Her Volkovs #Book 1

Belle's POV

Amy and I are staring at the rectangular box delivered by one of Alexei's men. It as a red ribbon wrapped around it.

"I heard what Alexei said. Nikolai and Alexei are bad news B. Look at what happened to you from the moment those two entered the picture. Your life has turned upside down."

Amy's right, my life has indeed turned upside down, but Nikolai gave me such happiness that I have never felt before. And now that I know that he really loves me, that he only did it because he's just protecting me, I'm willing to give it another try.

"You have seen me miserable without him. This is now my chance to fight for Nikolai."

"And if you work it out with him tonight, what's next B? Can you introduce him to your parents? Do you think General Galves will just allow his only child and daughter to be with the Mafia Boss? And let's say that you miraculously hurdled your father's approval. What's next? Do you believe that you will have a normal life with Nikolai? You know that's not going to happen because Nikolai is not normal. His world is different from us."

I feel like my heart is being crushed. I don't know how to respond to Amy.

"B, I'm your bestfriend I'm just setting out the reality. I don't want to see you all devastated and heartbroken again. Don't get me wrong, I am all for your happiness. Whatever your decision will be, I'll be here for you, just please think about everything first."

If I were in Amy's position I would do and say exactly the same for her. Amy looks at me like she's happy yet worried at the same time.

"I love him."

"So it seems like you have made up your mind. What are we waiting for? Let's open this, my hands have been itching to know what's in this box."

We untied the red ribbon together and removed the box cover. Our eyes widened and our lips parted when we saw one of the most beautiful and sparkly red long gown ever. Amy took it from the box and held i high to have a full view. Oh wow, Alexei's taste is impeccable.

I hear Amy gasped in awe. "Omg B.. this is so...so.. you. That Alexei guy is really impressive."

"Will it fit me?" Amy then inspects the gown and looks at my boobs.

"Well, there's one way to find out."

Amy slowly helped me wear the gown. I have my back on the mirror so only Amy could see my overall look. Surprisingly, it fits me perfectly. Well, Alexei is unbelievably creepy for knowing my exact size.

"So?"

Amy's lips are still parted. Her eyes are glittering like stars in the night sky.

"Omg B! You look stunning! Turn around! Look at yourself in the mirror."

When I slowly turn towards the mirror, my lips also parted in awe. Oh god, this dress is indeed stunning! It's a red and sparkly trumpet cut long gown with laced long sleeves. Its form fitting design puts emphasis on my curves.

"Now sit, let's do your make up." Amy said excitedly, pushing me towards the chair in front of the mirror. She has always been the expert when it comes to make up.

After so many minutes, Amy was done doing her wonders.

"I love you A." I said while she's in the middle of spraying something on my face.

"I love you B, but this isn't for free so your love is good but I need cash." She signals money on her hand.

"Okay, might you want to recall that I am apparently six hundred thousand dollars richer, so yeah I can pay you with Mafia money."

We both giggled to the harsh reality.

"Might you want to recall also that you will be in bed with the Russian Mafia both literally and figuratively the moment you exit the house and get in that black SUV parked outside." Amy retorted. There's this moment of silence between the two of us. Amy's right, the moment I step out of the door, It's never going to be the same for me anymore.

I can sense that Amy regretted saying those words to me. She then quickly changes the topic.

"Despite your decision, I'm one proud momma. You see, you are brave or stupid enough to choose love over everything. Like Romeo and Juliet and Phantom of the Opera, it's a storybook fairy tale kind of love

B."

"But those stories ended up in tragedy A."

"True, but you're story is just starting. It's still up to you and Nikolai if you two want to have a happy ending."

That actually makes a lot of sense. Nikolai and I will decide if we want our story to end up in a tragedy or a happily ever after. And I will make sure it's the latter.

"What would I do without you A?"

"I know right?" Amy and I just giggled.

"Done! Your face is such a perfect canvass B. You are my living masterpiece." Amy then slowly turns me to face the mirror.

Wow. My lips parted while looking at my reflection in the mirror. The false eyelashes she placed and the double flick winged eyeliner emphasized my eyes. The dark red lipstick gave my overall look a dramatic finish.

"Wow A, I might actually pay you Mafia money after all."

She then pulls down several strands of my hair pulling my head sideward. "Ouch, I'm just kidding....... Check or cash?" I gave her a wicked smile.

"Cash bitch." She retorted.

Amy did my hair by putting some extensions on to put more volume and define my waves even more. She pinned a silver comb with intricate design on the side of my head brushing up only one side of my hair She scoured through the huge box and she found two other small boxes. One is for the high heels and when she opened the other one, Amy's eyes instantly widened.

"Yup, it's official B. I now like that ridiculously good looking Alexei guy over the demigod Nikolai." Amy said teasingly. She then turned the box to my direction for me to see what's inside.

It's a diamond studded necklace with a matching diamond and ruby earings. Geez I think this is too much.

Amy places the necklace on me while I clip my earings.

"You're done B, damn you are mesmerizing."

"Don't go lesbo on me."

"Ha!" She places her two fingers on her mouth making a V shape and wiggles her tongue in the middle. I just giggle at Amy's naughtiness.

I look myself in the mirror and took a deep breath. This is it. I am going back to Nikolai's life.

"It's time B."

Amy quickly walks ahead of me. When I reached the living room I saw Dylan and Trevor on the couch while watching tv and drinking beer.

Amy clapped her hands twice to catch the attention of the two. Geez, talking about a dramatic exit.

"Hear ye, hear ye, presenting Queen Mary of Scotland!"

A giggle escaped my mouth at Amy's silliness. It however made me extra conscious because Dylan and Trevor are now staring at me intently. Gosh, this is so embarrassing. "Don't mind my loyal subject, guys. She's just a little bit out of her mind as of late." I said to the both of them.

"Whow Belle, you look amazing." Said Trevor.

"I know right?" I try to jokingly brush aside my embarrassment. Dylan doesn't say a word and just stares at me intently. I can feel my face slowly heating up.

As I walk past them and approach the door I decided to take a halt. The moment I step out of this door, my life will completely change.

Amy stood beside me and held my hand. "Hey B, you have to decide now."

I stare at the door while squeezing Amy's hand.

"You can still choose to go back to your normal life B."

At this point, I can feel my heart beat a thousand times. Oh god please help me.

I took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. I'm choosing what my heart wants. I'm choosing love. I'm choosing Nikolai.

As I walk out of the house, the cool breeze instantly touched my face. The wind blew through my hair and long gown. I can see Alexei's men waiting for me outside the black SUV. One of them was quickly on his phone the moment he saw me. The other one opened the door at the back passenger seat.

After several minutes, we arrived at an old mansion. We went past the security at the gate easily. I see several black cars parked just outside.

I feel like I'm running out of breath. I suddenly feel so cold. What if something bad happens? What if Alexei gets into trouble with Nikolai because of this? Alexei said I just have to trust him, but why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?

The car then pulled over just in front of the mansion. One of Alexei's men opened the car door for me. I took another deep breath before I step out of the car.

I'm now walking up the marble stairs towards the main door. As Alexei's men and I approach the foyer I see a lot of men in black suits, some are wearing trench coats and fedoras. Some are sitting on the chairs while smoking cigars and some are holding drinks in their hands. They look like they are going to a gun fight rather than a birthday party. They are just standing around, some are talking and some are staring blankly all too seriously.

As we approach the door where most of the men are standing, one of Alexei's men whispered something to one of the huge men guarding the door. They glanced at me and opened the door without hesitation. I took another deep breath before entering.