Page 48 of The Pakhan's Kidnapped Bride
“Anya,” she squeals. “It’s time for cocktails.”
“Well, clearly you have met,” Belle laughs as the two girls drag me out into the garden to find Katya.
It’s a pool party, and Katya is wearing the most gorgeous bikini. She saunters up to us, her oversized hat flopping around her face, the wide brim hiding her eyes along with her gold oversized sunglasses. She has the perfect curves. She’s like the poster example of womanhood with her narrow waist and wide hips, and the elegant way in which she moves.
“Lady Katya’s birthday is today,” Kira grins and curtsies in front of her sister.
Katya giggles. “More champagne,” she demands in an overly posh accent.
“Oh course, my lady,” Kira says, grabbing her sister’s empty glass and hurrying away.
“You guys are so weird,” Belle laughs.
“Hey, it’s a tradition. We get to be queen for a day on our birthday.”
“Happy birthday!” I say excitedly, pulling Katya into a hug.
“Thanks, babe. You have to have shots with us to celebrate.” She grins, and I let her pull me towards the bar. “And I hope you brought your bikini.” She glances over my summer dress.
“I have it under here.” I nod.
I had no idea the reason we came here was her birthday. I knew it was a pool party, but not a birthday. I wish Emmanuil had told me; I would’ve brought her a gift. I guess it would have helped if we were actually talking in the first place, and I didn’t bolt out of the room every time he came in.
Katya hands me a shot of tequila. Bella and Kira pick up theirs as well, and we all pull the same face after throwing them back.
“By the way, thank you so much for your gift, Anya. It was totally over the top, but Iloveit.” She hugs me tight, and I’m clueless as to what I apparently got her.
“We were placing bets to know if Emmanuil chose it, or you. Because Emmanuil is pretty good at giving gifts, but this year he went extra,” Belle says, biting into a slice of lemon.
Kira shakes her head. “A fully paid-for trip for two, exploring such beautiful places—Japan, Korea, China, Beijing—that had to be Anya’s influence.”
They all look expectantly at me.
I shake my head, my cheeks flushing pink. “It wasn’t. Emmanuil gets the credit for that,” I smile.
“You'd better take me,” Kira mutters, shooting her sister a serious glance.
Katya winks at her.
“Well, I guess he keeps his status of being a thoughtful and creative gift-giver, but honestly, I’m so grateful. Thank you to you both.” Katya pulls me into another hug, and I hug her back.
“I’m sure you guys are going to have an amazing time,” I say.
The day is incredible. The girls are in the pool first, but it doesn’t take long for the guys to join. We play volleyball over water nets, have wrestling matches with the girls sitting on the guys’ shoulders, drink too many cocktails, dance to loud music, and laugh a lot.
Emmanuil is sweet and caring in front of other people, and whether it’s a good idea or not, I allow myself to enjoy his tenderness while we’re here.
He’s so good with his cousins. Treating Kira and Katya like sisters, and Belle, too. He laughs often with Ardalion and looks relaxed and happy all day.
He has an incredible family.
I didn’t grow up like this. There were no family events, no birthday parties, no dinners.
It was just my brother and me. He gave me all the love and support in the world. But a child needs more than just one brother. I needed parents.
My mother died while giving birth to me. It hurt Kristopher deeply, but he never blamed me. It drew him closer to me and made him more protective of me.
Our father was absent. Away from home most of the time, but when he was there, he was cruel and harsh. He would punish us easily, for no reason. He would snarl nasty, hateful words at us. He would never miss an opportunity to remind us that we were worthless, that we were nothing without him and his name and status.
