Leonid, the heir of the Russian Mafia, finds himself in an arranged marriage with Anastasia, a CEO girl. However, there's no love lost between them as they both despise each other.
"I hate you, and I will always do." Anastasia yelled.
"Go ahead, try...
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~LEONID'S P.O.V~
Valik was right in front of me, shouting my name, and as soon as I saw him, tears started streaming down my face. The world around us faded into a blur, the chaos of the moment dissolving into the background as I focused solely on him.
"Valik...you're really alive." The words tumbled out of my mouth, heavy with disbelief and relief. I tried to move towards him, but it felt like every step was pulling me away instead, as if an invisible force was holding me back. My heart raced, a wild drumbeat echoing in my ears, urging me to close the distance between us. It was so weird; I wanted to sprint to him, to wrap my arms around him and never let go, but then I heard him say, "Why do you always show up too late?"
His voice cut through the haze, sharp and laced with a bitterness that sent a chill down my spine. The joy of seeing him was overshadowed by the weight of his words, and I faltered, my feet rooted to the ground. I could see the hurt in his eyes, the pain of all the moments we had lost, the time that had slipped through our fingers like sand. "Valik, I—"
.........
I awoke with my eyes wide open.
Tears flowed down my cheeks as I emerged from a nightmare that had unearthed painful memories and emotions, I believed I had buried a week ago. My hands clenched into fists as I bit my lip, sobbing and struggling to breathe. The haunting image of Valik's lifeless body lingered in my mind, tormenting me throughout the day. I turned to the drawer, retrieving my anxiety and depression medication, and swallowed three pills. Rising from the bed, I made my way to the balcony, where I lit a cigarette and began to smoke.
I despise myself. The weight of my self-loathing pressed down on me like a heavy shroud, suffocating and relentless. Covering my face with one hand, I struggled to hold back my tears, each drop a testament to the turmoil raging within. I bit my lip, determined not to disturb Anastasia, who lay peacefully asleep, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in my heart.
Taking a drag from my cigarette, I let the smoke curl around me, a fleeting comfort in the chaos of my thoughts. "They will regret the day they overlooked me," I muttered under my breath, the words laced with a mix of anger and resolve. I wiped my tears away, feeling the sting of shame as I discarded the cigarette on the ground, crushing it underfoot with a sense of finality. It was a small act, but it felt significant—a declaration that I was done wallowing in self-pity.
"Leonid?" I heard her voice and turned my head slightly. "Yes, babe?" I replied, hoping she wouldn't get up, but it seemed she did. She approached from behind and wrapped her arms around me. "I heard you while you were sleeping... Leonid... it's not your fault." She buried her face in my back.
I managed a weak smile and gently pulled her away, only to embrace her tightly. "It keeps haunting me; I don't know how to move on. It feels like there's a void in my heart."
She returned the hug, her body tense. "I don't think that's what Valik ever wanted for you," she said. "He wanted you to be free of this pain. He wouldn't want to see you destroying yourself."
"I know," I said, kissing the top of her head. "But he was like a brother to me, and now he's gone... gone because of me. I told him to watch over things while we were abroad." A sharp pain pierced my chest.
"Leonid, remember what he said before he passed? He was happy to see you starting to find joy in your life. He would be disappointed to know you're carrying this burden."
Her words hung in the air, a fragile thread connecting the past to the present. I could see the concern etched on her face, the way her brow furrowed as if she were trying to decipher the labyrinth of my grief.
"But how can I let go?" I asked, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. "Every time I close my eyes, I see his face, hear his laughter, and then it all fades into silence. It feels like I'm betraying him by moving on."
She inhaled deeply and said, "I'm not sure, but just look at me. He's my friend, and I hold his memory dear... you need to stop blaming yourself for everything, you know that, right?" She playfully punched my stomach.
A faint smile crossed my lips as I drew her in closer and kissed her.
Suddenly, her phone began to ring, and she glanced at the caller ID, her expression shifting to one of surprise.
"Valik?" she responded to the call.
My eyes widened in disbelief. What on earth?
_End of chapter 16
sorry it took me long to upload a new chapter, something came up, that I was really busy and tired, but hey I am back....
