HIS REPLACEMENT BRIDE

DEALS.

NICOLAI'S POV.

I stared at my daughter then at Ariana. “Come mummy!” She says and Ariana walks forward before stopping in front of us, she swallows as I stare at her, “go ahead daddy common” Zikorah urges. “Zizi,” I warned but she ignored me totally. “Daddy common,” she whined and I sigh before dropping a soft kiss on Ariana's cheek. Zikorah grinned before reaching for Ariana, Ariana lifted her out of my arms before passing me a small smile. Welcome home she signed and I nodded before walking past her, Zikorah was such a handful.

I tugged at my hair as I entered my room, I unbuttoned my shirt before going to have a bath, I stepped out as my eyes caught the portrait of me and Nera on my bedside table, my heart tightened painfully as I walked towards it and picked it up. I smiled, we looked so happy, here we just found out about Zikorah. I had been more than overjoyed when she told me we were having a baby, I didn't let her work too much. She'll always complain about me being too protective but at the end of the day she loved it, she loved me and when Zikorah came we both loved her together. I'm sure Nera loved Zikorah till her last breath. I remember when she went into labour, I'd been panicking so much that even the doctor wouldn't let me come in to see her and I had to stand outside hearing my wife scream and push without my support.

I got dressed before walking back downstairs, Zikorah was watching a cartoon as Ariana sat next to her. I wonder what was going through her head when she agreed to get married to me. I'd never imagined that I'd get married to her, I've known her since she was a child. Her accident took a part of her forever, “Dinner” Clarissa called out when Ariana pauses the movie and we all move to the dining, our first dinner together as a married couple and you could literally cut the tension with a knife. “How has everything been?” I ask and she raises her head to look at me before signing one word; good. I nod as I continue with my meal, shortly after she puts Zikorah to bed, I'm not surprised that my daughter has abandoned her own room to go stay with Ariana in hers. I had a little work to do in my study, I replied to my mails and sent out some orders before finally calling it a night, I go upstairs pushing Ariana's door open I see them both in the bed, Zikorah was curled up in Ariana's arms like she had always belonged there, at least one good thing came out of this marriage my daughter was happy. I sat softly at the edge of the bed as I reached for her, I stroked her hair gently as she cooed. l leaned forward kissing her forehead before whispering, “Good night Zizi,” she shifted before settling again as I got up to leave them.

Next Day,

I was sitting at the table when I heard Zikorah's voice, “I can't wait for my sleepover! You'll meet all my friends too” she says as they walk down the stairs, “Good morning daddy!” She chirped, “Good morning Mia Vita” I replied as I noticed her hair, it was braided in sections as cute picks sat on the tip of each braid. “Do you like my hair? Mummy is really good at styling it,” she says, taking a seat next to Ariana. I nod as she smiles, “Daddy you didn't say good morning to mummy,” she says and I raise my eyes. Ariana met my eyes before she looked away quickly, “Good morning” I greet and she nodded. “Zizi, you don't want your old room anymore?” I ask my daughter as the maids loaded our plates with eggs and bacon. “Nope! I'm staying with mummy now,” she replies and I press my lips together, “Okay then” I reply. We eat in silence but the comfortable type, I stand after my meal ready to leave when Ariana signs something and I pause, she holds Zikorah's hand as she walks towards me. Zikorah's recital is on Friday, she says you rarely come, I frown and I looked down at Zikorah, she was playing with the strap of her bag confusion etched all over her face. “It's ballet Ariana, what am I supposed to do?” I ask and she tilts her head, Cheer her on? She signed. I can't cheer her on, if not I wouldn't have minded your absence. She adds, “I'll try to be there” I reply and she nods. Thank you, she signs and I nod before leaving, they follow behind almost immediately as the driver drives them off to Zikorah's school.

♡

I'm handling a deal at the club that evening as I sat across from my dealer. He was showing me some prints of this new warehouse I wanted to acquire. The waiter brings drinks for us as we both nod, I scan the prints well. “Mr Orello I assure you there's enough space for your drugs and shady deals,” he says leaning back on his chair. I smirk, “I like your confidence Eugene,” I reply as he nods. “Tell me, does your pakhan know about this?” I ask and he nods, “I haven't done business with you Russians in a while, why should I trust you?” I ask, “You're our best buyer” he replies and I chuckle. “Shove your praises in your ass.” I reply and he frowns, “I'll take it but half the price” I reply. “No way, Pak is going to kill me” he replies, “Tell him that's what I want,” I reply “Orello listen to me half is crazy!” he says but I wasn't listening to him anymore as a certain green eyes just caught my attention. Ariana, now what was my wife doing in a club this late?