- 2 9 -

"So nobody knows about your... uh... engagement. Right?" Jane asked me plopping down on my bed and I sighed, lying down next to her and staring at the ceiling.

"Uh huh. Only you know. And others just think we're in a relationship of some sort. Nothing about the engagement, and I plan to keep it that way." I said and Jane hummed in response.

"Yeah that'll be better." She told me as I got up, walked over to my dresser and pulled my hair into a messy low bun and picked my bag up.

"Is it time to leave?" Jane asked me groaning and I chuckled, pulling her up.

"Yes, we're going to be late." I told her and we both walked out of my room and down the long staircase.

"Heading off to college, kotenok?" Ivan emerged from around the corner, looking up at me.

"Yeah I forgot some books at home so we came to pick them up and grab lunch. I'm heading back now. You need something?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"No. I'll pick you up." He said and walked away, leaving me confused.

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" I shouted after him but he ignored me, making me roll my eyes as Jane and I walked out towards her car.

"Maybe he wants to make people believe you guys really are together." Jane said reassuring me and I scoffed.

"If our make out sesh at the beach didn't convince everyone I'm backing out before I'm supposed to sleep with him." I said scrunching my face up and making Jane laugh at my expressions.

"I'm sure he has his reasons and I'm pretty sure you guys won't have to go that far. Come on." She said and we drove off back to college and parted ways to go towards our respective classes.

"Hey Thea." Dean hugged me slightly when we met in front of our business class.

"Hey. How are you?" I asked him as we sat down on our seats.

"Good. You? How's your Russian boyfriend?" He asked me with a sly smile and I smiled sheepishly.

"Eh. Same old." I said as the professor walked in and we got on with class, which went on by agonizingly slow.

Although I didn't fail to notice the Professor looking at me every now and then and giving me small smiles.

I smiled back at him every time and noticed Dean looking between us intently and giving me sly side eye glances every time.

After class ended the Professor even called me over and complimented my work and telling me to keep it up.

"I'm telling you Thea, Professor Matthews has a thing for you." Dean said and I sighed for the tenth time in the last ten minutes.

"For the last time you guys, he just thinks I'm a good student, that's it."

"But you can't deny that he's hot." Jane said and I glared at her.

"If you don't remember my dear friends, I have a boyfriend who is known for his psycho protective nature." I said and put my chin on my elbows as I looked over at the cafeteria.

"But still." Matt exclaimed popping a chicken nugget into his mouth and I shook my head in disbelief.

"You guys are the worst, I tell you." I glare at all three of them playfully as Ivan's name flashes on my phone screen.

"Speaking of, said boyfriend is here so I'll be taking my leave. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Bye." I waved to them and headed out towards the front where sure enough Ivan was leaning against his car in his expensive black suit and shades, analyzing the college building.

"Hey." I said to him as I reached him, nodding after giving me a once over.

"We're needed at the office." He informed me as I buckled my seat belt and nodded slowly.

"Okay... Any specific reason?" I asked him as he started to drive.

"Work." He replied and I frowned.

"Thanks for the generous info." I said rolling my eyes and saw his smirk from the corner of my eye.

"No problem kotenok." He said glancing at me briefly and then back at the road.

We reached the office building in twenty minutes and I found myself staring at the numerous black cars parked at the entrance.

"We have company, don't we?" I asked not looking at him but out the window at the familiar figures of the Angelos walking towards the entrance. Ivan hummed in response then took something out of his coat pocket and I recognized the gleaming ring in his hand immediately.

Shit I can't believe I forgot it.

"I thought I told you to keep it with you at all times." He said raising an eyebrow and I shrugged.

"I forgot to keep it in my bag this morning and besides, I didn't know we'd be coming here." I said and he looked at me skeptically before nodding once.

Thank god.

"At least you look presentable." He murmured, making me slap his arm as I got out of the car. He slid the ring onto my left hand's ring finger and with an arm around my waist, we walked inside the building.

We reached the elevator and as soon as we got in, I took a breath a breath of relief when the doors closed, free from all the questioning stares.

"Don't worry. Us being together is news to them. Hopefully it'll affect the desired party too. Especially the Angelos." He murmured the last part so quietly I would not have heard him if not for the complete silence, but I did.

"Why the Angelos?" I asked him frowning and he scoffed at me.

"Apparently you fascinate Roman Angelo, kotenok, and I can't wait to wipe that stupid grin from his face when we drop the bomb of our upcoming marriage." He said chuckling darkly and my face heated up at the mere mention of his name, so I ducked my head and stared at my shoes, hoping I'd cool down before Ivan noticed.

"Looks like he's not the only one fascinated." Ivan muttered smirking and my face only grew hotter as I stared at my reflection and my gaze swept over my attire.

I think I had dressed formally today, with a silky peach button down and matching beige skirt and blazer, with my nude heels.

I fixed my hair quickly, opening the bun and running my fingers through it, I put on some peach flavored lip gloss when suddenly the elevator shook, making Ivan and me stumble a bit and put his hand on the wall beside me for support, my hand taking hold of his black blazer so I wouldn't fall, when the elevator doors dinged open.

"Uhhh... Are we... interrupting anything?" A male voice came suddenly and my head snapped to the front, where I saw Enzo looking between me and Ivan with an amused grin.

Shit.

Next I noticed Maria and Gabriel staring at me intently as if they were trying to figure out what was happening, and then finally my eyes fell on him.

"Yes, actually." Ivan said smirking and straightening up with a smug face as he took my hand and pulled me back to let the Angelos in.

A few beats of silence passed before they all entered and stood, with him standing right next o me as Ivan took a step back to make more space.

Enzo pressed the button on the elevator and the doors closed, an awkward silence settling in the air along with tension so thick I felt I was suffocating.

My breath hitched when warm fingers grazed my hand lightly and I discreetly glanced at Roman who had his jaw clenched tightly and his eyes closed as he let out a slow and steady breath, staring at the elevator ceiling that was a mirror.

My eyes trailed towards the ceiling as I tipped my head back and met his intense gaze, never wavering from mine.

I gulped visibly and tried to keep in a gasp when his fingers lightly brushed mine again, raising goosebumps along my arm and making me feel tingly.

Just then the elevator dinged as the doors opened and I quickly pushed past everyone and practically ran outside, taking in deep breaths to calm my erratic heart.

"Oh hey Thea!" Nate suddenly appeared in front of me and frowned as he put a hand on my shoulder.

"You okay?" He asked me and I nodded, flashing him a small smile when he squeezed my shoulder lightly and went the opposite way after telling me to meet him when I got free.

I straightened myself when I heard footsteps approaching behind me and knowing it was Ivan, I quickly grabbed hold of his arm and walked into the meeting room with him.

"Aleksander." Ivan spoke once we entered and Alex pursed his lips in annoyance and I rolled my eyes at the two, noticing Ivan's smug face at annoying my over sensitive brother.

"Ivanom." Alex mocked him, making Ivan smirk at him.

The Angelo's came in behind us and shook hands with Alex and we all sat down to get the meeting started.

"Pochemu oni zdes'?" (Why are they here?) I ask Alex as I glance the Angelos warily, feeling their eyes on me when I spoke.

"Oni stalkivayutsya s temi zhe problemami, chto i my s bandami, i u nas yest' oshchushcheniye, chto oni rabotayut vmeste." (They face the same problems that we do with the gangs, and we have a feeling that they are working together.) He answered, making me nod my head once in understanding.

"Eto prosto kotenok dlya vstrechi. Ne berites' za blestyashchiye idei." (It's just a meeting kitten. Don't get any bright ideas.) Ivan said smirking and I threw a glare towards him.

"Zamolchi." (Shut up.) I said lazily when Alex cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"I'm getting straight to the point here. We all know why we're here. But how can we trust your word that the gangs causing problems are not your own men?" Alex asked the Angelos as I placed one leg over the other, judging everyone's stoic expressions.

"Don't worry. We don't trust you either so that's enough ground to start working together, no?" Enzo said with confidence and both Alex and Ivan scrutinized them.

Ivan hummed in response before clicking his tongue.

"What exactly is it that you want?" Ivan asked them and Gabriel leaned forward after glancing at Roman whose eyes I had refused to meet or acknowledge his presence even.

"We want the rioting gangs gone. And we know you're facing the same problem. So we want to work together and get rid of them once and for all." Gabriel addressed, making my ears perk up and my gaze snap to him.

That means Ivan and I could get out of this deal.

"Ivan." I spoke, catching his attention and he gave me a nod, acknowledging the fact he was thinking what I was.

We needed all the help we could get.

"Kak vy dumayete, kotenok?" (What do you think kitten?) Ivan spoke and I thought for a moment before smirking.

"YA dumayu, chem bol'she, tem veseleye. Ty deystvitel'no ne v moyem vkuse." (I think the more the merrier. You're really not my type.) I said leaning back in my chair and earning a small chuckle from Alex.

"Ne volnuysya, milyy. YA luchshe zastrelyu tvoyego brata, chem vyydu za tebya zamuzh." (Don't worry sweetheart. I'd rather shoot your brother than marry you.) He replied and I chuckled, noticing Alex's frowning face.

"Stop it the both of you or I'll get you married today. I swear you bicker like an old married couple." Alex said pinching the bridge of his nose and his words made both Ivan and me grin like maniacs.

"That wouldn't be bad at all, don't you agree sweetheart?" Ivan asked me innocently and I smiled like a Cheshire cat and hummed, my gaze wandering to Roman's, finally, and noticing his clenched fist.

"Kto-to revnuyet." (Someone's jealous) Ivan whispered to me and I followed his gaze, that ended at Roman, making me and Alex frown.

"Who's jealous?" Alex asked looking at us and both of us pursed our lips to stifle in our laughter at Alex's ceaselessness and stupidity.

I swear a two year old would be smarter than Alex sometimes.

"No one Alex, please continue." I assured him while patting the back of his hand.

"Alright then." He said eyeing us skeptically before looking at Roman meaningfully.

"We agree to work together." He said after a few beats of silence and Roman nodded.

"My dolzhny rasskazat' im o dogovorennosti?" (Are we supposed to tell them about the arrangement?) I asked Ivan who was now looking at the Angelo's intently.

"What arrangement?" Roman suddenly spoke for the first time and all our gazes snapped to his.

"You can understand Russian?" I asked him in disbelief and he smirked a little before leaning back in his seat.

"Very little, but yes." He answered and I noticed Ivan glaring at me.

"On skazal nemnogo." (He said a little) I defended myself.

"What arrangement?" He repeated and we looked at him.

"Uh... we were talking about.." I started but couldn't form any words.

Think fast Thea.

"Our marriage." Ivan suddenly spoke and all of us looked at him attentively, even Roman who watched curiously.

"Yes, our marriage is actually-" I strated but Ivan cut me off before I could continue.

"Settled for a few months. Three at most." He announced and my eyes bulged out of my head as I tried to form any coherent response but couldn't find the words.

My gaze snapped to Alex who was judging my expressions sternly and the way he was looking at me told me I should compose myself before I made anyone suspicious.

"Oh, congratulations!" Maria's voice snapped me out of my daze and I looked at her and forced a small smile on my face.

"Thanks." I squeaked out and tried my very best to keep my emotions at bay and stood up abuptly from the seat. Ivan tried to reach for me but I threw a glare towards him, making him purse his lips.

"I uh.. I'll be back in a moment." I said and hurriedly walked out of the meeting room and ran towards the bathrooms, placing my back against the cold wall after the door closed.

What the fuck was he thinking? They said it might take them a minimum of six months or even more to stop those gangs and Ivan suddenly announced we're getting married in less than three?

I can't do this.

I've already sworn off any kind of relationships and Roman Angelo has already fucked with my head too much to handle and I can't afford getting married now.

Not now, not ever. That was the idea. It still is. And it always will be.

There's no way I'm going through that all over again. Mom was right. Men can't be trusted. They say something and do something else.

Just then I heard the door swing open and I opened my eyes only to be blessed by a both lovely and frustrating sight.

Roman Angelo.