God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Bonus Scene 1

Meeting The Parents
Alicia

Vaughn squeezes my hand and looks down at me with an amused smile. "You're adorable when you're nervous."

"Can you blame me? I really want your parents to like me." I say, fiddling with the hem of my dress.

"They're gonna adore you, come on." He places a kiss to my knuckles and leads me to the large house. There are about a hundred bodyguards scattered around it which makes me tense.

He rings the doorbell, and a woman opens the door. "Vaughn, sweetie!" She embraces him and places a kiss to his cheek.

Aleksandra Ivanova, powerful woman in the Bratva and Vaughns mom. Her hair is straight and blonde, her face kind.

She turns to me with a soft smile. "And you must be the girl my son is so infatuated with, pleasure to meet you, dear."

I shake her hand. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Kirill, Vaughn and Alicia are here!" She yells for her husband. I squeeze Vaughns hand tight. Oh God. Oh God. This is it, I'm meeting his father. Kirill Morozov. The Pakhan of the Bratva.

A talk man steps into the room, pushing his glasses up. His hair is dark and short, with a small stubble on his face.

Wow, he's hot.

"Son," He nods to Vaughn with a smile then turns to me. Assessing me. After a moment, his face relaxes and he shakes my hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Yes, hi- you too, sir." I reply nervously.

"Please, there's no need for the formality. Call me Kirill."

"Oh, thank you, Kirill."

"Come in, dinner is ready." He says, stepping inside and waving us in.

I whisper into Vaughns ear. "You should wear glasses."

"I should?" He whispers back.

"Oh, yeah. If that's what you're going to look like in 30 years then I've made an excellent choice in dating you." I giggle.

Vaughn chuckles softly at my joke, a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks. "I beg of you to stop talking about my father like that." he whispers back, giving my hand another comforting squeeze.

As we step inside the lavish foyer, the atmosphere shifts. The grandeur of the Morozov home is overwhelming yet inviting, with intricate artwork adorning the walls and ornate chandeliers illuminating the space. I catch glimpses of family photos—Vaughn as a child, beaming with joy, alongside his parents. Despite the somber reputation of the Bratva, their home exudes a warmth that I desperately cling to.

"Come on, let's not keep them waiting," Vaughn says, leading me further into the house. The smell of something delicious wafts through the air—rich spices and slow-cooked comfort food that makes my stomach growl.

We enter the dining room, and I can't help but admire the long, intricately set table. Candles flicker as if to create a cozy ambiance, and a large roast sits at the center, flanked by elegant side dishes. The warmth of the room contrasts sharply with the array of guards stationed outside. I feel a tinge of anxiety fluttering in my stomach.

"Sit, please," Kirill gestures to the chair at the head of the table. I glance at Vaughn, whose reassuring nod eases my nerves. I take a seat and watch as he claims the chair beside me, interlacing his fingers with mine once more.

Aleksandra takes her seat opposite us, her smile brightening the room. "I hope you are hungry, Alicia. Kirill and I have been looking forward to this dinner for days."

"It smells incredible," I reply, genuinely impressed.

Kirill serves himself a portion of the roast before passing it to Aleksandra, who immediately dishes out some onto my plate. "Tell us about your last film, dear. I heard it was quite a success."

I take a breath, grateful for the opportunity to steer the conversation. "It's called 'Whispers of the Heart.' It's a romantic drama, and I was fortunate to work with some amazing actors." I glance at Vaughn while speaking—his expression proud, yet a hint of something possessive flickers across his features, something I choose to ignore.

"Romance, huh? I suppose it suits you," Kirill observes, his tone serious but not unkind. "It's vital to portray genuine emotions in such roles. Do you find it hard to separate the character from yourself?"

I nod, feeling the weight of his scrutiny yet strangely at ease under his mother's warmth. "It can be difficult, especially when the characters are so deeply connected. I think that's what makes acting so rewarding. You learn so much about love—its complexities, the depths of human connection."

Vaughn leans closer, making me acutely aware of his presence. "She's amazing at it. I wouldn't be surprised if she wins an Oscar one day," he boasts, the pride in his voice unmistakable.

Aleksandra beams at Vaughn, then at me. "I can see how much he admires you. That's a beautiful thing."

"Thank you," I smile, my heart melting a little at his affection. Yet, even while sitting with his warm family, I can't shake the thought of the ominous bodyguards lingering nearby and the darker undercurrents of Vaughn's world, which I am now part of.

The conversation continues, lighthearted for the most part, punctuated by laughter and warm exchanges. But as dinner goes on, I catch snippets of an underlying tension—the important topics of business and family loyalty slipping through the cracks of casual chatter. Kirill's gaze sometimes lingers on Vaughn with an intensity that speaks volumes—expectation, perhaps?

As dessert is served, a rich chocolate cake that looks impossibly decadent, Kirill leans forward, his gaze serious. "Alicia," he begins, "as my son's partner, I must ask—are you prepared for the responsibilities that come with being part of our family?"

The question hits me like a punch to the gut, and my breath catches. I lock eyes with Vaughn, who has gone still beside me. "I... I want to be here," I manage to say, my voice trembling slightly. "I love Vaughn and want to support him in whatever way I can. I don't take that lightly."

Kirill studies me for a long moment, the tension palpable in the air. Finally, he nods slowly. "Very well. Just know that this life requires loyalty, strength, and above all, understanding of our values. Family will always come first, and I expect you to honor that."

"I understand," I reply firmly, my hands now gripping Vaughn's tighter, a silent promise that I would delve deeper into whatever this chaotic world meant for us.

Aleksandra places her hand over mine, softening the moment. "And as long as you continue to be true to yourself, dear, you will thrive."

As the evening progresses, I find comfort in the hope that perhaps, just maybe, I could find my place within the labyrinth of their world, wrapped in Vaughn's strong embrace, surrounded by an unexpected warmth.

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A/N:
Hii! Just thought I would update, there will be three bonus scenes. The one after this will be their wedding and the one after that will be a glimpse into the future of them with their kids!
Thank you so much for the support!
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