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Stage Fright
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-03 22:56:14
VeetoriaThanks for reading guys Who do you think was watching?
Bab terkait
A Bride For A Truce Devil in the audience
ADRIKO Nothing could have prepared me for the sights and sounds that welcomed me the moment I stepped into the theater. I knew Serafina was a performer. I’d heard the gossip and glimpsed occasional videos of her when my men ran a background check before the wedding. But i never paid much attention nor did i care until now. I stayed in the shadows, hands shoved deep in my pants as i leaned against the doorframe, watching her sing. The lights in the theater were dimmed with the only source of light coming from the stage so i knew she hadn't noticed my entrance. She stood at the center of the stage, the overhead lights casting a warm glow on her skin, her Auburn mane cascading down her back as it flashed hints of gold. She was stunning. When her voice caught on a note, i felt my chest tighten with an unfamiliar feeling. I told myself that i only came here to make sure that she had arrived safely. But i knew that was not true. Even after Sergei had texted me that she had,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-07A Bride For A Truce Breathless Defiance
ADRIKO I watched her as she looked away from me, her hands gripping the plate she had just pulled from the microwave. “Why are you asking me that?” she finally responded. I leaned forward, resting my forearms on the countertop and pinning her with a stare. “Answer the question.” She exhaled sharply, moving forward to place my food in front of me. “Six years ago, I got in an accident with my mum.” She shut her eyes tightly as she continued “I survived. She didn't.” her voice broke on a choked sob. Her eyes fluttered open and my gut twisted the moment i caught the look in her eyes. Unshed tears swam in the gray depths. “Things became strained between Papa and Lorenzo after that. Lorenzo blamed him for her death.” she continued. “He disappeared a couple of months after.No one knows what happened to him.” I tilted my head, watching the vulnerable look on her face. I wanted to believe her, but trust was something i didn't give easily. “I’m sorry about your mother Serafin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-09A Bride For A Truce Bratva Princess
SERAFINA I sighed exasperated as Adriko shut down yet another dress with a clipped ‘No.’ Seriously? I glared at the screen, resisting the urge to throw my phone at the nearest wall. Why did he even insist on approving my dress if he was going to reject every single one? It wasn't like I was showing up in rags. But no, the Almighty Pakhan had to have a say in everything. Staring at the message thread, my fingers hovered over the keyboard. A part of me wanted to send him something atrocious. Maybe a neon pink dress with feathers, just to ruffle his controlling feathers. Actually… That's not a bad idea I thought as a smirk pulled at the corner of my mouth. ”So, how are you enjoying married life?” Diana asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I had texted her last night to accompany me Shopping. Luckily for me, she didn't have a shift today. Dima and Mikhali trailed a few paces behind us as we moved around the aisle. I groaned dramatically “Oh, it's magical” I deadpanned
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-11A Bride For A Truce Auction From Hell
ADRIKO The blue Cadillac pulled up in front of The Baccarat Hotel. I stepped out, adjusting my cufflinks before moving to Serafina’s side of the car. As I opened the door, she hesitated for a second before placing her hand in mine. Her skin was warm and soft. The moment we entered the underground gallery, all eyes turned to us. Conversations dwindled, hushed whispers trailed our movements as we crossed the foyer to the main room where the auction will be held. This is my first public appearance with Serafina since the wedding and the first time I’ve ever brought a woman with me. Serafina moved beside me, her posture calm but I noticed the way her eyes darted around, quietly observing the room I caught the leering gazes of men as they drank her in, their gazes lingering too long on her curves. I honestly do not blame them. She’s a siren in that sinful green dress. Tension coiled in my chest at the thought of other men admiring her, but I forced my expression to remain imp
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-13A Bride For A Truce Wounds & whispers
SERAFINA The penthouse was suffocatingly quiet. I paced the living room, panic clawing at my chest. It had been two hours since Mikhail delivered me home and I was yet to hear a word from Adriko. No calls.No text. Mikhail and Dima had returned a while ago but Adriko wasn't with them. They said nothing except “He’s handling it”. As if that was supposed to stop me from worrying. I had tried calling him but my calls kept going to voicemail. Thirty minutes ago, I attempted to leave the penthouse but was sent back by guards who were stationed downstairs. The thought of something terrible happening to him flashed through my mind and my chest tightened painfully. These emotions were foreign to me. When did I start caring about his safety? “Oh, Dear. You need to change out of that dress.” Nadia commented from the doorway, staring at me in concern. This was the fourth time in two hours that she had tried to get me to move and relax but I couldn't find it in me to leave my
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17A Bride For A Truce Encrypted Desires
ADRIKO I chuckled as Serafina stormed out of the living room. The faint scent of jasmine and warmth lingered. Soft, warm, and addicting. I flexed my shoulders as the dull ache in my chest reminded me of the night’s events. The bullet wound burned but pain was an old companion, it barely registered anymore. But what registered was the memory of her hands on me, the heat of her touch, and the look in her eyes. She had been scared—For me. And for some reason, I liked that. The way she bristled at my words, the fire in her eyes…that was all the confirmation I needed. I hadn't expected her to run off though. I expected another slap, a sharp retort to mask the truth in her eyes but she ran—like my presence was a match that could ignite the feelings she kept buried. A slow smile curled at the corner of my lips. The sound of footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. Sergei stepped into my line of vision, his sharp gaze sweeping over me. He had snuck away when Serafina ha
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11A Bride For A Truce A Taste Of Disinterest
ADRIKOI woke up to a banging headache and a throbbing pain at my side. The stitches pulled slightly, a reminder of the fucked up night I had.A groan slipped my lips as I rolled to my unhurt side. I sat at the edge of the bed, rotating my arm in slow deliberate movements. The stiffness lessened but not by much. My phone vibrated on the bedside table. I ignored it but then it buzzed again.Letting out an annoyed sigh, I reached for it, my mood souring further the second I saw the name flashing on the screen. Zlata. Zlata: I’ll be waiting for you at the club tonight. I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the screen. A few weeks ago I would have jumped at the opportunity—anticipated our meetings with a certain hunger. The guarantee of easy pleasure has always been a lure but not today and in as much as I tried to deny it, it was all because of a certain doe-eyed minx. My pulse quickened at the mere thought of her. And that was the problem. I typed out a reply. Adrik: N
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15A Bride For A Truce Lipstick Lies
SERAFINA Dinner is always a perfect way to end an amazing day but as I sat across Diana in the dimly lit upscale restaurant where we had ended our girl's day out in, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive. ”The thing is, he’s just so annoying. The other day after I got attacked at the hospital, we came home to meet Zlata waiting.” I huffed as I remembered the incident. “And then he left with her! Such an ass.” Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, I stabbed at my salad with force, channeling my frustration into the poor vegetable. I looked up and caught Diana smirking at me. “You do realize you’ve spent the last twenty minutes talking about him right?” she teased, setting her glass down with a knowing look. My fork froze mid-air before I quickly dropped it onto my plate with an annoyed sigh. “I am not talking about him. I am complaining about him. There’s a difference.” Diana rested her chin on her hand, amusement dancing in her dark eyes. “Mmm-hmmm. And what exactly are
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17
Bab terbaru
A Bride For A Truce Mistress of war
ZLATA’S POV My hands trembled with barely concealed rage as I fished my phone out of my clutch and placed a call through. “I’m coming over.” I spat.without waiting for a response, I hung up.“Take me to his apartment,” I instruct the driver as he sped downtown. That bitch. I thought to myself as I replayed Serafina’s words to me. She doesn't know him the way I do. She hadn't watched him lose it when the memories/nightmares hit. She hadn't comforted him when he spiraled after his mum's death. She hadn't waited in silence for years, letting him go and come as he pleased because deep down I thought he would choose me. I believed I was the only one who could handle all of him—his rage, his cruelty, and his rare softness. Adrik and I go way farther than New York. We had grown up together in Russia, our families closely knit, our father’s business partners. I had been hopelessly in love with him for years holding out hope that he would ask me to be his wife. But the only thing he had e
A Bride For A Truce Buried Truths
ADRIKO ☦︎ One week after the explosion☦︎ The days that followed were a blur. With one day fading listlessly into the next. Gio was gone—declared dead on arrival. Serafina hadn't spoken much since, not beyond whispered thanks or soft refusals. Gio’s death had triggered a raging type of anger within me, knowing that Sera was the initial target had made me more paranoid. I’d been burying my rage beneath the weight of security briefings, investigations, and logistics. It was a gray morning. Ironically it was the type that whispered of rain and also smelt like grief. The cemetery was quiet, except for the wind, blowing through the branches overhead. I stood beside Serafina, her hand clutched tightly in mine, though she hadn't said a word since we stepped out of the car. She wore black, as did everyone here.Her eyes…which were red rimmed and far away, never left the casket. Next to her stood her best friend Diana and Irina as well. Giovanni Morelli. Her manager and frie
A Bride For A Truce Curtain Fall
ADRIKOThe opera was packed full. I hated crowds, the reason why I usually stayed away from most events. I sat in the private box with Irina to my right.she had been chatting my head off from the moment i got here. My hands drummed lightly against the armrest. I have to admit, I was a little bit anxious to watch her perform. The memory of her flushed skin as I fastened the necklace around her neck hadn't left my head.A hush falls over the crowd as an announcement comes from the PA system. A welcome to the audience and a reminder to silence all devices. The curtains rose. And there she stood centerstage, the gold lights bathing her skin. She glowed in the champagne silk dress, my gift sparkling at her throat but it wasn't the diamonds that stole my breath away. It was her. She commanded the stage and owned it. Every emotion in her grey eyes said i belong here, this is my turf but i could tell she was nervous from the tightness of her shoulders. Her lips parted and the first note
A Bride For A Truce Adorned In Diamonds
SERAFINA ★2:45PM- Less than two hours to the show★ By the time we wrapped up the final run-through, my body ached and my throat was a bit raw. Thank God for my lozenges. Applause bounced off the empty theater from a few staff and stagehands but all I could think of was getting home in time to change and clear my head before the final call. Yuri opened the car door the moment I stepped out of the building. “Home?” he asked. I nodded, tugging my coat tighter. “Yes.” And step on it please..” The ride back home was quick and uneventful. I leaned my head on the window as I watched the city blur past as i mentally ran through every note of my aria.Occasionally my thoughts would drift to Adrik and how he had said my name this morning. By the time we pulled up to the penthouse, it was nearing 3:20pm. I had roughly an hour to transform myself from a tired woman to a soprano who would command the stage. Nadia met me at the door, hovering like a mother hen. “Hot tea is in yo
A Bride For A Truce Rooting for you.
SERAFINA I jolted upright as my eyes landed on the time—9:30am. “Shit,” I muttered as I scrambled out of bed, throwing off the covers and darting into the bathroom. The show might not start until 5pm, but rehearsals, fittings, and last-minute preparation meant I had to be at the theatre by 11. I couldn't afford to be late. After a quick shower, I towel-dried my hair and grabbed my phone from the counter where I had left it. Two unread messages were waiting. The first was from Diana. Diana: ‘Emergency surgery this morning. I’m so sorry Sera. Break a leg tonight, I’ll be cheering from the hospital.’ The second was from Irina. Irina: ‘Landing at JFK at 2:15pm. Can't wait to see you. Save me a front-row seat, my favorite diva’. A small smile tugged at my lips. Leave it to Irina to be dramatic. I had told her about today's performance weeks ago and she had cleared her schedule and booked a flight to be here in person. My thoughts drifted t
A Bride For A Truce Claiming her carefully.
SERAFINA Adrik helped me down from the counter but I couldn't look away from him. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll ignore the fact that I have a meeting in 20 minutes and fuck you right now.” My cheeks flushed in embarrassment as I bit my lip, looking away shyly. “Fuck, Malyshka.Don’t do that.” he cursed. My eyes darted back to him in alarm. “Do what?” “Bite your lip like that again and i’ll forget every ounce of restraint, i have,” he smirked. “But your first time with me?” He said tracing a finger down my cheek. “It won’t be rushed.” I clenched my thighs together as images of Adrik kissing and thrusting into me flooded my mind. At this point, I wanted him to have his way with me but I was too shy to admit it. My phone rings out from its position on the counter and I walk to it and see Giovanni’s name across the screen. “Hi, Gio. How are you this fine morning?” I greeted. From the side of my eye, I notice Adrik stiffen slightly. “Amore!” he called out
A Bride For A Truce Heat in the kitchen 🔞
SERAFINA My heart shouldn't be fluttering like this. This man makes me feel things I wasn't ready to confront yet, emotions that scare me and make me want to let loose all at the same time. My lips still tingled from the kiss, my body thrumming in anticipation of more. He held the glass of water to my lips as he stood between my parted legs, grinning like he had just won a Grammy and I was the trophy. “Open up sweetheart.” His voice sounded like honey. “After breakfast…I’m having you for dessert.” Heat coursed through me. Not just because of the words, but the way he said them, the words sounding like a promise. Like he’d already imagined the way my body would melt under his mouth and hands. And the worst part? So had I. I took a sip from the glass, focusing on the cool water rather than the mischievous look in his eyes. “You're a shameless flirt,” I muttered, pushing the glass away with a huff. “Only for you,” he murmured as his gaze roamed down to my mouth, lingeri
A Bride For A Truce You for dessert
ADRIKO The warmth beside me was gone. I blinked against the morning light as my eyelids fluttered open, stretching my arms against the space where Serafina laid snuggled up against me a few hours ago. The sheets still felt warm but she was gone. A frown pulled at my lips as i glanced around the room. “Sera?” I called out,my voice still gruff with sleep but there was no answer. She hadn’t slept well last night—even being curled up to me, she had found it difficult to fall asleep. I hadn’t asked questions or prodded to know what the nightmares were about but i could tell that they upset her. I’d stayed with her, whispering words of comfort in Russian until she drifted asleep, her fingers still holding me for comfort. The scent of something spicy drifted into my nose, luring me out of bed. I ran a hand through my hair, stepping into her bathroom to brush my teeth with the spare toothbrush I knew was there. My eyes scanned the bathroom sink as I took in the array of product
A Bride For A Truce Chasing Nightmares
ADRIKO THE PENTHOUSE I needed a drink. Something stiff to relieve the tension, frustration, and a little bit of bloodlust that plagued me. I was spiraling and I hated the feeling of not being in control. Striding to the bar, I grabbed a bottle of whiskey and took a swig straight from the bottle. I knew leaving Russia and setting base in New York would raise eyebrows especially as I was straying away from the more traditional aspects of the Bratva but from today's attack, it seemed a particular syndicate had grudges against my operations. I paused at Serafina’s doorway and looked in. She was asleep, curled up against the pillows, her hair a mess of fiery auburn spread across the pillow. Her lips were parted slightly, her breathing soft and even. She looked like she didn’t belong here in my fucked up world. She looked so out of reach, untouchable. But I had touched her. And fuck I wanted to do it again. I exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair as I approached the
