Mafia Bloodlines

Chapter 13

Faina's pov

I trudged through the front door, dropping my bag on the floor. Ulyana followed closely behind, a sympathetic smile on her face.

"That bad huh?" Luca asked, as he descended from the stairs. He looked like he hadn't slept in a millennium.

" Don't you work, or at least have a hobby or friends?" I said as he poured himself a glass of stolichnaya (vodka). I've known Luca for two days but I'm convinced he lives inside of the vodka bottle he loves so much.

"Stick around long enough and you will be needing this remedy too мой маленький дьявол(my little devil)" he responds, still focused on the drink in his hand.

"And the next time you try running away from this purgatory, take me with," a sly grin spread across his face as he spoke. Well it seems nothing stays hidden in this place.

"Mum is making dinner. She wanted to ask if you both were allergic to anything?" Valentino said. I guess the question was directed to us, well at least he hasn't thrown any insults, yet.

" I am allergic to anything with Sesame seeds," I  said and then left him and Luca sitting together and went to Ulyana's room to take a nap, I can be very clingy at times.

Ulyana shook me as she tried to wake me up.

" Get up sleepy head and go change, dinner is ready,  Be nice" she sent a warning and she literally dragged me out of bed so I could freshen up.
We headed downstairs to the dining room, where the rest of the family was already seated. Klara  beamed at us from the head of the table.

"Girls, please have a seat. I've prepared chicken stir-fry! I really hope you enjoy it" she announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I couldn't force a smile.  Being here is still a bit awkward for me, I don't see myself getting used to this arrangement. It's a good thing Mama is coming back next week.  Ulyana nodded and smiled as we took our seats and began serving ourselves.

The first few bites were okay, but as soon as I took a spoonful of the sauce, I felt a strange tingling sensation in my mouth. At first, I thought it was just the spiciness of the dish, but as the sensation spread to my throat and face, I knew something was wrong.

"Ulyana, I don't feel right," I whispered, my voice shaking.

Ulyana's eyes widened as she took in my rapidly swelling face. "Faina, what's happening? Does the food contain Sesame seeds" she cried, alarm etched on her face.

I tried to speak, but my throat was constricting, making it hard to breathe. Ivan who was sitting further down from us, sprang into action.

"Get me my medical bag, now!" he barked at one of the servants, before turning to me. "Faina, I need you to stay calm. Can you breathe?"

I shook my head trying to inhale deeply, but it felt like my airways were shrinking. Ulyana grasped my hand, her eyes brimming with tears.

Klara's face was ashen as she stared at me. "Oh, Faina, I had no idea...I didn't mean..."

Vladimir's voice cut through the chaos. "What did you put in the food, Klara?" he demanded, his eyes blazing with anger.

Klara trembled. "S-sesame seeds...I thought it would be a nice touch..."

I felt like I was going to pass out. Sesame seeds. I was severely allergic to sesame seeds. How could Klara be so careless?

As the room began to spin, Nikolai scooped me up in his arms. I was vaguely aware of being carried out of the dining room, Everything went black.

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in my bedroom, lying on my bed. Ulyana was sitting next to me, holding my hand and looking worried.

"Faina, can you hear me?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.

I nodded, trying to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the bed.

"Yes, I hear your voice, take me with you oh  heavenly father?" I stammered, my throat still feeling constricted.

Ulyana smacked me within a second
"You idiot, this is not the time for games. Are you good? Klara didn't know...she didn't mean to hurt you." I think Ulyana corrected herself because she was there when I told Valentino to tell Klara about my allergy.

Just then, the door to my bedroom opened, and Ivan, Nikolai, Luca,Zakhar, Yuri and Vladimir walked in.

"How are you feeling, Faina?" Zakhar  asked, his eyes scanning me with a mixture of concern.

"I'm...I'm okay, I think," I croaked, my voice still rough.

Ivan nodded, his expression serious. "We'll need to keep an eye on you for the next few hours, make sure the reaction doesn't worsen. And we'll need to have a talk with Klara about being more careful with food allergies in the future."

" Vladimir, keep your wife on a leech. She did this on purpose, I promise her she doesn't want to make an enemy out of me,"
I told sperm donor ,feeling a mix of emotions: anger, frustration.

As Ivan continued to check my vitals and monitor my condition, Nikolai spoke.

" She swears she had no idea and I believe her, I know a liar when I see one. Maybe you forgot to tell her." And then it hit me, it wasn't me who forgot to tell Klara, Valentino.

" Whatever, I'd like to get some rest, please." They all left me pondering on how I will get Valentino back for this.