Alexei brought me in a restaurant called Dile'. When we arrived, two huge men wearing black long sleeves were waiting for us outside the door. Alexei got out of the car first and instructed me to wait for him to get me before going out. Sometimes I think that Volkov Holdings has too much enemies, that would explain the level of security Nikolai employs.

"Let's go princess. Do you like steak?"

I'm a meat lover, steak is my holy grail but I don't feel like eating because I cant stop thinking about Dylan. I didn't mean to hurt him. I have to see him to explain myself.

"Hey, are you okay?" Said Alexei while crinkling his eyebrows.

"Uhh yah, let's go inside."

The restaurant looks empty and only a few lights are on. We are greeted by a woman, perhaps in her late twenties, her hair is golden blonde, her lipstick is blood red and she's wearing a blue dress that makes her boobs pop like watermelons. I think this woman is experiencing some major back aches at the end of the day considering her skinny figure. I too am well endowed so I can confirm that the struggle is real. Like the realest.

Her full attention is on Alexei. Hmmmm...I think these two are something. This should be fun!

"I heard that you were coming so I volunteered to serve you personally Alex." The woman has a thick Russian accent. She was about to move closer to Alexei but he dismissed her by raising his hand in front of her, signalling not to move any closer.

The woman looked surprised and the pain of rejection is painted all over her face.

Alexei grabbed the small of my back while we walked towards the table prepared for us in the middle of the restaurant. The woman walked behind us and I saw from the corner of my eye that she's looking at me like she's going to pound at me anytime. Geeez, you're barking at the wrong tree, girl!

While we are already seated, the woman is standing right next to Alexei. "Your food will be ready in just a while. Do you need anything else?"

"I will let you know if we need anything. Leave." Alexei dismissed her.

Wow, I have never seen Alexei like this before.

"Of course." She glared at me one last time before leaving our table. The hell, girl? I feel bad that Alexei is treating her like this but what's up with the act?

While Alexei is busy on his phone, I decided to text Dylan.

Dy, I want to see you. Let me explain, please

He still did not reply so I called Amy and asked if she knows where Dylan might be. Amy texted me the location of the gym where Dylan trains. I am going to see him later. I don't want my friendship with Dylan be put to waste by some stupid misunderstanding.

Our food arrived moments later, it was the chef who delivered the food to us. And boy, it was the most delicious steak I have ever had, hands down!

"Hey Alexei, can we kidnap the chef? Let's bring him home. Don't worry Ill take care of him. Please?" I batt my eyelashes to him.

"Haha! You don't have to kidnap him. He works for us. The boss owns this place."

"Oh." Wow, Nikolai owns a lot, including my heart. Ayeeeeee....sooo cheesy.. if only Alexei can read my mind right now.

"Oh by the way, it's the Boss' birthday tomorrow, I just thought you would want to know."

My mouth parted, "And you're just telling me now? Oh my god Alexei!!!"

I suddenly panicked. It's Nikolai's birthday tomorrow and I did not even know. What kind of a girlfriend am I? And I don't have a gift in mind yet. What do I give a man who has practically everything? Ughh!

"What does Nikolai want? What does he like? What's his addiction? Give me something Alexei!!"

"You."

"What?"

"You. It's you who Nikolai wants. It's you who Nikolai likes. You are his addiction." Alexei's words hit me straight to the heart. It is me who Nikolai wants. I'm his addiction. I can feel that I'm turning crimson. Oh my god, I know exactly what to give to Nikolai. Am I ready?

"Are you okay?"

"Uh yah, I just need to go to the privy."

"It's to the left." Alexei pointed the way.

"Okay"

While looking myself in the mirror. The woman in red dress came up to me and stared at me intently.

I just ignore her, I wash my hand and took some tissue paper.

"He treats you like a princess now but don't ever think that you are that special. You will just be one of us when he's done with you."

Oh my gosh this woman, I can't even. She moved few more steps closer to me.

"So you enjoy the beating too huh?" Said the woman. What the hell? Alexei beats women?

"Beating?" I asked her out of curiosity.

"Yes, sweetheart I can see that it still doesn't show or is it just good make up?" The woman said while examining my body, she held my left arm but I quickly whisk her away.

"Don't touch me."

"Humm feisty... just Alex's kind of girl."

I can't do this anymore. I had enough with this woman. I decided to leave, and walk away from her.

When I was about to go out of the door, she then again spoke "He likes it more when you're on your knees begging for your life."

What in the world is she talking about? That woman sure is obsessed with Alexei.

When I got back to our table Alexei noticed my change in mood. "Princess, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just want to go home now Alexei." He looked at me and I think he figured out what happened. He called the two muscle men and said something to them that I did not understand.

They will escort you to the car princess, just wait for me there. Alexei now looks serious.

I just nodded at him. Wow, this side of Alexei is new to me.

While waiting for Alexei in the car, I keep on thinking about Nikolai and his upcoming birthday. Oh god, I need a sign.

Only a few meters from the restaurant I see a poster ad on a bus that said "Are you waiting for a sign?" What the? I think I'm going brain-sick. Is this what love does to people?

On the next block there's a billboard with a man in black tuxedo holding roses in his hand, and the words written next to the man "Do you love him?"

Oh god, no words can describe how much I love Nikolai.

While in traffic, a man in bicycle had on the back of his shirt a check sign with the words "just do it".

Oh my god, I know what's going on here, I must be dreaming.

"Hey Alexei, pinch me."

"What? No." Said Alexei, all puzzled.

I moved closer to Alexei and forced his hand to my face. "Pinch me Alexei." He pinched me, it was a soft pinch but I felt it. That means I'm not dreaming.

Alexei did not remove his hand on my face, in fact I felt that he touched my cheek with the back of his hand. Well, this is really awkward.

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I took the cab going to the address that Amy gave me. It's in an old warehouse. The moment I entered the gym I quickly smell sweat, blood, and rust. Ewww...Dylan is right, I'm too girly girl for this. A couple of men are lifting weights, the others are kicking the hanging bags. As I was scanning the place looking for Dylan the men working out looks at me like what the hell is this girl doing here. Right in the middle of the gym is a cage but this one is different, it doesn't look like the one on television during mma fights. This looks like an iron enclosed cage. I noticed that there are two men fighting inside. Others are watching outside the cage, one of them is yelling.

When the two men inside the cage let go of each other I saw a familiar face. It's Dylan. I walked closer to the cage. Dylan's opponent has already a swollen face but Dylan doesn't  have any sign of swelling at all. Moments later Dylan wrestled down the other guy and punched him many times on his head. 

Oh my god, why did they have to invent such a brutal sport? This is too barbaric. The other guy tapped out. Dylan stood like it was just nothing. He then went out of the cage and approach the man who was instructing him a while ago. They talked for several seconds more and then finally Dylan noticed me.

He wipes his sweat off with a towel as he walk towards his gym bag. 

"Dy, can we talk?"

"Why are you here? You're not suppose to be here Belle."

Ouch that hurts.

"I'm here to talk to you. You're not answering my calls." He just continued gathering his things, and puts his shirt and pants on. He clutched my hand and walks out of the gym like he's on a hurry. Its difficult to keep up with him considering my high heels. He grabbed me until we are on the parking lot were his bike is parked.

"You are not suppose to be here Belle!" My heart jumped in surprise. I have not seen Dylan this upset.

"I'm here to apologize and explain."

He handed me his helmet. "Put this on."

I did not accept it. Instead I just look him in the eyes. He lets out a sigh and then he puts the helmet on my head instead.

"We will talk but not here."

We went to a park nearby. I sat on the bench but Dylan just stood up. I gestured him to come sit next to me. After some convincing, the man finally gave in. Why are the men surrounding me so difficult? Sawyer, Dylan, Alexei, and of course the most difficult of them all, Nikolai. Is this really my fate now?

"Dy, I'm sorry. But I did not lie to you. Alexei is really just a friend." He was about to stand up, he was not having any of it.

"Please Dy just listen to me first. Alexei is just a friend and that's the truth. I have a boyfriend but it's not Alexei. His name is Nikolai, he's Alexei's......friend.

"Where did you meet this Nikolai?"

I told Dylan what happened in the bar. He looks dissapointed in me but eventually he forgave me.

I am holding on Dylan's left arm as we continue our conversation.

"Aside from being your knight in shining armor what else do you know about this Nikolai?"

"Uh well he owns several businesses."

"So he's basically a snob."

"Dylan!!" I smack him on his shoulder.

"Nikolai is sweet. He's nice Dy. I will introduce you both in time."

I suddenly realize that Dylan is wearing the necklace I gave him.

"You're still wearing it. Awww."

"You like it? It was given by a very special girl."

"Yeh? I bet she's sizzling hot too. Hahaha!"

"Yup she definitely is. And she's stubborn too."

"No I'm not!"

"Kidding aside, don't go back to the gym looking for me anymore okay?"

"Okay, just as long as you answer my calls we won't have a problem."

"No Belle, you have to promise me you're not going back to the gym. Promise me."

"Fine, besides I don't particularly enjoy seeing half naked, sweaty and bloody men."

"I caught you staring at me a couple of times, don't kid yourself."

"Ah! Fine guilty as charged. But only your six pack."

"Haha" Dylan shook his head.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

I can't believe I'm doing this. Ahhhhhhh!!!! My heart is filled with mixed emotions right now. I'm excited because I have finally found the courage to tell Nikolai that I'm ready but I'm also a bit embarrassed for doing this, but guess what? I am doing it anyway.

I took pictures of myself on my knees, half naked, in black lace panties while cupping my breasts with my hands.

I never thought that I would go this far for someone, but for Nikolai, I'm willing to do everything. I used to laugh at my friends when they act stupid for the sake of love. Now, I perfectly understand what they were feeling. This is the first time ever that I'm doing this and I would do this again in a heartbeat for Nikolai. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! I planted my face on my pillow.

I typed the caption "I'm ready baby, happy birthday!" I'm going to send this to him on his birthday.

Meanwhile, I decided to text Alexei if he can come with me to the supermarket. I'm going to cook for the three of us. There's no harm in trying, right? Unless of course I unintentionally poison them, then there's harm. Ughhh.. but I'm sure I can pull it off.

A few clicks on my phone, I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. Ohhhh myyyy god!!!!!!!! I accidentally hit send to Alexei the picture I took for Nikolai. I squealed in horror. Oh god, if it's my time take me now. Hit me with your lightning, I'm ready to die. Ahhhhhh!!! I paced back and forth in my room, my heart is pounding hard.

Sending........oh my god stop stop stop...sending.....god help me make it stop....SENT.

Oh god. Okay what now? What do I do? Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

I'm going to call him.

Answer your phone Alexei... answer it!

"Hey princess, I'm kind of busy right now. Do you need anything?"

Good, he's busy and seems like he has not opened my message yet. "Uhh Alexei, I sent you something accidentally, you are not to open the message under any circumstance okay? You are to delete it immediately or better yet, come for me so I can delete the message myself, do you understand?"

He did not answer me. Instead all I heard is noise, like clicking noise.

"Alexei? Hello?" Oh my god why do I have a feeling that he's doing the exact opposite of what I just said to him ? Arggghhh!!!! I think I'm going out of my mind!!!!

"Alexei....don't you dare!!!!!! Hello?" He hung up on me. That's it. I'm doomed.