2023-11-15 16:20:13"Yeah? What's wrong, Viktor? Have you finally changed your mind and let me see Beliye Nochi ?"
Xandrova asked with full enthusiasm. He grabbed both of Viktor's hands.
'Good grief! Who can resist Zoya's adorable face? He... he was like a white kitten teasing him to play.'
Viktor said to himself while smiling. He didn't know and didn't understand why his heart always melted with Xandrova's adorable behavior.
"Okay... okay. However, promise to stay with me, Zoya!"
A wide smile spread involuntarily on Xandrova's pink lips.
Xandrova's blue eyes said thank you to Viktor without making a sound. Not thanking him for allowing her to see Beliye Nochi, but thanking him for being the most understanding and caring husband to her.
"Viktor, you're very handsome."
Xandrova brought her husband's hands which she had been holding earlier to her lips. Then unexpectedly, Xandrova kissed him briefly.
"Humm?!"
Viktor was fooled by Xandrova's words and behavior. His laughter suddenly broke out.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! You exceeded my expectations, Xandrova Zoya Konstantina!"
Viktor saw Xandrova's beautiful face beaming with joy. He also saw his wife close her eyes when she landed her lips on the back of his hand.
"Viktor, take me there!"
Xandrova's eyes opened again. He pointed at the people who were standing on the banks of the Neva watching the Scarlet Sails show that had just started.
"Come tickle me, Zoya!"
Viktor tightened his grip on Xandrova's hand. The two of them walked towards the bank of the Neva River.
"Towards midnight like this, tourists still crowd the city center."
Viktor shared his views on his wife's hometown.
"It's during the summer like this that a unique scene occurs in the city of St Petersburg, Viktor."
Viktor listened to Xandrova speak while looking in all directions to make sure none of Maksim's men were approaching them.
"Then, what about your hometown?"
Xandrova asked without looking at her husband.
"To be honest, I don't remember anything."
'Correct. Because until now all I remember is the orphanage where I came from.' Viktor continued the sentence in his heart. He doesn't even remember who his parents are.
"Oh!"
Viktor gasped when he felt his smartphone vibrate. He reached into his trouser pocket without letting go of Xandrova's hand.
'Grandpa? Why did Grandpa contact me? Has something happened at home?'
Viktor speculated for a few seconds as he read the caller's name on his smartphone screen.
"Hello, Grandpa."
Viktor started a conversation with Gennadius. He glanced at Xandrova who was enjoying the music and the Scarlet Sails attraction in the waters of the Neva River.
"Viktor, why did you take so long to answer my call? Are you with Zoya and your two in-laws?"
Gennadius' firm voice sounded shaky. The old man was still dashing even though he was no longer young.
"Yes, I'm with Zoya, but not with Dad and Mom."
Viktor spoke carefully. He lowered his voice because he didn't want Xandrova to hear his conversation with Gennadius.
“Why did Grandpa call me this late? Has there been trouble at the mansion? ”
Neither Viktor nor Gennadius spoke. They only heard the sound of each other's breathing.
"I just wanted to check your summer holiday mood. Is everything okay, Viktor?"
As if he knew what was happening to his family, Gennadius asked Viktor in a worried tone.
'Maybe Grandpa already knows what happened today? However, I will not tell today's events to Grandpa. Because I don't want to add to the burden.'
Viktor looked at Xandrova who was happy, then answered Gennadius' question by shouting.
"Everything is fine, Grandpa. Don't worry!"
Viktor saw a large ship with red sails coming up the Neva River. At the same time, a very spectacular fireworks display began.
"Did Grandpa hear that?"
'A noise like this, Grandpa should have heard it and believed what I said,' thought Viktor as he hoped that what he was doing was right.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Yes, I heard that, Viktor. It brings back memories of my youth when I visited the summer festival there."
Viktor understands very well how lonely a feeling has visited Gennadius' heart since the death of the late Olgav KonstantinaーGennadius' wife.
"Enjoy your summer vacation with Zoya and give me a dozen Great-Grandchildren, Viktor! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Gennadius chuckled again.
"Wーwhat, Grandpa?"
'How can I give Grandfather a great-grandchild, let alone a dozen great-grandchildren as he wishes?! Meanwhile, I never touched Zoya once even on our first night.'
Viktor sneered to himself inside. He did all that because he wanted to honor Xandrova. 'I had promised not to touch Zoya until she was ready.' Viktor knew very well what his current position was.
"Yes, you know how my health is, right? So, you better not delay any longer, Viktor!"
Viktor was stunned to hear the last sentence that Gennadius shouted at him. This sentence became the closing sentence for him. Viktor put the smartphone back in its original place when he heard the disconnected tone.
"Viktor, look! Aren't the fireworks totally pretty?"
Viktor followed Xandrova's line of sight.
"Do you like 'em that much, Zoya?"
Xandrova looked away from the fireworks, then looked at Viktor's face. She touched her husband's face with both hands.
"Of course, Viktor. Did you know? The Scarlet Sails tradition started right at the end of World War 2."
Viktor didn't think that Xandrova had extraordinary knowledge.
"Would you like to take some portraits of me, Viktor?"
Viktor nodded in agreement.
"How about we take a photo together?"
There are many ways to achieve happiness. One of them is in a simple way carried out by the couple Viktor and Xandrova.
Viktor and Xandrova didn't realize that there were several pairs of eyes watching them from a distance. Several pairs of eyes were not Maksim's men but were spies sent by their grandfather to watch over the two of them.
***
The popular city of St Petersburg has 40 islands, at least that's according to a history book Viktor once read as a student. Not long after the spectacular fireworks display ended, Viktor took his wife back to the hotel because he noticed that Xandrova's face had turned pale.
Initially, Xandrova refused Viktor's invitation. However, after Viktor promised to take her back to the Neva River the next day, Xandrova agreed to return to the hotel.
"My guess is true! You're tired, Zoya."
Viktor carried Xandrova on his back towards the hotel. He walked faster when he arrived at the hotel lobby.
Viktor attached a card lock to the sensor box right on the elevator wall. The door immediately closed.
"Wait! Please hold the door!"
Viktor heard a woman scream. He also held the elevator door so it wouldn't close.
"Thank You."
An oriental-looking woman in a leaf-green dress entered the same elevator as Viktor and Xandrova. The woman smiled at Viktor.
"Who are you?"
Apparently, the woman recognized Viktor's face. She looked at him as she opened her eyes wide.
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The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 11. The Character
"Good evening, Miss."Viktor finally greeted the woman who was staring at him. He was uncomfortable and couldn't control himself if he got that kind of stare. Yes, like someone who needed a bedmate."Who's on your back?"The woman whose name Viktor didn't know asked without thinking about cause and effect. Occasionally the woman stood unbalanced. Her legs seemed unable to support her seductive body."My wife. That's right, she is my adorable wife.""Oh, IーI thought... I thought you were a single man bringing a woman into your room."'What a jerk this woman is!' Viktor cursed the nameless woman inwardly. He was annoyed by the woman's words."I apologize if I'm being rude. Let me introduce you, I'm Viona Zakharchenko. I'm a Russian-English mulatto. And, what is your name?"The woman named Viona extended her hand to Viktor, but Viktor couldn't welcome her.'Who would ask for her name? And, who wanted to get acquainted with this strange woman?'Viktor inwardly complained by asking the two
The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 12. Bednyy Chelovek
'I'm sorry, Viktor. I haven't been able to open my whole heart to you. You're my husband. I know that.'Xandrova stared at Viktor with her sad eyes. She expressed her heart without daring to speak directly to her husband.Viktor moved from the sofa to the bed where his wife was. He bent down to pick up the bag that Xandrova had accidentally dropped."Zoya, do you want me to make you something to warm you up?"'We're not at home right now. Then, is he going to leave me alone here?'Again, Xandrova said in her heart. She shook her head."Then, what woke you up?"Viktor sat on the edge of the bed looking at Xandrova's flushed face."Are you cold? Can I touch your hand?"'You're my wife, Zoya. But to honor you, I'm willing to throw away my pride.Not unlike Xandrova, Viktor didn't want his partner to know what he was thinking. Viktor chose to hide his feelings.Xandrova gave both her hands to Viktor willingly."Viktor, sleep with me here!"Viktor blinked for a moment. Then, he let out a l
The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 13. The Driver
"Hello, Mr. Viktor. I'm Andriy Shevchenko. I've been in front of your hotel room."Viktor was stunned at the explanation of the man he had just met. He listened intently. "Would you mind opening the door for me, Mr. Viktor?"Viktor thought for a moment. He finally mustered up the courage to meet the strange manーnot knowing who he was." Okay. I'll open the door."Viktor ended the conversation with the man he just met. He walked as he pocketed his smartphone into his pants pocket."Hello, Mr. Viktor."A man in his early thirties bowed as Viktor opened the door."Introducing myself, I'm Andriy Shevchenko. I've been sent by Mr. Gennadius to help you conduct business at Konstantin CoーKonstantin's subsidiary based in St. Petersburg, Russia."Viktor was stunned. Viktor's pair of blue eyes almost slipped out of their sockets."Honey, who's coming?"Xandrova appeared at the door abruptly."Oh, Andriy? Why are you here? If you wanna see Papa, his room is over there."Xandrova spoke without pa
The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 14. The Romanov Family
"It's okay, Zoya."Xandrova straightened Viktor's tie with a smile."How are you feeling, Viktor? Are you nervous?"Viktor smiled. "No, I'm not. Not at all."For Viktor, performing in public was nothing new. Since his marriage to Xandrova, he had been trained to deal with many people.Knock! Knock! Knock!Someone knocked on the bedroom door, drawing Viktor's attention."It must be Andriy." Xandrova said with a smile. She didn't blink as she gazed at Viktor's best features."Did you finally let Andriy into our room?" Viktor looked at Xandrova while nodding slowly."Yes, Viktor."Viktor rushed to the door and opened it."Mr. Viktor, we must leave now or we'll be late."Andriy said with a bow. Viktor nodded in agreement to leave immediately."Wait, Andriy, is Papa going there too?"As usual, Xandrova asked with a worried look on her face."Of course, Miss. Mr. David is waiting for us in the lobby."Andriy answered calmly, but not Xandrova."Andriy, you've been working in the Konstantin f
The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 15. The Lakhta Center
'When you decide to get married, what are the pillars of your household besides love and mutual trust?' Viktor is eager to ask this question of his father-in-law, who he often catches with women other than Galana. However, Viktor is helpless when confronted with the fact that he is a nobody in Konstantin's family. And so, Viktor could only say in his heart."None of your business!"Davidoff replied to Viktor's question tersely. He tucked the smartphone into his coat pocket.Viktor saw Andriy shaking his head at him. Similarly, Caleb shook his head while shrugging his shoulders."Oh, yes, Mr. Viktor. I almost forgot to introduce the gentleman beside me."Andriy tried to distract Viktor so that his master wouldn't be hurt by Davidoff's words."This man's Caleb. He serves as your bodyguard, Mr. Viktor."Who knew that Davidoff was clenching his fists as he listened to Andriy's explanation!Bang!Davidoff was furious. He hit the chair handle so hard that his face turned red. Andriy and Ca
The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 16. RHC
Gennadius, an old man who uses a cane to shift his stance, allowed Viktor, who still looked awkward in front of the camera, to appear in public. "Mr. Viktor, tell the reporters that you are very happy to be at the Lakhta Center with the businessmen! You can say nice things to them!" urged Andriy.Viktor was silent for a moment. He remembered Xandrova smiling at him."Hmm ...."The chaotic atmosphere was suddenly silent when Viktor cleared his throat."I'm proud to set foot in the Lakhta Center and stand among successful business people and yes ...."Viktor stood up as he lifted his chin too high."I'll gain knowledge from 'em. That's what beginners usually do," said Viktor with a smile as he checked the time on his watch."Why did you allow Viktor to enter into the family business, Dad? He will ruin the Konstantin family's reputation and bankrupt our company," whispered Davidoff to Gennadius."Look at his arrogant attitude! How could you allow this arrogant kid to meddle in our famil
The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 17. Great Grandchildren
The series of business seminars held at the Lakhta Center skyscraper went well. The things Viktor was worried about didn't happen."Viktor, come here!"Gennadius called out to his grandson-in-law who was still sitting with Andriy. Viktor immediately stood up and walked over to Gennadius."Yes, Grandpa?"Viktor stood beside Gennadius. He stared at the old man he had been watching from Konstantin's table."Let me introduce, Vladimir! This young man is my grandson-in-law."Gennadius introduced Viktor as his grandson-in-law in front of the owner of RHC as well as in front of everyone who was with them."Oh, he is Zoya's husband, right?"An old man named Vladimir laughs with Gennadius."Ha! Ha Ha! Yes, that's right. This man helped Zoya when the accident happened.'So, this old man's name is Vladimir. And, he is Maksim's grandpa. Is that so? But why wasn't he angry or hurt when his grandson failed to marry Zoya?' Various questions as well as oddities were summarized in Viktor's brain."Hel
The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka 18. The Romanov Family Tree
The car in which Gennadius was traveling freely left the Lakhta Center. Viktor stared at it until it disappeared on the highway."Please, Mr. Viktor!"Andriy quickly welcomed Viktor into the car."Yes, Andriy."Viktor got into the limousine that was ready to take him back to the hotel."Oh Andriy, where's Papa David?"Viktor looked around for Davidoff who was nowhere to be seen."Mr. David said that he was leaving on other business and would be returning to the hotel by online taxi."Viktor sighed and sat back to face Andriy and Caleb."Andriy, can you answer my question?"Viktor could no longer contain his curiosity."Oh, it's ...."Viktor frowned. He rubs his chin."Yes? Just tell me, Andriy!"Viktor looked at Andriy's face as he stared at him as if to dispel the doubts inside him."Mr. Maksim is ...."Andriy looks hesitant. However, Viktor's gaze frightened him."Mr. Maksim is the unacknowledged grandson of Mr. Vladimir."It was like lightning in the daytime. Viktor was shocked to
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"Of course, Mr. Viktor.""Of course, Mr. Viktor."The two women nodded their heads while answering Viktor's question."Good."Now, Viktor looked at Andriy."I'm done, Andriy. You can take over now!""Yes, Sir."Andrei nodded. He walked over to give several pieces of paper to the two women. Meanwhile, Viktor walked out of the HRD room."Please fill in the data we need! Then after that, we will conduct several tests after lunch."Viktor has handed over the next task to Andriy. He would go to Gennadius' office room to see Xandrova.***Viktor knocked on the door of Gennadius' office."Come in!"As usual, Gennadius shouted from inside. Viktor heard Gennadius' hoarse voice."Hello, Grandpa."Viktor greeted him as he opened the door. He saw Zoya sitting opposite Gennadius at the old man's desk."Did Zoya trouble Grandpa? I'm deeply sorry about that."Viktor felt bad for Gennadius. But Gennadius laughed at his question."Ha! Ha! Ha! How could my granddaughter do that?""Viktor, you always sa
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Viktor walked with Andriy to his office room. In front of them, Xandrova took the hand of Gennadius who was limping along. Xandrova looked back and smiled."Viktor, good!"Xandrova looks cheerful. Viktor was happy to see her. Gennadius also turned around. However, the man nodded to signal that Xandrova would be safe with him."Thank you, Zoya."Viktor responded to Xandrova's words happily. Viktor didn't immediately enter his office room before seeing the two of his favorite people turning right towards Gennadius' office room."Miss Zoya has turned the corner, Sir. Let's go into your office room!"Andriy invited Viktor to come in. Viktor agreed. After attaching the cardlock to the sensor, Viktor entered with long strides."You know, Andriy, the photo of Papa David that you sent me last night?" Viktor walked to the work desk and sat there anxiously."What's with those photos, Sir?"Viktor took a moment to breathe. He sat there looking at Andriy."Papa knows about the contents of the coo
