Mafia Bloodlines

Chapter 16

Vladimir's pov

Faina and Ulyana have been living with us for almost a month . I know I haven't been making efforts to get to know them or at least build their trust. I don't even know where to start, girls are a bit complicated. I mean when I want to bond with my sons, we go to a good bar and drink the night away or in Valentino and Nikolai's case, we hunt down our enemies and neutralize the situation. I think my girls are too young for both. Since I've been having this dilemma I've called in some reinforcement.

"Yuri, just the person I wanted to see. Take a seat, Son." He obliges with a warm smile.

" I've been facing quite a predicament here. Which is why I needed us to talk in private. It's about your sisters...."

"Okaay, did something bad happen to them?" Yuri says with a frown. I must have given him the wrong impression.

" No, no, nothing bad happened to them. I just need a little insight here. You are the closest thing I have to a girl child so I thought you could help me." I said reassuringly. Which earns me an eye roll from him. I am doing my best to accept him as he is but maybe I go about it the wrong way sometimes.

" Papa not all gays are girly, you know what it's fine, let's just move along. What do you need help with?" Yuri enquires.

" I want to try and build a relationship with your sisters but I know it takes time and baby steps. So I'd like to know where to start. What do girls like, what should I do with them ?"

"Gee, I don't know. Shopping, take them for a spa treatment." Yuri says while scratching his head.

"You suggesting that I take them to a spa? Nope, that is out of the question. I'm not having random strangers touching my girls." I give him a swift reply. The spa thing won't work, plus Faina doesn't seem to like physical touch. The other day Nikolai patted her and Faina broke his hand. Faina did apologize after Nikolai had apologised for touching her.

" Papa, don't think of it like that. They will just be given a massage, it's not that deep. For your sanity I'd suggest you go shopping with them then, since you've clearly lost your mind."

"I think that will have to do." It's decided then. We are going shopping, how tedious.

I walked into the kitchen, where Faina and Ulyana were seated, having breakfast on their own. I poured myself a cup of coffee and stood near the counter.

"Good morning, girls. I was thinking, how about we go shopping today? I figured girls would love that sort of thing." I said ,straight to the point.

Faina looked up from her phone, her expression unenthused. "I'm not feeling very well, Vladimir. You and Ulyana can go. I'm sure she would love to spend time with you" I wasn't really sure if she was being sarcastic or not.

Ulyana, on the other hand, lit up with excitement. "Oh, yes! I'd love to go shopping with you, Vladimir! You're paying right?"

My face fell slightly at Faina's rejection, but Ulyana's enthusiasm quickly lifted my spirits. "I am paying. Don't worry, you can get anything you want. My black card is yours today darling ."

Ulyana and I set off, strolling through the bustling streets of the city. We walked into a few stores, browsing through the racks and shelves. Ulyana tried on several outfits, seeking my opinion on each one. I thought they all looked good on her, she bought the whole store.

We took a break in a quaint little restaurant, sipping coffee and nibbling on pastries.

" Is Faina really not feeling well or was it just an excuse to avoid me?" I say with a small sign.

Ulyana turned to me as she spoke, "she did lie about not feeling well but not because she wanted to avoid you. Faina hates shopping. She is too impatient and lazy for it. She would rather order what she wants online or send me to do it. She only lied because she didn't want you to feel bad, we see that you are trying."

"I had no idea. I guess I won't invite her shopping again anytime soon." I couldn't help but chuckle. Maybe Diana doesn't hate me that much after all.

"Yeah, probably not. But I'm having a great time with you, Vladimir. Thanks for taking me shopping.Next time try having her tag along while you run mafia errands. She has been obsessed with the mafia ever since we were children. I don't think she is as good as she would like to be yet but I have no doubt that she will make a fine assassin one day. " Ulyana said with a huge smile on her face.

"When Faina is making a name for herself as an assassin in future,  what will you be doing?" I ask.

"  I love fashion and you've probably seen that today. So I'm sure I will l
be living my best life, strutting down catwalks and gracing the covers of top fashion magazines! I'll be travelling the world, experiencing new cultures, and meeting incredible people. I'll be a supermodel."

The conversation continued as I learnt more about my eldest daughter. From books to fashion to our shared love of art.  I'm beginning to realise that I misunderstood the twins, Ulyana is certainly a lot more vocal than Faina, Faina has guts.