After Their Story Began

Chapter 52

Natasha's POV

Vladimir has been following me around since Anya and I moved in last week. He doesn't say much he just sits in while I dance or steals glances at me during meals or lessons. I've done my best to ignore him until now.

"No." I say to Vladimir

This is the first time I've spoken to him since I left for school. The twins, Roman, Anya, and I grew up together. Our parents are the best of friends so they wanted the same for us. The four of them are very close but since I committed to pursuing a dance career so early I ended up separating myself from the group. I still have lots of love for them but since I'm older I don't have an overwhelming desire to be around them.

"What do you mean no? I'm going to be the most powerful man in the country one day. Why wouldn't you want to marry me?" He asked sounding genuinely puzzled

"I don't care for those things Vladimir. I want to one day marry someone I love." I explain

To clarify after dinner Vladimir followed me to the library to announce that he wants to make me his wife when we're of age. I said no like any reasonable person.

"But I'll love you!"

"But I won't." I countered

"Why not?"

"For starters I know very little about you. If my father hadn't died we'd still be avoiding each other."

"I never avoided you. I've always thought you were amazing. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever met. You're really strong and motivated. I've never met anyone like you. I'm going to become the leader of my father's mafia one day and I'll need a Queen who never cracks under pressure. You're the only person who could be my wife." He pleaded his case

Now that I think about it he has always been this way. Since he could crawl he's followed me around like a lost puppy. During the summers before I left he'd sit beside me in silence as I read because he knew I hated reading in a noisy space. Whenever anyone would pick me up from dance he'd be in the car with them. The women used to joke that he was in love with me. I just assumed he was a clingy person.

"Vladimir you're ten, you haven't met enough girls your age to draw that conclusion."

"I'm turning eleven in two weeks!"

"And I just turned thirteen. I'm too old for you."

"No you're not! Why won't you love me back? I'm your closest friend!" He asked

"We don't even talk to each other." I deadpanned

"Because you don't like talking so I don't."

"I like talking. I just don't normally have anyone to talk to." I told him

"You can talk to me." He volunteered

"You never said a word so I thought you liked the silence." I shrugged

"Then I'll talk to you more. I'll make you fall in love with me."

"You can do as you please but it'll ultimately be a waste of your time." I told him before turning my attention back to my book

Two Days Later

"I'm sure as successor to the Volkov name you have more pressing things to busy yourself with. The last thing I want is for you to fall behind because of me." I tell Vladimir when he enters my dance room

"All of us have been given a break to help you and Anya adjust. Roman and Vladelin are focusing on Anya while I focus on my bride."

"I'm hardly your friend. Don't go throwing that word around."