24. Fake Relationships

HEATHER

I don't know why, but I woke up today with a smile on my face and willingly got out of bed and that's saying something. Humming a few of my favourite songs, I skipped down the stairs after texting Jane I'd be at the beach in about an hour or so and made my way to the kitchen.

"Morning." I chirped as I kissed Alex's cheek and sat on one of the stools next to the kitchen island and starting piling up pancakes in my plate. Only after I had a good amount of chocolate syrup over them did I look up.

"What?" I asked Ivan and Alex who were looking at me confused.

"You look like you're in a good mood. What happened? Did you kill someone?" Ivan asked me and I gave him an 'oh really' look.

"Not everyone enjoys killing people, Malev." I told him and he rolled his eyes.

"Then whats got you all smiley, Elias?" He mocked me and this time I rolled my eyes playfully and shrugged.

"Did you score a hot date or something?"Alex asked me between spoonfuls of his cereal.

"Or something." I replied and Ivan gave Alex a look which Alex responded to with a nod.

"I'm right here here, you know." I said and their hands snaped to me, realizing I had caught on to their 'telepathic moment'.

I swear they're like those teenage girls who whisper about you and pretend you can't hear them.

"Right. Are you, I don't know, dating anyone? Or seeing anyone? Anyone you're interested in?" Alex asked me and I frowned.

"Uhhhh... no. Why?" I asked looking between the two of them.

"So there's absolutely no one who's caught your eye that you'd like to date or something like that?" Ivan asked me and I froze.

Do they know that I kissed Roman?

Shit, act cool Heather.

"Not that I know of, why?" I spoke again after a moment and they both sighed in relief.

"Good.... You're getting married." Alex spoke and averted his gaze quickly.

Oh.... Oh.

"Oh... okay.... wait, WHAT?!" I suddenly shot out of my seat.

"To whom?" I said, quite loudly when Ivan cleared his throat.

"To me." He said and my head whipped to him so fast I thought it would fall off.

"What. The. Actual. Fuck." I whispered and glared at both of them.

"I swear if this is a prank, I don't care whether you're the Russian Mafia King or if you're the hotshot CEO, I will murder you both." I placed my hands on my hips.

"This is no joke." Alex said and I looked at him baffled and then Ivan.

There goes my amazing morning and good mood.

"The fuck Ivan? Are you trying to claim me or something?" I asked him and he held his hands up in surrender.

"I knew you wouldn't like it but we really have no choice kotenok." He spoke softly as if I would break.

I think I probably would right now.

"Don't kotenok me you pervert, asshole, lying son of bitch!" I shouted and threw the choclocate syrup at him, making it squirt all over his face.

Oops.

"What the fuck Heather!" He said as he stood up and Alex burst out laughing when both of us glared at him with such intensity that he shut up immediately and gulped.

"Oh shit." He whispered when Ivan grabbed the syrup and threw it all over Alex and I grabbed the box of cereal and emptied it over his head so that it stuck to wherever the chocolate was on his face.

He looks like a chicken with a balding problem.

And that's how we ended up lying on the kitchen floor covered in pancake mix, cereal, chocolate and maple syrup and flour too.

"Well. That was fun. Now care to explain why I'm suddenly getting married because I don't remember this asshole going down on one knee." I said and heard two collective sighs as both the boys sat up with their backs to the island, so I did the same, sitting right in front of them with my legs crossed under me.

"Remember how I needed his help, and yours too?" Ivan started and I nodded.

"Yeah. Go on."

"The thing is, small gangs around Russia have joined together and are causing problems there. They think because I'm not an Elias, I can't lead them and what not. Basically, they're going against me. I've managed to settle down most but their numbers keep growing and I've gotten reports that they're getting help from Italy." He said and I frowned.

"Italy? You mean...?" I said and he nodded.

Could Roman be helping them?

"Which is why I need Alex's help." He spoke and Alex nodded.

"I'm sensing a but there." I said.

"But, my help can only do so much. Which is where you come in." Alex explained and I felt like my head was spinning.

"Me? How can marrying me possibly hel-.... oh for the love of god." I threw my hands in the air and shook my head.

Of course, marriage is the strongest alliance.

"By us getting married, it'll be like the Elias family is back because you'd be the Mafia Queen." Ivan said and I shook my head furiously.

"No. No. There is no way I'm getting married to this guy, no offense Ivan"

"None taken."

"But I don't even like him that way, I mean I do love him, but not like that!" I defended myself.

"I know, trust me, I don't think of you that way either but I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't really need it, and you know better than anyone I don't ask for help." Ivan said and I bit my lip.

That is true, he never asks anyone for help, so the sitaution must be bad.

"And it's not like you guys have to actually get married." Alex spoke suddenly and my ears perked up.

"What?" I asked him.

"You only have to pretend to be his fiance for a while so that Ivan and I can sort this shit out, then you're free to go." He concluded and my mouth fell open.

"Well you should have led with that asshole! I thought I'd have to sleep with him!" I shouted and both of them looked at me shocked.

"Out of all of this, you were worried about sleeping with me?" Ivan asked incredulously.

"Well, obviously!" I defended myself and crossed my arms over my chest when Ivan started laughing.

"Kotenok, that's the last thing you have to worry about, and even if we did, I assure you, you wouldn't regret it." He said with a smug grin and I scrunched my face up in disgust.

"And that is my cue to leave, I can't listen to this any longer or I'll throw up. Imma take a shower and meet you guys later to go to the beach." Alex said getting up and trotted upstairs when I glared at Ivan.

"Gross, Ivan." I said and his grin only grew wider.

"But you really don't have to worry, I won't even touch you, but, we'll have to be convincing enough so people think we are together." He said and I sighed.

"I suppose so." I said.

"Obviously we'll hold hands and sweet talk each other in public. People already know I'm a heartless bastard so they won't expect much from me but you on the other hand, they will." He said and I nodded.

"And we'll most probably have to kiss." He said after a few moments of silence, making my eyes snap to his and widen.

"What? Why?" I asked him shocked and he shrugged.

"Only when necessary, otherwise small forehead kisses or on the cheek or head would do." He said and I nodded my head, deep in thought.

I can't possibly be considering this.

"So... if I do this, I can't see anyone else and neither can you, yes?" I asked him.

This is madness.

"Correct."

"And how long will this be for, exactly?" I asked him again nervously and his eyes somewhat sofetened.

"A month, maybe? Mybe more, maybe less. We're not sure." He said and I noded my head once.

I should say no now.

"What's in it for me?" I asked him and he shrugged.

"Anything you want with the best night of your life." He ssaid smirking and I scoffed.

I should really stop thinking about this.

"No thanks, I'm good." I said and stood up from the floor, Ivan following suit.

But when have I ever listened to my mind?

"Well then, we have ourselves a deal Mr. Malev. I'll be your fake girlfriend, fiance whatever it is till this problem solves itself." I said and held out my hand to him. He smirked and took my hand, shaking it firmly.

Here goes everything.

"Good. Now let's get cleaned up for the party, yes?" He said and I nodded, both of us climibing the stairs and parting ways in the hallway.

This is going to be one wild ride.