Ivanna

Alina's Pov

We packed up our stuff and went down the lobby to wait for the driver. To say that I was nervous was an understatement. Jakov and I would be living with his parents until they finished building our house. A house that was not even started building on yet, so we would be living there for some time.

"My mom is looking forward to meeting you," Jakov said, and I nodded. "Likewise."

I mumbled and took a deep breath. "Don't worry, Alina. It will go smoothly." Jakov reassured and then nodded to a man standing in the entrance. "Ringo!" Jakov waved, and the man came walking up to us. "Jakov," He smiled, and they shook hands.

"Ringo, this is my wife, Alina." "Hello, nice to meet you," I said and held out my hand. But Ringo just smiled and leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Kakva prekrasna devojka!(What a beautiful girl!)."

"Odstupi, ili ću te ubiti!(Back off, or I will kill you!") Jakov hissed, and I was confused. Both men stared at each other, and I became really anxious by the tension. Ubiti sounded similar too, ubiystvo, which means killing in Russia.

But then they started laughing and hugged each other while pounding each other's backs.

"Good to see you, brother," Ringo laughed, and he had a really nice smile.

"You too," Jakov replies, "Let's load up the truck and head back home," Ringo said, and both men grabbed the luggage, and I followed them out to a big black SUV with black frosted windows.

"I thought I wasn't going to pick you up until next week; everything alright?" Ringo asked and looked in the rearview mirror.

"Yeah, I know. But we just changed the plans a little." Jakov replies, and I nodded.

"So, how is married life?" Ringo continues, and I looked at Jakov. "It's interesting, and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wife."

I blushed and glanced down on the floor.

'"That's great. Alina?" Ringo asked. "Yes?"

I replied, "Would you like to add anything?"

"Not really. Jakov is an amazing guy, and I guess I got very lucky." I breathed out and felt my cheeks redden even more.

Ringo nodded. "He really is."

Jakov's Pov

I could sense Alina's anxiety as Ringo drove through the gates into our massive, massive mansion. It was impressive with open fields for our horses to be out on, and we had a tennis court and an outdoor gym as well.

Several guesthouses were placed out all over the area, and the white family house was impressive with its three floors and huge balcony upfront over the entrance.

We had an indoor pool, a home spa, and one outdoor pool next to the bar and barbeque area.

It was probably a lot to take in.

"It's that your mom?" Alina shuddered and pointed at my mother on the driveway. "Yes."

I saw Alina swallowed nervously when Ringo stopped the car.

"Come on, I got you," I mumbled and reached out my hand. Alina grabbed it and climbed out next to my side.

"Finally!" My mom said and hurried up before us. I felt Alina's hand squeeze my hand tighter.

"Oh, Alina. Your so beautiful!" Mom said and grabbed Alina's jaw with both hands before she kissed her.

Alinas Pov

Jakov's mother kissed my cheeks three times before she let me go and looked at me with kind eyes.

"Did your ride home went well?" She asked, and I nodded, "Yes. It went smoothly." I replied and felt my cheeks redden.

"I'm glad to hear that. Come on, let me give you a tour." She demanded and grabbed my hand.

"I find you after!" Jakov shouted from behind.

One hour later

"And this is the backyard!" Ivanna said and gestured ours over their gorgeous yard.

"Wow, it's beautiful!" I mumbled. "It really is. We are so blessed to live like this." She said and grabbed my arm. "I hope my son has treated you well?" Ivanna said, and I nodded.

"Yes, you raised a very kind and gentle son," I replied and felt flushed.

"I really hope so. You know I met his father in the same way like you met Jakov. I was only nineteen when my father and Aleksander's father decided to bury their axes and join our families into one after years of being in a bloody war.

I was scared, angry and I didn't know what I was going into. And I will be honest... I hated him at first. But as the months passed by, we became closer and learned how to live and form a life together. And today we have three children, and we are very much in love... So don't see this as your life is ending; see this as a new beginning." Ivanna said with a severe tone.

"Thank you. I won't." I replied, and she nodded.

"There she is," Jakov said and kissed my cheek. "Did you enjoy the tour?" He asked me, and I nodded. "Yes. But I will need a map to navigate around this building in the beginning," I sighed, and Jakov and Ivanna laughed.

"Don't worry; you will sort it out!" Ivanna reassured, "I'm going to prepare the dinner; why don't you two take a quick nap?" Ivanna suggested, and Jakov nodded. "Yeah, we might do that!" And then she left us.

"Yes. That's actually a good idea. I'm exhausted!" I answered, and Jakov lead me through the house and up to our bedroom.

It was a beautiful room with cool tones, and beautiful green palm plans were placed throughout the room.

"I needed this," I sighed and pulled the blanket over me.

"Yeah, me too," Jakov added. "Alina?"

"Yes, Jakov?" I replied and turned to him.

"Never mind," Jakov replies, leaving me confused.

Jakov's Pov

We slept for an hour and headed downstairs for dinner. Mom had the dinner ready for us on the table. "Smells amazing, mom!" I said, and she smiled.

"It's my specialty!" Mom answered. "What is it?" Alina asked, and mom turned to her, "Pljeskavica, It's a Serbian tradition!" She answered, "It smells amazing!" Alina said, and mom nodded approvingly.

"Where is dad?" I asked after we sat down at the table. "He had something to do with the Petrovic family." Mom answered and began to serve us.

"I don't know any details, but it involved Ivanka." Mom said casually, and I felt my heart rate increase. This can't be good.

Ivanka was the last problem I needed now.

We ate in silence, and then I heard the front door open, and voices filled up up hallway. And I could easily make out that Ivanka was one of them. Fuck. She knew I was going to be married now, but it was not easy for me to tell her that.

Not after she was certain of being the one by my side when I took over after my father, but I never promised her anything. That was all in her head.

"Jakov... Ivanna," Ivanka said when she entered the dining room before my father. "It looks like Ivanka will be staying here for some time during some recent events going down," Aleksander stated and sat down at the end of the table. Shit. This will not end well.