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"I thought I did the right thing in sending you to America, but now I can see that it was a mistake. You have learned to be impertinent and disrespectful to us. You have become a disgrace to this family Arabella." My father looked down on me as he spoke. My mother is clinging on to his arm while helping him to balance and stand on his own and it's clear that he is hurting.

My heart broke into pieces. My mother got teary eyes while looking at my father like pleading not to continue what he was saying.

"Honey why dont we call this a night and we will all talk tomorrow? Come on." My Mother is running her palm on my father's side as what she would always do when she's trying to ease down my father.

I wasnt able to say a single word to Papa. I feel like small needles are pinching my eyes. I somehow expected this to happen and prepared my heart for whatever word that my father or any member of this family will throw at me but not to the expense of my father's own life.

Devon assisted my father to his room while Mama stayed. "Ara, can we talk in private?"

Nikolai, Alexei and Amy instantly understood and left the dining room. At this point my knees are already weakening so I sat down and held on to the table.

"All my life I have tried my best to live up to Pa's expectations and not once that I let him or you down. This time all I'm asking from you and Pa is to let me do things on my own and just be happy for me."

"Your pa needs more time to accept that his only daughter is getting married. Ara, remember that this news took us all by surprise. You just called all of a sudden after months of staying in New York that you are coming home with your fiance. It is safe to say that we are all still in shock and denial. Your father loves you very much and he only wants what's best for you." My ma said while hugging me tight.

"I know ma..I'm sorry." I dont have other reason to justify my stand. All I'm holding on to is my love towards Nikolai and Alexei. Pa and Devon have valid reason why they are against Nikolai. That's beside the fact that what they know is just a tiny bit of information about who the real Nikolai is. What more if they know that I am being shared by the Russian Mafia Boss and Underboss?

"Let your Pa rest tonight. Talk to him tomorrow."

"I know what happened to Papa. We can bring him to New York. We will have him checked up there and get a second opinion. I heard they have the best doctors there. I will take care of everything Ma. You can come with us back to New York. Nikolai has a private jet, pa will not have a hard time travelling."

"Ara, you know we cant impose it to your pa."

"I know, but you can talk to him ma. Please?"

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The next morning, I decided to talk to my father. I found him at the horses stable with Devon and Carlos. They are watching one of our workers tend to the horses. When my cousin saw me he looked at my father first before gazing away.

"Pa, can I talk to you?"

Devon and Carlos walked away from us. My father did not say word and continues to stand straight while pretending to ignore me. I wasnt able to contain it anymore so I instantly hugged him and rested my head on his chest.

"I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you Pa."

Papa remained silent. This time, I hugged him even tighter.

"I love you Papa."

To my utter surprise, my father lets out a soft sigh. His shoulders slightly dropped as he wrapps his arms around me.

"I cant give you the blessing that you are asking for because I still think that what you will do is a mistake Arabella."

I removed my head from his chest and looked him in his eyes.

"But....if this man makes you happy, dont let me or anyone else get in your way in finding and choosing your happiness."

I feel like all the angels descended from heaven and rejoiced around us. Did I just hear that right? My father, the General Galves, although not directly, gave his consent for me to marry?

"Can you rephrase that Pa? Make it more official." I tried to let out a puppy face while looking up at him.

"Don't push it Arabella."

A giggle escaped my mouth while looking at my Pa with admiration. I know my mother has a hand on this and I could not ask for more.

My father and I walked out of the stable while I'm holding on to his arm. Devon and Carlos are waiting for us outside. I know I have to make amends to my cousin. I could not stand getting angry at him anymore so I decided to talk to him. My Father and Carlos went back to the house while Devon and I took a walk. I am clinging on to my cousin's ripped arm as we stroll.

"I'm sorry Devy."

"Apology not accepted."

"Devy!"

Devon lets out a soft chuckle while a smile is painted on his face.

"I didnt mean what I said. Uhhmmm, well I meant every word I said at that time, but those words dont apply now. I love you and I appreciate everything that you have done for me and for pa."

Devon lets out a sigh of defeat while clasping my hand. "I love you too baby sister."

When will my family understand that Im not a baby anymore? I'm twenty six years old for goodness sakes! Im betting that they wont be able to accept Nikolai until such time that they first accept that Im not their baby Ara anymore.

"I'm all grown up. Not a baby anymore Devy."

"That's kind of hard to imagine so quit insisting it on us."

I just shook my head and sigh. Yup! Never gonna happen.

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We flew back to New York with the pseudo blessing of my father. I feel bad for not being completely honest to them. If I had my way and if things and circumstances were different, I would never lie to my family. I know that I will bear this in my heart until the day I die. Lying to my family all because of love is not ideal but I would probably do this again in a heartbeat if I am faced with the same fate.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Nikolai said while inhaling at the back of my ear. Im looking outside while in the black SUV on our way home. We arrived in New York just when the sun is about to set. The horizon is yellow orange and everything around looks still and melancholic.

"Just a penny? You know for a Billionaire youre quite cheap."

Nikolai lets out a soft chuckle. I rested my head on his neck as my future husband and I cuddle. I inhale him deep down my lungs and let out a content sigh. This is where I belong. This is where I want to be for the rest of my life.

"I have arranged a meeting with the wedding planner tomorrow." Nikolai said while running his palm on my arm.

"That fast? But we just got back Nikolai, maybe the day after tomorrow?"

Nikolai's mood suddenly changed. He leaned back and removed his chest from me. "Why? Are you still waiting for Artan's offer of marriage?"

Oh my god. Here we go again. How things escalated quickly is incredible. I removed myself from Nikolai and scooted over to Alexei. I sat on Alexei's lap and made sure that I have my back against Nikolai. I am so tired both physically and mentally. I just don't have enough strength to even give a damn about Nikolai's insecurity right now.

No one in the car said a single word at any point in time. Even Alexei is just silently stroking my side while my head is resting on his shoulder. Im looking outside and Im pretty sure this is not the way home. I did not bother to ask. Just as long as I'm with the two, I know I am already home even though one of the two is having another temper tantrum.

Several minutes later, the SUV's pulled over in a basement car park. My mind is already starting to snooze because of exhaustion. Nikolai went out of the car first and took me from Alexei. My legs and arms are wrapped around my future husband as I rest my head on his shoulder.

I cant decipher his facial expression but I saw in his eyes that Nikolai is tired as well. Perhaps exhaustion got him all riled up. We went inside the elevator and it did not stop until it went directly to the penthouse. At this point my thoughts are slowly drifting off.

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I woke up alone in a huge bed covered in all white inside a beautiful penthouse room overlooking one of the most beautiful city scape my eyes have ever set into. I flicker and rub my eyes a couple of times to have a clearer view of my surroundings. Everything around is glass, with occasional black and gold furnitures. I stepped down the bed and walked barefoot. I took one of the shirts on the chair and placed it on my nose to inhale. It's Alexei's. I put it on and walked my way outside. Shivers run from the nerves on my feet and up my spine in every step that I make.

My eyes wandered on the gorgeous interior design of the whole place. It's quite obvious that this penthouse loft is a bachelor's pad judging by the overall design. The main living area is very spacious and covers the whole one corner of the penthouse. There's a common area in the middle with black leather chairs and sofa's. To the left, right next to the glass wall overlooking the city is a treadmill and a table with a chair and computer monitor. And on the other corner is the dining area where my Nikolai and Alexei are at. They are sitting, half naked in all their glory while being served by the woman and the chef from Dile. Yuri and Boris are in the kitchen adjacent to where my two boys are at, drinking their cups of coffee.

Nikolai is on his phone while Alexei is facing the glass wall, staring outside.

As I approach the table, the chef instantly placed a plate right next to Nikolai and poured juice on my glass.

"Thank you." I said to him. He just offered a smile and went back to the kitchen.

"Good morning Yuri, Boris."

"Good morning Madamme." They said in unison while glancing at my direction.

I went to Alexei and kissed him on his lips. "Good morning my personal boy toy."

"Good morning princess." Alexei cups my face as he kisses me back with tiny bites on the side. He grabs me down to sit on his lap. I planted kisses all over his tattoos and neck, it jolted Alexei's manhood in just a split second. I let out a content smile.

Nikolai was done talking on his phone and went back to his seat. "Brother, can you hand over that delicous meal in front of you?"

I bit my upper lip to hold back a smile. I can feel that my face heated up as Nikolai spoke. Alexei instantly has a wicked smile plastered on his face as he carries me towards Nikolai.

"No, I meant the plate full of bacon in front of you." He said referring to the plate full of bacon strips on the table.

A frown instantly formed on my face. I know Nikolai was just kidding but I felt insulted and embarassed just the same. A soft chuckle escaped from Alexei's mouth, all the more that I felt so humiliated so I tried to remove myself from him.

"Dont touch me Alexei!" Im trying very hard to push him away from me but as per usual, my strength is nothing as compared to him.

Nikolai on the other hand remained sitting and did not even attempt to ease me down despite insulting me. His lips are pulled to the side wickedly looking like a handsome asshole. Im starting to think that he was actualy not kidding at all. Hell, he's not even looking at me. He just looks down while slicing the omelet on his plate.

At this point anger is slowly building up inside me. How dare him make me feel this way after what we have been through back in Palawi?! After what I have been through just to fight for him and this shit called love? And it's all because I asked him to move my appointment with the wedding planner for just a freaking day.

Alexei noticed that Im not putting up a fight anymore so he loosened his grip and lets go of me. I wanted so bad to storm out and leave this place, but I decided to pull myself together and sat beside Alexei. I acted as cool as I can when in fact in my mind I have already thrown a hard, long, and shiny object on Nikolai's head, like this knife I'm holding.

He's right, he's one possessive asshole and Im gonna make sure that he's not gonna get away with this. Im gonna make sure he will regret doing this to me. God, am I just overeacting or what? Hormones, calm the eff down. Let me think with my brain please.

"Alexei, where are we?" I said while slicing the ham and bacon sandwhich.

Alexei went back sitting beside me and cleared his throat.

"Our penthouse."

"Oh... why are we here?"

"We are waiting for the renovations in our house to finish. Maybe tomorrow we can start moving in."

So, they had our house renovated? Personally I think there's no need for renovations, it was perfect as it was. I did not speak my mind and just continued with my breakfast while plotting how to get back at Nikolai and make him suffer.

When I finished my sandwich I borrowed Alexei's phone to call Amy to check up on her and take my mind off of Nikolai. I spoke my native language so that they wont understand.

"A, talk to me."

"Why? Are you in an awkward conversation right now and you need a way out?"

"Sort off."

"Oh okay. Don't forget it's Dara's concert tonight."

"Oh."

"Don't oh me. I told you about it a couple of times already B!!!" Amy sounded hysterical. I know this concert is very important to her. And she has been bugging me about this for the past few days.

"Alright alright, calm down. Ill pick you up at eight."

"Uhh...no need. Ill meet you up at the venue."

"Are you sure?"

"Uhh yah."

I suddenly felt something isnt right. "Is there something that you might want to tell me Amylinda Cabezares Lee?"

"Uh well.."

"Oh god, what is it now A?"

"Dont kill me but I think I might have inadvertently mentioned the concert to my brother who inadvertently mentioned it to Artan who suggested that it would be a good idea if Aria could come with us."

I dont know if fate is playing some kind of a joke on me but this might be the opportunity that I am waiting for to get back at Nikolai and besides, I think this would be good for Aria. She will be exposed to a new environment where she can interract with people other than her father or Dardan or anyone from the Albanian mob.

"No problem A. Ill see you and Aria tonight?"

"Really?"

"Yes. See you."

"Oookay, wear the dress code. Ayt?"

"Sure."

I tapped the phone and handed it back to Alexei.

"Aria?" Said Alexei while rinkling his eyebrows. He must have heard me say the little angel's name.

"Uh, yup. Im gonna go shopping to buy some clothes for Dara's concert tonight."

"And why exactly is Aria's name mentioned in your conversation about a concert?" Nikolai butts in.

My inner self is cheering and clapping inside me right now. Huh! So you finally grew a tongue Nikolai? I know that, no matter what Nikolai does, when it comes to anything involving Artan, he instantly loses it and flips like a mad man.

I ignored Nikolai's inquiry and stood up from the chair. I quickly went back to the room and changed to the clothes Boris brought for me. In just a few seconds, Nikolai came barging in while placing his hands on his side and facing me.

"I fucking asked you a goddamn question! Why was Aria's name mentioned in your conversation?"

I sat on the bed, bent over and put on my high heels one by one. I did not say a single word and dared not look at Nikolai's face.

A sudden gasp escaped my mouth when Nikolai grabs me by my arm and throws me to the wall. He then pinned me with his body and palmed my jaw tightly to face him. Nikolai's green eyes are so intense he looks like he cold actually hurt me any moment now. He is already clenching his jaw in as he meets me in the eyes.

"You dont have time to meet the wedding planner but you have all the fucking time in the world to go to a fucking concert with the child of that Albanian, huh?"

Nikolai's grip on my jaw is becoming tighter by the second. His other hand is pressing down my right arm so hard Im sure Im going to bruise.

"Alexei!" I tried to call out hoping that Alexei could stop Nikolai from whatever it is that he is considering to do that we will all surely regret.

A few seconds later Alexei entered the room and went directly to our side. "Let go brother!"

Nikolai snapped out from his anger and lets go of me. My knees are shaking and I think Im going to collapse any moment now. Nikolai went to his side and brushed his hand through his hair while gazing blankly. Alexei instantly wrapped his hands around my waist sensing that Im about to break down.