Page 11 of Brutal Bratva King

Standing at the bottom of the steps that lead into the exquisite hotel where I am going to be getting ready for my wedding day, I feel horribly ill. The tension inside me is like a whirlwind pushing my thoughts left and right, and then spinning them in circles.

I can’t think straight, and my body feels like it’s about to burst into flames.

One more deep, slow breath. Then I have to go inside.

“It’s not that bad, you’ve got this. It’s just for show. It’s just a business deal,” I whisper to myself, then step onto the first step and make my way towards the massive double-door entryway that towers two stories high.

The hotel is gorgeous, but I’ve seen it before, and right now it’s hard to focus on anything but the wedding looming just a few hours ahead of me.

I make my way up to the room number I was given. The door to the room is open and I can hear a bubble of voices coming from inside. Pushing my shoulders back and lifting my chin, I walk in with purpose and confidence.

Immediately, I am filled with relief when I see Raisa.

She rushes over to me, grabbing me in a tight hug.

“Are you ok? How are you feeling?”

“Um,” I stammer, fighting tears. I’ve been so focused on being strong that just her asking me makes me want to burst into tears.

She hugs me tighter.

“It’s ok. I know it’s scary. It’s not too late, you know. You can still back out.”

I shake my head, swallowing away the lump in my throat.

“No, I’m going to do this. It’s the right thing you know, for everyone. I think it will bring down the tension between our families a lot.”

She nods. She can see I’m struggling.

Her support means the world to me, though.

“Ok,” she says, turning me towards the other people in the room. “We have your makeup artists and your hairdresser. The dress is over there, I chose it, by the way. So I really hope you like it, and your bouquet should be arriving in the next hour.What else?“ she looks around, trying to check things off a list in her mind. Then she shrugs, “I think that’s a good start. Shall we get you going on your hair?”

“Sure.”

For the entire process of getting ready I am on autopilot and Raisa handles everything. She ushers me from task to task, fills up my champagne glass, makes sure I eat a little, makes sure I laugh a little. After two hours everything is done, and I am standing in front of the full-length mirror with Raisa at my side.

Staring at my own reflection, it’s hard to process that it’s actually me in the mirror. I lookincredible.The dress she chose is beyond beautiful and I love the way it fits my slightly curvier hips, accentuating my narrow waist.

“You look perfect,” she grins at me, clipping a diamond pin into my hair.

Ruslana comes into the room and gasps. “Oh—my—word,” she says loudly.

When I glance at her in the mirror, her mouth is open, and her eyes are wide. I giggle at her reaction. “Anya, you look like a princess.” She rushes over to me and wants to hug me, but Raisa grabs her back and says, “Don’t you dare. You can hug her after the ceremony. I don’t want to risk even a single mark on her dress.”

Ruslana rolls her eyes and leans in to kiss my cheek without touching my dress.

I love these girls. Both of them are so sweet, and very caring. Raisa has been a massive support to me leading up to this moment. I’m grateful for her, because without her I would be struggling more than I think even I know.

“It’s time,” Ruslana grins, obviously excited.

I take a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Ruslana and Raisa are both bridesmaids, so they walk ahead of me down the aisle. I stand at the doorway with Leon who is going to walk me down the aisle. I keep peeking through and waiting for my turn to walk. I’m so nervous that I want to vomit.

The music drifts towards me and the gentleman standing at the door gestures for me to go. Leon holds out his arm and I slip mine through his. He squeezes my hand reassuringly.

One step in front of the other, that’s all I need to focus on right now.

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