_Meghan The following morning I was woken up by someone knocking at my door, I couldn't remember the last time I had slept like that, it had been like I turned off everything and fell into a dreamless sleep. I opened the door and found Ludovic in casual wear, he looked like he was dressed for running. Which was new because he was always dressed in business suits, no matter the time of day or night. "To what do I owe such an early morning visit?" I rubbed my eyes and smiled at him."My dear is past ten already, I got worried when you didn't turn up for breakfast and after my run, you still had not appeared. Feeling okay?" He had gone for a run? No wonder he didn't age."I'm fine, I must have overslept, too much wine last night." I lied, wine yes and something else had knocked me out completely."My fault entirely. You looked excited last night, I didn't want to dampen your mood but if I had known you would be like this…" he shrugged. "I wouldn't have let you near that bottle." He st
_Neon The minute I arrived in London and located the store that sold my guns, it was clear as day to me what I had just walked into. The store was a front, with employees who had no clear answers as to who they worked for and merchandise with my name on it. It could only mean one thing and one thing only, there was a bigger operation behind the scenes that ran the show. I had seen a lot of them spot the work of a syndicate from a mile away. The minute I left the store, I knew that this was one assignment I could not walk into blindly with guns blazing. I needed to research who was behind the whole operation. I took a taxi to my penthouse. I hadn't driven anywhere in the last month. Besides the fact that my car had been beyond repair, I didn't want the attention of sitting in front of a salesman while he shuffled through my papers. I walked to places, and where I couldn't, I took a taxi, like a regular bloke.I made myself lunch and sat in front of my window looking down at the Lo
_Meghan The morning after Alicia came to st. Petersburg, I woke up early and went into Ethan's nursery, I bathed and feed him. It was too early for him to be playing outside but he didn't complain when Miriam walked into the room holding Lego blocks to start their fun-filled day. By eight o'clock I walked into the kitchen and found a hot pot of coffee brewing. This reminded me of my time at the eatery with Dave before the store opened for customers. I should reach out to him. Find out how he was, I had left things less than decent between us. I poured myself a cup and as usual got lost in its rich taste. I couldn't help thinking about Ben and how he died. That and other things were the reason I was up this early. In the end, he had been a monster but we had spent some good times together once. Now I had two boyfriends who were dead and buried. My phone beeped and it was a message from Vera, my phone hadn't worked in months and I had only got a new line a few days ago when I went
_Meghan.By the time I arrived back at the house, it was almost sunset. I hurried into the house and put my bag on the table before sitting on a nearby chair. "Some lunch it was, it's almost time for dinner." Lufovic came over to sit next to me, why was it when I was hoping to not see him, he seemed to be everywhere. "Like you won't believe." He took my feet and put them on his lap and took my shoes off. "It's okay, I can do that," I said, but he only tightened his grip on them. "Ludovic." I hissed. "What? I only want to hear about your lunch date with Vera, and this here will stop you from running away." he made a good point. "Okay. We ate " I wasn't sure what to share and not to share with him. "I know that." he shifted gears and focused on the soles of my feet. I closed my eyes and savored the feeling on my feet "Then..mmh.." He knew what he was doing. "Then? You were about to say something." He didn't stop working and every time I was about to say something in protes
_Ludovic After watching Meghan drift off to sleep. I closed the door behind me and calmed myself down. Why did things have to escalate like this on the very last night? I didn't know If I should be happy or sad. But I was glad tomorrow we would be leaving for London, If I had to take more of such incidents, I don't know how long I would be able to hold out for. sooner or later, I bound to make a blunder of the situation.Meghan was an attractive woman, and I didn't have a good reputation when it came to women. Right now I was working on something new and exciting with Miriam. I didn't want to hurt her. I was still working to build trust between us. although she hadn't said much, I could tell that she was not sure about my intentions with her. Speaking of which, I needed to talk to her. I made my way to the east wing of the house as I usually did every night for the last few months. after knocking for a while, she opened the door wrapped in a towel. her hair dripping wet. "We going
_ Meghan The private jet landed in London soil promptly before sunset. I got off the jet with Ethan by my side and Miriam and Alicia following behind us. Ludovic was talking to the captain about god knows what. I had avoided him in the jet like the plague. Guilt was squashing my insides into mash about what didn't even happen. This was the first time being in London since Neon passed away, The last time I'd been in London, he had still been alive and we left together to go to the Island. Funny enough, I had expected to feel his absence like a blow to the face as soon as the doors opened, but I was surprised that It didn't feel as heavy as I thought it would when I was in st. Petersburg. I realized that he will always be a part of me, I carried him with me everywhere I went. When the man dressed in a black suit approached us, I noticed, for the first time the SUVs parked at the airstrip and they were waiting for us. Ludovic didn't leave anything to chance and I was glad for it, I
_Ludovic The minute we touched down on London soil, I had to think on my feet. I've been giving Miriam side glances and she'd been ignoring my attention. I was feeling needy.I had organized for two cars to pick us all up from the airstrip. I could have easily asked for three but that would mean I would not get the time I needed with Miriam alone. Instead of driving to the penthouse, I asked the driver to take us to a small hotel just outside the city for some private time. The last thing I needed was to take her to the penthouse and bump into Neon or whoever the female was that had picked up the phone when I called. We spent the past few hours under the blankets in the hotel and now we were on our way to the hotel Meghan was already waiting with her friend. "Are you okay, you've been very silent since we left the hotel." I glanced at her side but she was focused on the passing scenery."In fine." She exhaled out loud through her nose. "I'm worried.""Please talk to me, what are y
_Meghan The following morning, I dressed in my best sunny dress with gold stripes and matching sandals. I checked myself and nodded in satisfaction, casual but not too eager, I bought the dress in st. Petersburg the day of our lunch date with Vera. The thought of that lunch date still leaves me in wonder. What was I part of and would I have to answer someday in the future about what I thought I saw? And what exactly did I see?Alicia knocked once and opened the door. She was looking fresh as a Daisy in cut-off denim and high-heeled sneakers complete with a lacy crop top. One outfit I wouldn't be found dead in. But with her petite figure, it looked innocent and fun on her. "One day you will find me in a very compromising position if you keep entering my room like this.""With who?" she challenged. "Handsome Dave?" she raised an eyebrow."My fantasies are not that kinky." I rolled my eyes at her and thought of how every man seemed to fall short after Neon, except…I didn't want to gi
Eight months later. Later as we watched the sun set above the white sand. I thanked Simon for walking me down the aisle, he beamed at me and walked away. Yes, the funny man was back at the Petrov residence. The wedding reception had been exquisite, but I expected nothing less with Vera planning the whole wedding on the beach, picnic style. Now that the main event was over. The different couples were scattered around the sand enjoying themselves. Vera was sitting with Marcelli. They had danced the day away and now they sat feeding each other what looked like strawberries. After the outburst at the dinner, Vera had filed for a divorce and she and Ivan had gone their separate ways. Something she said was long overdue. She now stayed in Italy with Marcelli, the man she said was the love of her life. Ivan was also in attendance. He was now a single father raising Boris. A difficult task, given that Boris was in his late teens and becoming a young adult. But he had the best team money
_Meghan The following morning I woke up to an empty bed. I walked into the ensuite and prepared for what I knew would be a long day. I made my way downstairs and found Vera in a bathrobe sitting on the kitchen table with tea between her hands. "Good morning, dear. Did Neon come home last night?" she asked the minute I walked in. It felt like someone had died. I'd never seen her in a bathrobe before and her face was not done. She had bags under her eyes."No, he still hasn't shown up." I poured myself a cup of coffee, I needed something stronger than tea. "Do you think that's a good idea, I also noticed that last night you were drinking wine. Im sorry I don't mean to pry." She nodded at my coffee cup and blushed scarlet. "Im not pregnant, if that's what you're worried about." I smiled at her in answer to her unasked question. "Oh. I assumed-""The will," I said, knowing full well what she thought. "I never understood why Neon put that clause in there. He had everyone worried for
_Meghan The day had been a beautiful one. I finally had a dress to wear to Ludovic's wedding tomorrow. But I couldn't have done it without Vera's help. She truly had an eye for fashion. When the car drove up to the driveway, I noticed that there was an unusual bursting activity at the house. And there were more cars parked outside. "Are we having guests over tonight?" I pointed to the parked cars."Yes. But it is only family. Neon's Uncles and their better halves are joining us for dinner, it's the least we could do for Ludovic and Miriam." Vera said, picking up her clutch bag. "That is so kind of you and Ivan.""Ludovic insisted that Miriam didn't want any grand parties, so I thought this would just be us having dinner.""She has always been reserved. I can not imagine her in a party." I said, thinking what a pair they made with Ludovic. They fit perfectly together. *** "This is an interesting arrangement." Uncle Alek said as soon as I was seated and Uncle Lev surpassed a laug
_Neon Three weeks flew past fast, and it was already time to go to Ludovic's wedding. We were leaving this evening and I was still at the office going through the last batch of work when the phone rang, reminding me that I needed to get a move on.I took the elevator down to the basement. I was busier than I'd ever been. To make matters worse, I had deadlines I wanted to meet before we started with our wedding preparations, which would start the minute we came back from Ludovic's wedding. But amid the chaos of work and everything, I was happy to report that Boris was doing well in his new environment and with his new nurse. He was joining the family in Russia for the wedding. Nothing was ever without a wrinkle, as Adelita would be in attendance as well. They both had left the previous night. Meghan suggested that we all share a plane. But the thought of enduring a flight to st. Petersburg with Adelita was unthinkable. I was still searching for answers about her wealth and her gener
_Meghan Going to the doctor with Neon would at least get me away from my mother, who was in the party spirit. The car stopped in front of the entrance. Neon got out and opened the passenger door for me."I love this car." I looked at him as I settled into my seat."Does that mean you didn't like the one before this?" he raised an eyebrow."I did. But I like this one more than I liked that one. You get what I mean." I shrugged."I get what you mean. So…how's that headache of yours?" he asked. "On and off." It depended on where I was. "We should still check it out. It may be nothing or it may be something." "So where are you taking me?""To see the doctor." He grinned "Why are you happy?""I have news." he pressed the ignition and the car came to life."OK. Don't keep a girl waiting." I folded my arms over my chest. "I spoke to my lawyer on my way here. I'm looking into buying a pharmaceutical company." he beamed."Oh? Are you interested in the pharmaceutical business?" that was
_Neon I was officially back at the office for the first time after a long time. I parked my car at the underground parking and took a lift to the last floor. When the doors opened, I felt like I'd come home. The layout of the place was still the same. Not much had changed in that regard. But most of the faces were new, including my assistant, who looked like she was ready to bolt the minute she saw me. god, bless his little creatures. "Good Morning," I called out when I passed her desk "Good morning, Mr. Petrov," she replied with a bold voice for someone of her small stature. I couldn't remember her name, it must have been between Maggie and Mandy, but I remember thinking it was close to Meghan. I had to look it up, I didn't like not knowing someone's name. Someone as important as my assistant. Before I could settle down my phone rang."Yes?" I said to the receiver. "A Miss Dowels is here to see, sir. She doesn't have an appointment and she says she not leaving until you see he
_Meghan "My darling baby, I'm so happy to see you." Mom came forward with her arms outstretched. I wanted to return her enthusiasm, even if it was only to make Neon happy but my feet were rooted to the spot. I couldn't move them. When mom hugged me. I felt cold for standing as still as a rod. "It's good to see you too Mom." I led her to the couch and Neon must have seen the tension between us. he left us to catch up or murder each other. As soon as he was out of hearing distance. I sat next to Mom on the couch."what are you doing here, Mom?""Your fiance reached out to me, and I have to say I'm glad he did. I didn't even know I was a grandmother, there is so much to talk about, it cannot be squeezed in just a few minutes. Why did you never come home?""You know why." how could Neon do this to me? "I am your mother, don't you miss your mother?""You hardly knew when I was there or not." "But I have to say, Meghan, you have done well for yourself." she looked around the living ar
_NeonMy head Felt like I had gone under the knife. I couldn't remember the last time I drank so much, except when I was in college and with my uncle, who, not so long ago had sworn to stop drinking. But last night was understandably a happy occasion. I needed to buy Miriam the biggest wedding gift I could find. How she managed to tie down my uncle was a wonder that we would talk about for years to come. I could only imagine his brother's face when he got to st. Petersburg. What I would give to be a fly in the wall when he explained to everyone that he was settling down and starting a family of his own. I knew my father would be proud of him. As for my other Uncles, that is another story on its own. If they can get over the shock first. I knew for a fact that they were going to tease him about it for all that he was worth. "Still leaking your wounds?" Meghan kicked my leg when she passed me on the couch. "What do they say about kicking a dog when it's down?" I lifted my shades and
_Meghan Finally. Neon had fallen asleep. I hadn't been able to sleep after I woke to find Neon in bed. I decided there was no point in trying. I knew the day would be long. So I might as well prepare for it early. I made my way down the stairs. I was not very familiar with the house, I had only been there for dinner with Ludovic once and there hadn't been much time to do a proper tour of it. But I had a faint idea of where the kitchen might be.Once downstairs, I was about to walk past the dining area when I stopped in my tracks. Adelita was up already. She was feeding Boris. She must have heard me because she turned her neck and looked at me. "Come and watch the freak show closely. You might need something to later report to your street mates." she snarled. Before turning back and focusing her attention on her son. I went back upstairs. I had lost interest in making coffee. What kind of a woman was she? To make jokes like that about her son. When I opened the door. Neon raised