(Two days later, the traditional wedding ceremonies were finally complete.)
The mansion remained filled with joy, music, and laughter.
The tiny girl and her brothers spent their days singing together, dancing together, making food together, stealing bites from each other's plates, and eventually sleeping together in giant piles of blankets and pillows.
Meanwhile, Nikolai had been working nonstop.
Meeting after meeting.
Call after call.
Report after report.
He barely slept.
The exhaustion finally caught him.
After Lilith (Baneva) gently helped him rest, he immediately fell asleep.
Not only him.
Even members of the Bratva.
Even members of the Dominant Apex.
Everyone was exhausted.
(In another room.)
Asif carefully kissed Rima's forehead.
He covered her body with a blanket.
As he tried to stand up, her fingers wrapped around his sleeve.
"Stay…" she mumbled in her sleep.
His heart melted.
A smile appeared on his face.
Slowly he laid beside her.
His hand gently rubbed her cheek.
Without realizing it…
He had completely fallen in love with her.
(Meanwhile downstairs.)
The tiny girl and The Red Order were once again picking flowers.
Just like always.
Lilith loved flowers.
Kalma carried the basket while the tiny girl carefully picked every flower she found beautiful.
(During lunch.)
Everyone gathered to eat.
Lily (Neva) picked up Nikolai's plate.
"I take Nikki food."
She carefully carried the tray upstairs.
When she entered the room, the bed was empty.
"Huh?"
She placed the tray down.
Suddenly the bathroom door opened.
Nikolai stepped out.
Water dripped down his body.
A towel rested around his neck as he dried his hair.
The tiny girl immediately froze.
Her face turned bright red.
She quickly turned her head away.
"N…N…N…Nikki f…f…f…food…" she stuttered while pointing toward the table.
Nikolai smiled.
Slowly he walked over.
Then pulled her closer.
"Why is Bambi all red, huh?"
"Hmmmm…"
She refused to look at him.
Her cheeks were red.
Her ears were red.
Everything was red.
Nikolai had already learned something.
Whenever Lilith became angry…
Her ears and cheeks turned red exactly like her mother.
And whenever she became extremely shy…
They became even redder.
"N…Nikki v…v…very handsome…" she whispered.
"Really, Bambi?"
She shyly nodded.
Nikolai smiled.
Then kissed her softly.
Gently.
Patiently.
As her face somehow became even redder.
(Meanwhile.)
In Sohan's room, loud moans sounds filled the room because Riyana was giving Sohan a blowjob sucking his dick 'Oh Fuck! He moan his eyes rolling back from Satisfaction of the pleasure holding her hair R..Right there baby fuck your a good girl he praised Mhmm Riyana slurping on his cock while making eye contact.
On the other side of the mansion, Paloma sat smoking quietly.
Her bedroom door opened.
Emil entered.
He looked exhausted.
Without a word he collapsed onto her bed.
Paloma inhaled from her cigarette.
"What now?"
"Tired. I can't sleep, Ma."
He always called her Ma.
"Hmm."
Paloma stood.
She placed his head onto her lap.
Immediately she frowned.
"You have a fever."
She carefully laid him on the pillow.
Then left the room.
A few minutes later she returned carrying herbal tea.
"Hey. Wake up and drink, boy."
Emil opened his eyes.
He drank everything obediently.
Paloma covered him with blankets.
Soon both of them fell asleep.
The entire mansion seemed to sleep for almost the whole day.
(The next morning.)
Today was Anwar and Kazyia's Dodhi Mongol.
(The early morning blessing ceremony with traditional foods.)
The couple sat together.
Eating.
Laughing.
Sharing food.
Giggles escaped Kazyia every few seconds.
Anwar couldn't stop admiring her.
He barely looked at his own food.
(All he could see was her.)
(In another room.)
Rezaul sat quietly.
Nabil slept peacefully in his arms.
Nearby, Shirin sat at a desk writing.
Suddenly Rezaul stood.
He walked toward her.
Then dropped to his knees.
His hands gently held her feet.
Shirin looked shocked.
"What are you—"
"Forgive me, Shirin."
His voice broke.
"Forgive me for everything, my love."
Tears fell from his eyes.
Landing on her feet.
Shirin immediately knelt beside him.
She wiped his tears.
"Look at me, Rezaul."
"I can't."
His voice trembled.
"I am ashamed of myself."
She gently grabbed his face.
Forcing him to meet her eyes.
"I never stopped loving you."
His breathing stopped.
"I forgave you a long time ago."
Rezaul broke down.
His head fell onto her lap.
Shirin hugged him.
"Forgive your sister."
"No."
"Baby."
"No."
"Look at me."
He finally did.
"In the Holy Book, The Almighty says forgive and forget."
She smiled softly.
"Please follow those words."
Then she looked at Nabil.
"For Nabil's sake."
Rezaul stared at his sleeping son.
After a long silence…
He nodded.
Shirin kissed his forehead.
Then hugged him tightly.
(Later.)
Today was the Gaye Holud.
(The Turmeric Ceremony.)
The women surrounded Kazyia.
Turmeric was applied lovingly to her skin.
Traditional songs filled the air.
Drums echoed throughout the celebration.
Kazyia smiled happily.
(Unseen by everyone.)
Far away.
Inside a warehouse.
"I want you to get this girl."
A photograph was slammed onto a table.
"Yes Boss."
Armed men nodded.
The man picked up his gun.
"Baneva is mine."
His eyes darkened.
"Everything she has is mine too."
The men left.
A woman crossed her arms.
"You are obsessing over her."
The man ignored her.
"You saw her picture only days ago."
Silence.
"You saw her husband."
Silence.
"You know her condition."
Silence.
"You cannot handle her."
The man smirked.
"Yes, I can."
He put on his jacket.
"And I will."
The woman shook her head.
"You are digging your own grave."
He continued walking.
"Remember who she is."
He stopped briefly.
"She is The Gem."
Silence.
"She is Sohan Muard's daughter."
The man walked away anyway.
(Back at the mansion.)
Nikolai sat on a chair.
Lilith rested comfortably in his arms.
A book sat in his hand.
He was reading to her.
Her thumb rested inside her mouth.
"Nikki?"
"Yes, Bambi?"
"I…I…If Lily naughty and b…b…bratty girl…"
She lowered her eyes.
"Will Nikki love Lily?"
Nikolai smiled.
"Bad bratty or good bratty?"
"Mmhmmm… both."
He chuckled.
"If my Bambi becomes a bad bratty girl, I will help change her."
Then he kissed her forehead.
"Because I love my sweet girl so much."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Lily be a G…G…Good girl forever!"
She hugged him tightly.
Nikolai pulled her closer.
Then kissed her hair.
Suddenly she kissed his ear.
Nikolai groaned.
His arms tightened around her.
He gently rubbed her hair.
(The Mehendi Night arrived.)
Everyone gathered for lunch.
Lilith (Neva) sat drawing quietly.
Focused.
Peaceful.
Every line represented her emotions.
Her imagination.
Her feelings.
Her identity.
"This is beautiful," Kalma whispered.
"Yeah," Naomi agreed.
Sohan sat beside his daughter.
Drawing too.
Years ago he used to draw Riyana.
Especially during times they were separated.
"All done, Darling?"
The tiny girl shook her head.
"Alright, Baby."
Father and daughter continued drawing together.
Meanwhile Nikolai attended an online meeting.
(By 7:00 PM.)
Henna artists arrived.
Women gathered everywhere.
Lily (Neva) sat patiently.
The artist carefully decorated her hands and feet.
"Write this name on her palm."
Anika pointed.
The artist smiled.
Then carefully wrote:
(Nikolai)
On Lilith's palm.
Nearby.
Rima watched her own henna darken.
Very dark.
Asif's name had become almost black.
"Look pretty, Mama. Papa name all dark now!"
Yasmine smiled.
"Yes, Baby."
Rima's voice sounded quiet.
Ten days ago something had happened.
A serious argument.
Asif had pushed her.
She hit the wall.
Blood ran down her head.
"Don't touch me."
Rima stepped back.
"I will never come close."
Her voice broke.
"I promise."
She wiped her tears.
"I won't come close anymore."
Since that day…
She stayed away.
Never approached him.
Never spoke to him.
Meanwhile Asif carried guilt inside his chest every day.
(Present.)
"Papa?"
"Yes, Sweetie?"
"Why are you sad?"
Asif lifted Yasmine into his arms.
"Papa."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Pretty Mama hurt a lot."
Asif froze.
"She love me and Mina so much."
More tears came.
"She take care of us."
Her voice trembled.
"And you hurt her feelings, Papa."
Yasmine began crying.
Asif immediately hugged her.
"Don't cry, my baby."
His own eyes filled with tears.
"Papa is sorry."
He kissed her forehead.
"I am sorry for hurting Pretty Mama."
Yasmine sniffled.
"Pretty Mama has your name on her hands now."
She smiled.
"It all blacky!"
Then she proudly announced.
"I write Papa name on Mama hand!"
She immediately did a happy dance.
Asif hugged both daughters.
Tears streamed down his face.
(Later that night.)
Everyone returned to their rooms.
Lilith giggled while entering hers.
"Hi Bambi."
Nikolai sat making nose rings and anklets for her.
She immediately showed him her henna.
Nikolai kissed both her hands.
Then went onto his knees.
She blushed.
He kissed both her feet.
The tiny girl cupped his face.
Then kissed his forehead.
Closing her eyes, she whispered clearly.
"I love you, Nikolai."
He froze.
"I love you so so very much."
Tears appeared in his eyes.
She immediately fell into his arms.
Nikolai hugged her carefully.
His voice cracked.
"Lord…"
He looked upward.
"Please."
His eyes filled with tears.
"Please make my Lily okay again."
He kissed her forehead.
"She is all I have."
He laid her down.
Covered her with blankets.
Then his phone rang.
"Yes?"
"Hello Nikolai."
A deep voice answered.
Nikolai immediately recognized it.
"What?"
"Congratulations on your marriage."
Silence.
"Did Damian send my meeting arrangements?"
"I declined it."
Nikolai rubbed his face.
"I have nothing to do with you."
"Remember?"
The voice sighed.
"There is an assassination contract on your wife."
Nikolai's entire body froze.
"Amount?"
"₽7 billion."
Nikolai immediately looked at Lilith sleeping peacefully.
"Abellona, huh?"
"Yeah."
The man paused.
"And someone else too."
"I believe you know him."
"My rival."
"Yes."
Silence.
"So accept this meeting."
The man sounded serious.
"We need to talk."
"It is important."
"Hmm."
The call ended.
Nikolai laid beside his tiny wife.
Then wrapped both arms around her.
(The next day.)
Today was the wedding.
The Nikah.
(The Islamic marriage contract and legal wedding ceremony.)
Nimra stood speaking on the phone.
"And what else do you want?"
Her voice was filled with anger.
Nearby Hassan's eyes were red.
"Calm down, bro," Nathan whispered.
"He is here."
Nimra sighed.
"He doesn't want to talk to you."
Her voice hardened.
"Please leave us alone."
Silence.
"Focus on your family."
More silence.
"We don't need your fake sympathy."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Or your fake love."
Silence.
"You killed Father."
Nimra ended the call.
"And your other children are there."
The call disconnected.
Hassan struggled to breathe.
"Snap out of it, Brother."
Nimra shook him.
Farhan gently tapped her shoulder.
He sat beside Hassan.
"Hey, Bro."
Hassan looked up.
"You know…"
Farhan smiled.
"I wonder why a strong man like you is in this situation."
"Meaning?"
Farhan leaned closer.
"If you're like this…"
He pointed toward Nimra.
"How will you stand beside your sister?"
Hassan looked over.
Nimra's eyes were red too.
"Look at her."
Farhan smiled.
"Beautiful."
"Dangerous."
"You are stronger together."
He handed Hassan water.
"You are a man."
Hassan drank.
"Yes. We men break down sometimes."
Farhan smiled.
"But either way…"
"We stand on our feet."
Hassan sighed.
Then stood up.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Brother-in-law."
"Huh?!"
"What?"
Farhan grinned.
"I am dating Nimra."
Hassan blinked.
"Didn't she tell you?"
"Nia?"
Hassan looked at her.
"Are you both?"
"Well Brother…"
Nimra folded her arms.
"He upset me."
"So no."
Farhan gasped dramatically.
"Oh really?"
"Bhai hurt Nia?" Lilith asked.
Nikolai held her hand.
Nimra immediately grinned.
"Oh yes, Lily."
She walked over.
Then whispered dramatically.
"He was with another girl back in India."
Lilith gasped.
"You see, Baby?"
Nimra put on a sad face.
"He doesn't love me anymore."
"Bhai say sorry to Nia now."
Lilith pointed.
"Do m…m…monkey ears."
Farhan immediately held his ears.
"I am sorry, Nia."
"See Nia!"
Lilith smiled.
"He say sowry!"
"Awww."
Nimra laughed.
"Thank you, Monkey."
"You okay, Hassan?" Nikolai asked.
He nodded.
"Ms wants him to be Sultan."
Nimra rolled her eyes.
"She doesn't have another son."
"Hassan is the only son."
"Our stepbrother died."
"Serve him right."
"She keeps emotionally blackmailing him."
"And using Father."
"I am not being Sultan!" Hassan shouted.
Lilith immediately flinched.
"Sorry sorry sorry sorry!"
Hassan hugged her.
"Lily I am sorry."
"It okie!"
Suddenly she jumped away.
"LET GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
She ran.
"Hey! Be careful!" Nikolai shouted.
(The family left for the mosque.)
Two minutes later they arrived.
Everyone sat.
The ceremony began.
Kazyia accepted.
Anwar accepted.
The guests clapped loudly.
(Outside.)
Kazyia held Anwar's arm.
He gently rubbed her fingers.
Nearby.
Lilith picked flowers again.
As always.
She loved flowers.
Nikolai guided her carefully.
Kazyia hugged her mother.
"Take care of yourself, my child."
Aklima kissed her forehead.
Nearby.
Rezaul looked at his sister.
She folded her hands.
"Forgive me, Brother."
She sobbed.
Rezaul immediately hugged her.
(Then everything changed.)
Lilith picked up a ball.
She wanted to give it to Zafraan.
Suddenly—
A van stopped behind her.
"LILY MOVE!!!"
Ariz screamed.
He ran toward her.
Too late.
Masked men grabbed her.
"NIKKI!"
Nikolai instantly pulled out his gun.
Bang!
One kidnapper fell.
"LILY!"
Rima pulled out both pistols.
Gunfire erupted.
Sohan grabbed another attacker.
"HANDS OFF MY DAUGHTER!"
"Nikki! Baba!!!"
Lilith cried.
Her face was covered.
Her hands were tied.
Nikolai ran toward the van.
Bang!
A bullet struck his left arm.
"AHHHHHHH!"
"Brother!" Yulian shouted.
Cars immediately started.
Everyone pursued the van.
Nimra leaned out shooting.
The chase continued.
(Finally.)
The van arrived at an abandoned house.
Deep inside a forest.
No roads.
No people.
Nothing.
The kidnappers dragged her inside.
"Let me go!"
Tears streamed down her face.
"Pretty please let me g…g…go."
She cried harder.
"Lily wants her Nikki back."
The men laughed.
Then one figure stepped forward.
Tall.
Massive.
Terrifying.
"Baneva."
His voice echoed.
"You aren't going anywhere."
He smiled.
"Because from now on…"
"You are staying here with me."
His smile widened.
"Now."
"And forever."
The man stood at an impossible height.
A King Cobra tattoo covered his left arm.
He was 7'9".
Slowly he removed his mask.
His eyes were obsessed.
Unstable.
Mad.
"Hello, my sweetheart."
Lilith stared in horror.
The man smiled like a lunatic.
"You aren't going anywhere, love."
His name was…
(Zavian Mirza.)
And the nightmare had only just begun.