Nikolai,
We enter Abrams private home office. No one but Abram and the four Capos are ever allowed in. The four Capos consist of Vladimir the oldest of the group, being 30, He is slightly smaller than me. His buzz cut and cleanly shaved face make him look a tad bit younger. Sergei being the youngest and newest since he was just promoted at 23 also happens to be the shortest of the group, an inch smaller than Alexei. We like to think of him as more of the brains only because he casually wears glasses. Alexei and I are closest in age. I beat him by a year being 27 and him 26.
If it wasn't for Alexei constantly following me around, I would have no personal relations with anyone other than the business. I don't really speak to Vlad and Serg unless in a meeting or if something urgent comes up. Which usually never happens. They mostly handle their own problems as do I. Alexei on the other hand has called me up quite a bit for some minor problems. I think it's mostly to bug me or when he wants to hang out. I have tried discussing it with Abram, but he just shrugs his broad shoulders and leaves without a word.
The boss's office is like a library filled with books. We all sit on a couch near the door as Abram sits at his desk. We inform him on how business is running in our sectors. Any major problems emerge, we discuss them here and settle on how we will handle it.
"Nikolai, how was your meeting with Javier? Everything went smoothly, hm?" I'm just about to answer when Alexei chimes in, interrupting me "Javier wants Nicky to marry his daughter. Everything went better than planned, boss"
Rage fills me. Of course, he was going to do this. Why did I assume he wouldn't intervene with my plans? I can't act now because Abram would know I tried to go behind his back and keep this from him. I try to settle my feelings but it's hard when Alexei is watching me. A satisfied smile spread across his face, a could punch it right off. That fucker.
"I don't intend on getting married so I'm going to decline the offer." I say as bluntly as I could.
"Decline Javier? Our biggest associate? That's nonsense." Abram shakes his head in disapproval.
"Sir, he said I can think about it. I'm sure it won't offend him if I decline."
"Call Javier now. Tell him you've thought about it and decided it's in your best interest." Abram warns with his eyes.
"Of course, I'll do that now." Stepping out of the room into the hall I pull out my phone. Blankly staring at it for a minute until I dial his number
The phone doesn't ring that long before he picks up. "Nikolai! Hello, have you thought about my proposal?"
"Yes, I have."
"Great, you're calling to accept. I've already started preparing."
Pausing, I take a deep breath. He is so pushy I almost tell him to fuck off. Javier is starting to annoy me.
I better not, after Abram gives an order, we must blindly follow. If not, there is no trust. Before I could answer he responded for me. "The wedding is at the end of this month. Prepare yourself. Don't mess anything up, my daughter is very excited." All I hear after that is the click of the phone. Not knowing how to feel, I just walk back into the meeting promising myself to get back at Alexei in some way.
Gabriella,
Subconsciously, holding my breath. I'm trying to listen in on my father's phone call. I can hear him clearly but not the man on the other side. I started to inch closer as slowly as I possibly could. I'm trying not to make a sound so I can hear more. As soon as I get near him. my father hangs up. Leaving me speechless with the few words he did say. The end of this month? I know he wants this to happen but so sudden. Why is he rushing this?
"There you go, I told you no one can say no to me." He winks over at me.
Still in my thoughts, and in a wedding dress that suddenly feels excruciatingly suffocating. I sit down on the couch next to my father. Grinding my teeth.
"Is this the dress we've decided on? It's beautiful. Good thing your Tia had a dress that wasn't that revealing." he gestures towards his chest, "It fits your style, subtle, not too flashy." I'm hunched over pressing my lips together as he talks to himself, "I've always said you can't reveal too much, you've got to leave things to the imagination, Mija. Aren't I always, right? Isn't it more comfortable than that low cut one you liked?" He questions without actually expecting an answer.
I look down at myself; at the dress that literally covers me to my neck. Good thing it's September or else these long sleeves would look ridiculous. My father usually always has to approve of my clothes since I turned 11 and my boobs came in. It doesn't matter anyways; I'm never really allowed out without him. He is terrified of anyone harming me ever since my mom passed. Which is why we immediately moved to the States soon after.
"How should I wear my hair? Up or down?' I ask, accepting that my fate is sealed. I'm going to start acting as if I actually want this, maybe that way, I can convince myself of it.
"Wear it down, you look like your mother when it's down." he plays with my long black hair. Everyone always told me I look more like her. My father's eyes are smaller than my almond eyes, his skin slightly darker than my caramel skin. I reach his chest when hugging him since I'm 5`2 and he is 5`10.
With one hand on his chest, I look up at him and say, "I know you miss mama, so do I." His eyes grow dark. His look is cold; this is the only time I get a glimpse of the real man who raised me. I remember the first time I saw it.
My mother was out longer than usual. I crawled into her bed missing her. smelling her on her pillow for comfort when a huge crash awakens me. Afraid, I run and go hide in her closet. I hear yelling on the other side of the door. Its muffled so I can't make out what they are saying. I peek out and a fragrance of the roses scattered all over the floor fills my lungs. I catch a glimpse of my mother curled up on the floor crying, begging my father to calm down. His cold dark eyes watching her before he strikes her in the back. Wincing, I ran back into the closet; unnoticed.
I try to bury that memory deep into the back of my mind. I know my father. He loved my mother. I'm sure that was the first and last time he ever harmed her.