MasukALYONAEverything felt like a dream. The afternoon sun peeked weakly through the gray sky, its light soft but not enough to chase away the cold. People outside were bundled in long coats and scarves, a reminder that winter was still clinging to the city. Inside the car, the faint warmth from the heater mixed with the chill that clung to the windows. It felt strange, sitting beside him in the back seat for the first time. The space between us felt both too small and too wide. I kept stealing glances at him. He didn’t say much, just looked out the window with that quiet focus of his. Maybe it was the medication, or maybe it was him, the way his presence filled every bit of silence, but for the first time in a long while, I felt lighter. A small, unplanned smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it.When we stepped out of the car, the cold air brushed against my cheeks. I glanced at the entrance and murmured quietly, “I think it might be closed.”He shoved his hands into his coat poc
ALYONAThe following morning, I woke up earlier than usual — my body had already adjusted to my office routine. The faint morning light streamed through the tall glass panels, casting a pale glow over the room. I finished my morning business, got dressed, and waited quietly, unsure if it was okay to step out. He might still be sleeping, I thought. The last thing I wanted was to disturb him. Gathering a little courage, I tiptoed toward the living room."You’re awake?" I froze. The sudden deep timbre of his voice broke through the silence, startling me. I turned to see Alexander standing by the counter, his shirt sleeves rolled up, the morning light tracing the hard lines of his face."Good morning," I managed. He came closer, and before I could step back, his cool fingers brushed my forehead, then lingered at the side of my neck. "How’s your fever?" he asked softly, his brows knitting together."I—I think it’s gone," I said, forcing a little smile."Good," he murmured. His tone carrie
ALYONAI wanted to ask if he was happy. If he ever looked at his life — the success, the empire, the power — and wondered what it cost him. But Darcy’s name flickered in my mind, and I stopped myself. Maybe he already had someone. Maybe happiness just looked different for him.As if sensing my thoughts, he looked back at me. “What about you?” he asked quietly. “Do you think money brings happiness?”I smiled gently, shaking my head. “I think you’re right to believe what you do,” I said. “Because life made you see it that way. But for me… my mother is my happiness. Her food, her laughter, her voice when she scolds me — even when I’m not home, that’s what I miss. Money makes life easier, yes. But she makes it meaningful.”He watched me closely, a flicker of softness crossing his face. “You’re blessed,” he said, almost in a whisper.“Yes,” I smiled, my voice tender. “I am. But I believe you are too, even if you haven't seen it yet.”He didn’t answer, but something in his eyes shifted — a
ALYONAThe soft clinking of cutlery was the only sound between us, but every few seconds, I caught him looking at me. And, of course, I was doing the same. I tried to focus on the food, but my thoughts were loud. I had accepted it — I’d fallen for him. But love, at least how I had imagined it, was supposed to make me talk endlessly, laugh without reason, and share everything I felt. Yet here I was, sitting across from him, quiet. It wasn’t like me. I’d never been this restrained before.The silence stretched too long, and I felt his eyes on me again. “Are you okay?” Alexander asked, his voice low, steady. I nodded quickly, unable to trust my voice. He didn’t look convinced. He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing with that faint, knowing smile that always managed to unsettle me. “Say it, Alyona,” he said. “I know you want to talk. It’s written all over your face.”My heart skipped. The way he said my name did something strange to me — made it hard to breathe properly. I looked down, f
ALYONAI looked at myself in the mirror, and a faint blush crept onto my cheeks. My eyes still looked dull — traces of exhaustion and fever clinging to them — but the color in my face had returned a little. His T-shirt hung loosely on me, slipping off one shoulder every time I moved. I quickly tugged it up, as if covering my skin would help hide the strange warmth that filled me from within. My hair fell around my shoulders, messy yet soft, framing a reflection that almost didn’t look like me. His scent lingered on the fabric — faint, clean, masculine — and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.Get a hold of yourself, Alyona.His T-shirt brushed the tops of my thighs, long enough to be modest but short enough to make me self-conscious. I hesitated before stepping out, my fingers twisting the edge of the sleeve nervously.The house took my breath away the moment I stepped into the living room. Everything about it screamed elegance — modern lines softened by warmth. The lights were dim
ALYONAThe warmth of his arms was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes — firm, steady, and trembling just slightly. For a moment, I didn’t understand where I was. My body felt heavy, my mind foggy, and all I could hear was the sound of his heartbeat against my ear. It was strong… too strong.Then it all rushed back — the scream, the shadow, the fear that had clawed at my chest. My throat tightened, and a soft sob escaped me before I could stop it. I slowly lifted my head and blinked through the blur of my tears. Alexander’s face was close — too close. His hands were still around me, one at my back, the other on the side of my head. His touch was careful now, as if he was afraid I’d break.Realizing how close we were, I instinctively pulled back a little. My body ached all over, and embarrassment crawled up my neck. “Where… where am I?” I whispered, my voice shaky and hoarse. I quickly wiped at my tears, avoiding his gaze. “You’re safe,” he said quietly, his voice softer than I
ALYONAWe headed downtown, bundled in our jackets, with a strange sense of purpose in our steps. Olivia walked a few steps ahead, already on the phone. The way she spoke—with so much confidence, switching between laughter and serious tone—it felt like she was talking to someone important. Maybe a s
ALYONA“Will you be my girlfriend?” Shawn’s words hung in the air, his eyes shining with hope. My heart pounded, and my stomach twisted.“Shawn, I’ve never seen this side of you. I don’t love you,” I said, stepping back.“Please, just give me a chance,” he pleaded.I turned to run, but my legs woul
ALEXANDERIn the middle of the night, a private Boeing helicopter descended onto the rooftop of New York’s tallest residential tower. The blades sliced through the silence, stirring the cold air into sharp gusts that swept across the glass skyline.As the door slid open, I stepped out.The wind tug
They say people come to New York for two reasons — to follow their hearts or chase their dreams. The first time I ever came to New York, I wasn't even born yet. I was curled up in my mother’s womb, just a tiny peanut.My parents’ love story was short but intense — enough to bring two children into







