Episode 10

ALEK

The day of the long-awaited party arrived; I purchased an engagement ring. If I had already decided to marry her before seeing her again, it’s because she’s the best option I have. Beyond her beauty, she’s smart and capable, not like those brainless, self-interested and easy women who chase after me. So, settling down with Leila is preferable; she’s most fit to give me a family and be my wife. My grandparents and father came to the party with me since they're friends with the Smirnovs, so I announced to them that they would meet my future wife that night. They were eager for details about her, but I assured them they would learn everything soon enough.

Upon greeting the birthday girl, she informed me that they were expecting me in the back garden, so I made my way there. Naturally, I could tell that my parents and grandparents were watching, and it wouldn’t be long before they followed. Thus, the moment I saw them peek into the back garden, I slipped the ring onto Leila's finger and kissed her, but not before warning her about my family’s presence—lest she might hit me. Although she agreed to fulfill her wifely duties, she insisted that I must be a gentleman toward her, and so I shall be. I know she's still a virgin, having never left that boarding school until now, so I'll treat her gently. I can't say I won't touch her, because that would be a lie. How could I resist Leila, my own wife? It's impossible; she's too beautiful. She may be somewhat cold and stiff, like myself, but I assume that’s normal since we don’t really know each other. What intrigues me is the debts she's keen to collect, not knowing against whom, but as my wife, I must protect her. She claims she only wants my safeguards to enter New York unnoticed. The wedding is set for a month from now, and she wishes for it to be a secret, so I had to assist her in convincing my grandparents and parents to accept a family-only wedding.

"Grandparents, dad, could you wait in the car while I say goodbye?" I requested.

"Yes, son, of course. We’ll go say farewell to the Smirnovs. Leila, my wife, and daughter, we'll come for you to pick out a beautiful wedding dress," my grandfather said.

"Well, I'll have Alek give you my number so you can call me," I thought, but which number? I don’t even have it myself, so how would I give it to them?

"Alright, darling, see you soon," my family said their goodbyes, and I looked over at my beautiful fiancee, who wore a questioning look.

"Don’t worry, now all you have to do is buy me a cellphone and hand it to them. I can’t leave any trace of myself, so I can’t do it myself," Leila explained.

"Okay, you'll have a new phone by tomorrow. Now, when will you tell me who these people are, the ones you want to take down?" I probed, and she turned even colder.

"It’s my late mother's lover. Because of him, she's dead. He was the one who locked me away in that boarding school and paid to make my life miserable. If it weren’t for Katya, I would have given up there long ago," Leila shared, gazing into the void, her eyes reflecting pain and deep-seated anger.

"You know I could destroy whoever it is in an hour, right?" I commented, and she silently shook her head.

"No, it has to be me who takes them down. And it'll be my way, slowly and painfully, just as I suffered for eight years trapped in that place," said Leila, her fists clenched with fury.

"Fine, I won't ask any more questions. But after you pick out your dress tomorrow, we'll need to complete the paperwork for the civil ceremony," I informed her.

"That's fine, but is there a way to keep the civil ceremony a secret? Honestly, I don’t want to leave any trace," Leila insisted.

"I might ask a favor to keep it under wraps for a year. I have friends who would help with that," I mentioned.

"Do that. I must go now; there are people here who can't see me at this party," Leila stated.

"Okay, see you tomorrow," I kissed her cheek and left. She didn’t even blink at my parting gesture. I used to think I was the aloof one, but she has me beat by miles. Now, I'm determined to find out whom she's after and what exactly happened to her in that boarding school. Maybe her friend could help with some digging. If my men can't get anything from the boarding school, then I’ll have to get information from Katya Smirnov.

We said goodbye to the Smirnovs and headed back to the family mansion.

"Son, when will we meet your fiancee’s family?" my mother asked.

"They passed away. She’s been in a boarding school ever since their deaths," I replied.

"God, poor child. But she’ll be part of our family now and won’t be alone anymore," my mother Nadia empathized.

"That’s right, she won't be alone," though I’m not sure if that's what she really wants. For the first time, I'm feeling insecurity tinge an interaction.

"Well, we need to notify the family. Later on, we can have a big celebration," my grandfather Jackson suggested.

"Certainly, father-in-law, I’ll make the calls so everyone can be here for the wedding," my father, Alexei, agreed.

"We should also consider the banquet," added my grandmother Grecia.

"Good, Leila and I decided to hire a wedding planner, so I’ll let them coordinate with you after they've discussed it with us, ensuring it’s a wedding to everyone's taste," I said.

"Alright, son, the couple’s wishes are what matter most," my mother said as we reached home.

Once at the mansion, I sent a message to Igor to investigate Leila Scott's life in New York, where there's bound to be more information about her than here. The only place she's been here is that boarding school, and my men are already attempting to extract info from it. All that's left is to wait.

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