The Romanov Diadem: Oblast Dmitrovka

9. Xandrova Zoya Konstantina

Xandrova: Viktor, hurry up and come back! My parents and Maksim have set you up.

Viktor read Xandrova's text message quickly. The message said that his parents-in-law and Maksim had framed Viktor.

After learning what his in-laws had done, Viktor didn't stay silent. He ran to the door to leave his in-laws' room.

Viktor's footsteps echoed through the corridors of the 7th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel. His only goal was to get Xandrova away from Maksim.

***

Too late! The table where he and Konstantin's family had dined last night was empty.

"Am I late? Where are you, Zoya?"

Viktor regretted himself. He stopped a waitress who passed in front of him.

"Excuse me, miss. Did you see where the family eating dinner at the table went?"

The waitress shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Sir. The family left ten minutes ago."

"What about the lady in the family? Did you see her?"

This time, the waitress nodded.

"The Young Lady you're referring to left with a man first."

Viktor rubbed his face roughly. He knew exactly who had taken Xandrova away.

"Thank you, Miss. Thank you so much for the information you provided."

Viktor turned away and quickly left the restaurant. He fiddled with his smartphone and searched Xandrova's contacts.

"Why isn't Zoya taking my calls?! Where is she and where did Maksim take her?"

Viktor remembered that Xandrova wanted to enjoy Beliye Nochi with him tonight.

"Could Maksim have taken her to the Neva river?"

Viktor decided to go looking for Xandrova around the already crowded Neva riverbank.

"Even though the clock on my wrist reads 9pm, the St Petersburg sun is still shining brightly."

Viktor narrowed his eyes as he exited the hotel. Viktor walked quickly as he looked to his right and left hoping to find his wife soon.

"The peak summer festival has already begun. And tourists from all over the world have flocked to the Neva River."

Viktor had a hard time finding Xandrova's whereabouts because of the sea of people. Music could be heard. The sound of a couple laughing could be heard clearly in Viktor's ears.

Viktor pressed the flat object in his hand to his earlobe again.

"Come on, Zoya! Take my phone call!"

Viktor didn't care how hard he looked for Xandrova. Because a real man will always prove his words and never give up.

"There is no failure in my life! Zoya, signal your presence to me!"

Viktor walked towards the place where he had brought Xandrova this afternoon. The man was so impatient, he ended up running.

"I found you, Zoya. Bーbut ...."

Viktor stopped running. He finally found Xandrova in their favorite spot. However, the sight in front of his eyes burned the six-pack man to the core.

"This is all Papa and Mama's doing!"

A jealous Viktor walked over to where Xandrova and Maksim were having a one-on-one conversation. He heard Xandrova's voice faintly.

"No, Maksim. Our love story is over. I'll be happy with or without the abundance of wealth with Viktor."

Viktor was both nervous and proud when he heard Xandrova's statement about him.

"Let me go, Maksim. Don't disturb my life anymore!"

Maksim grasped Xandrova's hand so tightly that the young woman's face turned red. Viktor was furious at Maksim's harsh treatment of Xandrova.

"Don't forget our marriage contract signed by Papa, Zoya! And don't forget the Romanov family's favor to Konstantin's family!"

Viktor's heart leapt as he heard Maksim's words.

'Is that why Grandpa Gennadius wanted me to keep Zoya out of Maksim's reach? And why did he never tell me the truth?'

Viktor filled his brain with questions. He clenched his hands into fists as he quickened his pace.

"Zoya!"

Viktor shouted his wife's name as Xandrova and Maksim released their grip.

"Viktor, thank goodness you've come!"

Xandrova exclaimed happily when Viktor arrived.

"Why did you manage to find us here so easily? Apparently I underestimated you, Viktor."

Xandrova stood behind Viktor, while Maksim gritted his teeth in anger.

"You should raise your guard against this goose man, Mr. Maksim Smirnov Romanov!"

Viktor said firmly with the intention that Maksim would stay away from Xandrova, even though he knew that was impossible.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! Who do you think you are?"

Maksim grabbed the collar of Viktor's shirt.

"You're just a son-in-law who moved in with Wife's family because you're poor!"

Maksim deliberately emphasized the word poor in his sentence.

For Viktor, insults like Maksim's were commonplace. Viktor just smiled at the insult, but who knew what was in that man's heart!

"What about you? A rich, powerful and flawless man who is always trying to take other people's wives."

Over and over again. Maksim took offense to Viktor's words for the umpteenth time.

'This time, I'll find a way to avenge my hurt on you, Viktor. I'll take Zoya and marry her. And when the time comes, I'll be sure to send you to the northernmost part of Russia! Ha! Ha! Ha!'

Maksim planned something to get back at Viktor. He chuckled inwardly at the thought of defeating the man before him.

"How dare you insult my Master!"

Feliks' voice startled everyone. Maksim reluctantly removed his hand from Viktor's collar.

"Viktor, let's just go!"

After debating for a while, Viktor finally agreed to Xandrova's invitation.

"I hope you see what I'm talking about, Mr. Maksim."

Viktor led his wife away from Maksim and Feliks. His left hand held Xandrova's. The other hand was clenched into a fist.

"Viktor, I don't wanna go back to the hotel right now."

The spoiled voice of his wife managed to quell Viktor's anger.

"Then, what do you want now?"

"My wish is still the same as what I told you this afternoon."

Xandrova answered Viktor's question quickly without a second thought.

"No, Zoya. It's not safe here because Maksim's men are still spread out everywhere to watch us."

Xandrova's face turned sad. She had lost hope of seeing Beliye Nochi and had also lost the words to reassure her husband.

Suddenly Xandrova smiled. The woman smiled especially sweetly.

"I'll be safe if I'm always with you, Viktor. Because you're my sky."

Viktor stared unblinkingly into Xandrova's eyes.

'I know, Zoya. Tonight is the culmination of the summer festival. But will it be safe if we stay here?'

For a few seconds, Viktor thought about his wife's safety.

"Viktor ...."

Viktor saw the change in Xandrova's face. Yes, the wife was making a pleading face for Viktor to take pity on her.

"Zoya, you ...."