VIII

It was a peaceful afternoon.

The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and the breeze was fresh.

Until Mikhail walked in, "Get dressed, loser. We're going shopping."

"What for?" I looked up at him after I placed down my book.

"There's a party tonight at one of our clubs, and everyone is going. Even Kodiak and Katerina." I nodded my head and picked up my bag,

"Let's go then." he squealed then dragged me to his Range Rover parked outside.

His car is immaculate. It's a matte grey Range Rover, nothing too flashy.

I got into the passenger seat and buckled myself in while Mikhail got in the driver seat. The drive to the mall was quick since we were in a bit of a rush.

"What about this one? It'll match your hair." Mikhail raised a purple dress that was too short for my liking. I shook my head, and we continued to look for the perfect dress. Mikhail already bought his tux, a golden tux with a golden bowtie.

"I think this is the one." I said after a few minutes of skimming through the racks.

I showed him an off-shoulder black dress with a long A-line.

Mikhail looked at the dress with admiration then smirked, "Someone's going to get a lot of admirers later."

I giggled then we headed to the check out area. "Now, let's head home and get dressed."

By the time we got home, it was around 5 pm, and the party starts at 7 pm.

We have just enough time to get ready.

I decided to do basic makeup and leave my naturally curly hair.

(A/N: This is the reference for her makeup!)

After I did my hair and makeup, I went over to put on the dress.

While I was putting it on, someone knocked on my door. Thankfully, I didn't forget to lock it.

"Who is it?" I asked while putting on the dress, "It's me, princess."

"What do you want?" I picked up my shoes and sat down on my bed to wear them, "Open the door. I need to ask you something."

"Ask me through the door. I'm changing." I stood up and went to get my bag, "Damn right you are." he muttered

Once I had everything I needed to bring, I walked over to the door and opened it.

The first thing I noticed was his all-black tux, "Hey, you copied my color."

"You look amazing, baby." he looked at my outfit and made me do a twirl.

"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."

He kissed my head then tugged me so that we were walking towards the stairs.

"What did you want to ask me?" I turned to look at him. His expression changed to a serious one, "You can not tell Katerina what happened the other day." I knew it. It's still her over me.

I nodded my head, then pulled away from his grasp and walked ahead of him.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Mikhail gasped when he saw me, "You are stunning!"

I giggled then thanked him, we walked to where the rest of the family was. I received multiple compliments from them, and I thanked them and complimented them too.

"We placed extra security around. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, look for us, and we'll take you home." Dmitri told me seriously.

I nodded, then he smiled, "Now, let's party."

Once we got to the club, it was packed. We walked to the VIP section, and I saw Katerina there wearing a peach minidress that looks too tight on her.

Kodiak walks up to kiss her on the lips.

I had to turn away before it broke my heart completely.

"Noelle, do you want a drink?" Igor asked me, "Yes, an Aunt Roberta, please." he looked at me as if I was crazy, "That's a strong drink, Noelle."

I smiled at him, "I need all the drinks I can get my hands on."

He nodded then walked to the bar.

I walked towards the VIP area and took a seat near Mikhail. A few minutes later, Igor came back with my drink.

"That looks like a strong drink." Mikhail observed, "It's an aunt Roberta." Igor informed him.

"Holy shit, can you take that?" I giggled then nodded my head while sipping my drink. "Do you drink that back in New York?"

"Who drinks what in New York?" Kodiak asks while walking towards us with Katerina on his arm.

"Noelle is drinking an aunt Roberta." Igor told him. He looked at me with furrowed eyebrows and asked, "Can you handle that?"

I sighed, then answered, "Yes, I can handle this. I partied a lot back in New York. Calm your tits."

Katerina snorted then muttered, "No wonder you're such a slut."

"Wanna say that again, bitch?" I asked her. She pouted then turned to Kodiak, "She's bullying me again."

"Don't provoke her, Katerina. and Noelle, please apologize." he told us both, but instead of acknowledging him, I stood up with my drink in hand and walked away, "Noelle!" he called out to me

I ignored him.

I was finish playing this game with him.

A couple of drinks later, I was drunk as a skunk.

I walked around until I bumped into Igor, "Hi there!"

He sighed then picked me up and started to walk, "Where -hiccup- are -hiccup- we going?"

"We, my child, are going to find my father to inform him that we're heading home." I just nodded my head and slowly drifted off to sleep.

"I need to beat some sense into Kodiak."