Chapter 10 #2
“You’re overwhelming me with your enthusiasm,” she mutters dryly.
“It’s just a confusing period after my father’s death, that’s all.”
“After your father’s murder, you mean.”
I lean back against the white armchair across from her and sigh sadly, staring into my cup of tea.
“When I call it that, anger immediately takes over. It hurts and scratches deep at the same time. They still haven’t found out who killed him, and the more time passes, the more I think that every trace will disappear and they won’t find the person responsible. And on top of all that,
everyone expects me to be in the mood for wedding preparations right now.”
My voice trembles toward the end, and that is when I realize tears have dampened my eyes, my voice rising, fueled by frustration.
“Okay. I understand there are certain family obligations making you feel responsible for continuing with this. But why don’t you talk to Oliver about postponing the wedding until you feel more settled? Assuming you’ll ever be ready to take that step with him...”
I look at her for a moment without saying anything or even breathing.
She is my best friend and the only person I know I can trust, even if there are still things I prefer not to tell her. But the weight currently sitting on my heart pushes me to reveal another secret I have kept from her.
“Because I signed a contract.”
She blinks, completely confused.
Then she exclaims loudly. “What?”
I quickly wave my hands at her and explain, trying not to be heard by Dima.
“It isn’t as bad as it sounds.”
“Really?” She is still shocked, but also ironic.
“Listen to me until the end, please,” I am tired, and she presses her lips together, letting me speak.
“When we started the preparations, considering how expensive everything was and the fact that his family has a reputation that comes with plenty of press coverage, I signed a contract agreeing to respect the established wedding date.”
“But that’s absurd.”
I widen my eyes, warning her with my look that Dimitri is in the area, then shrug with bitterness.
“At that time, I didn’t imagine something like this would happen.”
“And if you don’t honor this contract?”
“I would have to pay penalties for damaging their public image, penalties that would leave me without the entire inheritance my father built after risking his life countless times. Or at least half of everything he created for me.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
I shake my head, smacking my lips.
“So I have to see it through, even if right now I have no desire for white flowers and lace dresses.”
She runs her fingers through her hair, tugging at the roots.
“Fine. I understand the pressure from his posh parents, but can’t even he understand the situation?”
“He told me there is nothing he can do, no matter how much he would like to help me. We both signed that agreement, and the same thing could have happened if he were in my situation.”
“So it’s a shit situation,” she complains angrily.
“I know. So I’ll see it through,” I say, just as displeased, though at least I have had time to make peace with my circumstances.
We remain silent for several long minutes, both of us lost in thought, until she opens another subject.
“Have you spoken to him these past few days?”
I shake my head.
“And he still doesn’t know where you’re living?”
I shake my head again. “He only knows what I told him. That is because of what happened to my father, it’s better if he doesn’t know where I am staying for now, because I don’t want to expose him to any danger.
Especially after the incident with the strange car that followed us after dinner last week, which could have brought even more rumors about us into the press. About him.”
“It’s not like he didn’t know who your father was when he asked you to marry him...”
“He knows, but my father was always a discreet figure in Bratva, despite his powerful position. His clean image was always supported by his reputation as a very serious businessman who was never involved in scandals.”
“He knew how to play his cards.”
I smile, remembering my father’s skill, especially because I miss him terribly in moments like this.
Him and my mother.
“So we decided to see each other less during this period. It’s better for his safety.”
One perfectly shaped eyebrow rises as far as her expression allows.
“How convenient for you too, isn’t it?”
“You make it sound as if I don’t want to spend time with him.”
“Do you?”
I close my eyes and tilt my head back, exhaling loudly. But behind my eyelids appears a dark face with messy hair and eyes in different shades. Even in a moment like this, he has the power to awaken a storm of emotions inside my body, in the form of restless butterflies that make my stomach tighten.
“I think this is the strangest time of my life,” I confess to my friend.
“How can I help?” she asks, sad and worried.
“You can’t.” My answer is sad, looking at her again. “Just be here with me, because I don’t see things getting better anytime soon.”
“And do you think this wedding will fix anything, Katya?”
Before answering, I think carefully about what I truly feel. About what I am afraid to admit out loud, even though it is time to do it.
“No. But if I don’t go through with it, it will be even worse.”