Chapter 8

IVANA'S POV

Ruslan Orlov is not to be messed with.

I thought I could break through his ruthless facade and make him change his mind concerning the arranged marriage, but he just proved to me that he was not to be messed with.

The chill that rushed through every nook and cranny of my body after he said those words, back at the parking lots, were second to none.

He wants to break me, bend me and make me eat from the palm of his hands. My step-brother wanted to do all this to me.

Though, I wasn't expecting less from someone like him, but he exceeded my expectations, or more like, I underestimated what he could do.

I stood outside the compound, watching as he got into his car, shut the door and drove off.

He meant every damn words!

Fury flared in my eyes, burning like hellfire.

I wished I could burn him alive, until he is nothing but ashes left, but right now, I can't. I don't have such superpowers.

He has the upper hands and to survive, I have to abide, eat from the palm of his hands and obey every commandments of his.

My hands fell beside me in resignation before coiling into a fist.

My fingers dug into the palm of my hand while I imagine gouging his eyes out from their socket.

“I told you this was a wrong idea.” Mom's soft voice said from behind, making me turn around, my brows dipped.

If only she didn't marry into the Orlovs family, I wouldn't be in such mess.

“Even still, I have my dignity to keep. I can't just obey him because he is the Bratva of this clan!” A snarl ripped from my throat. “I wasn't born to be controlled by someone I barely know.”

“Just obey him and you will be fine, Ivana.”

I was barely keeping at bay, the cold dread that had settled, unwelcomly, into my bones.

Everyone obeys his order because he is the Bratva, so I'm expected to do the same, without a fight?

That doesn't sound like what I can do.

“You fell in love with the wrong man.” I shook my head, the words rolling out of my tongue even before I could stop it.

“What?” Mom’s face pinched into a frown, but I was already walking back into the house before she could stop me.

Upon getting to my room, I fell heavily on the bed like a log of wood, my eyes staring at the golden chandelier which sat prettily on the white ceiling, the light illuminating brightly in the room.

My mind slowly drifted to my father's words fifteen years ago.

‘Why do you love art so much, Princess?’ Dad asked, smiling widely at me.

‘Because you're an artist. I would love to be one. To fulfill your desire, remake your arts and show it to the world.’

…

Will I be able to fulfill that childhood dream now that my life and future is in the hand of a certain person?

The ringing of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts and I reached out to grab it.

“Hello, Roman.” A smile plastered on my lips upon hearing the voice of my boyfriend.

We haven't spoke for three weeks, since I came to Russia and guilt clawed at my chest.

“How are you doing over there, Ivana?” His voice was unusually quiet and it made me frown.

“I'm good.” I sank my lower lips into my teeth and continued. “Are you mad at me for not calling?”

It was the only reason I could think of why he might be sad.

“No, I'm not mad, infact, I called you because I wanted to let you in on something.” After that, he went quiet for what seemed like forever, my mind swirling with panic.

But nevertheless, I spoke up. “What is it?”

“Let's break up.”

Heat built somewhere in the pit of my stomach at Roman’s words.

I knew for a fact that this breakup was bound to happen but I never thought it would come earlier.

Fuck the Orlovs for ruining my relationship also!

“Why? Did I offend you by any chance?”

It was ridiculous to ask after leaving for three weeks without as much as a phone call, but I needed a reason to hold unto. To believe.

“I'm in love with someone else. Fuck!” He cussed and exhaled, loud enough for me to hear from the other end of the call.

Roman was finding it hard to come clean to me. He had something else to say aside announcing a sudden breakup.

“I was already in love with someone else even before you left for Russia. I just couldn't bring myself to tell you.”

I didn't know why but a dry laugh left my throat.

“You were cheating on me, Roman.”

It felt foreign to me, considering the fact that Roman was the typical kind of boyfriend every girl would wish for, but cheating?

Cheating, wasn't part of his traits.

“I fell out of love for you since three months ago, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you. It was evil of me.” His heavy breathing came blaring from the speaker of the phone. “I'm sorry we had to break up this way.”

I was speechless. No words seem to form out of my mouth.

Inhale. Exhale.

“Who is the girl you're in love with?” I asked calmly, but inside of me was a wrecking mess.

“Anna.”

Another dry laugh ripped out of my chest and out of my throat as I threw my head backwards like what he just said was the most funniest word I have heard in centuries.

“What's funny about what I just said, Ivana? Aren't you supposed to be angry? She is your bestfriend!”

I got it. Roman was trying to get an emotion out of me.

He wanted me to beg and cling unto him like dear life, but unfortunately, I reacted the exact opposite of what he was expecting.

“ Was. Anna was my best friend. Thank God I left New York.”

“What?” I could hear the confusion and distress in his voice.

“You've been cheating on me with my ex-best friend. Wow. Just wow.” The hold on my phone tightened so that I could feel my fingers flexing against the phone.

“It wasn't exactly cheating, Ivana. I hope you understand.”

Exhaling once more, I slipped my tongue across my dry lips and continued. “I hope you enjoy your relationship with Anna. Do not call this line again, because I will be blacklisting your line now.”

With that said, I hung up and sunk my lips deep into my teeth, almost drawing out blood.

The urge to let out those tears burned at the back of my eyelids. I could barely hold it in.

Roman, my boyfriend since highschool, fell out of love for me and decided to cheat on me with my ex-best friend.

I guess I have the most ill-fated luck ever.

I'm jinxed.