- 2 8 -

"Dad I'm fine, really, it's not like I was poisoned or something." I said with as much of a straight face as I could to reassure my dad who was now scanning me head to toe for any serious injuries.

I did get poisoned though.

"How many times do I have to tell you to eat breakfast properly before you leave and to get a proper sleep." He said embracing me and I hugged him back, relishing in the feeling of his warm embrace that comforted me greatly.

"I know dad. I'll be careful next time, I promise." I said while he rubbed my back.

"Good." He said and pulled away just as I looked behind him at Alex's and Ivan's faces, trying to stifle their laughter.

Idiots.

"Now go on to your room." Dad said sternly and I saluted him.

"Sir, yes sir." I said and he chuckled as I made my way upstairs, but Alex's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Thea. We have to talk to you. Come to my office first. Dad, you too." He said looking at us both and I frowned.

"About?" I asked him.

"Go to the office." He said sternly and I rolled my eyes before moving up, turning right into the dimly lit hallway and opened the door to the farthest room down the corridor.

I sat in one of the plush chairs and sank in, unlocking my phone and scrolling through social media aimlessly.

"Now." Alex's voice brought me back to reality as he came in followed by Ivan and dad.

"Congratulations on your engagement, son." Dad clapped Ivan's shoulder and I pursed my lips, trying to stifle my laughter as Ivan acknowledged him awkwardly.

This should be fun.

"Yes uh.. thank you." He replied and gave Alex a side look quickly.

"Right, that's what we want to discuss with you dad." Alex said and dad smiled warmly.

"Of course, who's the lucky girl?" He asked eagerly and Ivan shit me a sharp look when I snorted out loud.

"Lucky, as if." I started laughing and slapped my thigh, trying to catch my breath as I started to wheeze after laughing so much.

"Please don't die on me right now kotenok, I can't afford to find another fiancé." Ivan gritted out and dad frowned.

"What do you mean?" Dad asked confused and I laughed even harder as Alex and Ivan frowned at me.

"Oh god, this is going to be so much fun." I said in between deep breaths and dad looked at me perplexed as I held up my left hand, that was now decorated with a rather large diamond on my ring finger, that Ivan had shoved on my finger mercilessly on the way back from the hospital.

It was so romantic I could cry. Not.

"I'm getting married dad, surprise!" I said laughing and fell off the chair as Ivan and Alex facepalmed themselves and dad's eyes widened.

"What? How? Why? To whom? Who is the son of a bitch who dared to propose to you without my permission?" He said furiously and I snorted, pointing my finger towards Ivan.

"Him, daddy." I said cockily with a smug smile as Ivan glared at me.

Let's not forget my dad was the previous Russian Mafia King, so he could be very deadly when he wants to be. And right now, I think we've woken that part of him the way he's looking at Ivan coldly and I swear I saw Ivan gulp.

"Alexander Solonik Elias, you tell me why these two are getting married right this instant or I swear I'll put a bullet through your head and his." He said pointing to Ivan and I grinned like a mad woman who thought of a perfect way to take her revenge.

I guess I kinda did.

Dad used Alex's full name, something he only did when he was mad. Like, really mad.

"Dad, I can explain, please just... listen." Alex said pinching the bridge of his nose before relating the whole story to dad, the same one which was so generously narrated to me a few days ago.

"And you expected me to be alright with this? To get my daughter married to the leader of the Russian Mafia? There was a reason I left it all, or I'd still be leading it." Dad said sternly although his anger had dissipated quite a bit after hearing the problem.

I guess he was also aware of the fact that Ivan isn't one to ask for help. He could be as stubborn as a dead dog if he wanted to be.

"Yes, but it's temporary, only for a while, we aren't actually getting married." Ivan defended and dad gave him a curt nod.

"And what if the problem still isn't solved? What if she actually has to get married to you?" Dad asked Ivan sceptically who sighed.

Poor Ivan.

"I won't let it come to that and if it does, I won't involve Heather in any more trouble." He said looking at me and I gave him a reassuring smile, the least I could do after laughing like that in their faces.

But it was hilarious. Definitely.

"And you agreed to this honey?" Dad asked now looking at me and I shrugged.

"Yeah, I wanted to help in any way I could." I said honestly and dad looked at me skeptically for a moment before speaking again.

"And what's in it for you?" He asked me and I smiled slyly.

"Well... what he offered at first wasn't exactly appealing so I obviously refused, but then we came to a good deal." I said and dad narrowed his eyes at me.

"What did he offer you first?" He asked me and Ivan coughed rather loudly and my eyes snapped to his warning gaze. He gave me an 'I'll deal with you my way if you tell him' look and I grinned, glancing at a sweating and nervous Alex and shrugged.

"Nothing too bad or important." I said and felt the environment of the room change as everyone sighed in relief.

"Just the best night of my life." I blurted out next with a wicked grin and my dad's eyes widened as he threw a glare Ivan's way who was now fumbling for his words.

"I-.. it was.. I was just-... joking, yes. Joking, definitely. Isn't that right, kotenok?" He asked me chuckling nervously and I pouted innocently.

"Not really, you looked dead serious to me." I said with a straight face and saw his face drop.

"Hey, you know Heather and Ivan made out in front of Heather's college students at the beach party." Alex suddenly spoke out of the blue and looked at him horrified.

Shit.

"They did what?!" Dad said baffled and I sat up straighter.

"It was fake! And he was about to kill someone so that was the only way and plus, everyone believed we were actually together." I explained and dad nodded slowly, regarding us all closely and skeptically.

"You. And you." Did said pointing a stern finger at Alex and then at Ivan.

"Fix this problem." He said and got up from his seat and we all followed his movements. He looked at us all and walked over to me, holding me by my shoulders.

"Are you sure sweetheart?" He asked me and I nodded.

"Yes dad, I'm sure." I replied and he nodded grimly, throwing a warning glare towards the boys and leaving the office.

"Well. Wasn't that just fun." I said grinning and Ivan glared at me.

"You just wait kotenok." He told me and I swatted him away.

"I'll be waiting darling. Now, what did you want to speak to me about?"

"Yes. We'll be assigning you a bodyguard with you to accompany you to college and you will not drive by yourself there either, the guards and driver will. I want no objections from you Heather because your safety is my first priority." Alex said.

"And mine too. You'll comply with all these things because this is for your own good. And on some days I might pick you up if I'm free, otherwise the driver will. Understood?" Ivan added and I nodded, knowing there was no way out.

Oh well.

"Understood. Can I leave now?" I asked them and Alex nodded.

"Yes, you may leave. Take of form college tomorrow if you're not well." He added as I opened the door.

"It's fine, I'm okay now." I assured him and he nodded, dismissing me and I went back to my room, plopping down face first on my bed and sighed loudly.

My life is so entertaining.