𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
519 Words
The morning after the gala, headlines flooded newspapers and social media.
THE GOLDEN COUPLE OF MOSCOW ATTEND CHILDREN'S HOPE GALA.
NIKOLAI VOLKOV AND HIS WIFE CAPTIVATE THE ELITE.
SUNSET BEAUTY'S DEPUTY CEO SHINES BESIDE HER HUSBAND.
Aria stared at the photographs on her phone.
Every image showed the same thing.
A smiling woman.
A devoted husband.
A perfect marriage.
She switched off the screen.
If only photographs could tell the truth.
---
At Sunset Beauty headquarters, the executive board gathered for its weekly meeting.
Alessandro Moretti stood before a large screen displaying international sales figures.
"Our expansion into Italy has exceeded expectations," he announced proudly.
The directors applauded.
"There is one more matter."
He smiled toward Aria.
"We've received an invitation from Voss Holdings to collaborate on a luxury skincare campaign for the European market."
Murmurs spread around the room.
It was a prestigious opportunity.
Matteo leaned forward.
"That's huge."
Alessandro nodded.
"I've accepted a preliminary meeting."
Aria's heartbeat faltered.
"Lior will be leading negotiations personally."
The room buzzed with excitement.
Only Aria remained silent.
---
That afternoon, Nikolai arrived unexpectedly at Sunset Beauty.
His appearance alone caused conversations to stop.
Employees lowered their voices as the infamous mafia Don walked confidently through the lobby.
He entered Aria's office without knocking.
She immediately stood.
"Nikolai."
He closed the door behind him.
"I heard about the partnership."
"It could be good for the company."
"It could."
His gaze lingered on her.
"But you won't attend the meetings."
She blinked.
"I'm Deputy CEO."
"You'll appoint someone else."
"My father expects me to lead the negotiations."
Nikolai stepped closer.
"I wasn't asking."
For the first time in years, something inside Aria resisted.
"This is my work."
His expression darkened.
"And you are my wife."
The room fell silent.
After a long moment, he straightened his jacket.
"You'll make the correct decision."
Then he left.
Aria stood frozen until the sound of the elevator doors closing reached her office.
---
Across the city, Lior sat in the penthouse conference room of Voss Holdings.
Marco entered carrying a slim folder.
"I found what you asked for."
Lior opened it.
Inside were newspaper clippings, financial records, and discreet reports concerning Nikolai Volkov.
Nothing unusual.
Nothing illegal that could be tied directly to him.
But then he reached the final page.
A statement from a former housekeeper.
Dismissed three years earlier.
She had claimed Mrs. Volkov often wore long sleeves, even in summer, and avoided visitors unless makeup artists had seen her first.
No one had believed her.
Lior closed the folder slowly.
His instincts had been right.
Something terrible was happening behind the walls of the Volkov mansion.
He looked out over Moscow's skyline.
"I won't ignore this," he murmured.
Marco crossed his arms.
"What are you planning?"
"I'm going to protect her."
Marco hesitated.
"From Nikolai Volkov?"
Lior met his friend's gaze.
"If that's what it takes."
Outside the window, snow began to fall over the city.
Neither man noticed.
Both understood that the first move in a dangerous game had just been made.
And once it began...
There would be no turning back.
- Writer
