We walked toward my father. Veronica’s eyes were glued to Feliks as we approached them. I could see the question all over her face, I guess she just realized that my husband was ruggedly handsome.
“The newlywed couple is here,” my father announced with a smile.
I walked up and gave him a light hug.
“How have you two been faring?”
I only smiled while Feliks was talking.
“Your daughter is a very precious gem,” he suddenly said.
I opened my mouth in shock and quickly composed myself. I wore a smile as Feliks continued to talk about me.
He held my hands and squeezed my fingers gently. “I never knew I would find someone like this in this world.”
I blushed. I hadn’t been expecting him to talk about me like that. I’d never done anything to make Feliks sing my praises so much.
I could see Veronica staring at Feliks. Her eyes were lowered, and she kept adjusting her dress. I could see how uncomfortable and jealous she was, so I flashed her a smile to twist the knife deeper.
Veronica saw me smiling at her and quickly looked away from Feliks. It was difficult for her to keep her eyes off my man. I bet she wished she hadn’t switched her role with me and had been on Feliks’s arm right now.
Veronica and I shifted to a corner while Feliks began to discuss business with my father. A few other men joined them and were now carried away with their discussion. Laura could also be seen gossiping with older women.
If we’d been close, Veronica and I would have hugged each other right then and begun to catch up, but instead, a heated silence fell between us for a while. I could feel Veronica staring at me with scorn.
“You finally got to attend the event for the first time in your life,” Veronica mocked.
“All thanks to my ever-charming husband,” I replied proudly.
Veronica gritted her teeth, and I thought she would give up, but she didn’t. “You even wore an expensive dress,” she said as she looked down at me with disdain. “It doesn’t fit. You still look like a cheap slut who was picked up from the gutter.”
“Feliks didn’t say the same when he saw me earlier,” I told her, smiling serenely. “He was captivated by my beauty and kept singing my praises. I don’t think what you say is true.”
Veronica gulped and folded her fist. I could feel her battling with her anger. Her breathing speed doubled.
“He sings my praise every single chance he gets. He even makes me breakfast in bed! I wonder how many men still love their wives to that extent.”
“Be careful,” Veronica said with a grin. “He’s still a Bratva. They’re very dangerous. Just one wrong move, and they won’t hesitate to kill you, even if you’re his wife.”
I knew Veronica was only trying to scare me, but even though, there was an atom of truth in what she’d just said. However, I wasn’t going to let it bother me.
I looked toward Feliks. He was staring at me, even as he talked with the men.
“His eyes are always on me,” I said sweetly. “Do you think he’d let any hair on my skin get hurt with how he’s looking at me?”
I noticed Veronica tighten her fist, and a grin appeared on my face. I was proud of myself. She wanted to taunt me, but I’d turned the tables on her.
“Your eyes are on my husband, Veronica,” I whispered to her. “You might want to take a break.”
I turned to Feliks again. I’d given Veronica enough for the day, and I was bored already. Feliks eyes were still on me.
I felt my heart race as I remembered that first night with Feliks. The way he slid into me, how I grabbed him tightly. I bit my lower lip and shut my eyes for a second.
I felt someone’s presence near me and slowly opened my eyes to see Feliks in front of me. A bit embarrassed, I quickly stared at his shoes; I felt like he’d read my thoughts.
“We need to talk,” Feliks told me.
He grabbed my hand and began to walk. I kept quiet and walked with him. I could feel Veronica’s eyes on us as we walked away, and I intentionally swayed my hips more.