, Sawyer on the other hand looked pretty intense. Thank goodness Loraine is not paying attention. "Um Niki, I''ll see youter?" I slowly escort him towards the door while ring at him. He was smirking like he was enjoying the whole situation. While at the door, Niki grabs me by my waist and whispered to my ear. "I am a man of my words. This is what happens when you defy me." I swear I feel like volts of electric current ran through my body the moment he said those words. It was infuriating but so damn hot at the same time. "I''ll see youter. I think my message has been clearly conveyed." He then lets go of me. My body was left longing for his presence. Uggghh Niki!!!! ~ I heard a bike park in front of my apartment. And I think I have an idea who it is. "Belle." "Hum let me guess, some angel sent you here because she''s being paranoid again." "Close enough, the angel part I''m not quite sure." That''s actually funny. I know my best friend too well and angel is not exactly the word to describe her. I let out a boomingugh. "Dn I am fine. You really don''t have to check up on me all the time. I can perfectly take care of myself." "I know, I just want to make sure that you''re settling well, hey what happened to your door?" "Oh some psycho tried to barge inst night. I''m kidding. I forgot my key inside, I didn''t have a spare so I had to ask a neighbour to break it for me." I am so sorry Dn, but I just don''t have enough energy to exin the truth tonight. "Oh, well I am sorry but I am not leaving just yet. I am on direct orders. You know her, she''s too much Belle, you have to let me do this." "Fine,e in." "Make yourselffortable. I''ll just take a shower Dy." I turned the television on and gave him the remote control. Dn removed his jacket and sat on the couch. To be honest, I feelfortable with Dn around. I feel like I have known him for a long time already. Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Belle''s POV When I finished taking my shower I check up on Dn. I can hear some banging in the living room. I was surprised to see Dn, with no shirt on and glistening with sweat. He''s been trying to fix my door with some makeshift lock. I almost opened my mouth in awe, thank goodness I quickly came to my senses! Dammit Dn why do you have to be an eye-candy? "You didn''t have to do that." "It''s fine Belle, it''s just a quick fix, I''ll go to warehouse supply tomorrow to get you some stuff for your apartment. Consider it my wee gift to you." "Aw, Dn you are the sweetest. You really don''t have to do it. Alexei promised that he''ll have it fixed." I quickly regret mentioning Alexei''s name. "Alexei? From the clinic?"Dn has a puzzled look on his face. "Uh yah, he''s our neighbor right across the street." "Oh, you two are?" "No! No no, of course not. Haha, He''s a friend." Geeez can I sound more defensive than that? "Ah, you have found some friends already." "Yup, what can I say, I''m miss congeniality." "Haha." "Hey the cut, did you get that from fighting, MMA?" "Yup. Sort of." "Come, let me see it." Dn and I are on the couch, I am on my knees inspecting Dn''s cut. "It looks like it''s already healing. When was your fight?" "Last week." "And you did not even invite me, friend?" "Haha! You might not like what you will see Belle. It''s kind of a brutal world." "And you think I''m too girly girl?" "Is that a trick question?" I smack him in the shoulder. "Seriously though, you really enjoy fighting?" "Yes. I like the adrenaline rush when I''m in the cage. I feel alive and in control." "When''s your next fight?" "I don''t know yet. It''s my gym who decides really." "Here." I give him the ne my mother gave me before I left. It has a gold pendant embossed with the image of Mama Mary on it. " I think you will be needing this for your uing fights." "Wow Belle, this is beautiful" "Yes it is. My mother gave it to me before I left. Consider it as my thank you gift." "Wow, this is the sweetest a person has ever done to me. I''ll take care of this. Thanks Belle." A ring from his phone interrupted our conversation. "Excuse me Belle, I''ll just take this." "Sure, go ahead." Several secondster he taps his phone and sat back beside me. "Hey it''s my trainer, he needs me in the gym, are you gonna be okay." "Yup, absolutely. I don''t want to be a bother to you. I have been taking so much of your timetely." "You are never a bother to me Belle. Just call me whenever okay?" "Okay." "By the way, I have been trying to call you but I cant seem to reach you." "Oh yah, I kinda lost my phone but I got a new one. Can you give me your number? I''ll call you so you can save my number." While I dial his number, I can see from the corner of my eye that he is looking at my face. "Okay. So I guess I''ll go now." Dn removed me from his embrace and looked me in the eyes like he was about to say something. "Uhh, goodnight Belle." "Night Dy." Dn kissed my forehead and thanked me again for the pendant. Momentster, I felt my phone vibrate, it''s a text from Niki. "Coming home now. I better not find you at Sawyer''s again." Yup, the man is crazy. I hit reply. "Have you been skipping sessions with your shrink again? What has Sawyer ever done to him? The kid is just lonely. He could at least be nice to him. I quickly texted him again. "Off to sleep early. I''ll see you tomorrow. First day at St. Mary''s." "Fine, but not in your apartment. Your door is still broken." "My door is perfectly fine now. Good night." "No it''s not. I personally made sure it never gets fixed. Now go to my ce. My bed now!" My mouth parted in disbelief. Is this man being serious? I am so mad at him! I know Alexei told me to give him a chance but he is being unreasonable! I hit reply. "No! I''m sleeping in my own bed." Secondster I received a message from Alexei. "Hey princess, the Boss looks mental. What have you done?" What have I done? These two are too much! "Your Boss needs a mental hospital." His next reply made my heart jump. "Well from the looks of it, he''ll be needing more than that. We''re here." They''re here. My heart is beating a million times. Secondster I can see that the door is being forced open. "Open the door baby or I swear I''m going to rip this apart!" That''s Niki and he sounds furious. My phone vibrated, it''s a message from Alexei again. "Princess, open the door. The man is going nuts." What is wrong with these people? He did not have to react this way. And I''m supposed to be the one who has the right to be mad right now. I did not move a muscle, I just stood there a few meters away from the door. Suddenly, I hear one loud bang, my door opened wide it didn''t even put up a fight. My poor door. It has been through a lot these days. Niki walked in and he looks mad as hell. When he saw me, he looked at me intently like a wolf that N?velDrama.Org ? content. is about to devour its prey. Oh my god! What is wrong with me? Why do I find a furious Niki appealing? He looks mad hot! Dammit! Normal people will be scared shit right now but I don''t feel a single pint of fright towards Niki. "Does it really please you to defy me?" He slowly paced in my direction. He''s almost half-way near me when he suddenly took a halt. Something has caught his attention. Shit! It''s Dn''s ck leather jacket!!!! My brain suddenly took an overdrive. Oh my god, what am I going to do? "Whose jacket is this?" He held it in his left hand. Shit! Of all the time, why now Dn, why did you choose this time to forget your jacket? Uhhhh!!!!! "Answer me!" Niki growled like a mad man. "It''s Dn''s, he''s a friend." "Why was he here?" "Uhhh, he came to visit." "Visit you at this time of the night? What kind of a shitty excuse is that? You are never seeing him again!" "Dn is a friend! He''s also my best friend''s brother so no Niki, you can''t make me do that!" I said while crossing my arms in front of me. Niki let out a sigh as his lips slowly pulled to the side, forming a smile. "You know baby, you''re the only person in this world who says no to me and gets away with it." "Hmmm. What can I say. You''re under my spell now." I said confidently. "True." Niki shook his head. I then gasped as I realize something. "Hey, did we just have our first LQ?" "LQ?" "Yah, LOVER''S QUARREL." "Haha! I think so baby." "I think we nailed it." *****meanwhile at Belle''s front porch are Alexei, Yuri and Boris.******** The three men are just standing there, overhearing everything. They nced at each other in disbelief. Boris twirls his huge index finger on the side of his head signaling "crazy". Yuri and Alexei snorted and shook their heads in response. *********************************************************************** "Put me down Niki!!!!!!!" I''m trying so hard to wiggle away from him but he is too strong. He''s manhandling me like it''s nothing. "I''m tired, I want to go to bed. I won''t be able to sleep without your sweet smell." "My smell? You seriously need to see a doctor Niki!" Oh my gosh, this man is unbelievable. I gasped in horror when he hit his palm on my ass it made a swishing sound. "Did you just p my bum? Niki put me down!!! Now!!!!" We pass through the front porch and saw Alexei, Boris and another guy who also looks familiar. Alexei was smirking like a puppy. I just hissed at him in response. Oh my God, what have I put myself into? Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Belle''s POV Niki and I are spooning on his bed. He''s resting his tattooed arm around my stomach just below my breasts. I can feel his warm breath on my nape causing small sparks of electric current down my spine. "Hmmm.." He murmured. Niki inhales deep on my skin at the back of my right ear while nting small warm kisses. "I want you baby....." I can feel his warm tongue touch my now vulnerable skin in between kisses. Slowly, I can feel my body flush. My abdomen is constricting like hell in response to every sensation that Niki is causing my body. His hand explores my curvatures. From my thigh up to my breasts. He then slowly climbs on top of me while pushing my body to the bed to face him. He cups my left breast with his right hand and squeezed it gently. His beautiful green eyes are keenly observing every bit of my reaction. He parted his lips a little as his torso rubs against mine. I inhaled deep as I try to catch my breath. At the back of my mind, I think I know what''s going to happen next. Oh god, is this it? The reason in my head tells me to slow down and to stop but my heart is telling me otherwise. While his eyes are still glued to me, I can feel his hand slowly reaching down my redce underwear. It is really happening. Am I going to let go of the one thing I have been holding on to my whole life for this night and to this marvel of a man? "Stop. Please. I''m not ready." The tiny voice of reason inside my head won over my heart. "I''m sorry Niki." "Look at me. You don''t have to say sorry." Niki said as he tries to remove my hands off of my face. All the more that feel guilty right now because of his reaction. Part of me wishes he did not have to be this understanding. Part of me wants him to get mad at me for leading him to this. "Baby please, I can''t stand seeing you like this. I am sorry. Just look me in the eyes I''m begging you." I feel like my heart is being slowly crushed hearing Niki plead to me like this. I can''t do it. I don''t want to see his face and I don''t want him to see me like this. This is all my fault! I shouldn''t have allowed the situation toe to this point. I should have been clear to him about this. Next thing I know, Niki removed himself off of me and walked away from the bed. "FUCK!" Niki yelled and banged the door on his way out. ~ My eyes flicker from the light illuminating through the curtains. As I attempt to open my eyes wider, I see a familiar silhouette. It''s Niki, and he''s sitting in the brown leather chair next to the windows. I sat on Niki''sp while cing my feet on his right thigh. "Where did you gost night Niki?" I said as I rest my head on his shoulder. "I gave you the chance to leave. Why are you still here?" "Did you want me to leave?" He did not answer. Instead, he pulled me even closer to him by wrapping his arm around my waist and pressing my body against his. "I''m sorry Niki." "Why are you apologizing? It''s not your fault. What happenedst night got the best of me. And I thought you were gonna leave me." I removed my head from his shoulder and looked at him in his eyes. Niki is looking down the floor. His hair is disheveled and he looks like he wasn''t able to sleep at all. He''s ming himself for what happened when in fact it was me who lead him to do thatst night. "I would never leave you. It''s going to be the both of us, from here on." I said as I reach for his cheek to face me. "You have no idea what you''re talking about." "I know exactly what I am talking about. If you think that I will walk away the moment I find out whatever it is that you''re not telling me, then you are mistaken. Never under estimate my love for you Niki." He stares at me like he''s longing to say something. "Tell me the truth, where did you gost night really?" I asked out of curiosity because I didn''t feel him beside mest night. A smirk slowly formed on his face. "Niki! Tell me at once or I will think the worst!" "I didn''t leave, I made sure the doors were locked so there''s no way you can leave." He replied teasingly. I can''t decipher if he''s being serious or not. "Niki, you are crazy you know that?" "Did you ever consider for one second to leave me?" "Are you kidding me? Why would I do that? Minus the kookoo part, you are actually quite the catch." I let out a wide grin at him. Niki smiled and shook his head as he squeezes me towards him even tighter. ~ Niki insisted to take me to St. Mary''s even though his meeting is in the opposite direction. I tried to reason my way out of it but eventually I just let go. Niki is exhausting to argue with. Alexei was right when he said that when Niki puts his head into something, the man bes relentless. I remember what happenedst night and I love him now even more. He did not force his way to me. He even med himself for it. I am going to do my best to work this out, no matter what. Right next to me in the car is Niki. Alexei is on the front passenger seat and Yuri is the designated driver. Niki is scanning through some papers while I check my lesson n for the day. I am so excited to meet the kids! I let out a soft sigh as my eyes scan at this perfection of a man beside me. He is wearing a ck suit with a vest inside. Although I know that he didn''t have much sleep, he still looks a hundred percent, high and mighty. Not to mention that face. Damn that face! Perhaps when God said, let there be beautiful people, Niki must have been in the front row catching all the beauty that God has to offer. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Me and my silly thoughts. "Somebody''s daydreaming" Alexei said. He''s looking at me through the side view mirror. I threw him a crumpled tissue paper but he justughs it off. I can see that he is still looking at me, so I rolled my eyes at him and shifted my attention towards Niki''s direction. A few minutester the ck SUV pulled over in front of St. Mary''s. "Thank you daddy for taking me to school." I said teasingly to Niki while wrapping my arms around his. "I love you Niki." Niki kisses me on my lips as he grabs me tight to him. "I love you baby." "Me and you, forever and ever." I said while looking him in the eyes. There it is again. The look of doubt painted all over his face. ~ Alexei: Did you tell her? Niki: Do you think she would still be with me if I did? Alexei: Brother, have a little faith in her. She might surprise you in ways you do not expect. For one, she has been putting up with you the past few days. I mean wow, that''s quite an achievement don''t you think? Niki: Fuck off Alexei, since when did you be a love doctor? Yuri snorted while driving. Alexei: All I''m saying is, give her a chance. The way she sees it, you two will have a forever and ever shit, but how about you bro? Niki did not say a word. Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Belle''s POV My first day at St. Mary''s has been fruitful and fun as I expected. There are eight kids in my ss, three girls and five boys. After ss I went by the church to say a little prayer, when I got out I see Dn, sitting on his bike, looking handsome as always. "Hey you." I greeted him with glee. "How''s your first day?" "It''s perfect. What are you doing here?" "I came to see the most beautiful, most badass woman in the world." N?velDrama.Org ? content. "I haven''t been informed that you wanted to see me." "Haha! Let''s go grab some lunch?" I was about to say yes but suddenly I saw from the corner of my eye a ck SUV pull over. And then I saw Alexei got out of the car. You gotta be kidding me. "Hey Belle are you okay?" Asked Dn. "Uh, Dy maybe next time?" Dn noticed my change in mood. He gazed at the direction where the ck SUV pulled over. "What is he doing here?" Dn looks intently at me waiting for my answer. Oh my god help me. "You said he''s just your friend, why is he here?" "Hey princess I''m sorry I''mte. Let''s go?" Alexei said. Shit. Alexei you''re not helping me right now, shoo! Urghh, why is he even here anyway? Dn looked disappointed in me. Oh Dy, but I''m telling you the truth. "It''s not what it looks like Dy." "Then what is it Belle?" I just stood there, trying to figure out what to say to Dn. "Dy. I''m sorry." Dn ced his helmet on and left me without a word. His bike hummed loud as he leaves me standing alone. I have hurt Dn. I feel bad for not telling him the whole truth. The only friend I have in this ce hates me. I''m trying to call him while in the car with Alexei but he''s not answering his phone. "Where do you want to have lunch." Asked Alexei. He is on his phone texting. "I''m not hungry. I want to go home." "You are to eat lunch, the Boss'' order." Of course. "Where is Niki, I want to have lunch with him." "Business meeting, with Yuri and Boris" "Then why are you here?" "Ouch, you could at least pretend that you don''t mind being with me. It hurts." He signals a dagger to his heart. I know he is trying to lighten up the atmosphere but I''m too annoyed to care. "I''m taking care of his most important business while he''s away. By the way, that Dn, what was he doing with you?" "He was just checking up on me." I said as I continue my gaze outside the car. "Why did he look upset?" Humm let me see, well because he thinks that you are my boyfriend, that I lied to him. "I don''t want to talk about it Alexei." "Is it the time of the month again?" "What?" "You know the blood thing. Girls act like that when it''s that time." "No!!!" "Okay....okay.... chill." I shook my head and sighed in frustration. "Just bring me wherever Alexei." He taps the shoulder of the driver and spoke Russian. ~ Alexei brought me to a restaurant called Dile''. When we arrived, two huge men wearing ck long sleeves were waiting for us by the door. Alexei got out of the car first and instructed me to wait for him to get me before going out. Sometimes I think that Volkov Holdings has too many enemies, which would exin the level of security Niki employs. "Let''s go princess. Do you like steak?" I''m a meat lover, steak is my holy grail but I don''t feel like eating because I can''t stop thinking about Dn. I didn''t mean to hurt him. I have to see him to exin myself. "Hey, are you okay?" Said Alexei while crinkling his eyebrows. "Uhh yah, let''s go inside." The restaurant looks empty and only a few lights are on. We are greeted by a woman, perhaps in her makes her boobs pop like watermelons. I think this woman is experiencing some major backaches at the end of the day considering her skinny figure. I too am well endowed so I can confirm that the struggle is real. Like the realest. Her full attention is on Alexei. Hmm. I think these two are something. This should be fun! "I heard that you wereing so I volunteered to serve you personally Alex." The woman has a thick Russian ent. She was about to move closer to Alexei but he dismissed her by raising his hand in front of her, signaling not to move any closer. The woman looked surprised and the pain of rejection is painted all over her face. Alexei grabbed the small of my back while we walked towards the table prepared for us in the middle of the restaurant. The woman walked behind us and I saw from the corner of my eye that she''s looking at me like she''s going to pound at me anytime. Geeez, you''re barking at the wrong tree, girl! While we are already seated, the woman is standing right next to Alexei. "Your food will be ready in just a while. Do you need anything else?" "I will let you know if we need anything. Leave." Alexei dismissed her. Wow, I have never seen Alexei like this before. "Of course." She red at me onest time before leaving our table. I feel bad that Alexei is treating her like this but what''s up with the act? While Alexei is busy on his phone, I decided to text Dn. "Dy, I want to see you. Let me exin, please" He still did not reply so I called Amy and asked if she knows where Dn might be. Amy texted me the location of the gym where Dn trains. I am going to see himter. I don''t want my friendship with Dn be put to waste by some stupid misunderstanding. Our food was delivered by the chef at our table. And boy, it was the most delicious steak I have ever had, hands down! "Hey Alexei, can we kidnap the chef? Let''s take him home. Don''t worry I''ll take care of him. Please?" I batt my eyshes to him. "Haha! You don''t have to kidnap him. He works for us. The boss owns this ce." "Oh." Wow, Niki owns a lot, including my heart. Aye....so cheesy. If only Alexei can read my mind right now. "Oh by the way, it''s the Boss'' birthday tomorrow, I just thought you would want to know." My mouth parted, "And you''re just telling me now? Oh my god Alexei!" I suddenly panicked. It''s Niki''s birthday tomorrow and I did not even know. What kind of a girlfriend am I? And I don''t have a gift in mind yet. What do I give a man who has practically everything? "What does Niki want? What does he like? What''s his addiction? Give me something Alexei!" "You." "What?" "You. It''s you who Niki wants. It''s you who Niki likes. You are his addiction." Alexei''s words hit me straight to the heart. It is me who Niki wants. I''m his addiction. I can feel that I''m turning crimson. Oh my god, I know exactly what to give to him. But am I ready? "Are you okay?" "Uh yah, I just need to go to the privy." "It''s to the left." Alexei pointed the way. "Okay" While looking at myself in the mirror. The woman in the blue dress came up to me and stared at me intently. I just ignore her, I wash my hand and took some paper towels. "He treats you like a princess now but don''t ever think that you are that special. You will just be one of us when he''s done with you." Oh my gosh this woman, I can''t even. She moved few more steps closer to me. "So you enjoy the beating too huh?" What the hell? Alexei beats women? "Beating?" I asked her out of curiosity. "Yes, sweetheart I can see that it still doesn''t show or is it just good make-up?" The woman said while examining my body, she held my left arm but I quickly whisk her away. "Don''t touch me." "Hmm feisty, just Alex''s kind of girl." I can''t do this anymore. I had enough of with this woman. I decided to leave, and walk away from her. When I was about to go out of the door, she then again spoke "He likes it more when you''re on your knees begging for your life." What in the world is she talking about? That woman sure is obsessed with Alexei. When I got back to our table Alexei noticed my change in mood. "Princess, what''s wrong?" "Nothing, I just want to go home now Alexei." He looked at me and I think he figured out what happened. He called the two muscle men and said something to them that I did not understand. "They will escort you to the car princess, just wait for me there." H said looking all serious. Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Belle''s POV I took the cab going to the address that Amy gave me of the old warehouse. The moment I entered the gym I quickly smell sweat, blood, and rust. Ew. Dn is right, I''m too girly-girl for this. A couple of men are lifting weights, the others are kicking the hanging bags. As I was scanning the ce looking for Dn the men working out looks at me like what the hell is this girl doing here. Right in the middle of the gym is a cage but this one is different, it doesn''t look like the one on television during MMA fights. This looks like an iron enclosed cage. I noticed that there are two men fighting inside. Others are watching outside the cage, one of them is yelling. When the two men inside the cage let go of each other I saw a familiar face. It''s Dn. I walked closer to the cage. Dn''s opponent has already a swollen face but Dn doesn''t have any sign of swelling at all. Momentster Dn wrestled down the other guy and punched him many times on his head. Oh my god, why did they have to invent such a brutal sport? This is too barbaric. The other guy tapped out. Dn stood like it was just nothing. He then went out of the cage and approach the man who was instructing him a while ago. They talked for several seconds more and then finally Dn noticed me. He wipes his sweat off with a towel as he walks towards his gym bag. "Dy, can we talk?" "Why are you here? You''re not supposed to be here Belle." "I''m here to talk to you. You''re not answering my calls." He just continued gathering his things and put his shirt and pants on. He clutched my hand and walks out of the gym like he''s in a hurry. It''s difficult to keep up with him considering my high heels. He grabbed me until we are in the parking lot where his bike is parked. "You are not supposed to be here Belle!" My heart jumped in surprise. I have not seen Dn this upset. "I''m here to apologize and exin." He handed me his helmet. "Put this on." I did not ept it. Instead, I just look him in the eyes. He lets out a sigh and then he puts the helmet on my head instead. "We will talk but not here." We went to a park nearby. I sat on the bench but Dn just stood up. I gestured for him toe sit next to me. After some convincing, the man finally gave in. Why are the men surrounding me so difficult? Sawyer, Dn, Alexei, and of course the most difficult of them all, Niki. Is this really my fate now? "Dy, I''m sorry. But I did not lie to you. Alexei is really just a friend." He was about to stand up, he was not having any of it. "Please Dy just listen to me first. Alexei is just a friend and that''s the truth. I have a boyfriend but it''s not Alexei. His name is Niki, he''s Alexei''s friend. "Where did you meet this Niki?" I told Dn what happened in the bar. He looks disappointed in me but eventually, he forgave me. I am holding on to Dn''s left arm as we continue our conversation. "Aside from being your knight in shining armor what else do you know about this Niki?" "Uh well he owns several businesses." "So he''s basically a snob." "Dn!" I smack him on his shoulder. "Niki is sweet. He''s nice Dy. I will introduce you both in time." I suddenly realize that Dn is wearing the ne I gave him. "You''re still wearing it. Aw." "You like it? It was given by a very special girl." "Yah? I bet she''s sizzling hot too. Hahaha!" "Yup she definitely is. And she''s stubborn too." "No I''m not!" N?velDrama.Org ? content. "Kidding aside, don''t go back to the gym looking for me anymore okay?" "Okay, just as long as you answer my calls we won''t have a problem." "No Belle, you have to promise me you''re not going back to the gym. Promise me." "Fine, besides I don''t particrly enjoy seeing half-naked, sweaty and bloody men." "I caught you staring at me a couple of times, don''t kid yourself." "Ah! Fine guilty as charged. But only your six-pack." Dn just shook his head. ~ I can''t believe I''m doing this. Ah! My heart is filled with mixed emotions right now. I''m excited because I have finally found the courage to tell Niki that I''m ready but I''m also a bit embarrassed for doing this, but guess what? I am doing it anyway. I took pictures of myself on my knees, half-naked, in ckce panties while cupping my breasts with my hands. I typed the caption "I''m ready baby, happy birthday!" I''m going to send this to him on his birthday. Meanwhile, I decided to text Alexei if he cane with me to the supermarket. I''m going to cook for the three of us. There''s no harm in trying, right? Unless of course I unintentionally poison them, then there''s harm. A few clicks on my phone, I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. Oh my god! I identally sent to Alexei the picture I took for Niki. I squealed in horror. Oh god, if it''s my time take me now. Hit me with your lightning, I''m ready to die. Ah! I paced back and forth in my room, my heart is pounding hard. Sending....oh my god stop stop stop...sending.....god help me make it stop....SENT. Oh god. What do I do? Ah! I need to call him. "Hey princess, I''m kind of busy right now. Do you need anything?" Good, he''s busy and seems like he has not opened my message yet. "Uh Alexei, I sent you something identally, you are not to open the message under any circumstance okay? You are to delete it immediately or better yet,e for me so I can delete the message myself, do you understand?" He did not answer me. Instead, all I heard is nothing. "Alexei? Hello?" Oh my god, why do I have a feeling that he''s doing the exact opposite of what I just said to him? Argh! I think I''m going out of my mind! "Alexei, don''t you dare! Hello?" He hung up on me. That''s it. I''m doomed. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 Belle''s POV The ride to the grocery with Alexei was painful. I couldn''t even look at him. I hate him for not listening to me, but I hate myself more for putting myself in this situation. The two huge men from the restaurant are in the driver and passenger seats, while Alexei and I are at the back. Alexei cleared his throat. "Don''t." I quickly interrupt whatever it is that he wanted to say or do. I can feel him move ufortably in his seat. You know if I weren''t so angry right now, Alexei acting like this is kind of funny. "We''re here. Wait for me first. " Of course, I did not wait for him. I quickly opened the door and walked my way inside the grocery. Alexei followed me from behind. I decided to cook Asian marinated chicken for dinner. How hard can it be? I have watched my mother cook many times before, I''m sure I can do it. As we walk along the aisles, I noticed that Alexei is quite the chick ma and old women ma. I swear, they are looking at Alexei like they were to devour him or something, they are not even hiding it. "I''m sorry princess." I still ignore him. "I''m sorry. Just at least say a word." "You...you..did exactly the opposite of what I asked you!" "I''m sorry but it''s my job to know everything pertaining to you that might put you in danger. Niki is not only my boss, but he''s also my brother. I just had to know what made you anxious all of a sudden." That actually made sense. I somehow feel bad for treating him this way. One thing that bothers me is that why are they always thinking that I might be in danger? Is this one of the things that Niki has not told me about? "Did you delete it?" I asked Alexei while looking him in the eyes. "I did." I looked at him sternly while squinting my eyes. "You better!" Alexei softly chuckled in response. "Just a thought, If you send him that picture, the crazy man will bolt like the sh no matter what meeting he''s in right now." I suddenly felt my face turn crimson. "Listen to me A-lex-ei." I pronounced each syble for emphasis. "What happened must be between the two of us, get it? Don''t spoil my birthday gift to Niki." He then acted like he''s zipping his lips. "Good. You better make sure or you will experience my wrath." Alexei lets out augh so I smack him in his arm. "Now let''s go before one of these women bring you home." "Are you jealous my princess?" I parted my mouth in disbelief. Arrogance level: Niki Vyachev VolkovT¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. "I just don''t want to walk back home, you are my ride remember?" "Wow, at least now I know my value to you." "A let''s go." I''m clinging to Alexei''s arm as we walk to the check out counter. "What a sweet couple. Darling look at them. Reminds me of us back in the days. " An old woman and probably her husband are on the check out counter ahead of us. The olddy looks very sweet. Her husband looks pleasant as well. I just smiled at them in response. I decided not to correct her. I noticed that Alexei is going with my n. I don''t want to burst her bubble. The old couple looks like they are so in love. I want me and Niki to grow old together like them someday. While in the car on our way home, I messaged Niki. "I miss you Niki. Come home early please? I''m making us dinner." A whileter my phone vibrated, it''s a call from Niki. "You''re making us dinner?" "Yep, what time are youing home? "I''ll be there in an hour baby." "I love you Niki." "I love you more. Sleep with me tonight?" "Do I have a choice?" "None exactly." "I''m doing this for my door actually. It needs protection from you and Alexei." I heard Nikiugh on the other side of the line. "Be safe okay?" "If I get home safe do I get a reward?" "Yes." I giggled. "What is it?" "A full body massage." "Coming home now." "Hello? Niki?" Did he hang up on me? "You just offered the man a body massage, expect that he''ll be home anytime now." Oh god, I think I have created a monster. ~ Alexei is with me in Niki''s kitchen while his two other men are somewhere. Niki arrived with Yuri and Boris and immediately hugged me from behind. "How''s my baby?" "Cmon Niki let''s eat. I want the boys to eat with us." Niki signaled Alexei who immediately got what Niki meant. "Humm that smells good." Yay, Niki liked the smell of my cooking! I''m so excited. I''m pretty sure they are going to love it. ***********Niki and Alexei''s text message conversation before Niki arrived.********* Alexei: Hey Boss whatever it is that she''s cooking, it doesn''t look good. Niki: How bad? Alexei: Yelena''s cooking bad. Niki: Shit. All of you shall eat no matter what. ************************************************************* All of the men are ounted for in the dining table. I ced the asian marinated chicken on two nice tes. My seat is on Niki''s right and to his left is Alexei while the rest of the boys upied the other chairs left. "Let''s eat!" I said with glee. I noticed that Alexei was clearing his throat and ncing at Niki. What is up with him? "What are you waiting for guys! Dig in! Don''t be shy, I made this for all of you. Here baby, this is for you." I ced some for Niki. I stare at him intently as he slowly slices the chicken and puts it in his mouth. I want to see his reaction. "Hmmm...not bad. The beef is delicious." Beef? But. I can see the horror on Alexei''s face, he knows for a fact that what I bought from the grocery was chicken and not beef. Now I know what''s happening here. "Stop!!!!! All of you stop eating!" Boris'' piece of the chicken was almost in his mouth. "Don''t you dare put that in your mouth Boris!" I took the food from Niki''s te. I am so mad at him right now! He didn''t have to pretend that he likes it! Let alone force his men to eat! "What''s wrong baby?" "This is chicken Niki! Chicken!Not beef!" I collected Niki''s te and attempted to stand but Niki pulled me towards him, before I know it, I''m already on hisp. I buried my face on his shoulder in embarrassment. "Whatever it is that you want me to eat, I''m going to eat it. Most especially if you want me to eat your pussy." "Niki!" I smack him on his shoulder but he just lets out a chuckle in response. "Now, I heard from Alexei that you wanted to kidnap the chef from Dile''?" I just nodded at him. "Do you still want to kidnap him for dinner tonight?" He said so gently. "Uhuh..." When I''m finally not too embarrassed, I sat straight to face Alexei and others but Niki and I are already alone in the dining room. Well, they sure moved fast. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Belle''s POV The chef from Dile'' did his wonders again. We all ate in the center ind at Niki''s kitchen. When we finished eating, I went back to my apartment to take a shower and change to my sleeping clothes. I was still on my bra and panties when Niki barged in my room. "Hey sexy." My heart jumped from my chest in surprise. "Niki! There''s this thing called knocking FYI." "I''m here to redeem my reward." I quickly grabbed my shirt and short shorts to wear. Niki carried me in his arms back to his house andy me to his bed. "Hmm, you smell good baby." He said fanning my ear. I can feel goosebumps every time his breath touches my skin. "Niki, I''ll give you the massage that I promised. It would be best that youy on the floor." "Are you sure?" He said while sporting a wicked smile. "Yes I''m sure. Your body will press hard on the floor while my hands will press on your body on top. Double the pleasure, get it?" I whispered. I took his shirt off, spread my legs while on my knees, and rode his back. I took the oil and ced generously on my hand. I then slowly press my fingers on his head, then to his nape, down to his shoulders. "Do you like it?" I asked him. "You are so good." Niki said while his eyes are shut. I noticed the tattoo that''s usually peeking from his cor. This time without his shirt on I can clearly see that it looks like an image of a head of a wolf. I also noticed some scars, like stitches from cuts and what looks like a gunshot scar on his tattooed arm. Then I remember what Alexei told me about Niki''s father. That the old man was murdered. I heard Niki''s soft snoring. I giggled. Wow, I find his snoring hot. Something must be really wrong with me. I pulled the sheets and the pillows from the bed and wrap it around the both of us. It''s almost two in the morning and it''s already Niki''s birthday. I kissed him on his forehead. "Happy Birthday my Niki." I whispered. ~ "Good morning baby." I was awakened by the sexy voice of Niki who is sitting beside me in bed. He is holding a bunch of red daisies in his hand and he is all smiles. Every girl in the world deserve this kind of wakeup call everyday. I can get used to this. The love of my life, half naked in all his glory, with those eyes that could easily melt even the coldest of hearts, is holding my favourite flowers. I must have done something good to deserve this. "Happy birthday my love." I said to Niki while flickering my eyes. "You know? Alexei?" Niki said. I just gave him a sweet smile. "You got me flowers. My favourite!" "This is also my sister''s favourite. You two are alike in so many ways." He opened the drawer near the bed and pulled a picture from a box. "This is Yelena." He showed me a picture of him sitting on a chair while a girl is behind him wrapping her arms around his neck while kissing him on his cheek. Yelena is beautiful. She''s got Niki''s eyes. I can see why Niki said that Yelena and I are alike. Yelena and I have the same built. She also has long wavy brte hair. The only difference is ourplexion. Yelena has Niki''splexion. "She was the same age as you when she died baby." "I''m sure she''s looking after you Niki. She loved and cared for you and that will never ever change." Niki looked me in the eyes and touches my face with the back of his hand. "You are too good for me. I don''t deserve you." I quickly climbed on hisp. "Don''t ever say that again Niki. I think we are just perfect for each other. See, of all the people in the world, we have found each other. It''s like a fairy tale, were like my favourite T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. characters, Beauty and the Beast." Niki snorted, "You have no idea how urate that is." "Why do you always think worst about yourself Niki?" "It''s because you don''t know the real me." "I think I know the real you Niki. This is the real you. You are you when are together. The things that you''re not telling me won''t matter anyway because I already know the real you Niki." I meant every word that I said. Niki caught my lips with his. "I love you baby." "I love you Niki. Happy birthday! You''re so old baby." Niki lets out a boomingugh. He then throws me to bed and climbs on top of me. He has this mischievous look on his face. To my surprise, he dangles a shiny object in front of me. It''s a gold ne with six small diamonds perfectly lined an inch apart from each other and right in the middle is a gold heart shaped pendant. It''s so beautiful! "This is for my beauty." My lips parted in awe. Is he kidding me? It''s his birthday but he''s the one giving me a gift. "Niki, but." "Open the heart baby." I did not protest anymore. When I unlocked the pendant, there''s a gold monogram V inside it. This is so pretty. I am speechless. "Do you like it?" The word like does not give this ne justice. "I love it Niki." "I know it would look good on you. Don''t remove it no matter what okay?" "Okay Niki, but you really didn''t have." He did not let me finish. He nted another long sweet kiss on me. Oh Niki. "Come on, your favorite chef is here he''ll make us breakfast." "He''s still here?" "Yup." Niki grabs my hand as we walk downstairs. The chef is cooking something in the kitchen. Alexei is also in the center ind, drinking his cup of coffee while holding his phone on his other hand. He''s also half naked like Niki and I immediately notice his tattoo. Alexei''s tattoos are exactly like Niki''s except the wolf''s head. Alexei doesn''t have one. Alexei is almost the same height with Niki and almost the same built. These two could pass as brothers, twin brothers even. Niki is on his phone talking to someone. Alexei looked at me teasingly. I just ignore him. I looked for a vase for the flowers Niki gave me. "Good morning princess." I know what he''s trying to convey. Uh! Alexei! I swear I could strangle him. Since I don''t want Niki to notice what''s happening, I decided to text Alexei instead. | No I did not send the picture yet, so stop. | He continues drinking his coffee while he reads my text. "Happy birthday brother." He said to Niki. "Thanks brother." "I see that you have slept well." Alexei retorted. "Belle knocked me coldst night." Niki said teasingly. Alexei lets out a naughty smirk. I can feel my face blush. "Oh by the way, they are nning to throw you a partyter at the beach. If you want toe, just say the word brother." "What do you think baby?" Why is Niki asking me? "Uh, who are they?" "People I work with, some old friends of my father and others." Niki said while being handed by the chef his cup of coffee. "Uh what time is the party Alexei?" "Depends on the Boss." "Depends on my Boss." Niki looked towards me for an answer. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Belle''s POV We are in the car on our way to the beach party thrown for Niki. Alexei is in the front passenger seat talking to someone on the phone while Boris is the driver. I''m sitting on Niki''sp while checking the papers of the kids. Niki on the other hand have been sniffing and kissing my hair, my neck, my ear, my shoulder and sometimes my boobs. I don''t get to spend a lot of time with him so I will make the most out of this day. It''s his very special day so I just allow him to do whatever he wants, besides I really enjoy Niki''s yfulness, I''m notining. "Your flower smells good baby." Oh my god I know that Niki is talking about the small flower clipped on my hair but that did not sound innocent at all. I heard Alexei chuckle in front. I felt my face turn crimson. These two really enjoy embarrassing me. I hurl to Alexei the pen that I am holding. It just hit his chest. I quickly removed myself from Niki and grabbed the pen back from Alexei. While half of my body is already on Alexei I pointed to him the flower Niki was talking about. "Niki is talking about this flower A-lex-ei!" I pronounced each syble slowly. To my horror Alexei Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. sniffed the flower as well. "Hmmm, you''re right Boss, her flower indeed smells good." This time I heard Niki chuckle. I parted my lips in disbelief. These two are too much! I smack Alexei on his shoulder and when I got back on Niki''sp, I smack him with the papers that I''m holding. Niki lets out augh and just went back on running his fingers through my hair. The cars pulled over. Yuri and others went out of the first SUV and waited for us to alight. There are a lot of ck cars parked around the house. I can already hear the musicing from the beach side. Alexei went out of the car first. I then removed myself from Niki''sp and ced the kids papers back to my bag. Boris went out of the car and opened the door for us. Niki held my hand while we walk towards Yuri and others. Niki, Alexei, and Yuri talked to each other in Russian and looked all too serious. Geez I thought we are going to a party, why do they look like they are going to a gun fight or something? Niki is holding my hand while I stand right beside him. He is wearing a white cotton shirt and loose cream colored pants. He''s wearing sun sses and his hair is disheveled by the wind. Damn baby, why you so damn hot? Alexei is on my other side. He''s wearing a button down white shirt and the same loose cream colored pants. If I did not know better, I would think that these two are biological brothers. When we entered the beach house, there are a few men and women our age and some perhaps a little older than us are talking and drinking. The moment they saw Niki, they all froze as if they saw God. All eyes are glued on Niki and his entourage. The look on their faces is puzzling. It''s like a mix of awe and fear at the same time. Is Niki that frightening as a boss? Niki on the other hand seems used to the attention he attracts. He continued clutching my hand and walked towards a room reserved for us. "Baby, listen to me. You dont talk to anyone except to me, Alexei, Yuri and Boris. Okay?" "But why?" "Just trust me on this?" Niki''s eyes are pleading. It looks like it''s really important to him. "Okay." "The ne looks perfect on you. Never take this away from you no matter how much you hate me in the future, okay?" He rubs the heart shaped pendant with his fingers. "Why would you say that Niki?" He did not answer me. He just looks me in the eyes. "Fine, I promise not to remove this no matter how much I hate you." "Good girl." Niki said before nting a long sweet kiss on my lips. We went out of the room and walked the hallway towards the beach. Yuri and the boys are walking ahead of us while Alexei is behind me and Niki. The beach looks beautiful but not as beautiful as the ones from back home. There are at least seven Yachts not too far from the beach side and several small boats. One Yacht is very prominent, it''s the biggest and it''s named after Yelena. The tables, chairs and tents are all white. There are people ying volleyball, others are having barbecue, some are dancing, drinking and sun bathing. Now this is a party. There are several tents a few feet apart from each other. One thing I noticed is that most of the people on the big tents are people in their forties and older. There are a several women in the big tents but majority are old, balding men. There are also rectangr tables with beach umbres lined beside the big tents. Wow, Niki sure has a hugework of people. As we walk towards the tent where Yuri and others are now surrounding, I can see the same reaction on the peoples faces. Some try to hide it but it''s quite obvious who they are looking and talking about. It''s like the world stopped revolving in the beach when we arrived. An old man wearing a fedora and a suspender called on Niki. I can see Niki greeted him with a smile. I did not understand a single word in their conversation. Niki sounded like he excused himself to the old man and faced me and Alexei. He then lets go of my hand and grabbed me towards him. "Baby, Alexei will take you to our tent." I just nodded at him. Alexei and I went to the biggest tent in the beach. There''s a table full of food and a cake in the back portion of the tent and three beach chairs in front. Alexei pointed me to the middle chair. I sat on it and took my sunblock from my bag. Niki is at one of the bigger tent talking to some men. I can see the girls around ogling him. I cant me them though, my Niki has the same effect on me. You can oggle all you wantdies but Niki is mine. Only mine. I smiled at my silly thoughts. I am in the middle of putting on sunblock when all of a sudden something hit me in the head. What the? It''s a beach ball and I think I know who the culprit is. "Alexei!" "It''s not my fault you''re not paying attention." He''s standing arrogantly a few meters away from me. He doesn''t have shirt on but he''s still wearing his loose cream colored pants. I can clearly see his tattoos just like my Niki''s but without the wolf''s head. Alexei is no doubt drop dead gorgeous. He exudes the kind of charm I myself could not understand. No wonder women are obsessed with him. But I cant help but think about the woman from Dile''. Yes, he''s difficult sometimes but I just could not picture him out beating women. "You''re gonna pay for this A-lex-ei!" I ran as fast as I can to catch him but I think no matter what I do, the man will just outrun me. "Ouch! My foot." I acted like I''m really hurt. I sat on the sand and held my right foot as if in pain. Alexei ran back to me and he looks all worried. I got you boy! "Shit. What happened, are you hurt?" I slowly let out a wicked smile. He knows that I got him. He scampered to stand but I quickly ride his back and wrapped my arms around his neck. Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Belle''s POV "Alexei, don''t go too far I can''t swim." Alexei has already brought us in the water. The water is on his waist level but he still continues to walk. "Alexei! I''m going to scream for Niki if you don''t stop bringing us to deep water." "Toote for that." "What?" All of a sudden I felt something touch my foot. "Oh my god Alexei what was that?" And then something touched my other foot. I squealed in horror and tightened my grip around Alexei''s shoulders. "Ah! Alexei! I don''t want to die like this! I don''t want to be eaten by a shark! Oh my god! And I''m still a virgin! I don''t want to die a virgin! I still want to have sex with Niki!! I haven''t send him the picture yet, and I won''t have the chance to do it if I die here. This is all your fault Alexei!" Alexei is nowughing at me. How could he!? He has put me in this situation but he still manages to soaked in all his glory. He looks like he took a dive in the water. Oh my god! I gasped in disbelief. These two! "I hate you Niki! I hate the both of you so much!" He then went near us and took me from Alexei''s back. "No, I can''t swim Niki." "I got you baby, trust me." I quickly hopped towards his arms. "How could you do this to me Niki!" "I heard your dying deration." He lets out a mischievous grin. "What? I said I hate you Niki. Don''t change the subject." I can feel that I''m slowly turning crimson. "You said you''re a virgin and what''s the other one brother?" He looked at Alexei''s direction. Alexei cleared his throat and sp his hands as if impersonating me "She said, I don''t want to die a virgin, I still want to have sex with Niki!" That impersonation is actually funny. I can''t hold it any longer, Iughed out loud at Alexei''s silliness. "Well if I said that, it''s because I thought that I was about to die of a shark attack." "I want to see the picture baby." "What picture?" Dammit I''m really not a good liar and Niki can see it on my face. "Alexei told me about it but he did not want to show me." I red at Alexei and ssh water on his face. He just chuckles and floats around us. "I''ll show youter. That was supposed to be my surprise for your birthday." He nted a long sweet kiss on my lips. "I want to take you right here, right now. Do you want to experience salty sex?" I gasped. "Niki!" They both soft chuckled in response. "I''m hungry. I want to eat." I actually want the sex talk to be done already because I don''t have a single chance with these two ganging up against me. "Okay. Just hold on tight." Niki slowly walks us out of the water while I''m clinging for my life. "Alexeie on!" I called out. "Coming virgin." ~ I''m already soaked, so I took my clothes off and just wore my ck bikini. As Iy on the beach chair, Niki climbed on top of me. "Hey sexy. Where''s my picture?" "Niki, people are watching." "I don''t care." He nts small kisses on my face down to my neck. "Okay Ill send you the picture." I know that He will never stop until he gets what he wants so I just gave in. Niki lets out a wicked grin while looking at me. I grabbed the phone from my bag and sent the picture. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. "Sent." He is waiting intensely for the message to arrive. When he finally got the picture, he crinkled his brows and cocked his head to the side. "Are you sure?" "Uh yes." Niki''s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. "Wait, so Alexei got this picture first?" I don''t know what will happen next but I''m thinking it will involve Niki getting on to Alexei''s neck. The crazy man is sitting next to us sporting an arrogant look on his face. Alexei you''re not helping yourself right now. I should do something fast. "Uh Niki, I want to go back in the water. Come on baby, I''ll let you touch my boobs." I whispered. "Yah?" Niki said with a hint of smile on his face. Oh god, he''s like a kid. "Uhuh, lets go." Niki brought us far from shore and next to a small boat where nobody can see us. I''m holding on to his shoulders facing him while he grabs me by my waist. The man did not waste any time, he quickly removed my top. His hand then slowly travelled all over my breasts. "Fuck baby you are so hot." I felt my nipples harden from Niki''s fondling. I can already feel my body slowly flush. "Wrap your arms around my neck." Hemanded. All of a sudden, I felt Niki''s hand slide under my bikini. I gasped for air in response. His hand slid in between my legs and I felt his fingers touch my clit slowly but with enough pressure to drive me crazy. "Do you trust me baby?" "Yes Niki, I trust you." At this point, all my guards are already down. Niki''s hand explored my slit. His finger slowly traced the curves of my organ. My mind is already in wondend. There''s no thinking straight anymore. I feel that Niki''s strokes turn faster and faster each second past. I''m now gasping for air. "Niki..." "I want you to cum for me. Cum for me, look me in the eyes and cum for me." My legs are slowly crumbling down. Volts of pleasure are rushing all over my body then down my spine. My grip around Niki''s shoulders tightened. "Uh, Niki..." My body copsed and turned into a loose sandbag. Niki held me tight as I made my release. He bit my lips softly and sported a wicked smile. "Did you like it baby?" I''m stilling to my senses and trying to catch my breath. I wasn''t able to answer. "I see that I rendered you speechless. I''ll take that as a yes." Niki and I made out for at least a few more minutes before carrying me back to the tent. I could instantly sense that all eyes are on us. Geez, I tried my very best not to look around and just focus on Niki, and how Godlike he is. Everything about this man screams perfection. He slowly puts me back to my chair in between him and Alexei. He then quickly took his shirt from the chair, crumpled it and threw it towards Alexei. The man just chuckled in all his arrogance. I took the shirt from Alexei and decided to wear it. There''s just too much audience right now. Alexei is leaning towards me and looking at me intently. I suddenly felt ufortable. "What Alexei?" "You''re glowing princess." Oh my god. Is there anything at all that this guy doesn''t notice or know about? I can feel that I''m turning red again. Uhm. Niki some help here. "I did that." Niki answered. Well that really helped a lot. "I''m proud of you brother." "Thanks brother." "You two, I swear one more ganging up against me, I''m never going to talk to anyone of you, except for Boris." I giggled. Niki and Alexei let out augh. "I don''t think the big guy will appreciate it." Alexei said still grinning. "Au contraire Alexei, my charm always works even to the most challenging and difficult persons." I threw a flying kiss towards Boris. The gentle giant just moves in difort. Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Belle''s POV "Where are you going?" Niki asked. "I''m going to the privy." He then signaled Boris toe with me. "No Niki, I can perfectly pee on my own." "I know, but someone has to guard the door for you." Well he''s paranoid. Who would want to hurt me? We are surrounded by his people. "I''ll just make sure the door is locked I promise." "Either you go with Boris or you pee on the beach where I can see you, what''s it going to be baby?" Niki doesn''t look like he''s kidding at all. "Fine, Boris cane with." "Good girl." I just rolled my eyes at him. He is being so difficult again. After going to the privy, I decided to go the kitchen to find some water. I suddenly realized that I left my phone in the loo inside the room reserved for Niki. I asked Boris to get it for me while I go to the kitchen. "Hey there." Three bikini d, blonde women approached me. "Hi." I greeted them back. I suddenly remember what I promised to Niki. I left the ss on the table and decided to leave. I gave them a faint smile. They all looked at me like they are up to something. "So you''re the girl they were talking about." I have seen this before. Another deranged woman obsessed with Alexei. Can''t these women leave me alone? "Hmm, where did they find you?" The one in the middle spoke while examining me from head to foot. "Excuse me?" "The Boss and the Underboss, you are their new toy. Those two really enjoy sharing." The other one on the left said. I was about to move but the one to the right blocked my way. "We have never seen you at Zora. We would know because we work there." Said the one in the middle. "Uh what she really means is that we work the boss and the Underboss there." They all giggled and they all looked proud. My Niki and Alexei had sex with these women? I just could not even imagine Niki doing it with some other girl. "I wonder why the two stopped paying a visit. You don''t look special at all. The Boss and the Underboss are not into, well, let''s just say, fatties." Said the one on the right. They all chuckled mockingly. I suddenly remember Amy, if she was here, she would have punched this minx on the face. Amy did not tolerate other people calling me fat. Personally though, I don''t take offense. There are just bad people in the world. I turn my back on them and decided to go the other way. One of them suddenly pulled my arm back. "Let go of me at once!" I looked at her intensely. "Or what? Do you really think the Boss would give a shit if the women he beds with would kill each other? Don''t kid yourself girl." Said the one holding my arm. All of a sudden, Boris appeared from behind the three girls. My heart jumped from my chest when Boris pulled the woman holding me by her hair and smashed her head on the table. It made a very loud bang. The other two gasped in horror, the look of shock on their faces is indescribable. They attempted to run but Boris caught them, one on the neck and the other one by her hair. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry." Pleaded the one in pink bikini. Her make-up is smudged by her tears already. Both of them are on their knees. "We were just talking to her Boris." The other one sp her hands as if praying for her life. The other one who got smashed in the table is bleeding on her nose. "Boris stop!" I yelled. I see that he was about to inflict more pain to the two. "Boris please stop!" Themotion took a lot of attention since the kitchen can be practically seen from the outside. The people around did not even intervene. Suddenly I felt lightheaded. I can''t breathe and I feel like I''m going to copse anytime now. ~ Niki and Alexei are talking with the elders. Yuri barged in the meeting in the tent. Yuri: Boss, it''s Belle. Niki and Alexei quickly ran inside the beach house. They see Belle on Boris'' arms already passed out. Niki: What the fuck happened? Niki quickly took Belle from Boris. Niki: We bring her to the clinic now! This party is over. ~ In the clinic with Dr. Marcus are Niki and Alexei. Marcus: She''s dehydrated and her passing out is because of the shock and exhaustion. And I suspect she hasn''t been eating well these past few days. Perhaps a sudden change on her diet triggered that. Other possibility is that she might be pregnant. The results will be out in a few minutes. Niki: She can''t be pregnant. She''s chaste. Marcus: Boss, I''m just setting out the possibilities. We can never be sure. Niki looked Dr. Marcus sternly. Alexei suddenly saw ck and grabbed Dr. Marcus'' cor. Alexei: Who the fuck do you think you are talking to? When the Boss says that hisdy is chaste, she is chaste! You got it? Dr. Marcus raised his hands. Marcus: I''m sorry Boss. I''ll just prescribe some vitamins for her and just make sure she''s always hydrated and she eats well on time. Meanwhile she needs to rest for at least a few days. ~ I woke up in Niki''s room. I looked around and I see red daisies on several vases on the tables, on top of the wooden drawers and on the floor. To my right on the bed is a bunch of baby''s breath tied in cream colored ribbon and it has a note attach to it. To my beauty, Beast. Aw Niki. My heart is instantly filled with warmth. I squealed and dropped my head back to bed while cing the flower and card on top of my heart. I checked my phone to dial Niki but I noticed that I have several missed calls and five messages. Dn has been calling me since yesterday. I''ll just call himter. Now, I want to hear the voice of the love of my life. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. After two rings, Niki answered. "Hey, you''re awake." "I miss you Niki, I got the flowers. I love it! Where are you?" "I''m just taking care of some important business." "When are youing back?" "As soon as I can. I had Alexei prepare for your food and other things that you need. I want you to do what Alexei says okay?" "No." "I know you would say that, that''s why I ordered him to do whatever necessary to make you do as he says." "What? But baby, Alexei is like a priest! He gives out sermons all the time. He''s like Papa, worst even!" Niki softly chuckled in response. "Juste home early Niki." "Yes baby." "I love you Niki." "I love you. I need you to regain your strength for tonight." I quickly cancelled the call. I know very well where the conversation is heading. Secondster I received a text from him. "I am going to im you tonight." Oh my god. I can feel my face flush. We are going to do it tonight. When I was still in college, I have promised myself not to have sex with anyone else but to the one that I truly love and the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Now that I have found that man, I am willing to give my all. And I am going to work this out with him no matter what. I noticed a medical tape and cotton at the back of my left hand. An I.V must have been injected in me. My legs are weak and I feel my stomach turn. Memories of what happened in the beach came rushing back to me. Boris, who I thought was a gentle giant is not that gentle at all. I don''t know if I''m going to see him the same way again. I went to the bathroom and inspected myself in the mirror. I cringed while looking at my reflection. I look like a roon yed with my hair. I have panda eyes, my lips are dry, and I''m still wearing Niki''s shirt, although this one looks and smells fresh. I also notice a bruise on my right arm. This must be from the tight grip of that deranged woman from Niki''s party. I''m not wearing any bra but I have fresh panties on. I decided to text Niki. "Niki, who put this shirt and undies on me?" His reply made my heart melt. "Yours truly. NIKOLAI VYACHESLAV VOLKOV all the way baby." What an arrogant...ly handsome and sweet guy. A smile formed on my face as I recall what Niki and I did in the water. It was one of the most amazing feeling ever. His Niki''s lustful green eyes and his touch made my body crumble, plus the fact that we might get caught made the experience even more exciting. Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Belle''s POV I run my fingers through my hair and collected it to a ponytail. I washed my face and gargled water. I look like human again. I went downstairs and smelled something familiar. Cooked rice and oriental chicken. When I entered the kitchen I saw the chef from Dile and another woman. He''s all smiles at me but he looks like he doesn''t want to initiate a conversation. The woman offered a sweet smile and handed me a ss of water. It''s refreshing to see another female in this house. I have been surrounded by men as ofte and most of the women I encounter are either bat shit crazy or sexually obsessed and deprived by Niki and Alexei. "Thank you." I offered her a smile She smiled back but I noticed that the chef is looking at her like he was telling her something. She returned to helping the chef and quickly ignored me. What is up with them? I decided to go to Alexei''s room down the hallway. I knocked twice and called on him. Momentster he opened the door for me. His hair is disheveled and he''s only wearing his boxer shorts. "You''re awake. Why are you already standing up? You''re supposed to be in bed!" He scolded. "I want to eat, Alexei." "Go back to bed now princess, I''ll just send over your food." "But I don''t want to eat alone." To my surprise, Alexei carried me in his arms and ced me on his bed. His room is as big as Niki''s but he has a huge ass TV. He''s watching sports news. He then tucks me to his bed like I''m a five year old girl. This guy is too much. "Don''t move princess, or I''m not going to hesitate to tie you down to bed." Well he''s crazy. He went out of the room and shut the door on his way out. I looked around and saw the remote control on the table on the other side of the bed. I tried to reach for it without removing myself from my current position but it''s just impossible. I removed the nket and quickly reached for the remote. "Princess." Oh shit. Alexei is holding a tray of food in his hand. "But Alexei, I just reached for the remote, I got bored waiting for you. It''s not my fault." He ced the tray on top of the bed. "You have to eat, Dr. Marcus'' advise." "Dr. Marcus was here?" "No, when you passed out we brought you to the clinic. The Boss decided to bring you home so we can tend to you personally." "I can perfectly take care of myself Alexei." He just ignores me. Alexei took some rice from the bowl and attempted to put it in my mouth. I just smiled at him. "Open your mouth." "Alexei, let me teach you how to feed me okay?" "Okay." "You feed me the soup first of course. Then you take a piece of chicken and put it on top of the rice, then shove the rice and chicken together. Get it?" Alexei is paying attention to every word I say. "Got it, my princess." His princess? "Uh before that can you please put some shirt on." Alexei lets out a naughty grin. He grabs the shirt right next to me and puts it on. "I really miss this, back home rice is the staple food. No lunch or dinner isplete without it." "So the doctor was right. You have been starving because of your sudden change in diet." I can sense that he''s going to start lecturing me again. "No I was not starving. I''m just not used to eating American food that''s all." I then took some rice and chicken and shove it to Alexei''s mouth. "I told you I don''t want to eat alone." Alexei just smiled and ate the food I forced to him. We ate in peace for a few minutes. He handed me two tablets of I don''t know what, but I''m guessing, vitamins. He then ced the tray on the table next to the bed. ~ Alexei and I are watching a hockey game. Another very brutal sport. I''m on my side hugging a pillow while my bruise is tended by Alexei with an ice pack. I think this would be a perfect time to ask him the questions that have been bugging me. "Uhh Alexei." "Hmm?" "What does an Underboss do?" I''m still looking at the TV. There''s a moment of silence between the two of us. "The women from the beach house mentioned you as the Underboss. And that you stopped going to this ce where they say they work." I did not include the sex part those women were trying to imply. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Alexei still did not answer me. He remained silent. "It''s okay if you''re not ready to talk about it Alexei." "I''m the Boss'' sessor. If anything happens to him, I take over the business." At this point I''m on my knees, facing Alexei. "Why would something happen to Niki?" He did not answer me. "You don''t have to answer Alexei, but you have to promise me that you don''t let anything happen to Niki. Promise me?" I look him in his eyes. "I promise princess." Alexei''s hazel eyes are looking at me intently, the same look he had when we were in the car after our lunch in Dile''. "Thank you Alexei." I jumped to hug him. "I know Niki has got your back as well." "I know." Suddenly I hear someone clear his throat, it''s one of Alexei''s men and he''s standing at the door but he''s trying his best not to look at us. Alexei must have left the door unlocked. I then removed myself from Alexei. "Stay here." I just continue watching TV. A few minutes past I hear a familiar voice, and it sounds like it''s calling my name. I quickly went out of Alexei''s room, I walked the hallway towards the main door. My mouth parted in horror, Alexei is standing at the door, and he''s squaring off with Dn. Alexei''s two other men are at Dn''s both side. Dn himself does not look like he''s backing down. The chef and the woman are observing themotion and it looked like they are just waiting for something to happen. "Alexei, don''t!" I quickly ran towards their direction. I squeezed myself right in the middle and faced Alexei first. I feel like I''m having an adrenaline rush. My heart is beating a million times. "Alexei, let me just talk to Dn please?" "I told you not to leave my bed." Alexei looked at me sternly. "His bed? What the fuck Belle? You lied to me twice, all because of this guy?" Shit. I then faced Dn to exin myself. "No Dy, you don''t understand." The look on Dn''s face quickly changed when he saw the bruise on my arm. Dn held my bruised arm and he looked even madder. "You son of a-" Dn is already balling his fist. Alexei on the other hand did not even move a single bit. "No Dy, It was not Alexei!" I try to stand on my toes to meet Dn''s eyes. "Dy please stop this. Alexei did not do this to me." I now face Alexei, "Alexei tell your men to back off please?" A few seconds past, Alexei signaled his men. The two stepped back several feet from us. I then look at Alexei pleading for him to move back as well. "Alexei please?" "I''m not going anywhere. The only one who needs to leave now is him." Oh my god Alexei. My heart jumped when Dn tried to grab my hand towards him. "Let''s go back to your apartment Belle!" Alexei then grabs my other hand. "She''s not going anywhere." Alexei and Dn is now having a stare down while clutching both my hands. "Unless you''re her boyfriend, It''s not your call isn''t it?" Dn said. "She now lives here and she sleeps in my bed, you don''t have to be a genius to figure that out." Alexei is trying to spite Dn and I think that he''s getting into him. Dn''s grip on me loosened. I can see the look of defeat all over his face. He lets go of my hand "No Dn, please stop, listen to me!" Alexei tries to hold me but I brush him off. What was that all about?! I quickly walk away from him, and ran up to Niki''s room. I locked myself inside, wipe my tears off and sat on the floor beside the flowers my Niki gave me. I then grab my phone. I read Dn''s texts to me which were mostly sent yesterday. He asked why I''m not in my apartment and that he''s been worried. He also reminded me to call Amy, mama and papa. My bestfriend and my parents must have been worried about me. Ipletely forgot to call them. I checked the time and it''s past 11 in the morning here, which means it''s past 11 in the evening back home. My mama and papa are already asleep. I try to dial Amy but her phone is just ringing. Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Belle''s POV I''m looking for something to wear from Niki''s wardrobe but most of his stuff in the walk in closet are different shades of suits, lots of white shirts, jeans and sweats. I need to go to my apartment to get some clothes. I slowly walk downstairs but Alexei is already standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Where are you going?" "Not in your bed." I retorted. "Okay, then go back to Niki''s room now." "I''m going to my apartment and you can''t stop me from leaving!" "Yah? Try me." I would call Niki but he specifically told me to do as Alexei says. These two are not giving me any choice. What could be the worst thing to happen to me? I know Alexei would never hurt me. So I continued walking down the stairs. When I was on thest step, he showed his right hand from his back. A gasp escaped my mouth when I saw the leash Alexei is holding in his hand. "You will not..." "Toote princess." Alexei manhandled me towards his room. "Alexei!!!! Put me down!!!" I yelled at him hysterically. "You know, you are a handful to watch over." "Niki will know of this I''m telling you!" "He already knows." "What?" "I''m under strict orders to make you stay in bed no matter what." Alexei throws me to his bed and ced the leash on my right hand while the other one is tied to the headboard of his bed. I could not believe he''s doing this to me! I was yanking the leash while Alexei is quickly on his phone talking to someone and I think I know who it is. "Is that Niki?" I grumpily asked Alexei. "Niki, I swear I will not going to allow you to touch me, not even my hair for one week starting tonight. You hear me Niki!? One whole week!" I yelled to make sure that he could hear me. When Alexei is done talking to his phone, he sat beside me in bed. "You''re in luck princess." "What?" "Well the Boss can''t make it home tonight, he''s stranded in Boston because of the weather." "Niki is in Boston?" He did not tell me that. And it really hurts as hell. Why didn''t he tell me? This whole not telling me the whole story about Niki is slowly eating me up. "What''s he doing there?" "Business." Of course. "Remove my leash, I promise I will not leave." I am exhausted. My legs are tired. And I am hurt because of Niki. Howe he did not tell me that he''s in Boston? I see that Alexei noticed my sudden change in mood. He removed the leash and I quickly covered my whole body under the nket. "It''s not easy to be in Niki''s life. Be patient with him. Give him more time." ~ I was awakened by a familiar smell. Rice porridge. Alexei ced the tray with a bowl beside me. "Time to eat." I struggled to lift my body from the bed so Alexei helped me to sit up straight. God, why do I feel like I''m so tired? "What time is it Alexei?" "It''s time for you to buy a watch." "Ha, very funny. No, really what time is it?" "It''s time for you to buy an rm clock to hit the Boss'' head again." I giggled in response. Poor Niki, I hit him with an rm clock the first morning we were together. "It''s almost 6 o''clock." Responded Alexei while brushing a strand of my hair from my face and to the back of my ear. I took some ck beans and mushroom and ced them on top of the porridge. I scooped the porridge using the spoon and blew some air to it to make sure its not too hot. "Here, open your mouth Alexei." He blinked once and pulled his lips to the side, letting out a smile. We fed each other in alternate and in just a matter of minutes we were able to finish the bowl of rice porridge. ~ "Alexei I''m bored, lets change the channel." I said while pping the covers with my palm. Alexei just smiled at me while I whine. "Here, I''ll go get a quick shower." He said while handing me the remote control. I ced the pillows on my back and satfortably. I scanned the channel to look for a movie. Yay! Horror. I really like watching horror movies. The fast beating of my heart makes me feel so alive, although I cover my eyes most of the time. The stupid woman still chose to walk down the dark hallway knowing for a fact that she''s alone and that she might be the next one to die. All of a sudden, the spirit that is haunting the ce appeared upside down right in front of the woman. A squeal instantly escaped my mouth. Alexei hurriedly came out of the bathroom with only a towel on. "What happened?" Dammit! He looks really good with only a towel on. His perfectly ripped torso is very prominent and his chiseled arms are glistening with water. I quickly gazed away from him and looked straight to the television. "The haunting spirit." I responded. He just shook his head and went back to the bathroom while sporting his usual charming smile. He went back out wearing only his boxers. He then puts on a white cotton shirt and went back to bed beside me. I noticed that he tapped his phone a couple of times before taking the remote control from me and turned the TV in full volume. "It''s better to watch a horror movie in full st." He said. He now has a wicked smirk on his face while I''m covering half of my face with the nket. To my surprise, he slid under the covers and inched close to me. "What are you doing?" "I''m cold." "Then, get your own nket Alexei." "My spare nkets are still with the dry cleaner. The housekeeper has note yet." Why am I not buying this? "Fine." I said in defeat. Alexei''s smile grew even wider. I looked at him sternly while squinting my eyes. "A-lex-ei, if you''re up to something please do know that I can absolutely annihte you." Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. A knock interrupted our face off. "Boss." Said a voice faintly outside the door. Alexei stood up from the bed and unlocked the door. One of his men handed him popcorn and pizza while ncing and nodding at me inside. "We shall not be disturbed." Instructed Alexei. "Boss." The big man replied. "You got us popcorn and pizza? You''re the best Alexei! "I know." I just giggled at his arrogance. Midway to the movie, the woman is surprisingly still alive and she still manages to seduce a guy, in fact they are about to have sex in a barn. I quickly grabbed the remote from Alexei and changed the channel to cartoons. "What the hell?" Said Alexei sternly while crinkling his eyebrows. "I''m going to return to that channel when they are finished with whatever it is that they are nning of doing." "But that''s the best part. Give me the remote back." "No!" I ced the remote behind my back but Alexei was able to grab it from me. He returned to the movie. Oh my god. The guy and the woman is now doing the doggy. "Alexei!" He just chuckled and still continues to watch. The woman is now moaning so loud. The guy is spanking her and calling her dirty names. Oh my god! The volume is in full st. What would the people in the house think we are doing here if they hear this? I quickly wrestled Alexei to get the remote from him. "Give me the remote Alexei!!!" Oh my god! This man is going to give me a heart attack. Alexei is now hystericallyughing his heart out and rolling in bed. "Ha-ha. Very funny Alexei." I said sarcastically. He finally lets go of the remote. I decided to turn down the volume just in case the two decides to do it again somewhere like in a pig pen or a dog house. Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Belle''s POV "Uhm Alexei, can you please have someone get clothes from my apartment? I want to take a shower, please?" I then remember that Alexei''s men are well...men, they will see my panties and my other private girly stuffs there. "Ah, never mind Alexei. I''ll just grab some Niki''s clothes from his room." "No need. I think I know where to get you clothes." "Yah?" "Come with me." Alexei grabs my hand and brought me to another room upstairs. Everything in the room is covered in white linen, including the bed. The room is painted pink and purple. I think I know whose room is this. It''s Yelena''s room. And I suspect the room hasn''t been touched since her death. Alexei brought me to the walk in closet. Everything as usual is covered in stic and white linen. "Are you sure Alexei? These are Yelena''s, I''m not sure if I''m even allowed to touch these." "It''s fine, I''m sure if she''s here, both of you would have been best of friends." I did not know how to respond so I just gave him a smile. I removed the stic covering the clothes still hanged perfectly. Wow, I really love Yelena''s taste. It''s so girly and ssy. Alexei''s right, Yelena and I would have been best of friends. I then noticed a picture pinned on the wall. It''s a picture of Yelena and Alexei, hugging each other and almost kissing. They both looked happy and in love. Alexei and Yelena were lovers when she died. I suddenly felt a tear falling down my right cheek. What happened to Niki''s family and to Yelena and Alexei was tragic. It''s unthinkable. I''m so sorry Yelena. I pray that you are in a better ce now. I hope you have found your peace. I am in the middle of my thoughts when all of a sudden the light flickered on and off. I immediately remembered the ghost in the horror movie we just watched. Yelena if this is you, forgive me for barging in to your closet. Suddenly, the lightpletely turned off. I squealed in horror and grabbed whatever sleepwear that''s in front of me and ran towards the door. When I got out of the walk in closet I saw Alexei, crossing his arms in front of him, his back is on the wall and he''s trying hard to hold back hisughter. At this point I spoke all the profanities that I have known from when I was a child until I reached this age in my nativenguage towards Alexei. Alexei on the other hand isughing his ass off. I smack him with the sleepwear I''m holding in my hand and trailed back to his room. I can''t believe he''s enjoying my horror. Alexei is driving me crazy! I ran directly to his bathroom and took a hot shower. The shower actually calmed me down. I felt my body rx as the warm water run all over me. I was reminded again of the picture of Yelena and Alexei. They looked so in love. I just can''t imagine how painful it was for Alexei when she died. My Niki and Alexei have been through so much. Niki is basically orphaned and Alexei too lost his father and the love of his life. After taking a shower I inspected the sleepwear I was able to grab from Yelena''s closet. It''s a purple Ibed my hair with my fingers and divided it in half in order to cover my boobs. I went out out of the bathroom and quickly went in front of the mirror. Wow, it perfectly fits me. I can see from the corner of my eye that Alexei is staring at my direction. I suddenly felt ufortable. I quickly walked on my toes towards the bed, climbed next to him and slid myself under the covers. After two more movies, I felt my eyes got heavier. I''m almost half asleep when I felt Alexei''s warmth close to me and his fingers brushed my hair softly. Oh Alexei, I''m not Yelena. I''m never gonna be Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Yelena. Last thing I felt was a kiss on my forehead then I drifted off to sleep. ~ I''m already on the finishing touches to the flower crown I''m making basically out of boredom. It''s a back to my apartment, so here I am wearing one of Yelena''s clothes again. It''s a white and simple Sunday dress. Alexei and I are in the living room. He''s wearing a dark blue suit, sitting on the sofa, crossing his one leg over the other while scanning his phone. Niki and Alexei can wear a table cloth and still look good in it. I''m on the floor, working on the table right across Alexei. The sun is already illuminating all over the living room. To my surprise, my phone buzzed and it''s Niki. I answered it hurriedly. "Are you on your way home yet Niki?" "You sound like you''ve been waiting for my call." "I did not want to call you because you might be busy or having a meeting." "Baby, you can call me anytime you want. I have time for you always." My heart instantly melted, "Spend more time with me then? My work at St. Mary''s is not until Monday. Me and you snuggling all day and night. What do you think?" I looked at Alexei and he''s shaking his head while smiling. I just giggled. Niki was about to say something but I suddenly remembered what I sworest night. "Oh wait a minute. You''re still not allowed to touch me for one whole week. Soooo.." "Not gonna happen. I''m going to touch you anytime I want. I own you. You said that yourself when were in the beach." He remembers. "Uhh, well, I ah." I was groping for words. Dammit Niki, he''s enjoying my difort. "That''s right. It''s nice that we clearly understand each other baby." Niki said all too arrogantly. I suddenly heard a beep. I gasped in disbelief while looking at my phone. Niki hung up on me. I heard another soft chuckle from Alexei. I just decided to let it go and continued finishing my flower crown. I tied the cream colored ribbon to hold the ends together. I ce it on top of my head. I then made a few small braids on my hair. "How are the trees in forest mother earth?" Alexei said mocking me. "If only you''re more entertaining Alexei, I wouldn''t be this bored." He just smiles and continues with his thing. "Very well, let me be the one to give life to this dull world of yours Alexei." I stood up and went to the piano a few meters from Alexei. "You know how to y?" "Yup. I was kind of forced into it when I was a child. While my friends yed hide and seek outside, I on the other hand yed the piano with my spinster tutor." I am surprised to see a piano sheet of my favorite piece All I ask of You, on top of the piano. I know this piece by heart. I love Phantom of the Opera. Whenever I y this song, I remember Erik and what he must have felt seeing the love of his life in love with someone else. Erik''s character was dark and tragic. The fact that he has never been kissed even by his own mother is a fate no one should ever experience. When I hit thest key I took a deep breath. I nced at Alexei''s direction. I am surprised to see Niki, standing several feet from Alexei. He just stands there gazing at me. Alexei had the same look on his face. What is up with them? I quickly ran towards Niki''s direction and hugged him tight. "You''re home." Niki did not hug me back. He just looks the other way. "I''m tired Belle. Excuse me." Niki walked away from me. Belle? Did he just call me Belle? Niki never calls me by my name. What is happening? I followed Niki to his room. He''s in the shower. I sat on the bed facing towards the bathroom''s direction. A few minutes past Niki went out of the bathroom and walks directly towards his closet. He wore his usual white tee and boxers. "What''s wrong Niki?" "Nothing." His voice is as cold as ice. "Are you feeling fine already?" "Uh yes." "Good. You can leave anytime you wish." I froze the moment Niki said those words. He wants me to leave. Niki wants me to leave. Why is he doing this to me? What have I done? I wanted to touch him so badly but I chose not to. If he wants me to leave I''m going to leave. My stupid tears are threatening to fall again. I walked away from him and back to my apartment. Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Belle''s POV It''s almost nine in the evening. I''m glued to my bed and have been bawling my eyes. I tried so hard to recall what happened so I can figure out what went wrong or what I did wrong for Niki to do that to me. It was the first time that he was cold and indifferent towards me. I checked my phone and not a single text or call from him, not even from Alexei. Maybe he''s suffocated by me. Maybe he needs time away from me. Soon enough Niki wille to his senses and he will ~ The next morning, I still haven''t heard from Niki. Part of me wishes that Niki would just barge in my apartment and destroy my door again just for us to talk. Suddenly I heard a knock on the door. I suddenly felt hopeful so I quickly opened the door. It''s Loraine. "Hello Belle." "Hi Loraine." "I''m here to give this. I was supposed to give this to you the other day but you weren''t here." She handed a folded piece of paper and an envelope. We sat on the chairs on my porch. "Oh, what''s this?" "This is your check for looking over Sawyer and the other one is from Sawyer himself." "Thank you Loraine, how''s Sawyer?" "He''s fine Belle, he already left." My eyes widened in surprise. Sawyer left. "Where to?" "To his father in California. He''s a cardiologist but he knows people who can help Sawyer. He will be admitted into a facility." "That''s wonderful to hear Loraine!" "It''s all because of you Belle. Since my son met you, he came back to the old Sawyer I know. A fighter. One that never gives up. He thought that his world was over when the doctor said that there''s a chance that he can''t go back to ying football. One night, out of nowhere, he just told me that he wanted to go back to ying football again." Loraine looked very happy. She held my hand tightly as she spoke. "No Loraine, I really did nothing. Sawyer already had it in him." "I''m so sorry Belle, but I have to confess that I read the note Sawyer left for you. I just can''t help it, forgive me." Loraine''s mother instinct got the best of her and Ipletely understand that. She has an apologetic yet ecstatic look on her face. "It''s okay Loraine." I gave her a smile. "I have to go Belle. If you need anything, anything at all, doesn''t hesitate to let me know okay?" I nodded at her in response. I remained in the front porch and read Sawyer''s note for me. Belle, Thank you for having faith in me. I promise I''ll be back without the wheelchair. I''m looking forward to carrying you in my arms while walking, instead of wheeling you the next time you get tired ying baseball with a whole bunch of kids. I''ll buy you as many bagels as you want. Love, Sawyer. P.s I don''t trust him. P.s.s I''m just a few digits away. I ce Sawyers note to my heart. At least now I know that I''m not alone. I really wish Sawyer all the best. I know that someday he can go back to ying football. ~ I''m walking back and forth in my room. I called Amy to be online to video chat. "B!!!!!! What happened to you? You look like you''ve been crying." I finally told Amy about me and Niki. I can''t even count how many times she hurled profanities at me for not telling her earlier but she cried when I told her that I''m finally in love and heartbroken. "Listen to me B. You see it doesn''t make sense. You said you were able to talk to him in the morning before he came home right?" "Yes." "And he went cold on you only when he arrived. So, what changed? Why went cold on you all of a sudden?" Amy''s right, it really doesn''t make any sense. "How I wish I know the answers A." "I want to see this Niki. Do you have a picture of him?" "I don''t, just google his name A. The owner of Volkov Holdings, that''s him." I can see Amy is already typing and searching Niki''s name. I can see Amy''s eyes widened and her lips parted. Yes A, he has the same effect on me. I understand. Another tirade of profanities went out of Amy''s mouth. "Your boyfriend is a filthy rich demigod, B!!!!! Omg!" "Amy!!!! Focus!" "Alright, I''m sorry, I''m just saying." Amy is still looking at the screen. Suddenly she looked like she saw something disturbing. "What A?" "Oh..you said he was in Bostonst night yes?" Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. "Yes. Why?" Amy sent me a link. I clicked on it. It''s an article about a business event heldst night. "What am I supposed to look at A.?" "Bottom picture." If it''s even possible to cut my heart into tiny pieces than it already is, I''m already feeling it. It''s a candid photo of Niki with a woman in white long gown along with other men in suit. It looks like they are close to each other. The right hand of the woman is on Niki''s chest. Niki is however looking somewhere else. It has a caption at the bottom. Yrina Yvanislov, Vice-President of apany and the heiress of a real estate mogul in Boston. This was Niki''s very important business. And he stayed in Boston overnight. I checked and there was no reported weather disturbancest night. Niki and Alexei lied to me. They both lied to me. "B! Listen to me. You should talk to him first before jumping to any conclusion. You hear me? It''s just a picture. He''s a filthy rich guy it''s normal for him to attend to these kinds of events." I heard Amy but I don''t know what to say. My Niki and Alexei lied to me. "B, talk to him." Amy''s right I should talk to Niki. ~ I''m already outside my apartment when I saw Niki and Alexei on their way out of Niki''s house. Their men are already waiting beside the two ck SUVs. I quickly walked towards them. Alexei saw me first and he immediately called on Niki. Niki nced at my direction but he still continued to walk his way towards the car. I quickly stood in front of him. Niki''s men waited for his next move. "I want to talk Niki." I looked him in his eyes. I cannot see my Niki in those eyes. Suddenly, my heart jumped from my chest when he grabbed my arm and dragged me inside his house. Alexei held Niki''s arm and said something to him in Russian but Niki just looked at Alexei sternly and whisked him off. At this point I can feel my heart beat so fast. This is the first time that Niki has treated me like this. I can slowly feel my eyes are being pinched again. Niki then throws me to the wall, it made a thumping sound. This is not my Niki. You are not my Niki!!!! "What do you want from me Belle?" I could not look him in the eyes. I refuse to look him in the eyes. "Why are you doing this to me Niki?" Niki forced me to look at him. He held my chin with his right hand squeezing it tight. "You don''t really get it don''t you? I fucking yed you Belle! I''m done with you! Do you really think that I''m going to stick around with a girl like you? You were so fucking easy!" Niki''s words stabbed through my heart like a knife. Niki did not love me. It was just me who created the illusion that he loved me. All the questions that I want to ask him have been answered. He just yed me. The women from his party were right. I''m just one of them. I have nothing else to say. Niki has said what I needed to hear. I ran away from him. I grab the ne he gave me and I let it run through my fingers down to the ground. Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Belle''s POV The days have passed in a suffocating blur. It''s like my world took a halt while everything around me went on living. Thest words of Niki keep oning back over and over again. I have been living in a lie with Niki. I fell in love with a person who has been ying me. He''s right I was easy. I''m stupid. I was nothing but a stranger to him. I have stayed in my room and in my bed for three days. I have decided to leave this ce. I disposed the phone Niki gave me and anything that could remind me of him. I have already talked to my Thomas did not ept my resignation but he gave me time to think about it. He told me I can take a few weeks off if I want to. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. I have nowhere to go to and no one to be with. Dn hates me, Sawyer is gone, and my family and bestfriend are a thousand miles away. I''m all alone, heartbroken and close to being broke. I had to pay up thendy for the early unteral termination of my lease. I don''t want to ask my parents for support because I know they will just convince me to go back home. I have already called a motel for my temporary ce. I''m at my front porch just waiting for the cab to arrive. The air is kind of chilly just like the first time I arrived here. I was happy, content and a whole person back then. Now I can''t even find the right words to describe who or what I am. The cab arrived a few minutester. While the driver ces my bags in the trunk, I looked at my door for onest time. My poor door. So many memories and so many lies. I turn around and nced at Niki''s house. I spent most of my time there, in his room, apparently that did not mean a single thing. It was all part of Niki''s y. I blinked twice and run the back of my hand on my eyes to remove the tears that are threatening to fall. ~ I arrived at the motel. I have heard gross stories, about motels but I would rather stay in this disgusting ce than be reminded of Niki every single time back in my apartment. The old man holding a cat gave me the key to my room. He looked at me nkly while handing me the key. This ce is sad and dusty. The whole atmosphere of the motel looks like rats and other pestilence that god has sent to mankind can live here. It''s a two story old building. Few lights are on. The whole ce smells like cigarette smoke. My room is at the corner most part of the building. When I entered inside my room, I''m kind of surprised to see a decent looking bed with white sheets, windows, a thin white curtain and a small closet. I ced my luggage beside the bed. I grabbed my own sheets from my bag and ce it over the existing sheets. I''m not going to remove my things from my bag because I don''t intend to stay here that long. As soon as I find another job, I''m going to look for my own apartment and start anew. The money I have in my bank ount would be enough for the payment in the motel for at least a month. I bought cup noodles from a convenience store across the street. I have not eaten a decent meal in days but I still don''t feel like putting this food in my mouth. You have to eat Belle. You need to eat so you will have the strength to find another job, drown yourself in work so you will forget the pain. I forced myself to finish my food. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I look myself in the mirror. No one ising for you Belle. It''s just you now. This is exactly what you want right? Freedom? Now you have it. Think of Niki as a detour. A bad turn. You lost focus. Now it''s time to go back on track. I wandered on the streets near the motel hoping to find another job. After several blocks of walking my legs are getting weak again. Please legs cooperate with me. Don''t do this to me. I sat on a sidewalk chair to rest and just as I am about to give up, I see across the street a small bookstore with a wanted help sign on the door. I massaged my legs for a few seconds and then walked towards the bookstore. When I opened the door, a bell rang. I entered and took the sign from the door. The bookstore is just small, it has fourrge wooden stalls with at least eight racks each. The bookstore is selling mostly vintage books and vinyl records. I approached the counter but it seems like no one is here. "Hello?" I called out. Suddenly, someone from below the counter stood up. It looks like he''s been stacking up books from the floor. He''s a stout old man. His sses are on top of his nose and his hairline is way back his head. "Oh Dear I am so sorry, these books have been lying around for days. My grandson has bailed on me a couple of times. Young men these days don''t know how to value the importance of... oh I''m so sorry dear what can I do for you?" Suddenly he held his back like he''s in pain. "Are you okay sir?" I quickly went behind the counter to assist him towards the chair. "Oh yeh yeh, it''s just my back. I''m an old man what can I say. Anyway, what can do for you?" He then saw the sign I am holding in my hand. "Oh dear, I do apologize but I will be honest to you, honesty is quite rare these days don''t you think?" You have no idea. "Well what I''m looking for is, uh, how will I say this to not sound discriminating." The old man ced his index finger on his lips like he''s thinking of something. "Well, I''m looking for a man. You know to move the books from one rack to another, inventory stocks and such and such, you get it don''t you?" I acted hurt and ced my right hand on my chest. "Well sir, you have deeply hurt my feelings and what you have just said is a disservice to all the magnificent women like Marie Curie, Edith Wharton, Elizabeth ckwell, Sacajawea, not to mention your own wife and mother. How could you sir." I then gave him a wink. The old manughed so hard it boomed all over his small shop. "I can carry books from one rack to another just fine, I''m good at inventory as well, numbers and organization is just easy pizzy for me." I gave him the sweetest smile that I could give considering my circumstance. "Very well...." I did not even let him finish. "Thank you very much you will not regret this sir." I quickly gathered the books from the floor. "Call me David." "Hello David, my name is......Mary. Where do I ce these?" "Over there Mary, the second rack to your right." I quickly turn my back from David because I can feel my tears are threatening to fall. Pretending to be fine when deep inside my heart is slowly dying is not as easy as I thought it would be. I wipe my tears off in between cing the books one by one. ~ I''m back at the motel room. I ate a piece of bread for dinner. It tasted like paper. Iy in bed in fetal position. It''s like every move I make I see Niki''s face and his beautiful green eyes. When we were together, everything felt so true. I saw it in his eyes. It turned out, behind those eyes were dark and nk emotions. I pinch myself so hard hoping that what happened was all just a bad dream. But it''s not. ~ I drowned myself in work. Every day since I started working at David''s shop I made sure that I got so tired that whenever I get back to the motel I''m already exhausted to even eat or cry. Every day for the past three weeks my life has been close to hell. "Mary, time for lunch dear." "Yah, you go ahead David. I''m still not hungry." "You have been here since seven in the morning, I don''t think you even ate breakfast. It''s past twelve already." David looked sincerely worried. I then ced the books back on the floor and joined him for lunch at a bar across the street. He ordered his vegetarian te while I ordered a sandwich. "Is that all you''re having?" "Yes David, I told you I''m not hungry." David takes a look at my sandwich and looks at me. "What happened dear? Why are punishing yourself?" David sees right through me. I know that he has been wanting to ask me this but I did not give him the chance. Whenever I felt that he''s going to ask about my personal life I stayed away and avoided having long conversations with him. "Nothing really David. I told you that you will not regret hiring me. I''m just proving it to you." "Yes indeed you have proven yourself exceptionally. I even think that I''m underpaying you. I''m just worried that yound in the hospital." "Don''t worry about me, I''m perfectly fine." I gave him a faint smile. I''m not fine David, I''m dead inside. David eventually got tired of asking me questions. We ate in peace for a few minutes then we went back to his shop. Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Belle''s POV "Grandpa!" I suddenly hear a loud voice while I''m on thedder on the left most stall. "What are you doing here Johnny!" "Ow ow, grandpa! Stop." I got curious so I went down thedder and checked what is happening. David is hitting a guy with his cane. This must be David''s grandson. I went near them and tried to stop David. "David calm down, give me your cane. Do you really want to have a heart attack?" David slowly handed me the cane. I assisted him towards the chair. I then faced Johnny. "You!" I pointed the cane to him. Johnny is as stout as his grandfather. He''s a teenager. He''s wearing a cap, cargo shorts and a basketball jersey. He raised his hands and ran towards the door. What a coward. I suddenly heard David''s usual boomingugh. David kept on telling stories about Johnny. I can sense that no matter how much he hates his grandson, he still cares for him and loves him. While David is telling me stories. I continued with what I''m doing and climbed thedder again. The bell on the door made a sound. I did not mind because I thought it''s just Johnny again or some customer. "I''m sorry, this is all I can give now. The shop has not been doing well." I sensed that David''s voice is shaky. I then heard a man speak with a thick ent. And it sounds so familiar. "Do we look like we fuckin care old man?! Give us the money!" I then see the books and the vinyl from the racks being thrown to the floor. My heart suddenly jumped from my chest. David. I quickly step down thedder and went towards the counter. My eyes widened when I saw four tall and big men, wearing all ck, one of them pointing a gun towards David. "We gave you enough time old man. Where''s our money!" I don''t know what to do. I feel like I was glued to the ground. David saw me. "Mary dear, go to the stock room. I just have some business to attend to." Business David? That guy is pointing a gun at you. One of them quickly walked towards my direction. I know this is the time that I should be running for my life but I can''t seem to move my legs. My hands are already shaking. The man dragged me towards the guy threatening David. "She''s not involved here. Let go of her I am begging you." David is holding his hand together pleading to the man in charge. One of them whispered something to the leader. I could swear his eyes widened while listening to the other guy. He then dialed his phone. He talked to someone on the other side of the line. I can recognize that familiar ent. It''s Russian. "Let go of her." The man in charge ordered the one who''s holding me. I quickly ran towards David and stood in front of him. My heart is beating so fast. To my surprise the Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. man took a picture of me but I quickly looked away. "Oh no no, she has nothing to do with this. Leave her out of these please." David pleaded. The other man pointed a gun towards David. The man in charge scolded him and instructed him to put the gun down. A few secondster his phone buzzed. He answered it while looking at me. To my surprise, they walked out of the shop without any word. I feel like my legs turned into a loose sand bag. I dropped to the floor gasping for air. "I''m really sorry Mary. Are you hurt?" "Who are those people David?" "My son owes them money. They are here for the payment." "Why are theying for you if your son is the one who owes them? And why do they have guns?" "My son ran away from them. I have never heard from him again. Since then they have beening for me." David refuses to continue with what he was about to say. I still look at him demanding for an exnation. "Dear you must not speak of this to anyone. Okay?" I just nodded. "This shop used to be the drop off ce of drugs in this neighborhood. Theye here to drop something and someone gets it the next hour or next day or weeks. My son took charge of this ce. One time, something happened and he took off withrge amount of drugs. The Russian Mafia is the most dangerous criminal organization in this ce. They practically own and run every illegal activity. And my idiot son owes them." "The Russian Mafia?" "Yes. They are known to be merciless and cruel. I have heard they have influence and strong connections in the government. They are practically invincible." I feel like my heart is beating a million times. "How much do you owe them?" "I must give them ten thousand dors until the debt pays off." "When will the debt pay off?" "When they say it''s been paid off." Oh my god. "Why did they take a picture of me?" David breaks down sobbing in front of me. "I''m sorry Mary. I did not mean to drag you into this mess." "Tell me David! Why did they take a picture of me?" "I don''t know but I think..." "You think what David?" "I have heard they are involved in sex trafficking." My lips parted and my heart sunk. ~ David told me not to go back to the shop anymore because the Russians mighte back for me. I''m walking on the sidewalk two blocks away from the motel. And I have this strange feeling that someone is following me. I speed up my pace and nced to my back every once in a while. When I arrived at my motel room I made sure the door''s locked. I took a quick shower and jumped to bed. I''m alone, heartbroken and possibly the Russian Mafia has put a target on my head to turn me into a sex ve or something. I know I once said I wanted a free and exciting life, away from myfort zone that''s why I went here, but things just turned from bad to worse so fast. I don''t know why but I found myselfughing so effin hard. I rolled in bedughing at my possible demise. Oh I am so dead. Last time, my worst concern is to lose my virginity to Niki, but now, I am scared shits because most probably I''m going to be sold to the highest bidder, to a man so gross no girl ever want to have sex with. I''m in the middle of my crazy thoughts when all of a sudden I notice a shadow walk back and forth in front of my door. I can see it in the gap between the door and the floor. I quickly grab my pillow and hugged it tight. Oh my god. Is this it? My heart jumped in surprise when someone knocked on the door. The shadow now stood still in one ce. The knock on the door turned louder and louder. "Belle." I listened again. "Belle! Open the door." I know that familiar voice. I ran towards the door and opened it immediately. "Dn!" I hugged him so tight. "Belle! Shit what happened to you? You''re shaking." We sat on the side of the bed. My hands are so cold. I think I''m turning purple already. Dn took his jacket off and made me wear it. "I have been looking for you Belle. You made everyone worried." Dn hugged me tight, my head is on his chest. I did not say a word. "Let''s go home." "Home?" "Yes, you and Amy will live with me now." "Amy? Amy''s here?" "Yes Belle, she flew in the moment she knew that you were gone." My bestfriend is here. She flew in just for me. "Do you still hate me Dy?" "One can never hate you Belle." "I''m so sorry Dn." Dn and I left the motel. My bags were sent first to a taxi while Dn and I rode his bike. A few minutester we arrived at the house. Dn''s house is painted in white. It has a garage to the left and awn in front. Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Belle''s POV "You got us all worried B!" "I''m sorry A. I miss you so much!" "I miss you B. Let''s go inside." We are inside Amy''s room. Dn hurriedly cooked dinner for us while Amy and I are on her bed cuddling each other. "You have lost too much weight. You look like you have not eaten for like forever. What happened to you B?" I remember everything that has happened to me. I asked the heavens what I have done wrong to deserve all these. I sob. Amy knows that I''m not ready to talk about what happened yet. I feel like my whole body has been mmed a hundred times to the wall. My eyes are tired and my heart is shattered into pieces. The following days Amy and Dn did their best to make sure I ate and regain my strength. My bestfriend looks exactly the same thest time I saw her. Her straight brte hair, skinny figure and those charming eyes did not change a bit. Amy''s dad is half Chinese, while Dn''s dad is American. One can never tell that these two are half-siblings. "B open your mouth." "I''m not hungry. I want to sleep." "You are going to sleep after you have eaten. Now open you pretty mouth." I tried to cover my mouth with my hand. "Okay then we are all going on a hunger strike. You won''t eat? We will all not eat." I can''t believe she''s using this trick again. Dn just looks at us in amusement. I slowly remove my hands from my mouth. "Good, because if that did not work, I will be forced to call your parents. We''ll see who''s ass is going to be dragged back home." I love Amy but she can be so hard on me sometimes. ~ My eyes flickered from the ray of lighting from outside. My head still feels heavy, my legs feel like I ran a marathon, and my eyes don''t seem like opening at all. I slowly walk out of the room barefoot. Nobody is in the living room or in the kitchen. I decided to go outside to breathe some fresh air. I walk towards the main door, all the way out. I want to feel the grass on my feet so I took several steps towards thewn. I stood still and savored the feeling that I''m grounded to the earth. I can feel the cool breeze on my cheeks. I look at the skies above. The clouds are moving calmly. Suddenly I feel droplets of water touch my face. The sprinkler went on slowly soaking me wet. I see from the corner of my eye a familiar silhouette and the familiar ck car, but everything is a blur. I took a step forward but the water is getting in my eyes so I try to wipe it off. Secondster, I saw Dn park his bike on the street. He hurriedly ran towards my direction. "Belle! What are you doing outside?" Dn quickly grabbed me. He carried me in his arms back inside and back to bed. He wiped my face and body with a white towel. "Amy''sing. She just went to the hospital to file for a leave of absence so she can take care of you. Belle, you have to keep it together. It''s not the end of your world. There are a lot of people who loves you. There are people who protects you Belle." "Hey am I interrupting something here?" Amy is at the door. She''s carrying a grocery bag and she looks puzzled. "B, why are you soaked?" Amy paced towards the bed hurriedly. "I''ll just prepare our lunch." Dn quickly left the room. "B, tell me what happened to you." Amy said while changing my clothes. "Niki never loved me. He never loved me A." "B. I''m so sorry." Amy hugged me tight. "He told me himself. He just yed me." "Well, fuck him! It''s his loss B. You are the sexiest, coolest, kindest, smartest, most amazing woman in this whole damn world. Assholes like him don''t deserve you." "Apparently, I was not very smart A." "Good point, being smart goes down the drain when ites to love. All is fair in love and war B." "Have you been drinking? Why do you sound like a love guru all of a sudden?" She just brushes off my "Let me guess, he said he did not love you after getting what he wants from you am I right? The basic dickhead move. I have seen that many times, B." "We did not do it A." Amy gasped in surprise. "You mean, nothing happened between the two of you? B, it''s when the penis of a guy goes inside your vagina." I gave her a duh look. "I know how it works." "Wow..sure he said he yed you but normal assholes would have taken the ultimate price before screwing over. It''s weird and so gentlemanly of him.." "Whose side are you in again A?" "I''m just wondering. Anywho, you have no choice but to move forward with your life, B. You will go back to St. Mary''s and we will find a rebound for you. My brother...he likes you. What do you think?" She has a wicked look on her face. Dn likes me? "A! Shut up!" "What? I''d rather you end up with my brother, who by the way has changed a lot, than with any other guy I will find for you along the way." I just shook my head. "You will not intervene with my love-life. Remember that time you hook me up with George?" "In all fairness to me B, he really looked like a straight guy." "And Oswald. Marco. Jun. Joaquin. Benjamin. Ernesto. And oh, Louise." I count with my finger in each name. "They were all just fine and nice too. A banker, a basketball yer, a soldier, a pilot, and a politician. But no, they were all not good enough for you B." "That''s not true. Just no rebound for me A, no gay blind dates, no any other dates that you can think of." Amy ignores me and continues to walk out of the room. "Yadda yadda yadda, say what B?" "You heard me." Her head then quickly appeared on the door. "You have two options B, my brother or I find you a date." "What option am I in?" Dn appeared with a tray of food. I heard Amy let out her evilugh. I''m so gonna strangle that woman. "Uh, nothing Dy." ~ I came back teaching at St. Mary''s. I really miss my kids. The smile on their faces when they saw me back is priceless. Stephanie, the one who would always pin flowers on my head was the one who greeted me first with glee. She''s an orphan with down syndrome. I just can''t imagine where these kids would go if donations would stoping at St. Mary''s. "Belle? Can I talk to you in my office?" It''s Dr. Riley Thomas. "Sure." I see a guy in his thirties in ck suit, he is wearing a distinctly designed ring in his middle finger, sitting across Dr. Thomas'' chair. "Belle, I would like you to meet Mr. Dardan Geci, his boss is one of the most generous donors of St Mary''s, Mr. Geci this is Belle, one of the best teachers in this school. Mr. Geci stood up and shook my hand. I shook it back. "Nice to meet you Belle." "Nice to meet you too Mr. Geci." "Please, call me Dardan." "Please take a seat Belle." Dr. Thomas instructed me. "Mr. Geci is here to offer you a job." Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. "Ms. Belle, my boss is looking for a personal tutor for his daughter. She''s a five year old girl. Her name is Aria. Her condition is quite delicate. You see, when her mother died two years ago, she just suddenly went silent. His father can''t be with him all the time that''s why we would like to hire your services. " "I hope you don''t mind me saying but I think what the girl needs is a child psychologist and not just a tutor." "We have done all possible avenues to help her, but nothing happened, in fact we think we might have worsened her condition. My boss decided to find her someone she can be with and home school her at the same time. Your qualification is ster and the rmendation of Dr. Riley Thomas makes you perfect for the job. You will bepensated well if you ept the offer." "Mr. Geci, I have work in the morning here at St. Mary''s. I won''t be able to spend the whole day with her if ever I decide to ept the offer." "We understand, that is why we have arranged that you will be homeschooling her the rest of the afternoon, after that, it''s up to you if you leave early orte at night until my Boss arrives. Either way, you will bepensated in proportion to the time you spend at my Boss''s house. Ms. Belle, we will give you until tomorrow to think about it. We do hope you ept the offer." ~ Dn is in the garage, working on an old car. He doesn''t have shirt on, he''s wearing his usual rugged jeans. "Hey Dy, I made you sandwich and juice." I ce the food beside him. "Wow, thanks Belle. How''s work at St.Mary''s?" Dn is wiping his hands with a towel, "It was great, I had another job offer, and I think I am going to consider it." "That''s good news Belle. I''m happy for you." I came close to Dn and saw the pendant I gave him. "You''re still wearing this." I held the pendant with my fingers. Dn took a step closer enough for me to smell Dn''s breath. Dammit. Why does he still smell good with sweat and all? The veins on his hands show underneath his skin. He held my chin while his face tilts down. I can feel that he is waiting for my reaction. I did not move. I allowed him to slowly reach my lips. Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Belle''s POV "B, wake up!" Amy''s voice is too loud. "No. Let me sleep in peace A, go away." I buried my face on my pillow. "We are going out tonight. Stand up, it''s just six pm why are you already in bed?" "I thought you want me to recover. This is me recovering. Shoo A" "I''m going to find you a date." "Dn and I kissed." Amy gasped in surprise,"You what? Say that again B!" She''s now pulling my head from the pillow. "Your brother and I kissed." I''m still trying to bury my head back on the pillow. I''m so tired of thinking about what happened. The kiss only reminded me of Niki. I let Dn kiss me hoping that I can finally move on and forget about Niki but it only reminded me of him even more. It''s not fair for Dn. I feel like I''m a terrible person. "Then what happened B! Ah!" Amy is screaming hysterically. "Did you like it?" Yes I did because I imagined Niki during the kiss. "Dn asked me if I could give him a chance." "And what did you say? Omg!" "I said yes." "Ah! For real?" I swear the whole neighborhood can hear Amy''s voice. "Where''s my brother?" "Gym." I buried my face back to my pillow. Dn is all a girl could ever want. He''s just not my Niki. "B! I love you so much! This is good for you and my brother. Thank you for giving this a shot! I can go back home in peace now." "What? No A, I still need you." N?velDrama.Org ? content. "Kidding. Of course I''m not yet leaving. Now stand up and take a shower, we are going to have an adventure." "What are you up to now A? If we go to jail, no one''s going to bail us out here unlike back home." "I know, we''ll make sure we don''t get caught. And if ever we get caught, we will have our first mug shot ever. One item from the bucket list, remember? Amy lets out a wicked grin. I let out a wicked grin in response. We have been in several troubles before but we always get away with it. This is going to be an exciting night. ~ After a few drinks in the bar. "A, whose house is this?" Amy and I are hiding behind a bush. We are outside a house. It has a front porch, the garage looks empty and no one seems to be home. "Calvin. I hooked up with himst week. Said he loved me. I found out he has another girlfriend. I''m just going to flush his goldfish down the toilet." We giggled together. Sometimes I wish I had Amy''s guts. "No A, we are not flushing any goldfish." "Fine. What about putting ants in his underwear case?" "Uh in case you haven''t notice, we did not bring ants with us." "You''re right." Amy is on a roll. She ces her pointer finger on her cheek. I have always known that Amy is a diabolical genius. "Aha! Let''s pee on his bed." We let out a giggle again. "We need to chug gallons of water first. Let''s go." Amy said all too wickedly. We went to the nearest mini mart and chugged down juices and alcohol that would definitely put a distinct smell to our pee. I have never felt this beating in my heart in a long time. It makes me feel alive again. I looked at Amy, and she''s full on battle mode. We giggled and chugged and giggled and chugged until we felt our dder almost explode. We then went back hiding in the bushes. "Are you ready Thelma?" Amy said, referring to our favorite movie Thelma and Louise. "Yes. How about you Louise?" "I was born ready sweetheart. Now let''s go pee on Brad Pit''s bed." We bothughed all too loudly. We quickly hushed one another. We slowly walked beside the house. Luckily the window is not locked. Amy went in first then me. We tiptoed to Calvin''s room. When we are already inside, Amy removed the sheets and quickly hopped on top of the bed and pulled down her panties. Amy''s face looks so mischievous, I can''t help but let out augh. To my horror, she walks like a crab all over Calvin''s bed to make sure her pee scatters all over the bed. She mutters profanities while she''s doing it. Oh my god. "You piece of lying shit! You lied to me idiot. You screwed over the wrong fucking girl you fucking moron." "Hahahaha." I''mughing like a crazy hyena while rolling on the floor. I''m already tearing up because of Amy. I feel like I''m going to die ofughter. "B, what are you waiting for?" "I think the bed is perfectly soaked A." A few minutester, after going to the toilet, I suddenly heard a door open. Shit. I quickly went back to Amy who is now scouring all over Calvin''s things. "A, we need to go. Somebody''s home." I whispered to Amy. "Omg!" Eximed Amy. We decided to jump over the window. When I''m already outside, Amy was about to jump when somebody shouted from the inside. "Hey!" Oh my god. We are so going to jail. ~ We are at the police station. Amy and I are holding each other''s hands while in handcuffs. We are escorted by a huge ck woman. She has this no nonsense look on her face. "What did these Disney princesses do?" Asked a policeman who is drinking coffee while his feet are on top of the table. "Breaking and entering. Stupid bitches making some revenge porn or something" Answered the policewoman looking unsympathetic. The manughed so hard it boomed all over the room. I look at Amy and she''s surprisingly calm. "Hey A are you okay?" "Are you kidding me B? We are living the dream." We giggled hushly. "I already called Dn. We are just going to be fine." Said Amy, I know that she can sense that I''m already feeling a bit shaky. Later onter, Dn arrived. "Amy! What did you do now?" Dn scolded my bestfriend. "Oh brother I''m so happy for you! You and B are a cute couple." Amy just ignores Dn''s stern look. Dn ces his palm on the side of my face. "Belle, are you okay?" "Yes. I''m good Dy." "Brother take a picture of us." Said Amy. I chuckled at Amy''s silliness. "You dragged Belle with you tomit a felony. The two of you are drunk and you are about to go to jail. Do you know how stupid and reckless you are Ames?" Dn added. Amy is now looking down the floor. "Dn! Amy did not drag me into this. We did this together. And I enjoyed it a lot." I emphasized on the the policewoman. He is wearing his usual leather jacket, rugged jeans and white tee that perfectly hugs his chiseled arms and abs. He dialed his phone and talked to someone while ncing at us every once in a while. He''s scratching his forehead and runs his fingers through his hair. He exudes a sexy and maic kind of charm. His wavy dark hair and his beautiful brown eyes are a perfectbination. He is now sporting a thin beard making him look like trouble in all angles. Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Belle''s POV "B." "Hm?" "You''re staring at my brother." "Am I?" "Uh yeah." I see Amy''s hand wave in front of me. I heard her giggle. We were escorted in a room with a long table in the middle and several chairs. Around the corners are drawers, where documents are stacked. Amy and I are holding each other''s hands. Normally I would be scared shit considering our current situation, but surprisingly I''m calm and a little bit lightheaded. Perhaps because of the alcohol. "What are you thinking B." "Nothing, I''m just happy that we''re together again A." "I know right?" We let out a chuckle. "I love you B." "I love you too A" "No matter what happens you stick with me. You are my bitch now B, so no one willy a hand on you in jail. You get it bitch?" We were interrupted by the policeman who was drinking coffee "You''re out Disney princesses." Said the policeman who was drinking coffee a while ago. "Out? What do you mean out?" Amy said. "Out of here." He unlocks our handcuffs and escorted us out of the room. On our way out of the police station, I see Dn talking to someone. From our view, we could not see who''s he talking to. As Amy and I walk along, the person Dn was talking to has already went inside a car. I only saw a man in ck suit. If I did not know any better, I would think I saw Alexei but Dn and Alexei are not exactly best of friends. In fact, they hate each other''s guts. "Dy, who was that?" "Just someone I know Belle." "What happened Dy? Why did they let us go?" "There''s noinant." "What do you mean noinant? Calvin was so eager to put us in jail after what we did to his bed." Amy looked puzzled. "Well this must be your lucky day because he''s not going file charges. Now let''s get you both home, felons." ~ Dn and I are snuggling in the living room. "Dy, you''re always in the gym, do you have a fighting? "Yes, tomorrow night." My lips parted in surprise. "Tomorrow night? When are you nning to tell me that?" He just smiles in response. "Dy, don''t shut me out of this. I want to be with you on your fight." "That''s not gonna happen my love." Dammit Dy, stop calling me that. I feel so guilty right now. "But why? I want to support you Dy." "You can support me in other ways if you want my lovely Belle" He now has a naughty look on his face. "Yeah? Like what?" I know exactly where this is heading to. "Like this." Dn nted a long sweet kiss on my lips. His sexy scent makes me want to breathe in deep. I lie on my back on top of the pillow on the couch. Dn climbed on top of me as his kisses turns deeper and deeper every second. I try to close my eyes but all I see and feel is Niki. I want to remain like this even for a second, just to once again feel Niki near me but guilt is creeping in. I open my eyes and I see Dn''s beautiful brown eyes. He takes off his shirt. I cant help but run my hands all over Dn''s ripped arms. His body drops on top of me while kissing my right ear. He makes small bites giving me tingles which vibrate all over my body. His lips went down my neck as his hand slowly runs under my shirt on my back. I pulled my chest up towards Dn to give way to his hand for him to remove my bra. It feels like Dn''s body and mine are in sync. We know exactly what each other wants without saying a word. In just a snap, my bra unhooked. While he is nting kisses on my neck, his hand cups my breast underneath my bra. He wipes his fingers on top of my now hard nipple while his other hand parted my legs. I''m now gasping for air while Dn slowly explores me. I can feel his cock harden from his pants. The same reaction I get every time Niki''s body and mine touch. I feel so terrible for even thinking about that man while making out with my now boyfriend Dn. "I want you Belle." I did not answer him. I just kissed him back while wrapping my arms around his neck. To my horror and to Dn''s utter dismay and frustration, the door opened and I heard a bang on the floor. Oh my god. It''s Amy and another guy. The grocery bag that she''s holding is now on the floor. And she has the widest grin on her face. Her eyes are glittering as if she is seeing a unicorn or something. I quickly hide under Dn. Oh my god this is so embarrassing. I want to put my legs back together but Dn is on top of me, in between my legs. Dn removed his hand from my breast and covered me from them. Slowly a smile forms on Dn''s face. "Ugh we can go backter." Amy said amusingly. Dammit Amy! "What are you doing here Trevor." Said Dn. So he knows the guy. "Just checking up on my bestfriend. I can see, he''s more than fine." The sound of Trevor''s voice is teasing. "Uh we will just prepare our dinner. The two of you can continue. Let''s go Trevor." Amy said while picking up the stuffs from the floor. I so want to strangle Amy right now. ~ Several minutester at the kitchen table. Dn is sitting to my right, Amy is to my left, while Trevor is sitting across my seat. We sat in awkward silence for several seconds. Trevor has dark blonde hair. He is as tall as Dn and almost the same built. He also has a beard but a little thicker than Dn. I can see Trevor''s eyes are glued to me, he nces at Dn once in a while. He then clears his throat. "My boy Dn could not stop talking about you. Now I know why." I suddenly felt ufortable. "Shut the fuck up Trevor." Said Dn. Trevor lets out a smirk in response. Amy on the other hand is all smiles. I threw a slice of an apple at her. "What B? I''m just happy that''s all." Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. A few drinkster the four of us areughing and throwing jokes at each other. Trevor is telling stories about Dn while Amy tells the story why we got arrested and almost went to jail. ~ I gasped in surprise as I stare at my bank statement of ount online. What the hell? Aside from my own money, apparently I got six hundred thousand dors in my ount. The first one hundred thousand was deposited two days after I left my apartment. The second deposit was a week after that and the next four hundred thousand dors every seeding weeks. I called my bank to inquire about it. The woman on the other side of the line told me that it was not a mistake. Someone anonymous deposited the money in my ount. I also called my parents to ask if they deposited money but they know nothing about it. "It must be your guardian angel B." Amy is on the bed looking at the screen. "Dn, it must be Dn." "Uh sure my brother has money, but six hundred thousand dors just like that?" All of a sudden, Amy gasped and her eyes widens. "What A?" "Your Ex, Niki! It must be him! Think B, there is no other logical exnation for this. He must have felt guilty that''s why he''s making it rain for you." Amy signals cash in her hand. "First and foremost, I''m not a stripper for him to make it rain for me. Secondly, he''s not my ex because there was no rtionship. He just yed me. People who y other people don''t get guilty. They just throw you away." It must not be Niki. It could not be him. If it''s him I can never, ever fogive him. Who does he think I am? Paying me off like I''m some kind of a prostitute. "Point well taken. So the six hundred thousand dor question is who is your guardian angel B?" Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Belle''s POV "Dy, please I want toe with." I''m sitting on his bed while he is preparing his stuffs for the fight. "We have talked about this Belle." I came close to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Please?" "No." I let go of him and walked out of the room. He asked me to give us a chance but he is shutting me out of this. I know this is important to him that is why I want to be there for him no matter what. I locked the door in my room and sat beside my bestfriend who is now sleeping. My poor bestfriend must be really tired from his night shift in the hospital. I lie down beside her and rested my head on the pillow. I few secondster I hear a knock on the door. "Belle, can we talk?" Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. I did not answer him. If he''s just going to keep on shutting me out, it would be better to stop whatever it is that we are doing. "I''m sorry Belle. Can you please open the door." I still did not answer. "Fine, you cane with me." I stood up and slowly opened the door. I made a small opening just enough for us to meet each other eye to eye. "Yah?" I asked while looking at his beautiful brown eyes. Dn lets out good boy smile in response. Ugh Dn why do you have to be this sweet? I opened the door wide so Dn cane inside. He then grabs me towards him and kisses me on my lips. "I could never win an argument against these soft lips." He said while looking at me intently and touching my lips with his thumb. "I just want this rtionship to work Dy." "There will be blood, are you sure you can handle it?" To be honest, I''m not sure if I can, but for Dn, I will do my best. "Yes Dy, don''t worry about me. Just make sure it will not be your blood I''m going to see." "I''ll try." Dn lets out a sweet smile while cupping my face. "Great! I knew you can make him say yes B! What are we waiting for? Let''s go see my brother beat some ass!" Dammit Amy, she''s awake all these time. She removes the nket on top of her and flipped her hair to the back. To my surprise, she has already put a ck dress on. She quicklybs her hair and went to the mirror to put make up on. Dn and I just looked at each other in amazement. Amy, being Amy. We quickly prepared for the night. I''m wearing a red off shoulder crop top and white form fitting skirt. I glued false eyshes and brushed it down to my eyelids with ck gel eyeliner. Amy did my hair by defining my waves even more. My nude seven inches stilettosplemented my over all look. "Wow B, you are so rocking this I''m a girlfriend of a fighter look. Omg!" I look myself in the mirror and I think this might be too much. "Are you sure about this A?" "Ugh yah." She has a duh look on her face. "Let''s go B, they are waiting for us outside." Amy as usual looks like the Asian version of a Victoria''s secret model. She has this long ck straight hair. Her medium skin glows wlessly. Her ck glittery dress perfectly suits her skinny figure. And her peep toe high heels looks perfect on her. While walking towards the street, Dn is already standing beside the car looking all handsome as always. Trevor is also standing next to him, wearing a ck suit. I can see that Dn is looking at me intently as we near them. "Ladies, shall we?" Said Trevor. He then offered his hand to help Amy climb to the front passenger seat. Dn and I are at the back sitting close to each other. His arm is wrapped around my waist, while I''m holding his hand. "Hey, it''s going to be fine." Said Dn while touching my face. I think that he sensed my anxiety. "There''s nothing to worry about Belle, my boy will demolish that fucker like a punching bag." I believe Trevor, I once saw Dn almost crush his opponent''s head with punches when I went to the gym. I also recall what Dn once told me. He likes the rush of fighting. This is what he wants and what he really is. If I want to work this out, I have to ept it, even if it frightens me a lot. "Don''t worry about me Dn. This is your night. You are going to win this. I just can feel it." I ced my palm on his chest while I''m pressing my body to him. Dnnded another kiss on my lips while his hand traveled to my thigh. "You are beautiful Belle. I''m already a winner just by having you as my girl." My heart instantly melted. Dn is the kind of a man that any woman will easily fall in love with. Aside from being a natural bad boy, he is the kind that when you''re with him, you feel safe and at ease. I reciprocated his kiss and inhaled his sexy scent. He held and pulled me even closer to him effectively removing me from my seat. Dn''s hand palmed my breast. "Hey big brother, do you want to hear a prayer?" Said Amy butting in. Mine and Dn''s lips disconnected as we both smile in response to Amy. Amy cleared her throat while everyone awaits. "Hail Mary Arabe is a virgin, may her first be with you." My eyes widened in horror. I feel like all the blood rushed to my face as my bestfriend reveal to her brother and Trevor that I''m still a virgin. Dn looked at me like he was waiting for me to say something. I ced my palm in the middle of his face and pushed it backwards. He lets out a soft chuckle in response. ~ Momentster we arrived at an old building. To the right most part is the entrance to the basement car park. Several limousine and other sports cars are already ahead of us. "I thought we are going to an MMA fight, why does it look like we are going to a rich people gathering?" Amy said exactly what I was thinking. "Precisely because we are going to a rich people gathering. And get this, some of these rich people are crooks of the great New York underground world." So this is why Dn doesn''t want me toe here. He''s just protecting me. "Trevor." Dn quickly interrupts Trevor. "Omg! You mean we are going to rub elbows with gangsters? That is so cool!" Amy said excitedly. I suddenly remember what happened to me at David''s shop. I wanted to ask Dn if the Russian Mafia would be here as well but I decided not to, because of his fight. I do not want to worry him. I want him to focus on winning and not to think about my concern. My heart is now beating fast. I feel like my mouth is turning dry. What if those men will see me here? When we already went past the entrance security, the car park is already half full with cars, mostly ck expensive cars. I have little to no knowledge about cars but I know expensive when I see one. We parked at a different spot far from what looks like the VIP parking. We walked in at a different entrance and went inside an empty hallway. Amy and Trevor walk ahead us while Dn and I are holding hands tightly. My Dn has a serious look on his face. As we approach the door at the end of the hallway, we can already hear people cheering and shouting. "Trevor will be with you in the arena, I will see you after my fight okay?" I nodded at him. "Listen Dy, I will be here for you no matter what. I promise." Dn lets out a smile, pinned me to his body and nted a kiss on my lips. Amy and Dn then hugged each other. "I love you big brother. Go fight win!" Amy said enthusiastically. Dn shakes the top of Amy''s head while chuckling and teasing his sister. Amy pouts her lips and frowns like a kid. "Take care of them." Dn and Trevor hugged each other. "You should win, I have already bet all my money on you. I''m going to starve if you lose bro." "Well in that case I''m going to fix this match just to see you to starve." Dn retorted teasingly to Trevor. Dn went the other way while Trevor escorted us to the main hall. Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Belle''s POV This ce is a far cry from the facade of the building. One would never think that inside actually looks huge and ssy. Amy and I are holding hands as we entered the arena. At the center is a steel cage just like the one I saw from the gym but this one looks a little bigger. There is already a fight going on as we approach our seats. Around the cage are a couple of tables with several people working withptops. Behind the tables are rows of chairs. We sat at the fourth row. The arena is slowly getting crowded. I noticed that there are several portions for the VIP''s at the mezzanine level. Those must be the rooms where the ultra rich people watch the fight. The atmosphere in the arena is festive and loud. A mixture of perfume, cigarette smoke and liquor added to the overall old ssy scenery. Most of the people are men in ck suits and women in dresses and gowns. The fighters in the cage looked tired already. There''s already blood dripping down the face of one of the them. I decided to look away and just wait for Dn''s fight. If I really think about it, this ce is really sad. I really could not understand why people get entertained from all this brutality and violence. Amy on the other hand doesn''t seem to be bothered by what is happening around us. "B, are you okay?" "Uhuh." "I know what you are thinking B. Look at these two. These are fighters. This is what they do. No one forced them to be in that cage but them. They live for this B, just like my brother." I nced at the fighters again. Amy''s right, This is what they do. Who am I to judge them and the people around here. "You''re right A." "I''m always right my little bitch." Amy connected his nose to mine. We just giggled at our silliness. "What would I do without you A?" "Hey! The two of you should stop making out in front of me. I might not contain it." Trevor interrupts us while sporting a teasing look on his face. Amy lets out a wicked smirk in response. Oh no, I think I know what she''s nning to do. My bestfriend held my chin andnded a kiss on my lips. I let her do it and kissed her back as well. A few secondster, we looked at Trevor whose eyes widened in awe. The couple beside Amy on the other hand look like they enjoyed our little show. Geeez, they are kind of creepy. Amy and I giggled at Trevor''s reaction. He shook his head in defeat. Poor Trevor, he fell victim to the magnificent A. Between the two of us, Amy has always been the go getter, life of the party kind of girl. She''s always full of surprises and dirty thoughts. And I love her just the way she is. Amy and I decided to go to the privy. She held my hand as we slowly excuse ourselves from the people who are already seated. As we walk along, I have that weird feeling again that someone is watching me. I just hope that its not the Russian Mafia. After going to the privy, Amy and I arrived on time because Dn is about to get called to the cage. Trevor said Dn gets called first because he is the challenger. Apparently, this fight is the main event of the night. The three of us stood up and cheered for Dn as he walks towards the cage. Dn is surrounded by his trainer, the one I saw in the gym and three other men. He looks so ferocious and as per usual, so damn hot. He is wearing ck shorts, it has the word Arkady on the front garter. He is also wearing the ne I gave him. He kissed the pendant before removing it from his neck. Oh Dn. Secondster Dn''s opponent approaches the cage with his entourage. Loud cheers can now be heard all over the arena. Obviously, Dn is the underdog in this fight. My heart jumped from my chest when I saw his opponent. I swear, he looks like a bulldog. He''s a little bit taller than Dn and his muscles are bigger. This man can seriously hurt Dn. When they stood face to face, Dn did not show any sign of backing down. These two looks like they can actually kill each other. The first round started. Both of them walked around a little bit when all of a sudden, the other guy attacks and throws punches at Dn, but my boyfriend was able to get away. People are now booing at Dn. In just a blink of an eye, his opponent was able to wrestle him down and lock his legs effectively immobilizing Dn. The arena is now booming with cheers every time a punchnds to Dn''s face. Oh my god I feel like my heart is going to stop beating just by looking at his face. Thank goodness he was able to recover quickly and remove himself from his position. After a few seconds the first round ended. A small chair is ced on Dn''s corner and he quickly sits down. His trainer is instructing Dn and he seems to be paying attention. He still doesn''t look beaten down. The bulldog however looks like he just got out of the shower. He doesn''t look tired at all. Oh god please help Dn. The second round started. People are now cheering for the other guy. "Finish him!" Several people around the arena are now chanting. "Finish him!" At this point I feel like my heart is beating a thousand times. I held Amy''s hand tightly. If only I could stop the time so I could grab Dn out of that cage. His opponent pushed him towards the steel cage. He elbows Dn a couple of times to his face. Dn looks like he''s already in pain. Shit. "Yeah!!!!" People behind us are already shouting. I could not take it anymore, so I looked away. I just let the round finish. My heart jumps everytime people around us cheer for the other fighter. The round ended, and the people took their seats. Dn''s arms are now spread in the corner of the cage while being seated. His trainer sshes water to his face as he tries to catch his breath. "Fuck!" Trevor eximed. My heart jumped from my chest when Amy quickly grabs my hand and forced me to stand up. "Dn!!!!! Dn!!!!! Over here!!!! Dn!!! She''s here!!! Belle is here!!!" Amy is now screaming her heart out. I swear her voice booms over the music and loud voices of people around us. "Dn!!!! She''s here!!! Over here!!! Look at her!!!" Amy continued shouting and jumping. Oh god. At this point, all eyes are glued to us. Even the people from the rows in front of us are now ncing at our direction. I know I''m already turning red. Dn was able to hear Amy, and he is now looking at us. "Yes!!!! You want her right? Then haul your fucking ass and destroy that motherfucker! You hear me? You are never going to have a fucking chance with her if youre a fucking loser!" Oh god, I think I''m going to faint any moment now. All eyes are already on me. Some are whispering to each other while ncing and obviously talking about me. To my surprise, Dn let''s out a smile and winked at us in response. I sat and pulled Amy down back to her seat. "A, shut up." "He needed it B. Just chill. Dn got this." The third round started. People are now focused back to the fight. The fighters are now just waiting for each other''s next move. All of a sudden, Dn was able to throw a punch so loud that made the people around us gasp. "That''s what I''m talking about!" Amy said. At this point the people in the arena are on their feet. All of a sudden, the bulldog looked disoriented. Dn quickly throws many hard punches to his face and head. He covered his head with his one hand and tries to throw a punch but Dn was already able to pin him down and rained punches on him. People around the arena are now getting hysterical. They all looked amazed and surprised at the same time. "End him! End him now!" Trevor eximed. Next thing we know the fight is over. Dn''s opponent is now unconscious. The people cheered and pped their hands. The referee raised the hand of Dn. I went back to my seat and ced my hand on my chest. Oh my god. I don''t know if I could do this T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. every time Dn has a fight. I could not stand looking at him like this. ~ We are now on our way to Dn''s locker room. I want to see him now. I know he won the fight but he has been beaten up as well. I want to check up on him if he''s really okay. As we approach the locker room my lips parted and my heart sunk when I saw Dn kissing some other girl. The girl was holding on to his torso while lip locking with Dn who is half naked and still kind of sweaty. Amy was about to confront Dn but I stopped her. "I want to get out of here A." I said as I tried to grab her with me. My hands are shaking and my lips went dry. I have been hurt by the people I thought could never hurt me. The memory of what Niki did came rushing back to me. I quickly walked away while Amy is trying to keep up with my pace. "I am so sorry B. This is all my fault. I should not have forced my brother to you." I halted and faced Amy. "I still love Niki, A! I still think of him all the time! Every time Dn and I kiss, I wish it''s Niki I''m kissing. I have never stopped loving him A! And I think I never will!" Amy hugged me tight. "I know B. I know that you still love Niki. I just thought that you could stop punishing yourself and move on with my brother. I thought he''s a changed man, but obviously I was wrong. I am so sorry." Chapter 30 Chapter 30 Amy and I went to a football stadium where we can see the night sky in full view. Back home we would often spend time in an open field just to escape and be in our own little world. We also brought a bottle of wine with us. We removed our high heels and lie on the grass. "I love you B." Amy said while holding my hand. "I love you too A." "New York hasn''t been that nice to you..." A chuckle escaped my mouth. "That''s the understatement of the year." "Why don''t we go back home B? Let''s live together. You and I. Let''s make babies." We both giggled at our silliness. Our phones have been vibrating since we left Trevor and Dn. "Do we answer them A?" "Nah, let them look for us until their balls sweat." Iughed so hard on Amy''s words. She covered my mouth and hushed me. "Hush B, the guard might catch us." "Then stop making meugh." "What''s so funny with sweaty balls?" I let out anotherugh. This time Amy did not hush me. "Hey do you remember Calvin?" I gave Amy a duh look. "How can I forget?" "Well, I saw him at the hospital the other day. He''s got a lot of bruises on his face. His nose is broken. He also has a broken rib. He looks like he has been beaten pretty bad." "Oh my god, really?" "Yah, when I asked him what happened he told me to leave him alone. I think I know what happened to him B." "What?" "He was threatened not to file charges against us." Amy said all too seriously. I gasped in horror. "Threatened? But who would do such a thing?" "I don''t know." After a few hours, Amy and I decided to go home. Amy called Trevor to pick us up. We are now waiting for them in the sidewalk. To our horror, two men appeared from the dark. "Well well, what do we have here? How much for each pussy?" Said the one with a bulging stomach. Amy and I held each other tight. Amy is trying to reach for the pepper spray from her purse but it''s taking forever. "I bet they are for free. Come to daddy barbiedolls!" The one with a cap and a jacket spreads his arms and slowly approached us. All of a sudden, a car pulled over next to us. I felt so relieved because I thought Trevor and Dn are finally here but I froze when I saw four familiar looking men went out of the car. They all have guns in their hands. Oh god, these are the Russian men who took a picture of me from David''s shop. They found me. ~ "Get in!" Trevor and Dn arrived just when we needed them the most. Amy and I quickly got in the car without looking back. "Hit the gas Trevor!" Amy eximed. Amy and I are now catching our breaths. "Who are those people B?" My hands are shaking. I could not believe what just happened. Oh my god. They found me. How did they find me? "B!!!" Amy is now holding my arms while shaking me. "The Russian Mafia, they are after me." I stare in front of me nkly. I feel like my brain stopped functioning. "What?" Amy said almost shouting. "Belle, it''s not what you think it is." Dn said, interrupting us. "Uh in case you haven''t noticed brother, this is not the right time to talk about your infidelity!" Amy scolded Dn. "I''m not talking about...." Dn lets out a frustrated sigh. "I''m talking about those men. They were looking after you Belle. They are protecting you. They are Alexei''s men." What? I feel like I''m being choked. The lump in my throat is slowly suffocating me. I am so confused right now. Alexei? But those men are from the Russian Mafia. Those are cold blooded criminals. Why are they even connected to Alexei? "Please pull over Trevor." I said nkly. I need answers from Dn and I need them now. "Trevor please?" Amy said, backing me up. Trevor pulled over while ncing at the rear view mirror. "Get out of the car Dn. I want to talk to you." He stepped out from the front passenger seat. I walked around the back of the car to face Dn who is now standing on the sidewalk. Amy stepped down from her side of the car and faced her brother while her arms are intertwined in front of her. Dn''s face is already kind of swollen from the fight but that did not stop me fromnding a p on his face. Dammit my hand hurts. "That''s for betraying me." Dn just epted my p like a gentleman that he is. "Now talk Dy." "Alexei and I settled our score. We found amon ground and that is to find and protect you. Alexei never stopped looking for you. One night he called and said he already found you. That is how I was able to get you at the motel." My heart is beating a thousand times while my brain is trying to process everything. "Since then, they have been following and protecting you, all in Alexei''s orders." At this point my body crumbled down like a loose sandbag. I dropped to the the ground in disbelief. Everything is slowly making sense now. "But those men, those men are from the Russian Mafia, Dn!" "Talk to Alexei Belle. I can''t answer your questions. I have to hold my end of the deal." "Deal? What deal?" Amy butts in. "We both take care of Belle but when this timees, he will be the one to tell you what you need to know. I''m sorry Belle." This is what Niki and Alexei are not telling me about. Their tough security details, the tattoos, the guns, his father and Yelena''s death. All of these boils down to one fact. They are the Boss and the Underboss of the Russian Mafia. My Niki and Alexei are criminals. They are monsters. My tears are now falling down fave. Amy bent down and held me in a tight embrace. "Oh B, what have you ever done to deserve this?" I am asking the same question to myself, A. The ride back home has been quiet. I stare outside nkly while holding my arms in front of me. When we arrived home, Amy and I went directly to our room. I rested my head on herp, gazing nkly while she runs her fingers through my hair "B, I don''t understand what''s happening but I could not bear looking at you like this. Do you want me to book a flight home? Let''s leave this ce for good." "I still want to talk to Alexei. I want to hear what he has to say." "Are you sure?" I just nodded at her. I told Amy what I was thinking. I told her about who I think Niki and Alexei are. "Oh my god B, what have you gotten yourself into? The Russian Mafia really? Your ex boyfriend is the boss, the head, the leader, the king of the Russian Mafia? But I thought he owns Volkov holdings?" "That''s why I want to talk to Alexei. I want to know the whole truth once and for all." "Oh my god. You know what I''m thinking B?" "What?" "Your ex boyfriend just became a million times hotter. Think about it B. Look at the brightside, you were T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. able to tap that ass." Amy is at it again. I swear this woman''s brain is so perverted. I just shook my head in disbelief. All of a sudden, I heard her gasp. "Omg! B! Calvin. It was Alexei and his men who did it. Think about it. Dn said Alexei has not stop looking after you." Oh god. Amy''s right. It was Alexei. So it was really Alexei. The guy I saw at the police station talking to Dn. It was him. "B, this Alexei guy. He really cares for you." Apparently he does. Secondster, Amy gasps again. Oh my god what now. "Now what A?" "Your guardian angel. Alexei is your guardian angel B! He''s the one depositing money in your bank ount." "But why would he do all of these? It doesn''t even make sense. They lied to me. Niki dumped me. Why would they bother do all of these." "Well, two things. One, because your ex Niki told him to do so. Two and what I think is the most probable, this Alexei is in love with you." Amy''s imagination is now reaching Andromeda gxy. "A, I''m tired of thinking, let''s sleep. I have work tomorrow morning at St. Mary''s and at my new job in the afternoon." "Oh so you took the job?" "Uhuh." I just grumble. Too much has happened already. My eyes are giving up on me. I slowly drifted off to sleep on my bestfriend''sp. Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Belle''s POV I''m standing outside St. Mary''s waiting for Mr. Dardan Geci to arrive. A few seconds past, a ck car pulled over right in front of me. Mr. Geci went out and opened the door. "Good afternoon Miss Belle." "Good afternoon Mr. Geci." "Please just call me Dardan." He said while offering a smile. I let out a smile in response. Dardan is wearing a ck suit and a light blue colored shirt inside and has a properly trimmed downed charcoal ck hair. "Okay Dardan." Several minutester we arrived at a gated mansion. Along the driveway are perfectly trimmed nts. There are different small statues in every few meters of the driveway. The car pulled over next to a fountain right in front of the main entrance of the mansion. As we walk inside, I see a long and polished wooden staircase going to the second floor. Right in the middle is a beautiful crystal chandelier sparkling in all its beauty. The adornments around the mansion are mostly old wood and antiques. "This way Ms. Belle." Dardan pointed me to a room which looks like the study. I sat in one of the chairs right next to the table. "The Boss will be here with you shortly. Please, do you need anything?" Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. "None at the moment Dardan, thank you very much." Dardan made a small nod and exited the room. A few secondster, while I''m humming a song out of boredom, I see a little girl peeking from the other door to the left of the study. She has a curly auburn hair reaching her back. She has the most beautiful set of dark brown eyes and long curlyshes. And she is wearing a light pink colored dress. She must be Aria. "Hi!" I greeted her with a smile but she doesn''t respond. She just looks at me, still hiding half of her body. I see that she is now looking at the fairy doll peeking from my bag. I took it and made the hand of the doll wave at her. "Hi, this is Sophia. Do you want to meet her?" To my surprise, she nodded at me. My heart is suddenly filled with warmth. She made a few steps and halted right in front of me. She touched the fairy doll''s hair and brushed it with her fingers. "Do you like Sophia?" She again nodded. "Here, you can hold her if you want." She looked at me like waiting for my permission. She slowly took the doll from my hand while looking at me intently with er angel eyes. "My name is Belle." My heart jumped from my chest when all of a sudden she gave me a tight hug. Oh my god. This little girl is the sweetest. "Aria." Said a voice from the back. When I turned around I see Dardan and another man who I think is his Boss. Aria ran to him and instantly showed him the fairy doll. He carried Aria in his arms while a smile is painted on his face. "Hello, you must be Belle?" "Yes." He ces Aria back to the floor and we shook hands. "Forgive my manners, we haven''t been introduce yet. My name is Artan Bogdani." "Nice to meet you Mr. Bogdani." "No please, just Artan." I just gave him a smile in response. Artan is as tall as Niki but he has a slightly bigger built. His blonde hair is perfectly gelled towards the back of his head. He is sporting a mustache and a beard. I also notice the ring he is wearing in his right hand middle finger. It looks the same as Dardan''s but Artan''s ring is way bigger and it has a red stone right in the middle. I noticed that Artan is looking at me like he''s inspecting me from head to foot. I suddenly felt ufortable. Geeez, I think I''m already turning crimson. "Uh Boss." Dardan butts in. Thank god for Dardan. Artan excused himself and left. Aria and I spent the rest of the day together. Aria surprisingly responds well to our activities. Aside from being adorable, the girl is very sweet and thoughtful. I decided to stay until Artanes home. I just could not find it in my heart to leave this little angel until her father gets home. Aria and I are in her room. She handed me a story book to read for her and in just a few moments, Aria fell asleep. I noticed that Artan is standing at the door while staring at our direction. I slowly removed myself from Aria''s bed and stepped towards the door. "Thank you." Artan said. I quickly hushed him. "Shush....Artan." He just smiles in response. I grab his arm and slowly closed the door on our way out. To my horror, Artan held both my arms and pinned me with his body to the wall. A gasp escaped my mouth when he cupped my face tightly and nted a kiss on my lips. Oh my god. What is happening? "Please stay. I want to fuck you." Did he just....? I can smell and taste liquor and cigar in Artan''s mouth. The mixture of scotch, cigar, and a hint of his cologne surprisingly smells good. I tried to remove myself from him but his body is pressing me hard to the wall effectively immobilizing me. I can feel his cock harden in his pants as he pushed his torso towards me. His other hand is running inside my dress down my thigh. At this point, his kiss became more intense as he makes small soft bites on my lips. I tried to push him with all my strength but he is too strong. He then lets go of my face and grabs me towards him with his arms. I pped Artan on his face as strong as I can but the moment I did that, he lets out a wicked smirk and said, "Nobody says no to me baby." "I am not your baby! Let go of me Artan!!!" Suddenly we both notice that the door at Aria''s room opened. The little angel is looking at the both of us. I feel like I''m running out of breath. Artan slowly lets go of me and unpinned me from the wall. I try topose myself together, straightened my dress while shooting a stern look at Artan. I quickly went to Aria and knelt on the floor. She is now scratching her eyes and yawns at the same time. "Hey little Angel,e let''s go back to bed." She then wraps her right arm around my neck while the other arm is held up signalling her father to alsoe to embrace. Artan knelt, carried Aria in his arms and ced her back to bed. The little angel held out her hand gesturing to lie in bed with her. I''m on Aria''s right side while Artan is to her left. I hummed a song for her and in just a few seconds she quickly drifted off to sleep. I just ignored Artan who is now looking at me intently. I can''t believe what just happened. Hopefully Aria forgets about what she saw. When Aria went back to sleep, I slowly remove myself from Aria and stepped down the bed. I walked as fast as I can towards the door. I felt Artan move so I quickly paced away from him and went down the grand staircase. When I got out, Dardan is already waiting for me next to the car. After what Artan did, I don''t know if I still want to go back here. ?????? Amy and Dn are in the living room and it looks like they are having an argument. "Hey, what''s happening?" They did not answer me. "Oh nothing B, just asking my oh so faithful brother why he was kissing that skunk." "A please, let it go." "See Dn, she''s too good for you, perhaps this is a good thing. You don''t deserve her at all." "A, I want to talk to Dn." My bestfriend begrudgingly walked away and went to our room. "Dy, I want us to go back from being friends, just like before. I want to go back to those times that we were just happy andfortable with each other. It was a mistake in my part for even allowing this to happen to us. And I''m sorry for not beingpletely honest to you." Dn did not answer me. Instead he lets out a frustrated sigh while cing his hand on his waist. I stepped closer to him and hugged him tight. "Dy, I promised you that I will be here for you no matter what. This is me, fulfilling that promise." "I''m sorry Belle." There''s this certain pain in Dn''s eyes. I looked away because I could not stand watching him like this. "So how was her kiss?" I said teasingly. "Not as sweet as yours sadly." He replied. I smack him on his arm while hugging him tightly. ??????? AT DYLAN''S LOCKER ROOM RIGHT AFTER THE FIGHT. Alexei''s hands are on Dn''s cor. They are surrounded by Alexei''s men. Alexei: The deal was for you to protect her, not to take advantage of her. And what were you thinking in bringing her here? Are you out of your fucking mind? Dn removed Alexei''s hand off of him. Dn: She gave me a chance. I am keeping her. Alexei''s men grabbed Dn and pinned him to the wall. Alexei: You fucking know who she belongs to! Don''t test me Dn. You know what I am capable of. End it with her tonight or I''m going to make sure you deal with satan himself after I put a bullet in your fucking head! Alexei exited the locker room, while his men lets go of Dn. Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Belle''s POV Amy and I are in the living room watching television. "Hey A, am I a slut? Do I look like a prostitute? Do I act like one?" Amy has a puzzled look on her face. "Just answer me A." "Okay, you''re a twenty six year old virgin. So yeah, that makes you the biggest slut in the history of sluts." Amy said all too sarcastically. "Where is thising from B?" "When Niki dumped me, he said I was so easy." "B, you fell in love with him. Of course you would easily give up everything for him. That''s what people who are in love do. They do stupid things." "My boss kissed mest night and he said he wants to fuck me. There must be something wrong with me A. I must have given the wrong signal or something." Amy parted her lips. "What? Omg B. What happened?" "I pped him." "You pped your boss on your first day? Way to go B!" She said while patting my shoulder. Amy did not help with my confusion at all. What happenedst night was uneptable. Im going to make sure that will not happen again. I decided to text Dardan that I won''t be able to continue my work with his Boss anymore. I know it''s unprofessional to text my resignation but what he did to mest night was way beyond human decency. Uhh, but when I think about Aria, my heart just quickly softens up. That little girl is such an angel. Aria is like a tiny piece of sunshine. I''m looking nkly at the TV screen, silently battling my internal struggle. All of a sudden, pictures of familiar looking men shed on the screen. It instantly took mine and Amy''s attention. Those were the two we left with Alexei''s menst night. The reporter said the dead bodies of the two were found at a dumpster near the stadium and that the police believes it is connected to a gannd hit. Oh my god. Amy and I looked at each other in horror. Niki or Alexei ordered those killings. "B, I think you''re right." ~ After everything that I have been through, Amy said I deserve a break from the world. Amy and I spent all day in bed binge watching chick-flicks on the inte. Thetest one we are watching is The Bodyguard. We squeal every time we see Kevin Costner''s enigmatic eyes. We are in the middle of the movie when all of a sudden, the doorbell rang. "I''ll get it B." Amy quickly hopped out of bed and exited the room. All of a sudden, I heard the main door being shut hard. What the hell? I was about to get out of bed but Amy went back to the room all too excitedly. "B!!!!!!!!!! There''s a ridiculously good looking guy at our door and he''s looking for you." I swear Amy''s eyes are glittering. Who could it be? I slowly walked towards the door while Amy is following me from behind. When I opened the door, I saw Alexei wearing a dark blue suit and his maic charm. He instantly grabs me by my waist and wraps his arms around me. I just let him do it. I realized that I actually miss him. I miss him so much. His scent, his beautiful hazel eyes, his presence. Oh god. Why am I feeling like this? At this point I can feel that my eyes are being pinched by tiny needles. My tears are already starting to fall. "Everything is going to be fine my princess." He wipes my tears off and nts small kisses on my cheeks. "I want you to tell me everything Alexei." "That''s why I''m here." Alexei and I are standing in the living room. I looked around but Amy just magically disappears. To my surprise Alexei removed his jacket and tied the sleeves around our waist tightly. "What are you doing?" "Rx, I''m just making sure you wont walk away from me before I could finally tell you the whole truth." Oh my god, this is it. While we are tied together, Alexei brushes strands of my hair off of my face. He wraps his arms around me while looking me in the eyes intently. "We are the Russian Mafia. My brother and I are the Boss and the Underboss of the Volkov crime family. We lead an organized crime ring all over New York and other states where we have affiliates. We traffic mostly drugs and guns, and other contraband. We run superclubs, sex clubs and gambling rings. We eliminate whoever gets in our way. We are criminals." My hunch has been confirmed. I am surprised by my own calmness. I took every word Alexei told me and I''m not even frightened or fazed by this reality. "What about Volkov Holdings?" "Volkov Holdings serves as our front. It''s or dummypany. We have many legit investments and holdings all over New York. Some businesses we are in full control and some we are part owners or partners. We invest to legal transactions through the holdings but it is also where we funnel dirty money to make it appear clean." Alexei cupped my face and connected his lips on my forehead. "You really got us worried princess. You know how to go under the radar. I must say I''m quite impressed." I smack him on his shoulder in response. "Us? You mean Niki as well?" "Yes, he is the Boss, he ordered everything." Niki had a hand in all of these. My Niki. "One way we could have tracked you down was through the ne, the one my brother gave you but we both know why that''s not a possible option." It makes sense now, that is why Niki made me promise not to remove it from my body no matter how much I hate him. It''s because he ced a tracking device in it. "We can''t also track you down on the phone he gave you because you threw it away." Geez, Niki was a creepy boyfriend. Now I''m afraid to know what else he did just to keep tabs on me. "Why did you and Niki look for me? Your brother said he just yed me then why did you two even bother looking for me?" "My brother will tell you in time. It muste from him. The important thing is that you know that he is still in love with you." My heart is suddenly filled with warmth. Niki loved me and is still in love with me. Momentster, my legs grew tired so I asked Alexei if we could just sit on the couch. He romoved the jacket that was tied to us and made me sit on hisp. I wrapped my arm around his neck while my breasts are pressed on his upper chest. His arm is wrapped around my back while his other hand is holding on to my thigh. "What about Calvin. Were you the one responsible for what happened to him?" "Who''s Calvin?" "Amy''s ex, the one who wanted to put us in jail." "Oh that one. Well, we tried to talk to him but he did not listen so we did what we do best." Alexei is saying this like it''s just a normal thing to beat people down. "The money in my bank ount. Were you the one sending money in it? "Yes, just for you to get by." Get by? Is he kidding me? Six hundred thousand dors just for me to get by? That amount of money can feed a smallmunity back home for one whole year! "I want you to stop it Alexei. What do you think I would do with that money? I don''t need it. I''m sending it back." "Okay do that, Ill just double the amount when I deposit it back to your ount." My eyes widened in disbelief. Is he being serious right now? "For as long as you''re still not back in our lives and our home, it will keep oning. It would at least give me a little bit of peace of mind. You are family, we take care of family. That''s what we do." My heart instantly melted. I wasn''t able to respond. "We used all our resources to find you. And it paid off. I called Dn to get you. Niki forbade me from seeing you that is why we needed Dn on this. Since finding you, our men have never took their eyes off of you. We still want to protect you without rming you or else what Niki sacrificed will all be put to waste." Alexei and I went silent for several seconds. "You said Niki forbade you from seeing me, then why are you here? Why risk it Alexei?" "Because I think letting you go was the worst decision that my brother has made and he will regret this for the rest of his life if I don''t do something about it. He''s a broken man without you. We need you princess. Niki needs you. We just need to smack some sense on him." "Smack some sense?" "Yah, we just need to remind him of what he has been missing all these time." Alexei said while almost kissing my cheek. "Come to my birthday party tomorrow night." Oh my god, that''s right. Alexei is two months younger than Niki. "I will have my men pick you up at seven in the evening, they will wait for you outside. If you decide to go, I will take that to mean you are ready and willing to ept Niki back to your life. All of Niki, the Mafia, including his past and his future. If you decide not to go, I will make sure that we will leave you alone. You will never hear from us anymore." I did not answer Alexei and just look him in his eyes. "If you decide toe, I will take it from there on. All you need to do is to trust me. I will deal with everything, including Niki. Help me bring our family back together princess." T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Alexei left me in the living room with an enormous decision to make that could possibly change or