Bria POV:

Fast forward to Friday the day when I was supposed to go with Caius to Russia. Since most of my things was in Kingston at the apartment I shared with Mickayla, Caius had taken me shopping two days before and he had just sat down in the store while I walked around and took up whatever I needed.  Initially everything I bought came to a staggering total of 50,000 Jamaican dollars and I had offered to put back somethings but, he had just shook his head firmly and produced his American Express Centurion Card (Black Card) so my suitcase was already packed and ready to leave .

In the morning,  I was awoken by the smell of eggs, French toast and franks and the delicious scent of hot chocolate and I opened my eyes to see Caius carrying a try toward me. I sat up in bed leaning against the headboard as he placed the tray of food on my lap and I looked at him my eyes sparkling.

" no, wah yuh actually do wid eh Caius weh mi know?", I asked teasingly and he simply picked up a slice of pineapple with my fork out of the fruit bowl on the side and popped it into his mouth .

" yuh cah seh thanks ", he said as he looked at me and I smiled,

" thanks but, mi affi ask ".  I finished eating my breakfast and then I started getting ready as Caius stated that the flight would be a long one . When Caius came into my room to wait for me I almost decided to make us late on purpose because he looked so good .

He was wearing a black long sleeved button up shirt and he had rolled up the cuffs a little so the tattoos on his arms peeked out from underneath the sleeves and he had on black dress pants and a simple gold chain rested on his chest and his sliver watch shone around his wrist and he smelt like addiction and something seductive.

We arrived at Norman Manley International Airport at around 10:30 am  and just like what I had expected it was busy and Caius held my hand as he led me through the airport and I fully expected him to lead me to a regular plane that we would board but, instead he led me to a waiting jet with his last name carved into the side.

The Romanov private jet stood on the runway, its black and silver exterior gleaming under the sunlight, the bold Romanov crest emblazoned on the side. It was massive, more luxurious than any plane I had ever seen, and as Caius led me  up the steps, his hand resting protectively on my lower back, I felt my heart race, my hands trembling with nerves.

Inside, the jet was more like a luxury apartment than an aircraft. Plush leather seats, polished wood panels, and golden accents. A mini bar stood to the side, fully stocked, and a long, elegant table was set for dining.

I turned to Caius, my eyes wide.

"This... a yours, like the whole plane?" I asked in disbelief.

He shrugged, his expression indifferent.

" this one is my father's but, I have ny own . Just prefers to utilise his whenever I am going to Russia", guided me to one of the seats, his hand lingering on my shoulder for a moment. "Mek yuhself comfortable. It’s a long flight".

I sank into the seat, the leather cool against my skin, my mind spinning as the jet took off, the world falling away beneath them. I was flying to Russia. With Caius. To meet his family, to step into his world.

A world I knew nothing about. Caius took a seat beside me and I turned my head to look out the window. Eventually the scene from above the clouds became boring so I rested my head on Caius’s chest inhaling his scent and listening to the steady beating of his heart while he rested a hand on my leg,caressing slowly. The flight attendant served us food about 2 hours into the flight and then adjusted the space we were seated in into a bed so I could lie down.  I didn't know when I fell asleep but, when I opened my eyes again Caius was telling me to wake up as we were getting ready to land.

Russia was cold, the air crisp and biting as we stepped off the jet, but the chill did nothing to dampen my awe. Snow-capped mountains loomed in the distance, the sky a stunning shade of blue.A sleek black car awaited us on the tarmac, the driver bowing his head respectfully as Caius guided me inside. The drive to the Romanov estate was long, winding through snow-covered forests and ancient stone bridges.

And then, the estate came into view.

My breath caught in my throat, my eyes widening. It was massive, a sprawling mansion of gray stone and towering spires, surrounded by iron gates and manicured gardens blanketed in snow. It looked more like a castle than a house, regal and intimidating.

Caius watched me , his eyes sharp, his expression unreadable.

"Welcome to my world,” he murmured. “Welcome to the Romanov empire".

The huge oak front doors was opened by a butler sumuh weh mi neva think mi woudah si inna eva inna mi life and if I had gasped at the size of the estate outside , now I was openly gaping at the grandeur of the inside . Sparkling chandeliers hang from the ceiling and rooms were on different sides and a large curving marble staircase led up to God knows how many floor and an elevator I am guessing for less hassel and faster transport was located close to the staircase.

A maid came over to me and took our luggage and Caius said ,

" gwaan wid har , she aguh carry to wi room.  Mi aguh talk to Ivan", and he untangled his hand from mine which up until that moment had remained intertwined with his and walked off towards the left down a another hallway and I followed the woman my heart in my throat . We took the elevator together and she pressed the button for the 3rd floor . Once it stopped we came out and I followed her down a marble tiled hallway until she stopped at a set of double doors.

We entered through the  double doors made of dark mahogany, polished to a mirror-like sheen, their weight and craftsmanship a testament to the room's importance. The high, vaulted ceiling is adorned with intricate gold leaf designs that catch the soft, ambient lighting from an exquisite crystal chandelier hanging above.

The centerpiece of the room is a grand, four-poster king-size bed draped in rich, silk sheets the color of deep wine, contrasting beautifully against the plush, cream-colored pillows. The headboard is hand-carved with ornate patterns that echo Russian imperial architecture, gilded subtly to catch the light without overwhelming the room.

On either side of the bed, nightstands made of rare ebony wood hold gold-trimmed lamps with soft, warm lights that cast a serene glow. A velvet chaise lounge in a deep emerald shade sits near the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view of the sprawling estate gardens, meticulously landscaped and stretching as far as the eye can see.

Heavy velvet curtains, the same shade as the chaise lounge, hang majestically on either side of the windows, embroidered with gold thread in elegant floral patterns. They can be drawn closed for complete privacy or left open to let in the pale, silvery moonlight.

A fireplace carved from Italian marble sits across from the bed, its mantel adorned with antique Russian artifacts and gilded picture frames, showcasing portraits of Romanov ancestors. The soft crackle of the fire adds a comforting warmth to the otherwise grand space.

A Persian rug in shades of gold and burgundy spreads across the polished hardwood floor, its patterns intricate and mesmerizing, adding a layer of coziness beneath bare feet.

A lavish seating area with armchairs upholstered in rich velvet and a low, glass coffee table set with a crystal decanter of aged whiskey and matching glasses invites quiet, intimate conversations.

Off to the side, a walk-in closet the size of a small apartment is stocked with designer clothes and accessories, and a doorway leads to an en-suite bathroom with black marble floors, a gold clawfoot tub, and a rainfall shower framed with glass.

Despite the wealth on display, the room feels comforting, perhaps it's the warmth of the fireplace and the softness of the textiles or the warm scent of something sweet filling the space.

I was stunned . No because this really serious, wah the actual hell him family do suh fi have this yah kind a luxury yah? And mi wondah if mi really wah find out.

" ok mam, I will be leaving now . If you need anything there is a phone on your bedside table.  Just call and someone will be right with you", and with that she left closing the door softly behind her . I sat down on the bed , sinking into the exquisitely soft mattress and took a moment to just digest it all before I walked into the bathroom to take a shower and changed into more comfortable clothes .

As I was pulling on a dress , the door opend and Caius entered and I immediately noticed the anger radiating off of him and the way the muscles in his jaw flexed . Seeing me he walked over and did something I didn’t expected, he pulled me into a hug , his arms circling around my waist and holding me tightly against his body.

We stayed liked that for awhile until he finally released me but, sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled me onto his lap so that I straddled him . I wanted to ask him what happened but, from the look in his eyes I could tell he wasn't ready to talk about it.

" my brothers are here and so is Darya my half sister and Anya ", he said the last time bitterly and I frowned.

" Anya ? is she another sister or family member...", I trailed off .

" ex. Mi date har from mi did a 19 until mi turn 23 . Please Bria doh think bout it as nuhun. I just dated her for the sake of her family influence and alliance.  Almost kill har recently buss har throat but, it woudah just caused unnecessary problem between eh two a wi family and inna Russia that mean war ", he said and I steared at him taking in everything he had told me .

I wasn't entirely surprised that he had an ex, if anything am surprised it's only one unless he had others he wasn't telling me about because a man like him looking like he did and with his assets, of course women would be practically falling at his feet but, I wasn't going to allow some ex Russian woman who him did deh wid try fi bully mi inna nuh way , especially not wid eh person I was and eh culture weh mi raise inna , suh if a that him a worry bout him cah stop worry.

That night as I got ready to have dinner with his family, I was feeling both anxious and a bit overwhelmed and I just honestly wanted it to just be over and done with . I was fixing my lip gloss in the mirror when Ciaus came up behind me with a necklace in his hand.  My hair was catch back in a bun at the nape of my neck so he placed the necklace around my neck , the coldness of the jewellery resting on my skin as he closed the clasp.

It was dazzling, a sliver chained with a singular heart shaped diamond that I had no doubt was real and probably cost millions. He lowered his mouth to my air as one of his hands held my throat and I looked at our reflection in the mirror feeling miself got hot despite the subtle warmness of the room.

" doh mek mi affi tell yuh fi tek this off lata ", he said as he kissed my neck and I smiled and then finally ready, we left to joined his family for dinner. The atmosphere was tense. I could feel the eyes on her, sharp and calculating, studying her, judging her. Caius’s brothers, Dmitri and Sergei, sat across from us , their faces blank, their eyes cold. Darya sat beside them, her smile sharp, her gaze piercing.

Just like Caius his brother's were good looking,  sinfully so and they all shared that serious , darkness that made others afraid.  Dmitri had tattoos, shoulder lengths black hair , green eyes and a smile that was calculating and Sergei had the same traits except he his hair was cut short and messy and he had sliver rings on his fingers and scorpion tattoo on his neck but, their sister Darya was like stunning,  breathtakingly so but, I observed that she avoided eye contact with Caius at all cost almost like she was scared of him.

And then there was Anya.

Tall, blonde, beautiful, with icy blue eyes and a figure that looked carved from marble. She sat beside Caius on his left, her fingers brushing his arm as she spoke, her voice dripping with sweetness, but her eyes hard, mocking.

She spoke only in Russian, her words fast, sharp, her smile venomous. I couldn’t understand, but I didn’t need to. I could feel the malice in every syllable, could see it in the way Anya’s lips curled, the way she looked at me like I was nothing, a bug to be squashed.

Caius’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing, a muscle ticking in his cheek. He replied in Russian, his voice cold, commanding, and Anya’s face fell, her eyes flashing with anger before she looked away.

My stomach churned, my fingers tightening around my fork and then I decided I had had enough. Turning to Caius I asked " what is she saying about me ?" but, he squeezed my hand which was intertwined with his underneath the table as he said his tone flat ,

" nuh worry bout it Bria " but, I wasn't letting it go.

" how do you say suck yuh mada inna Russian?", I asked.

"соси свою мать" , he replied eyes gleaming as he struggled to hold his laugh back.

" tell har mi seh fi guh suck har muma and if she have sumuh fi seh to mi fi seh it suh mi cah hear and understand weh she a seh " , I said and Caius grinned .

" gladly " and turning to Anya he translated what I said and I watched her frowned before her face turned pale underneath the golden lights and I knew Caius had added something else.

" what else did you say to her?"

" seh if mi hear one more disrespect come out har mouth regarding you , she will lose her ability to talk because I will cut her fucking tongue out", he replied and took a sip of his wine .