Chapter 8

I am being woken up by someone nudging me and this irritating noise. My eyes flicker open and landed on Daniella. I let out a yawn and stretched out my arms throwing the pillow at her, "what the fuck do you want?" I groaned sitting up and she chuckled showing me an elegant dress. "You'll be late for the ball."

She's lucky I like her. I hate when people try to wake me up. I rub my eyes still yawning and gave her a sly smirk, "I don't give a shit. It's always been my intention to be late." She shook her head ready to leave but my stomach grumbles a little, "and am hungry tell the maid to bring something light to eat." She nods her head leaving the dress on my bed as she left.

I walked over the minibar of this room and grabbed a cold bottle of water so I could stop this itching thing in my throat and hear someone knock on my door. "Vvodit! (Enter!)" I called out drinking my water and the maid I saw yesterday comes in, "that was fast." I grinning looking grilled cheese sandwich she has brought and immediately plopped myself on the bed as she placed it infront of me.

"Would you like anything else, miss?" I eye her first seeing she at her late 30's before I smiled at her, "what's your name?" She looked at me a bit buffled and stammered before she spoke, "am..am Olympia." I tasted the sandwich humming a little from how delicious it is. "Well, Olympia can you pour me some wine, the sweet red one" I told her and she immediately went to the minibar and poured me the drink and handed it to me.

"Its delicious, thank you." She smiled a little, her cheeks warming up, "pozhaluysta (you're welcome)." I cuckled a little from her nervousness and waved her off, she reminds me of nana. I finished faster my food and looked at the dress brought by Daniella, its something simple but sexy. The dress is slightly revealing but why should I hide my body from the sexist pigs who will be at the ball. I'm going to fucking stab out their eyes and tongues if I so much as hear lewd remark.

I take a long bubble bath listening to some remixs of my best artists before I got out all refreshed and relaxed, I really needed that after the night I had and the night am about to have. I find a makeup artist who is waiting for me patiently looking around the room, "are you done ogling my room?" I question her and she immediately shifted her eyes to me looking down, "am sorry, miss."

I rolled my eyes sitting down so she can play with my face and hair like how all of them do. She curles the ends of my hair while she did a smoky dark makeup to my face, it was a good job for a nosy person. I got into my dress and placed on a pair of dainty louboutin heels and took my mini strap gun that goes in like a hand bag around your thigh.

I cocked it and uncocked it, and dismantled it in matter of seconds holding the sleeve in my hand, then cocking it back and sliding the sleeve back in, turning off safety mode I cocked again and held the gun to my reflection on the mirror, one flick of my finger and bang, I would kill anyone.

"And I thought you looked sexy in that dress." I chuckled facing a grinning Michael as I turned safety mode back on, sliding the gun into the thigh strap. "Roman will kill you if he finds you flirting with me" I pointed out taking my purse. Michael looked handsome as always, his white blonde locks combed neatly and his dark looking eyes sparkled as he joked with me but he still looks like gang member even if his wearing a suit. "Well its not my fault you look beautiful tonight." I giggled brushing past him and heading downstairs.

My heels clicked behind me as I made my way downstairs. Roman's house is impressive from all the lavish things around here. "Wow you look stunning!" Daniella yelled at me, drawing the attention from maids and guards in the room. Some jaws even dropped as I laughed it off. "A lot of fucking bastards will have their eyes cut out if they stare too long." I chuckled as I puckered my red lips, the same colour of my dress.

"Finally, your done," Roman mumbled checking his phone and looked at me. I eyed him seeing he looks much better with his combed hair and signature suit. "Lets go!" I walked past him not waiting for his response as I entered my silver Ferrari Enzo. I missed you too baby!

Daniella enters in the passengers seat sighing heavily as she strapped the seatbelt, "don't worry, Dani, you will enjoy the ride." I smirked as I slightly turned the rear view mirror and hear her curse under her breathe as I saw Roman enter his car. If you want to enter with style you should always find the right thing. I saw Daniella clutching her seat slightly as I stepped the gas pedal before spending off from the house.

We drove the 30 minutes journey to the ball which we were most definetly late to my enjoyment. "Next time please drive slower," Daniella complains and I chuckled seeing her hands is on her chest as she breathed heavily. "That's no fun." I grinned looking at our destination, which was happening at a stunning mansion. I could see a red carpet laid out, a huge entourage surrounding the doors and several paparazzi stood waiting like vultures.

"Why the fuck are they here?" I grumbled. Just why are the paparazzis here? It's not A list celebrity event. "They will be just outside, none of them are permitted to enter inside," Daniella muttered picking up her phone which was ringing. "Da!... Okey, I'll tell miss Katerlina. (Yes!)" She spoke into the phone and turned to me after she was done, "Boss has said when the rest of the guards will come, then you can step out."

I rolled my eyes seeing Roman is still bossing me around even when his not near. I tapped the steering wheel anxiously realising am throwing myself to a bunch of wolves. When I enter that place I will be surronded with dangerous people and I feel I don't fit there. I swear this is my last time to go to this events.

The guards soon arrived and the door was opened for me, "its going to be okey, miss Katerlina." Daniella squeezed my hand and I smiled slightly getting out from the car. I walked around the car to find Roman waiting for me. "Gotovy? (Ready?)" He asked tucking my hand under his and I kept my head high and my face expressionless as I nodded stiffly to him.

His men flanked us and we walked up the steps into the mansion. Everyone who was already here shuffled out of the way as we both entered, most of them stared mostly at me as they whispered amongst themselves. I took a little glance at Roman, seeing his head was held up high and his face expressionless just like the same day we met. Before we entered the main ballroom which was full of various people, Daniella gave a slip to the announcer and my eyes scanned the room.

The announcers loud voice boomed into the room, "Mr Roman Valkov and Miss Katerlina Valkov." I forced a small smile on my face when everyone turned at us. Everyones eyes landing mainly on me, maybe most of them are shocked because am still alive or most of them shocked that my father had a daughter.

I took a few steps into the ballroom when a burly man dressed in full white suit, topped with white feroda and white shoes stepped before me. The fuck. "Roman! Kater! How good to see you both!" He boomed and that's when I really looked at him, Lorenzo. His Lorenzo, the guy I meet in Italy when I was with Quinn's sister.

"It's a bit hard to see you when you're blinding me." I joked hugging him as he chuckled and I nudged his sides. "You know each other?" Roman asked confused looking at us, "da! We met in Italy a few years back."

"Sì! It was at the reunion of Matteo and Audrey but I never knew you were a Valkov," he ushered over a server and grabbed two champagne glasses. He pushed a glass into my hands and one at Roman. "Trust me, I didn't know where I was from too," he looked at me confused but I brushed him off looking around.

"So how do you two know each other?" I asked them sipping my drink while Lorenzo answered, "business related. I launder money for tou family," I nodded and Roman spoke, "how is your family? Your wife? Newly born son?" I almost chocked on my drink hearing what he asked. I remember three years back Lorenzo was the one who was flirting with me and now his married.

"You're married and you have a child?" He chuckled from my outburst and nodded, "we met only a few months after we met and then got married and now we have a son," he turned to Roman, "Rachel is fine taking care of little Afanas. Kater you should meet her sometime?" I smiled at him, "it will be my pleasure, just set the day and I will be there."

"Actually Roman, while you're here, I have a business proposition for you." Lorenzo addressed Roman and I nodded taking this as my chance, "I'll leave you two, am going to look around."

"I hope you enjoy the party after all its my hard work,"Lorenzo winked at me and I looked at him a little buffled. His the one who organised this event. He really does have surprises. I walked around the room heading towards the lavish food table which was topped full of hors ďoeuvres and dainty desserts as well as various alcoholic beverages. It was a party after all.

I picked up another flute of champagne and took a few sips of carbonated drink. I also picked up a mini pastry and was about to savour it when someone's shadow came over me. I intrigued so I turned to face the person that I never thought I would see again.

"Chloe!" I breathed out surprised to see her here after so many years. She was so beautiful with bright red hair that was sticked up into a messy bun and the beautiful blue dress she's waering, its reflecting her eyes. She hasn't changed a bit after all this years. I see her lip quiver a little as her eyes welled up in tears before she took me into a tight hug.

I chuckled a little from how she has taken away my breathe as I struggle to put away the pastry so it won't spill on us. "Kater, I can't believe you're alive." She broke the hug before she looked at me once again. "You're alive," I chuckled hugging her back the corner of my eyes bearing tears. I've missed her so much.

"I've missed you." My voice broke, breaking the hug and she chuckles a little wiping her tears. "Cammy would be so happy if she saw you right now," she bit her lip from what she said and I pinched my eyes trying to hold the tears that are threatening to come out, "I miss her too. Her and Zayn."

"You know what happened to them?" I nodded my head and she gave me another hug, "am happy you're alright, we thought you were dead." I patted her back closing her eyes knowing part of me is really dead. She pulled away again then threw daggers at me. Oh no, what is she going to do to me. "Where have you been? Do you know how much I suffered knowing I won't see you again? You left me then Cam. Do you know how lost I felt? I almost stopped eating chicken wings because of the jokes you made of me because of it. It was so hard eating alone but don't worry I still eat them in the memory of your well being."

I laughed seeing she hasn't changed her old habit of talking nonstop and I hear someone clear their throat. "Oh! I forgot to introduce you to someone." Chloe drags a man next to her and I immediately recall him. How does Chloe even know him? "Kater, this is my fiancè, Delvin Costello and Delvin this is my bestfriend Kater."

She say cheerfully and I shake slightly my head hearing the word fiancè. "Your engaged! When? How?" I ask her shocked and she giggled nodding her head happily, "yeah! We got engaged two months ago. Look, here is the ring!" She strenches her hand for me and take it look at her ring. "Wow! Its beautiful." I breathed out seeing the beautiful diamond ring and she squeals a little.

"Oh! Where are my manners. Its nice to meet you, Mr. Costello." I turned to Delvin who shaked slightly hand as he chuckled, "no need for formalities, you can call me Delvin but I never knew your more beautiful in person." Chloe nudged him in his ribs making him to chuckle a little wrapping his hand around her waist as she threw daggers at him. And I didn't miss his sexy British accent.

"So when is the wedding?" I asked them and Chloe turned her attention to me, "in three months, I can't wait and now that your alive you'll be my best maids." I chuckled a little seeing how happy she is. I can't believe she's engaged to Delvin. How did they even meet so that they could be together? "Well, Delvin just a reminder. If you dare hurt Chloe I will personally shot both of you knee cups and maybe chop off that hair of yours." I eyed his his small ponytail.

"Are you challenging me Miss. Valkov?" His eyes twinkled mischeviously and I shrugged at him, "put it as you want but I can be your worst enemy if you dare to hurt any of my loved ones." I took the pastry that I arbornded and took a small bite. Shit. It tasted like vomit. I smiled as I put the pastry back down onto the table. Fucking Lorenzo.

"I wouldn't dare challenge a Costello." I smirked and narrowed my eyes, "and you wouldn't dare to play with fire." I said darkly and turned to Chloe taking her hand. "Well you have to excuse us, we need to catch up a little." Chloe grinned kissing Delvin on his cheek making me to groan and pull her away. All this lovey-dovey stuff is so sickening.

We went towards the bar and immediately ordered something. I could do with a proper drink. "So tell me how you have been? How did you meet the Costello?" I asked her and she grinned taking her drink. "We met during the months you dissapeared. His a good friend of Quinn and so we met in the publishing company. He was an asshole when we met but he was always there when I cried off my eyes for you"

"His a friend of Quinn?" I question her and she nods, "yep, they are like the best of buddies." That explains why Quinn was at the club and where is he even. I haven't seen him since I came here. "Tell me, where have you been in all these years? What happened to you?" I nibbled my lip not really sure if I should tell her. Does she even know what Delvin does? But she's in this event so she must know what happens around here.

"Uum its a long story." She looked at him as if she's waiting for all of it and I sighed, cuckling a little. She's usually a gossiper. "Well, the day I dissappeared it was my father who took me and then I was kidnapped by someone dangerous. He took me as a prisoner for a year-" She gasped her hand flying to her mouth trying not cause any attraction, "prisoner. Why? Did he treat you horribly?"

"Well, he was a phscopath, so yeah he mistreated me so much. Hd was always vengaful because my father killed his father and he used to take out it out of me. When I escaped that's when he went for my brother and Cammy." I took deep breathes trying to control the threatening tears that were about to come out and she squeezed my hand as I continued. "Roman, my other brother saved me the day I escaped and now am a trained assassin, trying to haunt down the man that made my life a living hell."

"What do you mean assassin? And you have another brother?" I nodded removing my gun from my thigh strap showing it to her, "yep, Roman helped me train and my father unfortunately has three children, well had but we don't share the same mother." She looked at my gun as if am going crazy and I chuckled returning. "That's a lot," she breathed out downing her drink.

"Yep!"

"Now your all James Bond?" Oh God! This woman, she can be crazy sometimes. "Think as you wish but I think James Bond is much better because he had much exprience." I finished my whiskey waving for the bartender to pour me another. "Soo.." I looked at her as she looked somewhere else as she continued, "what about Quinn? Like do you still love him?"

My heart sinks from the mention of his name and shook my head, "lets not talk about him, he has continued with his life and so did I." I say firmly trying to dolge her question and when she was about to talk again I felt someone tap my shoulder before she leaned to me so she could whisper in my ear, "miss, boss has resquested for you to attend to something urgently."

I groaned turning to Chloe, "whose that?" She questioned looking at Daniella, "she is one of my brother's guards. Here let me introduce her to you. Dani!" I waved for here to come nearer. "Dani, I want you to meet Chloe, she's my bestfriend and Chloe this is Daniella the best killing machine you can get." I grinned at Daniella and she rolled her eyes greeting Chloe, "Nice to meet you, miss."

Chloe nods and I get up, "Chloe will catch up later I need to attend to something." I waved at her and left as I followed Daniella. "So what is this urgent thing that Roman can't attend to?" I questioned her. "Boss requested you to join a game because he had somethings to attend to." I looked at her as if she's kidding with me, "a game? And what made him think I will play it?"

"He said you're the best in it and you could make more influencial benefits from it." I groaned entering the private room.