Page 22 of The Bratva Bosses' Surrogate

I find myself thinking about what it would be like to have a child with each of them. To see which parts of them would shine through in a son or daughter. It’s a strange thought, but it’s there, lingering in the back of my mind.

But for now, I’m focusing on the here and now.

Tonight, we’re having a TV session. A simple thing really, just watching a movie, but it feels like a small slice of normalcy in my otherwise chaotic life here. And I get to choose the movie. Great, another decision.

What is it with all these decisions I must make? I’m a Libra, for crying out loud. Decisions are the bane of my existence.

As a kid, when people would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answers would range wildly. One day, a doctor, the next, a dancer. Then maybe a lawyer, a flight attendant, a model. Anything and everything was possible. And don’t even get me started on choosing a favorite color. Purple, green, yellow, blue; why limit yourself to just one?

But honestly, choosing a movie is a welcome reprieve from the bigger, more daunting decision looming over me: choosing the father of the child I’ll be carrying. Compared to that, picking a movie is a piece of cake.

As I scroll through the options, I realize this is more than just a movie night. It’s a chance for me to have a say, to exert a little control over my situation. And even though it’s just a small thing, it feels good. It’s a reminder I’m not only a pawn in their game; I’m a person with my own thoughts, my own preferences, my own life.

So, I’ll choose the movie tonight, and I’ll enjoy it. And as for the other decision? Well, that can wait for another day. For now, I’m just going to focus on the here and now, on the simple pleasure of a movie night with the Bratva men.

I grab the bowl of popcorn from the counter, the buttery aroma filling the air, and head towards where they’re sitting. Maxym, Ivan, and Viktor are side by side on the couch, looking like they’re gearing up for some serious movie-watching.

I take my spot right between Maxym and Ivan, the best seat in the house, if you ask me.

“Okay, so,” I start, pausing for effect as I settle into the cushions. “I finally made my decision,” They all lean in slightly, like they’re bracing for a big announcement. I can practically see them holding their breaths, “about the movie.”

The collective sigh that follows is almost comical. I can’t help but chuckle at their reactions.

“Oh, come on!” Ivan laughs, shaking his head. “You really had us there for a second.”

“Yeah, Sofia, you’re a master of the dramatic pause,” Maxym adds, a playful grin on his face.

I roll my eyes and shrug, trying to hide the fact I’m quite pleased with myself. “Well, I had to make it interesting somehow.”

“Fair enough,” Viktor mutters, his attention seemingly fixed on the screen.

I lean forward to grab the remote, my fingers accidentally brushing against Viktor’s in the process. He doesn’t flinch, but there’s a momentary glance, an unspoken acknowledgment. I press play, and the movie starts.

I chose‘The Notebook’. A classic romance, and yes, a sappy one at that. As the title appears on the screen, there’s a collective groan from the guys.

“Oh, come on, you really chose a romance movie? And a sappy one too?” Ivan complains, throwing his hands up in mock despair.

“What’s wrong with a little romance?” I tease back, secretly wondering if they’ll actually enjoy it.

Maxym snorts. “Nothing, if it’s paired with some action or thriller, maybe.”

Viktor just shakes his head, a half-smile playing on his lips. “Let’s just watch the damn movie.”

As the movie plays, I steal glances at the Bratva men, their expressions ranging from amused to mildly interested. It’s surreal, watching‘The Notebook’with three of the most feared men in the underworld. The irony isn’t lost on me.

A few minutes in, Ivan shifts uncomfortably. “So, this is what you women like, huh? Guys building houses for their girls?”

I chuckle. “Not all of us, but yeah, some find it romantic.”

Maxym, who’s been silently observing the movie, chimes in. “Building houses, writing letters, rowing boats in swan-filled lakes. Is that the standard we’re failing to meet?”

Viktor, ever the quiet one, adds dryly, “If you ask me, we’re more of the ‘protect and survive’ type. Building houses is a bit out of our league.”

I laugh, enjoying their banter. “Well, maybe after all this, you could consider a career change. Bratva to builders?”

Ivan snorts. “Can you imagine?‘From guns to hammers, the Bratva way’. It’d be a hit reality show.”

We continue watching, and as the movie reaches its more emotional scenes, I notice them trying to mask their reactions. Maxym’s jaw clenches at a particularly sad part, Ivan’s foot starts tapping rapidly, and even Viktor’s eyes seem a bit shinier than usual.

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