Zoya's heartbeat pounded like a war drum in her chest.
The grand wedding hall was breathtaking- chandeliers glowed above, soft music played in the background, and scents of fresh roses lingered in the air. It was a ceremony fit for royalty, a picture perfect event designed for the cameras.
But none of it mattered.
Zoya's fingers curled around the bouquet, her grip tightening with each step toward the altar.
Her world had just flipped upside down.
Her breath hitched as she looked up at the man waiting for her at the altar.
Kalix Volkov.
The same man she had met at London bridge just last night.
Her mind raced back to the feeling encounter. The mysterious stranger who had leaned against the railing, the one with sharp look and sharper gaze.
Shock rippled through her, but she swallowed it down, forcing her expression to remain unreadable. He doesn't know. I looked different last night- no makeup, dressed in casual clothes and hairs were undone. He wouldn't possibly recognize me, she thought.
She took final step forward.
Kalix extended his hands toward her.
Zoya hesitated. For just a second.
But that was enough for Kalix to notice.
She placed her hands in his. His grip was warm, firm. For fleeting moment, she felt something strange- a jolt, a shift in the air between them.
"You look…" Kalix's voice was smooth, teasing, dipping just a little lower. "Surprised."
Zoya's fingers tensed slightly in his grasp. Does he know?
But she quickly forced a small, polite smile. "Not at all."
Kalix tilted his head slightly, as if he didn't believe her. As if he enjoyed watching her lie.
The ceremony continued, each vow spoken with perfect precision. The rings slid onto their fingers. Everything felt like a performance- because it was.
And then came the moment Zoya had been dreading.
"The Groom may now kiss the Bride," the officiant announced.
Zoya stiffened.
A kiss? In front of everyone? With this stranger who was suddenly her husband?
She barely had a time to process it before Kalix shifted beside her.
Her breath hitched as he leaned in.
But instead of claiming her lips, his hands came upto her cheek, his fingers barely grazing her skin. And then_
A kiss.
But not where everyone expected.
His lips pressed against her forehead.
A murmur rippled through the crowd- surprise, admiration, even curiosity. But all Zoya could feel was the warmth of his lips on her skin.
And the way her heart had just betrayed her with a single skipped beat.
She exhaled willing herself to stay composed.
Kalix pulled away, his smirk barely visible. He knew exactly what he had done.
He had avoided making her uncomfortable, yet somehow, he had still won.
After the wedding
After the wedding, when Grace spotted Zoya alone. She stepped in front of her, breath catching in her throat. "Zoya... I'm sorry. I failed you. I failed you as well."
Zoya's expression remained impassive, her gaze cold. "It's too late for that."
Grace's eyes filled with unspoken sorrow, but her words were steady. "I should've protected you both."
Zoya didn't respond, only turned her back and walked away.
Zoya barely had time to breath before Kalix announced their plan to leave for Russia. But instead of heading straight to the airport, he had something else in his mind.
When the car stopped, Zoya glanced outside. Her stomach twisted.
Hyde Park.
"What are we doing here?" she asked, stepping out. The crisp air brushed against her skin, the lake shimmering under the setting sun.
Kalix fixed his cufflinks, ever composed. "I remember someone suggesting me, Hyde Park is London's one of the most famous attraction. He glanced at her, his smirk slow and knowing. Since I'm here with the person who suggested it, I thought I should visit at least once."
Zoya lips parted slightly. That was something she had said last night.
On the bridge.
To him.
Her heart stumbled. So... you remember?
Kalix turned to her fully now, stepping just a little closer. "I remember everything, Mrs. Volkov.'
A shiver danced down her spine.
His gaze dipped to her lips for just a second- so brief she
almost thought she imagined it.
Then he stepped back, his smirk returning. "Now shall we put on a good show for the cameras?"
She wasn't new to this attention- she had attended enough public events to know when she was being watched. The cameras were here. She could feel it.
Kalix, however looked completely at ease, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
"You do realize you don't you don't have to pretend to be so relaxed," she muttered, shooting him sideways glance.
He smirked, "And you don't have to pretend to be so tense."
Before she could snap back, a couple strolled past them, whispering and pointing in their direction.
They recognize you, she whispered.
They recognize us, he corrected smoothly.
And then, as if on cue, he did something unexpected- he reached for her hand.
Zoya stiffened. Her fingers remains frozen against his, but Kalix didn't let go. Instead he intertwined their fingers. Squeezing gently.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
"Looking like a man madly in love," he murmured. And judging by your expression, you look like a woman who regrets every decision that led her here.
Zoya huffed, but her face burned as she let him hold her hand.
A few minutes later they reached a lake, where kalix suddenly stopped.
"Let's rent a boat"
Zoya blinked, "Excuse me?"
It'll be great for the cameras. Picture this: the perfect newlywed couple, lost in their own little world on the water.
She narrowed her eyebrows. "You just want to make me suffer, don't you?"
Absolutely. His grin was pure ignorance.
And that's hoe Zoya found herself sitting stiffly in a small wooden rowboat while Kalix effortlessly rowed them into the lake.
"You're enjoying it way too much," she muttered.
He shrugged. '"It's a nice day. You're not the worst company."
She scoffed, arms crossed. But despite her annoyance, a traitorous part of her started to relax. The rhythmic movement of boat, the gentle ripples of water, the golden sunlight casting a slow glow on Kalix's face- it was... nice.
Too nice.
Kalix caught her staring, his lips curled up.
"See? You're enjoying this."
Zoya rolled up her eyes and flicked water at him.
He gasped in mock offense. "Did you just__"
Before he could react, she splashed him again.
And this time, Kalix didn't hesitate- he leaned forward and splashed her back, making her shriek.
"Kalix!"
You started it, Mrs. Volkov, he teased.
Zoya's breath hitched. That name. The way he said it so naturally, as if she belonged to him- it made something tighten in her chest.
And then- disaster struck.
The boat tilted slightly as Zoya tried to avoid another splash, her balance slipping. Before she could stop it, she fell straight into Kalix's arms.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Zoya's hands were pressed against his chest, and Kalix's arms wrapped around his waist, steadying her.
The world slowed.
Her heart pounded.
His eyes flickered down to her lips.
Too close.
Zoya swallowed hard. "Let go."
Kalix's grip loosened, but he didn't pull away completely. "You should really be carefull."
Her stomach flipped at his low voice.
Annoyed at herself- Zoya pushed away herself crossing her arms. "If I fall, I'm taking you down with me."
Kalix smirked, I'd like to see you try.
Zoya turned her head, trying to ignore.
"Meanwhile; from a distance, Viktor watched the entire scene unfold, arms crossed, a wide grin stretching across his face.
He hadn't expected much when Kalix asked him to subtly ensure the media got the perfect shots. This was supposed to be a business marriage-a strategic move, nothing more.
And yet...
Watching them now, he couldn't help but think otherwise.
The way Zoya threw water at Kalix like they'd been bickering for years. The way Kalix caught her effortlessly when she stumbled, like it was his second nature. The way they stared at each other for a heartbeat too long, completely forgetting the world around them.
Viktor smirked to himself.
"Well, Well. This business marriage might just turn into a real one sooner then they think."
With an amused shake of his head, he turned away, already mentally preparing to tease Kalix later.
After all, his big brother was always calm, and in control.
But right now?
He looked like a man completely unaware he was already falling.