Page 4 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

“Thank you,” I say as I take it. “I'll be sure to revise everything I've missed.”

“I'm sure you will do well, Riley,” he says with a genuine smile. You have always been my top student.”

I smile at him and nod. “Thank you, Sir, I'll see you in class.” I leave quickly and as I do, my phone buzzes. I check it and it's a message from Gwen looking for me. I text her back that I'll meet her in five and I go to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I look at myself in the mirror and nod. Smiling at myself, I feel like I'm haunted.

I go to my car and drive to our meet-up spot. It's a restaurant that Roman's family owns. That doesn't make me feel any better. I pull into a parking and get out, leaving my backpackin the front. I walk into the restaurant, and Gwen waves me down.

“Hey, how did your first day back go?” she asks, getting up to hug me.

I put on that big smile for her. “Great. Had coffee with the girls. Idle chit-chat.”

“Did they ask you where you've been?” she asks curiously.

“Naturally, but I told them I had a family emergency that had been sorted out and turned out not to be serious.” I look at her with big eyes. “I feel bad about lying to them, though.”

Gwen nods. “Good. I'm glad no one pushed for more answer.”

“I think they would have if I'd stayed any longer,” I admit, picking up the menu.

“I've ordered us each a coffee.” Gwen smiles at me. “Two sugars for you.”

“I've switched to four.” I flag down a waitress.

“Sorry, please bring us four sugars with the coffee,” Gwen says.

The server nods and leaves.

“So, what's new?” I ask, sitting back.

“Nothing much,” Gwen says. “Roman is thinking of taking a holiday. Just a quick trip somewhere. Maybe an exotic island.” She smiles broadly. “I won't lie. I would love that. Lying on the beach drinking cocktails with my man.”

I give her a smile. “Sounds heavenly.”

“You could come with,” she offers.

“I've missed too many classes,” I say quietly. “And exams are coming up. I need to concentrate. But you have fun.” I smile at the server who brings the coffee. I stir in four sugars and sip it.

Gwen watches me and says quietly. “Are you okay Riley?”

“I'm perfect,” I say. “And thank you so much for letting me stay at you and Roman's place. It's very kind of you.”

“Anything to make you feel safe,” she says with a smile. “Shall we order some food?”

“Yes, I think I want something hearty and hot,” I comment. “Do they have a good stew here?”

“Yes, they do. I've had it before,” Gwen says with a smile. “I think I'm going to have it too.”

For the rest of the lunch date, Gwen talks about Roman and I listen with a smile on my face. I don't want to dampen her parade. When I leave, Gwen mentions she's going to see Roman at the offices. I let her know I'm just going to go home.

This is how it is for me for the next few days. Whenever I'm with Gwen and Roman, or with my friends on campus, I smile and wave. I put on that fake grin and I take part in the way I'm expected to. And I try to study. I get some studying done with my friends on campus, but they're not always available and it's when I'm alone that I feel it.

I remember everything, and I feel as though someone is watching me. I struggle to fall into a daily routine. I can't pick up where I left off. It's not just because I'm living in the mansion with Gwen and Roman—they're both so welcoming, and I'm genuinely happy that Gwen has found her one. She is so happy. But I'm not, and that's the truth. I jump at shadows, and twice on campus, I've screamed out loud when someone suddenlyapproached me from behind. People just stare at me when I do that, and I hurry off, embarrassed.

The silence during exams is deafening, and I remember being in that room with only the distant sound of voices far away to keep me company. It was suffocating. I don’t feel confident when I walk out of them, unsure if I've done well, and a week later, the results confirm my fears. I failed. I feel like a failure. My professors look so disappointed when they hand back my examination papers. I can see it written on their faces, and I hurry out of class before they can try to discuss it with me because I don't know what to say.

The only thing that plays on my mind is the kidnapping, and I don't want to talk about it. I can't discuss it. I promised Roman I wouldn't. His family went out of their way to save me, twice, and that was all he asked of me: not to bring it up or file charges. He didn't want to drag his family into the spotlight. I realize now they're dodgy, shady mobsters. Even so, they saved me from a fate worse than death. I thought no one would ever find me, and I had given up hope when they barged through the door. I was confused, not knowing how I had ended up kidnapped or why these people were now rescuing me. Gwen had to explain everything to me, and afterward, when she said she was pregnant and in love with Roman, I was initially apprehensive, but I didn't say anything. This was her life, and I didn’t know what Roman had done to earn her trust. I couldn't judge her for that.

With the disappointment of failed exams looming over me and the feeling like I'm being watched on campus, I decide to head home. I hop into my car and drive straight there, not stopping to visit Gwen or any of my friends. I don't want to have to explain to them how straight 'A' Riley has failed her mid-term exams.

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