Pascha let out a long sigh, his head resting on the back of the sofa while I sat beside him contentedly.I applied the last layer of the green mud mask to his cheeks, making sure it was evenly distributed before pulling away slightly to admire my handiwork.His face was now completely covered by the thick green mask that I had just bought last week. From his forehead to his chin, no part is left unturned. Only his eyes are now looking at me suspiciously, and his lips are still open."I feel like a giant guacamole," He muttered, his voice full of agony.I giggled, grabbing a small towel to wipe the mask off my hands. "You're the one who won't let me go to the shower in peace."Pascha snorted. "I'd rather get on with what we were doing than sit here with sticky green mud on my face."I grinned, then patted his cheek, which was now covered by the mask. "You have to learn to accept the consequences, Romanov."He sighed heavily, then glanced at his reflection on the screen of the phone he'
Pascha let out a long sigh on my chest, his warm air brushing against my bare skin as he muttered something in Russian that I didn't understand. His body was warm from the shower, the scent of soap and water still clinging to his skin.We were both lying on his absurdly large bed. Seriously, this bed could probably hold his entire hockey team at once, with thin blankets covering our naked bodies.Pascha rested his head on my bare chest, his face turned to the side while his fingers played with the ends of my long hair, wrapping them around his fingers before letting go again."I should have scored one more goal earlier," he murmured suddenly, his voice hoarse with exhaustion.I stroked his nape lazily. "You already won.""That's not the point." He frowned, his eyes still staring blankly ahead. "I had a opportunity, but the opposing team's damn goalie closed the angle too quickly."I smiled a little, letting him continue rambling."I could have shot higher, but I chose a lower angle be
Morning arrived with sunlight peeking through the bedroom curtains, casting a warm golden glow across the wooden floor. The air inside the penthouse felt cooler than usual, perhaps because Pascha had left the window slightly open last night.Pascha was still asleep, one arm draped casually around my waist as if ensuring I couldn't go anywhere. His breathing was steady, his face peaceful, his dark hair slightly tousled against the pillow.I let out a quiet sigh, then carefully shifted my body, trying to slip out of bed without waking him.But before I could move away completely, Pascha’s arm suddenly tightened, pulling me back to his side.I gasped. “Pascha—”“Hm.” A low murmur rumbled from his throat. His eyes remained closed, but I knew he was awake.I tried to move again, but this time, he pulled me even closer, pressing his face against my neck.“Pascha, I have to go home,” He only mumbled something incoherent, his voice still thick with sleep. “No.”I sighed, resting my head agai
The silence hung between us, but my mind kept racing.I watched Pascha, who was still quiet, his expression unreadable. But I knew he understood me. He always did.I took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. “My father is going to use you.”Pascha didn’t react right away. He simply looked at me, then raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”I frowned. “Of course?”He leaned his head back against the pillow, completely at ease, as if this wasn’t a big deal. “Belva, I’m a Romanov. I’ve been surrounded by people trying to use me since the day I was born.”I clicked my tongue, unsatisfied with his answer. “This is serious, Pascha.”His gaze met mine, still too relaxed for the weight of this conversation. “I know.”I bit my lip, my thoughts spinning. “What if… we just break up?”For the first time since this conversation started, Pascha’s expression changed.He blinked, then sat up slightly, as if making sure he hadn’t misheard me. “What?”I shrugged, turning away. “If we break up, my father won’t b
The evening breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of water and damp leaves, the distinct aroma of the lake. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting golden light over the calm water. The soft splashing of waves against the shore created a serenity too peaceful to be disturbed.I sat on a wooden chair on the deck, legs folded comfortably, with an open novel resting on my lap. My fingers traced the pages, my eyes following each printed word, but I remained alert.Because I knew what was coming next.Splash!A loud splash shattered the silence, followed by a familiar, satisfied grunt.I didn’t have to look up to know that Pascha had just jumped into the lake.I sighed softly, lazily flipping a page. It was already certain that this peace wouldn’t last long.The water rippled, the sound of splashing growing closer. I could hear his steady breathing, the soft dripping of water as he moved.Then, just as I expected—“What are you reading?”I had just opened my mouth to answe
I knew this would happen.I knew it the moment my body hit the near-freezing lake water. Since the first shiver crawled into my bones, since my lips started to tremble, since my breath felt heavier by the time we finally got back to the penthouse.And now, I was sprawled on Pascha’s bed, my head feeling like it was being crushed by a massive rock.My nose was stuffed, my throat burned, and every breath I took felt like inhaling air through wet cotton. I curled up under the thick blanket, my body hotter than usual, yet somehow, I was still shivering.Pascha stood beside the bed, arms crossed over his chest, his expression filled with guilt.I narrowed my eyes at him. “This is your fault.”He raised his hands in surrender. “You started it.”I scoffed, my voice raspier than I expected. “I pushed your head. That was a small punishment. You dragged me into the water.”Pascha ran a hand down his face. “Okay, okay, that was on me.”I tried to take a breath to reply but ended up in a fit of h
A few minutes later, the medicine's effects started to work. My eyelids were heavy, and my body relaxed even more under the thick blanket. I let out a long breath, letting my body sink slightly into Pascha's soft bed.But then, I felt the other side beside me move.I opened my eyes, only to find Pascha lying next to me, his face only inches from mine.I frowned, my voice half sleepy. “What are you doing?”He grinned, one arm resting on the pillow while his other hand rested casually on my waist. “I'm sleeping.”I chuckled, blinking my still-heavy eyes. “You'll get infected.”Pascha smiled, then leaned a little closer, “If it means I can feel your concern like this, maybe I should be sick more often.” his voice low and deep.I stared at him, incredulously, my cheeks warming even though my body was still shivering. “Asshole ...”He laughed, but before he could get any more annoying, I immediately pushed his head away with my hand. “Stay away, you asshole.”But he stayed still next to m
Max squirmed in Pascha's arms, he’s struggling violently. “Daddy! Let me go, I want to go to Mommy!”Pascha just grunted lazily, his eyes still heavy from just waking up. “You can be with Mommy later. Now, can you be quiet for a while?”Max pursed his lips and immediately punched Pascha's upper arm with his small fist. “No! Mommy is still sick, and you made Mommy sick! It's your fault!”I held back a laugh at Max's seriousness with his 'demands.' Meanwhile, Pascha just let out a long sigh, finally opening his eyes fully. With a relaxed movement, he sat on the bed and turned to me.He looked at me with an assessing expression, and then, without hesitation, his hand reached out and touched my forehead. His fingers were large and warm, contrasting with my slightly hot skin.I remained silent, letting him do that without comment, although a slightly strange feeling crept into my chest.Pascha murmured, “Your fever has dropped.”I gave a small nod. “I feel better.”Meanwhile, Max, who had
I woke up to the morning light streaming in through my window blinds.The air in San Francisco felt much different from Zürich. warmer, more humid, with the sound of the waves clearly audible.I let out a long breath, rubbing my face before stretching. I thought there would be silence this morning, but there wasn't.From outside my bedroom, Max's laughter could be heard, mixed with the all-too-familiar heavy grumbling.I blinked, frowning.Pascha.I snorted softly, pulling my blanket higher before finally remembering that Pascha really seemed to be living in this house now.Without an invitation.Without permission.Without realizing that this house is mine, not his.I let out a long sigh, finally giving up on staying in bed and getting up.When I opened the door and walked out, the smell of something burnt immediately greeted me.I refrained from groaning.I walked into the kitchen and immediately saw a sight that no longer surprised me.Max was standing on a small stool with an over
I close my eyes, letting the cool breeze from Lake Zürich brush my face.The air here felt different and fresher than San Francisco's. For a few moments, I let my mind wander.I didn't care what Pascha was doing next to me. It didn't matter if he was looking at me or busy with his thoughts. I just wanted to enjoy the Zürich air cool down all of the things spinning in my head."Do you remember?" he asked, his voice a soft murmur, laced with an unusual calm.I opened my eyes slowly, turning my head towards him. "What?"Pascha stared at the lake, his expression unreadable, but the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly.“You once said you wanted to leave,” he mused. “Switzerland. Sheep. A simple life. Do you still dream about it?"I was silent, letting his words sink into my head.Then, I smiled a little.Oh. That.I remember that.Pascha and I—still young, still full of dreams and reckless plans—lay on his bed, talking about the future. I laughed, saying how much I wanted to run
I let my mind go back to that time—to the year when Pascha was not yet the Pascha Romanov he is now.I remember how he was still a young man trying to prove himself in his father's shadow. He spent long nights in the office, sitting behind a large desk with an endless stack of documents, occasionally throwing his pen in the air in frustration before finally looking up at me with a tired grin.“Bee, I'm not made for this.”And I would lean closer to him, rest my chin on his shoulder, then reply in a light tone, “It’s okay.”I was there when he was strategizing his first business and when he argued with senior executives who doubted his decisions. I saw him grow from an impatient young man to someone more dangerous.And then there was Mikaela.She came into the company a year after Pascha started taking over. I still remember how I first introduced her to Pascha.“She's smart,” I said at the time. “And I trust her.”And Pascha, with ease, accepted her.Mikaela became a manager in one of
Summer in Zürich is much different than in tropical countries. There is no scorching heat that burns the skin, no humid air that makes the body sticky. Instead, a cool breeze blows gently along the city streets, creating the perfect balance between warm and fresh.I smoothed the sleeves of my denim jacket as I walked beside Pascha. We were dressed casually. I was still wearing a white t-shirt wrapped in a denim jacket and paired with jeans and sneakers. Meanwhile, Pascha was also relaxed in a black sweater and jeans, which felt too casual for business. “We're really going to a business meeting like this?” I glanced at him with raised eyebrows.Pascha just shrugged, not seeming to care at all. “I'm lazy.”I narrowed my eyes. “Lazy?”He turned to me, his flat expression slightly lifted by a small grin. “I don't plan on staying long, so why bother?”We finally arrived at a skyscraper with a very familiar logo stamped on the front. I paused momentarily, staring at the writing with a surp
The trip home from the Alps felt faster than when we arrived.Blue skies spread out over the mountains, and the air was still cool even after we left the cabin. The winding road stretches before us, passing green fields and typical Swiss country houses that look like pictures on a postcard.I thought Max would be sad to leave this place, perhaps whining about staying longer like usual. But I was wrong.The boy sat confidently in the back seat, his hands resting on his small thighs while his feet swayed casually in the air.“I'll be back here,” he said confidently.I turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”Max nodded, his wide smile full of pride. “Yes! I'll be back here with all my robots. Optimus, Bumblebee, Megatron. All of them...”I let out a long breath, rolling my eyes. “Max, your robots can't enjoy the view of the Alps.”Max looked at me like I had just said something really stupid. “Mommy, they're Autobots. They like to explore.”From the seat next to him, Clara, busy
Max squirmed in Pascha's arms, he’s struggling violently. “Daddy! Let me go, I want to go to Mommy!”Pascha just grunted lazily, his eyes still heavy from just waking up. “You can be with Mommy later. Now, can you be quiet for a while?”Max pursed his lips and immediately punched Pascha's upper arm with his small fist. “No! Mommy is still sick, and you made Mommy sick! It's your fault!”I held back a laugh at Max's seriousness with his 'demands.' Meanwhile, Pascha just let out a long sigh, finally opening his eyes fully. With a relaxed movement, he sat on the bed and turned to me.He looked at me with an assessing expression, and then, without hesitation, his hand reached out and touched my forehead. His fingers were large and warm, contrasting with my slightly hot skin.I remained silent, letting him do that without comment, although a slightly strange feeling crept into my chest.Pascha murmured, “Your fever has dropped.”I gave a small nod. “I feel better.”Meanwhile, Max, who had
A few minutes later, the medicine's effects started to work. My eyelids were heavy, and my body relaxed even more under the thick blanket. I let out a long breath, letting my body sink slightly into Pascha's soft bed.But then, I felt the other side beside me move.I opened my eyes, only to find Pascha lying next to me, his face only inches from mine.I frowned, my voice half sleepy. “What are you doing?”He grinned, one arm resting on the pillow while his other hand rested casually on my waist. “I'm sleeping.”I chuckled, blinking my still-heavy eyes. “You'll get infected.”Pascha smiled, then leaned a little closer, “If it means I can feel your concern like this, maybe I should be sick more often.” his voice low and deep.I stared at him, incredulously, my cheeks warming even though my body was still shivering. “Asshole ...”He laughed, but before he could get any more annoying, I immediately pushed his head away with my hand. “Stay away, you asshole.”But he stayed still next to m
I knew this would happen.I knew it the moment my body hit the near-freezing lake water. Since the first shiver crawled into my bones, since my lips started to tremble, since my breath felt heavier by the time we finally got back to the penthouse.And now, I was sprawled on Pascha’s bed, my head feeling like it was being crushed by a massive rock.My nose was stuffed, my throat burned, and every breath I took felt like inhaling air through wet cotton. I curled up under the thick blanket, my body hotter than usual, yet somehow, I was still shivering.Pascha stood beside the bed, arms crossed over his chest, his expression filled with guilt.I narrowed my eyes at him. “This is your fault.”He raised his hands in surrender. “You started it.”I scoffed, my voice raspier than I expected. “I pushed your head. That was a small punishment. You dragged me into the water.”Pascha ran a hand down his face. “Okay, okay, that was on me.”I tried to take a breath to reply but ended up in a fit of h
The evening breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of water and damp leaves, the distinct aroma of the lake. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting golden light over the calm water. The soft splashing of waves against the shore created a serenity too peaceful to be disturbed.I sat on a wooden chair on the deck, legs folded comfortably, with an open novel resting on my lap. My fingers traced the pages, my eyes following each printed word, but I remained alert.Because I knew what was coming next.Splash!A loud splash shattered the silence, followed by a familiar, satisfied grunt.I didn’t have to look up to know that Pascha had just jumped into the lake.I sighed softly, lazily flipping a page. It was already certain that this peace wouldn’t last long.The water rippled, the sound of splashing growing closer. I could hear his steady breathing, the soft dripping of water as he moved.Then, just as I expected—“What are you reading?”I had just opened my mouth to answe