The Crippled Mafia King’S Forced Bride EP 9

Natalia POV's

I look at the pile of dresses I have just finished trying on, and feel the crazy need to sit on the small stool in the changing room and cry. All of them are designed for women taller than me and blessed with huge breasts.

Every dress so far has made me look comical, like a girl who’s been playing in her mother’s closet.

I completely forgot to buy a dress. The realization came only this morning while I was eating my cereal, and I almost fainted

I always have problems finding dresses that fit, so finding one in a few hours would be an impossible feat.

Phone rings

Look at the unknown caller on the screen

Natalia Grey/FL

Probably a wrong number

I put the phone back on top of my folded jeans, let it ring, and reach for the last of the dresses to try out. It’s a beautiful silky green thing, and it would look amazing . . . on someone else.

The phone rings again, the same number. I reject the call just to have them call again a minute later

Natalia Grey/FL

Well, isn’t someone persistent? They will probably just keep calling, so better to put a stop to it right away.

Natalia Grey/FL

📞 Yes??

Rodion Ivanov/Pakhan/ML

📞 Miss Grey

Rodion Ivanov/Pakhan/ML

📞I wanted to check if everything is going according to schedule on your side

Natalia Grey/FL

📞Absolutely, Mr. Ivanov. Why do you ask?

Rodion Ivanov/Pakhan/ML

📞Because Maxim just called to tell me that you’ve been sitting in a changing room in some shop for almost an hour

What?! I grab the heavy curtain intending to march out of the changing room when I remember I’m in my underwear. Damn it.

Natalia Grey/FL

📞You’re following me? * whisper yell *

Rodion Ivanov/Pakhan/ML

📞Technically, Maxim is. I don’t want to risk you disappearing without following through with our agreement

Natalia Grey/FL

📞I’m not going anywhere. I’m trying to find a dress for your fucking party. Call off your stalker, Mr. Ivanov

Turning toward the mirror, I look at my reflection and groan. A big no for the green dress

Rodion Ivanov/Pakhan/ML

📞You still don’t have a dress? The party is in four hours

Natalia Grey/FL

📞I know! But nothing here fits

There is a pause on his side and then—

Rodion Ivanov/Pakhan/ML

📞Stay there

Rodion Ivanov/Pakhan/ML

*hung up*

Natalia Grey/FL

What the fuck just happened?

I have no idea what I’m going to do. I guess I could head to the upper level. There are a few upscale boutiques there. I might be able to find something, and they usually have a seamstress on-site who could shorten the dress right away. But, those shops are pricey. There is no way I am going to spend two grand on a dress.

I’m going toward the exit when I see the guy from the restaurant. I remember him standing a few paces behind Ivanov the whole time. He’s in his late forties and slightly overweight, but he carries it well. The dark suit and tie he’s wearing are impeccable, definitely expensive.

He looks like someone from a bank’s upper management rather than a criminal

Maxim/Second in Command

Come on

Maxim/Second in Command

They are waiting for fitting

Natalia Grey/FL

Who are 'they'?

Maxim/Second in Command

The boutique staff

Natalia Grey/FL

Which boutique?

Maxim/Second in Command

Rodion said the most expensive one. I didn’t pay attention to the name.

Natalia Grey/FL

I’m on a budget

Maxim/Second in Command

Rodion is paying

I open my mouth to say no, then think about it. The guy is blackmailing me into marriage by dangling my father’s life in front of my nose. He should be paying for the dress

....

I wonder what my future husband will think about my dress. One thing is certain, he won’t like it when he sees the receipt.

...

To be continued