Her Volkovs #Book 1 novel Chapter 34

Belle's POV

As I slowly near the black iron railing of the balcony, I see several people already enjoying the party, there are many women in long gowns but majority in the room are men. There are chairs and tables for guests scattered around the ballroom. And right below the grand chandelier are elegant sofa's surrounding a rectangular center table where drinks and food are placed. The people sitting in that particular table are what looks like the important people since they are surrounded by men standing and just observing, including Yuri and Boris. Most of the men in the table look familiar from Nikolai's birthday party in the beach.

My eyes then quickly noticed someone all too familiar. Oh god. It's Nikolai, the Nikolai who broke my heart but still protected me without even me knowing. My Nikolai. My first love, my first kiss and my first heartbreak. He looks like a god wearing a tuxedo.

There are two women sitting beside him. I feel like my heart is being crushed into pieces. The women are holding him while whispering on his ears and laughing. Nikolai is actually interacting with them. But his eyes are now dark and devoid of warmth. I cannot see my Nikolai in those eyes. Beside him is Alexei, he's talking to another guy from that table.

Why am I even doing this to myself? I feel like my heart is beating a million times. You are here because you chose Nikolai. You are here because you chose to accept him, all of him, monster and all. You love him and you are fighting for him.

I swallowed my pride and erased all my doubts. I decided to slowly walk down the grand staircase leading to the ballroom. I feel like every step I make, a lump in my throat forms and slowly suffocates me. I can actually feel my hands are shaking. O god please help me. I then took a halt right in the middle of the grand staircase.

I pray that Alexei will finally notice me to save me from whatever hell I am in right now. Alexei please, I am here.

A few seconds later I see Alexei talking on the phone, he then glanced at the grand staircase direction. Uhh finally, he saw me. I also noticed Yuri and Boris glanced at my direction, they looked surprised when they saw me. Yuri then whispered something to Nikolai. I quickly remove my eyes from them and looked for Alexei. I could not stand looking at Nikolai like this.

Alexei is now standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me. He is wearing a grey tuxedo and looks so hot and gentlemanly. He has a wicked smile plastered on his face as he awaits for mw. I feel like all eyes are suddenly staring at my direction.

I swear I could hear my heart beat an abnormal pace at this point. What have I put myself into?

As I slowly approach Alexei, he offered me his hand. To my surprise, he planted a kiss on the back of my hand, pulled me close to him and whispered to my ear.

"You look exactly what I imagined you would look like in this dress."

I just smiled at him coyly. "I'm nervous Alexei."

"I got you, don't worry."

"Happy Birthday, I wasn't able to get you something. I'm sorry."

"Your mere presence is too much of a gift already my princess."

Oh Alexei.

"What now?"

"What now is we dance."

He grabbed my hand and brought me to the center of the ballroom. The people who were on the dance floor suddenly walked away. It's now only Alexei and me.

"Relax, I got you."

Alexei guided my hands to his shoulders. He then places his hands on the small of my back.

"You look perfect tonight."

"Uhh thank you?" I said shyly.

Alexei pulls something from his pocket. He took my right hand and wraps a gold bracelet with small diamonds hanging and a red daisy ruby pendant on it. This is so beautiful.

"I have been meaning to give this to you my princess."

"Alexei, but it's your birthday, I should be the one giving you...." Alexei did not even let me finish and planted a long sweet kiss on my lips. Oh god, what is happening? I feel like my whole body heated up. I know that I'm slowly turning crimson.

"Damn my brother was right. Youre lips are amazing."

I smack him on his shoulder in response.

"Alexei, you are really making this hard for me."

"Oh you have no idea how HARD it is now." He retorted.

I smack him again on his shoulder.

"Just trust me on this princess."

"What's your plan Alexei?"

"To finally kiss you."

I swear this man is really something.

"Alexei, I'm not exactly enjoying this little show of yours so a little heads up would be nice."

"Ow, did you just say you did not enjoy the kiss?"

Dammit Alexei...

"I am not enjoying the show but I liked the kiss." Oh god did I just say that to him?

I see that Alexei had a satisfied look on his face. Shit, what is actually happening right now?

"What I mean is..." I tried to justify what I said but the moment I opened my mouth to speak, Alexei landed another kiss on my lips. This time, its more passionate and a little over five seconds. At this point I know that I'm already crimson.

I tried to catch my breath as I remove my lips from his. My lips are still slightly parted while I'm looking at Alexei's eyes.

"You are perfect." Said Alexei while pulling me tighter to him. Instead of getting mad at him, I found myself smiling because my red lipstick has stained on and around his lips.