Three stores. They had already visited three stores, but Kira didn't seem satisfied. Luckily, their car and their guard were nearby. The trunks were packed to the brim, but that didn't stop Kira from continuing to buy. At the fourth store, Myra received a call from Alexei.
"Where are you?" he asked.
"And where are you?" Myra replied, annoyed. She had been waiting for him for two hours already, and he still wasn't there.
"Come back. I don't want to see you anymore, you can do whatever you want," she ordered her fiancé. Myra was a serious and punctual woman who hated liars and latecomers, even though Alexei had never lied to her.
"I'm sorry, my darling," he murmured, almost begging with his deep, hoarse voice. He pleaded with her to tell him where they were, and Myra eventually gave him the information.
A few moments later, Kira and Aaron saw Alexei approaching them. Myra hadn't noticed him, he was right behind her. Kira rolled her eyes, showing her annoyance.
Alexei wrapped Myra in his arms from behind, making her jump. When she turned around, she saw her handsome bearded fiancé.
"You took your time!" she reproached him.
"I apologize, my love."
The Dostoevski family was not only associated with the Smirnov family, but they were also involved in the organization. The Dostoevskis were the subordinates of Smirnov, the leader of the most dangerous and influential criminal organization in Russia. Their power extended nationally and internationally.
Myra was unaware that her handsome bearded fiancé had just killed someone. This traitor had stolen their weapon and sold it to the Chinese mafia. The Smirnov organization was involved in various trafficking activities such as drugs and weapons. However, the sale of human beings or organs was strictly prohibited, reserved for traitors who were punished in this manner.
"Why are you late?" Myra asked, noting the embarrassment in Alexeï's eyes, a terrible liar.
"I…" he stammered, avoiding the delicate subject.
"Never mind, Alex," Myra reassured, smiling at his discomfort. He never lied to her, but when it came to organization, he avoided the topic.
"You already know my brother and sister. How about we go grab some food?" she suggested.
"Sure!" Aaron and Alexeï said at the same time.
"Fine," Kira said, rolling her eyes.
"I see the hatred is still strong towards me!" Alexeï remarked with a smirk.
"Glad you're aware," Kira replied.
Alexeï invited them to dinner at one of his father's restaurants, "Mynerise", in memory of his daughter, Alexeï's sister. It was a large restaurant offering a variety of menus. The staff were polite, perhaps due to their relationship with the boss, but they had a good time.
"Has your shopping session already ended?" Alexeï asked.
"We still have seven more shops to visit," Kira replied, eliciting tired sighs from Aaron and Myra.
"And what if, after that, we attend a session at the opera?" Alexeï suggested.
"Do you like the opera?" Aaron asked, surprised.
"Yes," Alexeï replied. "What true Russian wouldn't like the opera?"
"Me," Aaron retorted.
"I do," said Myra.
"I do too," exclaimed Kira excitedly. "I love it!!!"
So it was three against one, a crushing defeat for Aaron. They then headed to the opera.
The theater was packed. Did all these people really enjoy opera? Aaron had attended a performance once when he was seven, with his parents, and he had hated it.
The singer on stage seemed to be shouting incomprehensible words. He had promised himself never to endure such torture again, but here he was, escorting his sisters and brother-in-law.