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"See, he'll do just fine leading the Bratva," I say to Ivan, my acknowledgment tasting bittersweet on my tongue. "The boy's no fool, he knows how to watch his own back."
Aleksandr returns then with three chilled beers. He frowns at Ivan, who is still standing there with the pistol in hand.
"Do you mind not snooping around my place like you're on guard duty?" Aleksandr says in annoyance. "Come on, let's just relax and enjoy these drinks together."
Ivan mumbles an apology and puts the gun back where he found it. We all take a seat in the living room. I take the armchair while Ivan and Aleksandr sit on the couch.
Aleksandr asks us how things are going at the university lately. I take a swig of beer before responding.
"It's fine, classes and all that," I say dismissively. "Not going to miss it too much when I'm done though." I’m stalling. I need to tell him. But I can’t. Not now, not yet.
Aleksandr perks up at this. "Hey, speaking of that, any chance I could just skip college altogether?" he asks hopefully. "I'm really not feeling ready for that kind of social scene."
I shake my head. "No, you're going to college. It's important, Aleksandr."
He scowls and turns to Ivan, trying to get him on his side. But Ivan just gives a slight shrug, remaining loyally neutral as always when Aleksandr and I disagree on something.
With a frustrated sigh, Aleksandr leans back in his seat and takes a long swig of his beer. I feel a pang, knowing this carefree dynamic between us will change soon. But this needs to be done, for the sake of my future with Sara. I just hope Aleksandr will understand.
I take another swig of beer just as Aleksandr suddenly asks about Sara.
"So, when do I get to meet this mystery woman?" Aleksandr asks with a grin. "I want to see if she's as gorgeous as you claim."
Ivan and I exchange an uneasy look, which Aleksandr doesn't miss. His smile fades as he glances between us.
"What's with the weird silence, you two?"
I clear my throat, knowing I can't avoid this any longer. "There's something I need to tell you, Aleksandr. About Sara and me."
Aleksandr's brows furrow in confusion and apprehension. He waits for me to continue.
"We're getting married soon," I say slowly.
Aleksandr's face lights up. "Hey, that's great news! We should be celebrating, not moping around."
I shake my head regretfully. "It's not that simple. Sara's father... he has certain demands if I'm to marry her."
"What kind of demands?" Aleksandr asks cautiously.
I meet his gaze. "I have to take her last name. And walk away from the Bratva. He is a Mafia boss."
Aleksandr sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes flashing with anger and betrayal. He swears under his breath as he takes in the information, gripping his beer bottle tightly.
"There has to be another way," he says fiercely. "You can't just abandon everything you've built here."
"I wish there was, believe me," I reply heavily. "But this is the only way Sara's father will agree to let me marry her. I don't have a choice."
Aleksandr is breathing hard, shaking his head in disbelief. I know this hurts him deeply.
I stare down at my beer bottle, unable to meet Aleksandr's accusing gaze. The silence in the room is deafening as we both process my revelation.
"Is she worth it?" Aleksandr finally asks, his voice raw with emotion. "Giving up everything for this Mafia princess?"
His words cut deep, mirroring the conflict I've felt wrestling within me. I know the sacrifice I'm asking of him - of both of us - is immense.
"I didn't plan for this, Aleksandr," I say heavily. "Believe me, walking away from the Bratva... from you... it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do." I meet his eyes then, wanting him to see my sincerity. "But I love her. And our child is growing inside her. They're my family now too."
Aleksandr shakes his head, looking away. I can feel the pain and anger radiating from him.
