Chapter 12

As soon as the speech ended, Alexei released his mother's arms to rush towards Myra, his "official" fiancée. Aaron had a sly smile as he watched Alexei's excitement. He seemed hungry, like a wolf. Without hesitation, he kissed her in front of everyone, unaware of what he was doing. Shame washed over him as the guests started applauding. "Long live the engaged couple." That was only said at weddings, right? But let's move on...

Now officially engaged, Alexei and Myra didn't leave each other's side. Together, they greeted the guests, speaking only to each other. Alexei was annoyed whenever someone approached them.

"You're already monopolizing her, and you're not even married yet," Kira teased Alexei, holding her sister's shoulders with her face close to her neck. "She's not yours to monopolize," she added, pushing her sister away from the garden.

Alexei felt helpless, his imposing and intimidating presence driving away guests who greeted him only when Myra was around. When she stepped away, everyone avoided Alexei.

"Care for a drink?" Aaron offered, approaching with two glasses of champagne in hand.

"I wouldn't say no."

"Why are you alone? Where's Myra?"

"Why ask when you already know? I've seen you watching us all day."

"I can't help it," Aaron replied, laughing. "We're twins, I'm just as reluctant as Kira to see her go, but I know it's inevitable."

"I understand. And I'm sorry."

"Why should you be sorry?"

"For taking Myra from you. But I promise to make her happy."

"It's better for you to. As muscular as you are, I think I could take you in a fight. And for your information, you didn't steal her, she was given to you. But we can always take her back."

Alexei shook his head to dispel any thoughts of someone taking Myra away from him. Then, he changed the subject to continue their conversation.

"How's work going? I heard you're the financial director in your father's company," he asked.

"It's going well. It's a bit busy at the moment, but I'm doing my best. My father mentioned he's considering promoting me to CEO after your engagement," Aaron replied.

"That's a great opportunity. In the end, when he's no longer around, you'll eventually take over your father's business, so why not start now?"

Aaron furrowed his brow slightly at Alexei's words. He didn't like thinking about a time when his father wouldn't be there. Alexei noticed this reaction.

"I'm sorry. I'm a straightforward person. They say I'm cold, but I'm just rational. It's inevitable."

"What if I said 'imagine yourself at Myra's funeral'?," Aaron didn't need to hear the answer, Alexei's expression spoke volumes. He too furrowed his brow in response.

"You see, that's how I felt when you spoke like that."

"I apologize."

"Forgotten, brother-in-law. Shall we go find the girls?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

The relationship between the two men was starting to improve.

"Why are you here?" Myra exclaimed, surprised to see her brother and fiancé together.

"Alexei says he misses you," Aaron replied.

"They've barely been apart," Kira said disdainfully. "He just wants to monopolize her."

"And what if it's true? She's my future wife. Isn't that right, my dear?" Alexei had a multitude of affectionate nicknames for Myra, rarely calling her by her name. But her favorite was "my life."

"Yes, Kira. You'll do the same with your future fiancé," her sister told her, and Kira blushed.

Typically, she would have said "Yuck" or "never in a million years" or even "I'm not like you," but the little sister blushed. Which meant she was in love.

"Who's the lucky guy?" her brother asked.

"You're dreaming if you think I'm going to tell you."

Confirming the suspicions of Aaron and Myra.