Chapter 1 Loss

"You can't be serious, Ivan" Trying to deny what she heard from her two-year boyfriend, she tries to chuckle.

"You heard it right, Ella. I'm breaking up with you" Without a hint of remorse, the man across from her stared at her straight in the eye.

Meeting his cold gaze, all she can do is open her lips to speak just to close it again after finding no words to say. She is too staggered by the excruciating pain his words caused her.

Her father died a week ago. She is still mourning her loss and Ivan has been her strength. But her world came crashing in front of her very eyes while listening to what he was saying.

"I can't be with you now after your family lost its connection to the Petrov family" he seriously added without averting his gaze away from her.

Seeing the cold indifference reflecting his orbs as he spoke, it was all starting to dawn on her. If not for the pain engulfing her whole being right now, she could have burst out laughing.

Indeed, he is serious and she fully understands where they are going.

Her father, Damien Laskin, was the head of security of Mr. Samael Petrov. The second son of the Petrov Mafia Godfather, Donny Petrov. Petrov's name inflicts fear on every population and everyone seemingly aims to have even a little association with them to feel safe.

Thus, her father's connection with the Petrovs has put the Laskin family on the same pedestal to which the Petrov family belongs. However, with the death of her father in fulfilling his duties, change is inevitable. Everyone, including her, anticipates she will be misplaced after losing the protection from her father's employer.

She was just not expecting the first change would come from Ivan. The guy who promised to take care of her until their hair turned gray.

"I have no use for you and your family" It was rather a realization more than the truth as a snort escape from her.

"Petrov affiliation is vital in this country, you fully know that Ella. You have none. There's no use in continuing what we have" For a fleeting second, he avoided her eyes.

A chuckle erupted as she rested her stiff back on the chair.

"Well, I can't blame you. But I was hoping there's called 'love' between us. Anyway, it's been what? Two years?" a bitter smile graced her lips as the memories of their long years of relationship crossed her mind.

"Love is not enough, Ella" he bowed his head in shame while she watched him with a raised brow.

"Well, it does to me. But it won't change anything. I'm a nobody and your family doesn't want anything to do with me" She shrugged as she picked up her drink with her trembling hand.

While she takes a sip, she tries to collect her emotions. If not for the pride left in her, she could have made a scene. But she won't give Ivan or anyone the pleasure to see her lose her control.

Yes, she felt desolate, disheartened, and dejected, but what could she do? Nothing. As of the moment, she felt lost on what to do. She hasn't heard from her father's employer. She didn't want to entertain her bleak thoughts, however, she couldn't help but feel abandoned.

"You don't have the balls to protect me" she added with a scathing smile.

"How dare you" his head snapped to face her. His cold piercing eyes bore on her but she remained unperturbed. The anger reflected in his eyes did not faze her.

"You don't deserve me" she continues with a bitter smirk.

"I should be the one to tell you that" he countered with a clenched jaw.

"Laskin name no longer matters in this country. You are still lucky to have associated with me as my ex-girlfriend. You should be thanking me instead" he added with pure contempt.

Despite the surprise of how her sweet boyfriend turned into the vile guy she is seeing now, she remained inscrutable.

"Well, thank you, then" she mocked as she raised her glass to him.

"Starting today, I have nothing to do with you. We don't know each other" he mutters instead.

"I am seeing Celine and don't ever mess with us" he added.

It's another surprise that almost knocked her breath away. Celine Donlov, her friend.

"Yeah, sure" her quivering voice almost gave her in, but she triumphed to shrug the pain off.

Who could blame Ivan? Celine Donlov is the daughter of one of Petrov Petroleum's business associates.

"Ivan, are you not done yet?"

The voice of a woman disturbed her lamentation. Desiree Baranov together with her husband is walking towards their table. She's no longer surprised by their presence. They are too excited to cast her away for Celine.

"I'm done, Mom" Ivan quickly stood up before his parents could reach them.

Mrs. Desiree Baranov intently stared at her while she calmly bore their indifference. The same people who treated her like their own daughter are looking at her like she is a huge speck of dust on their perfect life.

"I hope you understand the situation, Kamilla" The old woman did not even hide her contempt towards her.

"Rest your mind, Mrs. Baranov, I fully understand" With a calm smile, she assured the family whose gazes were directed at her.

She felt trapped as eyes turned to them, especially to her. Like a prey, she endured the strict scrutiny of predators.

"Ella" a sweet voice she will never mistook for anyone else made her mentally groan.

Her close friend, Celine. The friend she thought would be by her side at difficult times like today.

"Let's drop the dramatic, Celine. Ivan had already made it clear" She stood up and with a snickering smile, she faced her. She refused to look like a victim despite being one.

"Great" Celine excitedly raves with clasped hands before linking her arm with Ivan. She's not even remorseful of her betrayal.

Amidst the tender gazes of Ivan's family, while he and Celine locked gazes, Ella mentally grimaced at the sweetness of the two.

Ivan looked at Celine with so much tenderness. The same look she got from him before. It's all so familiar and it's adding to the numbing pain engulfing her whole being.

Watching them, she can't help but recall the times she and Ivan were together. Has he been true to her?

Or everything has been an act? How come she didn't notice she was being played? Is she that stupid?

"By the way Kamilla"

Her eyes everted to Desiree upon hearing her speak again.

"Since you and my son are no longer together, please have shame and return the expensive gifts Ivan gave you" With a look of disdain adorning her face, Desiree gaugingly looks at her from her face down to her toes.

Before she could take hold of herself, her eyes rolled in pure mockery.

"I can't remember receiving any expensive gifts from your son, Mrs. Baranov. Unless you will take my shit after eating the chocolates he gave me" she charmingly smile while she meet the irritated look of Mrs. Desiree Baranov.

"You..." the woman angrily glared at her but she remained unbothered.

"Since your mother brought it up first. Please have some shame to return the expensive watch I gifted you, Ivan. Don't bother to return the money I spent on our every date. But please repay me the thirty grand I lent you to pay for your car eight months ago" She turned to face Ivan, who paled at the mention of the money he borrowed so long ago.

A brief, tense silence occurred as all eyes turned to Ivan. Knowing the attention he was getting, he stiffly shifted on his feet. The strange glances their son received did not sit well with the Baranov family, especially with Desiree.

"Don't fabricate such issues, Kamilla. You, liar!"

*PACK*

Horrified, Ella's eyes grew wide after a forceful slap landed on her face.

"Mom!" Ivan had the same reaction as the rest who looked surprised at what Desiree Baranov did.

Holding her hurt face, Ella continues to gape in shock as her eyes sting and tears start to roll down her cheeks.

For the first time in her almost twenty-three years of existence, someone physically assaulted her. Even her father who raised her alone never raised a hand on her. They were never close like other father and daughter but she knew in her heart he loved her. He just had his own way of showing it to her.

Being mistreated was so new to her and it made all her reserves fall apart. Tears seemed unstoppable as they continued to roll down her already wet cheeks.

"How dare you say such lies about my son!" Desiree angrily raves as she points her index to Ella.

"And who gave you the right to inflict furor in my territory?"

A dangerously stony voice tore everyone's attention towards the direction of a towering figure with a foreboding aura aside from his entourage of equally fierce-looking men in black suits.

"Mr. Samuel Petrov!"

Terrified voices filled the room as they all gape in fear at one of the Petrov heirs whose piercing cold gaze drifted across the room.

***tbc***