𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞|𝟏𝟖+

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭#𝟔

"Wow, I never knew you were a K-drama fan! I love watching them too!" With a laugh, Raisa drank her wine as Vera gave her a small smile.

"Yeah I love them," she responded while eating her chips as they both sat on the sofa, discussing various dramas.

On a Saturday afternoon, Vera and Raisa decided to hang out while Rurik attended an important collaboration with another Mafia. This allowed Raisa to have an enjoyable time with her aunt, without any interruptions.

"What's your favorite? Mine is True Beauty. It's really good," Raisa, being an extrovert, started the conversation again as Vera let her eyes wander around.

"Hmm, I like True Beauty too but mine has to be the business proposal," she told her. "I love the main lead."

"Oh yeah," Raisa replied as her phone buzzed. Vera noticed her expression changing from normal to a much-distressed one. "He's great."

When she hadn't responded and her eyes had turned glossy, Vera placed a hand on her shoulder in concern.

"Are you okay?" she inquired with worries in her tone while Raisa immediately placed her phone down and gave her a smile.

"Yeah, by the way, my mom found a guy for me," her mouth curved up. "He's in a small mafia business somewhere from Minsk."

"Oh wow, that's great. Did you meet him?"

"Kind of yeah not in person though. I talked to him on the phone."

"Okay so is he nice?"

"Yes," her response showed less excitement than she should've.

After a moment when Raisa hadn't said anything, Vera moved closer to her.

"You don't like him do you?"

"What? N-no it's not that."

"You're lying Raisa," she held her hands gently. "Look, I haven't known you for long but I can read your expressions which scream that you don't like him."

Raisa glanced up and stared at her aunt in disbelief but then sighed painfully.

"It's true, I don't. You're right. I don't know how to tell Mom though."

"Why? Would she be mad that you're not marrying who she wants you to?"

"Not particularly, she didn't ask me. She suggested I just meet him as she's the one who likes him."

"But you don't," Vera declared softly. "Right?"

"It's just- he's nice. I don't hate him or anything. But I don't romantically like him," Raisa let out a dejected sigh and closed her eyes tiredly.

"Oh. If you don't like him then, is there another guy?"

Raisa didn't plan on replying as she knew Vera was her aunt but she also knew that she hadn't told anyone her secret.

"Technically no. Not another guy."

Vera's eyes widened as she stared toward her niece in surprise.

"You're gay," she said gently as Raisa glanced up but before she could reply, the door of the large living room opened and Yulia entered inside.

The girls immediately stopped talking as the blonde stared at Vera before speaking.

"Raisa, Yustina was calling you but I guess you were too busy to reply to her," Yulia looked toward Vera and gave her a side eye as she stood up from the comfortable cushions.

"Okay Vera, I'll see you later," Raisa enveloped Vera in her embrace and pulled away before leaving the room.

Vera felt uncomfortable as Yulia scrutinized her with a look of disgust, but quickly disguised it with a smile.