Lilith was done with the painting under 3 hours. She smiled as she walked to the cafe. About more than a thousand students were there.
"Lily, we have a full hand!" Wiktoria said.
Lilith groaned as she walked to the back, changed, and began her work.
"Happy Birthday Lily!" they said as she smiled and hugged them.
"Thank you," she said.
Meanwhile, in Nikolai's office.
"The match, that's why you're here?" he said.
"Yeah, and also we saw the business news about your new project," Ivan said.
"Listen, that's for Bambi. If one word reaches her, I will shoot you," he said.
"Bambi?" Ivan said.
"My wife. I'm getting remarried," he said.
"Tf?" Ivan said.
"Hmm, so what do you want, Ivan?" Nikolai said.
"A tour of your private properties," Ivan said.
Nikolai chuckled.
"Or you're trying to see the designs and details to build yours," he said.
Ivan rolled his eyes.
"Let's make a deal. If I win, I get what I ask for, and you approve my proposal," Ivan said.
"You think I don't know the kind of man you are, Ivan? Or should I remind you of what you did, you bastard?" Nikolai said.
Ivan nodded.
Twenty years ago, Ivan and Nikolai were best friends from high school till university.
Nikolai worked hard. Ivan was a party boy. He got rich through those parties.
One day, they were meant to submit a proposal worth ₽3 billion. Ivan didn't have his, so he slept with the CEO's late daughter, his ex-girlfriend, and she approved Nikolai's work and told the city it was Ivan's work.
Nikolai worked on that project for 3 years. All gone.
The worst part was when no companies worked with him because they were told he stole Ivan's work, not knowing it was Nikolai's work.
Ivan didn't know how to work on the project till date. He got a lot of contacts because of that stolen work.
Nikolai hated him to his guts, and now he stood in front of him today.
Both rivals were burning with anger.
Ivan leaned back on the seat while Nikolai typed on his laptop.
"Boss, did you give Mila sweets again?" Nathan said.
"She ate cakes. Why?" Nikolai said.
"No more, boss. She can get diabetes if she takes more, and now she's on a sugar rush," he said.
Mila was in Jaxon's arms, mumbling as she fell asleep, her mouth covered in chocolate stains.
"Here, boss," Jaxon said.
Nikolai held her, carried her to the bedroom beside him, the small one. He covered her, kissed her cheeks, then wiped her mouth.
He sat back in the seat thinking.
"So?" Ivan said.
"What is it for me?" Nikolai said.
"I bow my head to you as King of Kings and withdraw my proposal. We are the second team you're playing. The other team is from the old academy, The Golden Dynasty. The leader who broke your leg during the last game cheated and won. We're playing against them," he said.
Nikolai remembered how he couldn't walk for a year.
"One minute," he said, standing up as he dialed Lilith's number.
"Hi Nikki, are you okay?"
Her tiny soft voice calmed him down.
"I am now, Bambi," he said.
"You want me to come?" she said.
"No baby, it's fine. And also, how is the cafe?" he said.
"Ugh, Nikki, there are a lot of people here. I wanted to spend my day with you, sweetheart," she said.
"Thank you, have a nice day," she said while giving the order.
"I know baby, don't worry."
"Uhmm, Bambi?" he said.
"Yeah?" she said.
"I got a match, right?" he said.
"I know. Tell me," she said.
"Well, years ago during the last match, the leader cheated by breaking my leg during the match, and now we are playing them again," he said.
"Nikki, break his too. How dare he? Huh, listen Nikki, Baba once said some old scores always need to be settled, be it good or bad, because they will eat you up. So my darling husband, I will be there by your side," she said.
"Always now and forever."
Both Nikolai and Lilith said together.
"I love you so much, Nikki," she said.
"I love you very much, Bambi," he said.
"Bye, see you soon. And oh, I made lunch, eat okay!" she said.
He chuckled and went back to his seat.
"So?" Ivan said.
"Any movement will be shot once," he said.
"So yeah," he said.
They cheered.
"Always, let's go. It's lunchtime," he said as he carried Mila from the room in his arms and stood in the hall. He blew a long whistle.
"Let's move!" he said.
"Yes Boss!" both groups said as they went downstairs into the cars that were covered with black cloth.
Nikolai's men were the ones driving.
Ivan sat with Nikolai as he was wiping Mila's mouth.
"Mama dada happy," she mumbled.
He kissed her lips and placed her on his chest.
"She has your eyes," Ivan said.
"Yeah, that she does. She looks like her mama more. I'm glad they came back home. If not, Lord knows what I would have become," he said.
Ivan nodded sadly.
Lily checked the time. It was 3:45 pm.
She took her plate. They were on a lunch break.
She was eating a box of macarons with cute shapes as a guard gave her her lunchbox.
She opened it and saw turkey meatballs, sweet potato fries, chana masala, hummus pita pocket, dragon fruit smoothie, and coconut milk.
She ate and fed Gloria as they all ate.
Nino too.
"Girl, that's so good!!!" she said, taking another bite.
As Moiri showed her a hair.
"Ouuu, this will be great for the wedding!" Nino said.
They looked at her with shock.
Lily giggled.
"Whose wedding, Nio?" she said.
Nino swallowed hard.
"Uhmm, our old friend's wedding. She's getting married tomorrow, so we saw a hair to do for the wedding," Nino lied.
"That's nice," Lily said.
They looked relieved.
Meanwhile, Mila woke up in the car.
"What wrong?" Nikolai said.
"Yummy," she said, tapping her belly.
"I think she's hungry, Nick," he said.
"Mama made food at home, so we're home now," Nikolai said.
"What?" Ivan said.
As the cars stopped at the gates, they were tested and searched each as they walked through the 6th gate.
Mila waddled.
"Be careful, love," Nikolai said.
"Dada, mama bike!" she said.
"Is my wife home?" he said.
"No sir, she made lunch and left," a guard said.
As they walked and saw his mansion.
"Oh….My….God..."
They said.
Ivan's eyes became wider.
"Nick," he said.
"I built it for my wife when she was pregnant. Nobody knows the way in nor out, only me," he said.
"Wow, this is fucking gold, bro," Alistair said.
"Woah," Zoe said.
Mila waddled in.
"I here!" she said.
"Hi Mila!" the family said.
"I need yummies!" she said.
Nikolai walked behind her with The Aetherion Imperium.
"Baby mama made a lot of yummies for you," Sarah said.
She giggled and bumped her nose with Sarah.
"Hey Nick!" the other group said as they saw Aetherion Imperium.
"What The——" the girl said.
"No cursing, please," Nikolai said while pointing at Mila.
"Sorry," they said.
"Sarah, please bring Mila's plate," he said.
"Okay. And oh, the family called. They said just give the date and they will be there. Great grandpa hasn't seen Mimi yet," she said.
"Mr Kadeon?" Nikolai said.
"Yeah, and Grand aunt," she said, walking away.
Mila waddled to the dinner table.
"Up up," she said as Yulian placed her on her chair.
"Tank oo Lian. Mwah," she said.
She kissed his cheeks.
He kissed her forehead.
The group were 12 sitting.
The seven men:
Yuri — half Russian, half Israeli.
Marwan — half Lebanese, half Australian.
Igor — half American, half Colombian.
Petros — half Greek, half Sicilian.
Boris — half Belarusian, half Russian.
Arthur — half Chinese, half British, looks fully British.
Ewan — half Scottish, half Italian.
And the five women:
Sofia — half Italian, half Argentine.
Anastasia — half Canadian, half Russian.
Sasha — half Armenian, half French.
Zoya — half Russian, half Tamil (India).
Viviana — half Albanian, half Italian.
Ciara — half Irish, half Australian.
Gwen — half Welsh, half Irish.
They were the friend group.
"Let's have lunch, we Nikolai," he said as they moved.
"This food is so delicious!" Sofia said.
"Lily made it," Daria said.
"Lily?" both groups said.
"Yeah. Brother wife, Mrs Lilith," Nikolai and Yulian said.
"That's her name?" Ivan said.
"Lilith Mhaira Baneva," Arina said.
"Half India American, half Bengali," Zhanna said.
"Where is she? It's her birthday today, right?" Viviana said.
"In school," Nikolai said.
"School? Wait, she is a student?" Boris said.
"First year," he said.
"How old was she when you married her, Nick?" Ivan said.
"16. It was for her safety. She's now 19," he said.
They kept quiet.
She gave birth to Mila at 18.
"Meghan!" she said walking in.
"Hi fuckers!"
She said again.
Mila's ears were covered with earplugs.
"Nikolai fed Mila."
"Boss, everything is ready," Damian said.
"Hii Dammy!!!!" they said.
"Oh no…" he said.
Nikolai chuckled at him.
"Come feed Mila. I need to change," he said.
He nodded.
"Hi baby," Damian said.
Mila giggled, tapping his face.
Meanwhile.
"Boss says you should wear this, Madam," a guard said.
She took the bag.
"Why?" Lily mumbled.
The group left to the hotel as she changed.
She sat in the Bentley Flying Spur Speed car that drove off.
After 30 minutes, the car stopped at the front of the most expensive hotel.
"This way, Mrs Lily," the receptionist said.
"How are you and how is work?" Lily said as they chatted, laughed, and hugged for some time.
In that same restaurant, Diana and her friends were eating.
"Look, isn't that Lilith?" Peter said.
"This girl, what is she doing in this place? It's not for her kind," Bianca said.
Lily entered the restaurant.
The workers greeted her.
She hugged them and sat, then ordered some food.
They watched her.
She checked the time countless times.
She wore a stunning floor-length ballgown.
The dress was the definition of elegance and romance.
The dress featured a beautifully structured sweetheart neckline bodice with delicate straps that gracefully framed the shoulders.
Its deep crimson red hue showed confidence and sophistication while the fabric was subtly embellished with fine glitter or beadwork that caught the light beautifully.
The gown flowed down into a voluminous ethereal A-line skirt made of layered tulle, creating a dramatic yet soft silhouette perfect for making an unforgettable entrance.
Diana stood up as she walked to the table and sat with a bitter smile.
"Oh Nikki, I have been waiting for——"
"Lilith," Diana said as she saw her.
"Nikki?" she said.
Lily rubbed her face.
Then a waiter came.
"She's not fit to be in this restaurant. Remove her from this table quickly," Diana said.
"M…M…Madam, do you know who this girl is? In Russia, do you want to get us killed?" the woman said.
Diana looked at Lilith.
"She's just a poor student who stays with rich people like us to get connections," she said.
"No madam, this woman is—"
The woman said.
Lily raised her hand.
She bowed.
"Happy Birthday Ms Lily!" the head chef said.
As they brought a plate that said:
"Happy Birthday Mrs Lilith."
"ND Awww, thank you guys so much. I love it. Has anyone seen Nikki?" she said.
Diana was dumbfounded as she watched.
"Uhmmm, yeah," he said. "Go to rooftop, madam."
"Thank you so much for this. I really appreciate it," she said.
They hugged her.
"Finish quickly. And this is from your Dad. He asked us from New York to make it," he said.
She saw a cake.
"Happy birthday my big star. Baba loves you so much," she read.
"Want some?" Lily said while eating.
"Who are you?" Diana said.
"That's none of your business. Just one thing, don't piss me off, or else Diana, you will regret it. I promise you this. I have money. I work hard for my own money, not family money like you. Here, have a piece of my birthday cake!" Lilith said.
Diana looked at her friends.
They stood up.
"Happy Birthday," she said.
"Thank you," Lily said as she ate.
"What happened?" Jenifer said.
"That girl. We need to find out who she is. She knows everybody in this hotel. They are nice to her. I think her boyfriend, the man dancing with her in school, is waiting for her at the rooftop now," she said.
"Should we go check?" Dominik said.
"Yes, let's see what this girl is hiding," Tiffany said.
Zeno watched her.
"Hmm," he said.
"I think this girl is fake," he said.
As a waitress dropped their food.
"That girl, who is she?" Zeno said.
"Ms Lily's identity is top secret. She's from New York, but her fiancé is here. His identity is secret too. Nobody knows who he is nor about her family. Only the necklace she wears can tell. If one word spreads about her, then that person is gone for good," the waitress said.
They looked at each other.
Then watched Lily, who was eating.