ROSALINE

12

ROSALINE

I should have had a glass of wine. Wine always helps me endure stressful things. It was a habit I picked up from my mom, I think. I used to see her pour herself a glass of her favorite Italian wine before going to have an argument with my dad. She used to joke that it was like preparing for battle.

At the end, she would come out victorious. And if she didn't, she wouldn't be moved. But not once have I ever seen my mother get drunk. She always lectured us on how unethical it was.

It's not like Blaze or dad listened anyway.

"They're a lot," I said to Alexei as we walked into the large hall. He wrapped a protective arm around my waist, "You'll be fine." "If you don't feel comfortable, let me know," he said to me and I nodded.

"Volkov!"

An aged man approached us. He was dressed in a very expensive suit with gold chains around his neck. I would have complimented his fashion if he hadn't gone overboard with his dressing.

Who wears four heavy chains on their neck to a party?

"Popov, how are you?" Alexei asked. There was clearly no emotion in his voice. He sounded cold and it made my insides shiver.

"Good evening to you too," the man chuckled. his eyes fell on me and they widened in surprise.

"I never expected the rumors to be true," he said in awe.

What rumors?

"You have seen for yourself," Alexei said in a bored tone and the man nodded. "I have to go now," he said and walked away. I turned to Alexei, "What rumors?"

"That I have a wife," he said with a shrug and I rolled my eyes. I slightly pouted at the height difference between the both of us. Even with heels, I was still a lot shorter than him.

That's not fair!

"When are we eating?" I asked him and he chuckled. "You're hungry?"

I shrugged, "Maybe." "Soon," he said and we began walking towards the tables that were beautifully decorated.

"What kind of party is this actually?" I asked him. "A gathering and a charity party," he said and I scoffed. These people were unbelievable.

"My husband!" we turned around to see Vlad approaching us with a wide smile and Igor following after him. I couldn't help but smile at his presence. I liked Vlad's energy. He and Alexei were total opposites.

I wonder how they got along.

"Don't make me put a gun to your head," Alexei said with an eye roll. Vlad waved him off and turned to face me. "Sweetheart, I must say that you're the only woman that has caught my attention since I walked in," he said to me.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Is that the recent pick up line you learnt?" I asked with a chuckle. He placed a hand over his left chest dramatically, "You wound my heart."

"Stop flirting with my wife," Alexei warned. "Don't be such a party pooper, sweetie. My heart still belongs to you," Vlad gave him a grin which seemed to irritate Alexei.

I saw Igor shake his head at Vlad and I smiled.

"Vlad, come with me," Alexei said and turned to me. "Igor will look after you till I come back," he said and I nodded before watching he and Vlad walk away.

I took a seat at the table that was assigned to us and pointed at one of the empty chairs for Igor to sit.

"I'd rather stand," he said to me. "Your feet will hurt," I said to him. He shook his head, "I wear not heels."

My eyes widened when I understood what he meant and I glared at him. I saw him smile and I knew I was successfully cracking this hard nut. "Of all the jobs to choose, Igor. You chose to be a body guard," I said to him with a look of playful disappointment.

"I love my job," he said and looked up to check the surroundings. My eyes fell on the waiters that held trays of champagne and wine.

"I want one," I said to Igor. He nodded and flagged down one of the waiters. I happily took a glass of champagne and thanked the waiter before downing it and returning the empty glass.

"Igor!"

A beautiful woman approached us. She was slim but healthy slim not Victoria secret slim. She was dressed in a gold sequin dress that stopped at her knees and accentuated her figures. The dress matched her eyes that held sparks of gold and complimented and light brown hair.

In other words, this woman was beautiful.

"Bianca," Igor acknowledged her with a nodded when she got to us. She chuckled and shook her head, "Still quiet as I remembered." She turned to face me with a smile, "Good evening. My husband and I were assigned to this table."

"Oh okay," I said as I watched her take a seat beside me. "My name is Bianca," her accent was different. "Rosaline," I said to her. "It fits you well. I must say, you are very beautiful tonight," she said with a chuckle.

That was coming from a beautiful woman.

"Thank you. I couldn't stop myself from admiring you too," I said with a small smile. She let out a laugh, "There's no need to flatter me. I haven't seen you here before. Are you new? Maybe just married?"

I nodded. She clapped excitedly, "How does it feel?"

I let out a dry chuckle, "So surreal."

"Bianca," we turned to see Alexei standing beside the table with a raised brow. "Alex," she said with a grin and he sighed.

It looked like he didn't like that name but he still tolerated it but she didn't care.

I liked her.

"Did you see Enzo anywhere?" she asked him. He nodded, "He's coming with Vlad." "What are you doing with my wife?" he asked her. her eyes widened and she looked at me.

"I hope he's not giving you stress. I can shoot him in the balls if you'd like me to," she said and I laughed.

"Shut your crap," Alexei took a seat beside me and pulled me closer, away from her.

"Give her back. You have no idea how long it has been since I've spoken to a decent woman," she huffed at him.

"What are you doing here? Where's Marco?" Alexei asked her. "He's in Italy," she waved him off and turned to face me, "He's my little bundle of joy."

"That cries every fucking second," I heard Alexei grumble. "Oh shush it, Alex. Get your own kid first," Bianca stuck her tongue out at him.

I wonder how they got to know each other.