LEV'S POV
The air hung thick and sweet, a blend of aged wood and a cloying floral scent that resonated with a deep, unfamiliar joy. Light fractured through towering stained-glass windows, painting the hushed space in rich jewel tones, illuminating the profound significance of this moment. This was it. My wedding day.
I stood at the altar, my gaze fixed on her as she walked towards me, a breathtaking vision in a pure white gown that seemed to shimmer with its own ethereal light. Evva. My bride.
Her smile bloomed as our eyes met, radiant and utterly genuine, a light that chased away every doubt. It wasn't just a polite curve of her lips; it was a promise, a future reflected in her gaze, pulling me forward with an invisible, irresistible force. A feeling, fierce and undeniable, surged within me – love, anticipation, a sense of rightness I'd never known.
Around us, the pews were filled with a sea of faces – familiar anchors in my life interwoven with the welcoming smiles of strangers, all witnesses to this beginning. Mom's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her smile a blessing. Ania, surprisingly still and serene, watched with a tenderness that touched me. Even Father's reserved gaze held a flicker of something akin to pride, a silent approval. And then there were her people, their warmth a tangible embrace of the woman I loved.
The priest's voice, a comforting baritone, filled the sacred silence, the ancient words a gentle hum beneath the surface of the overwhelming emotion. My focus narrowed, laser-sharp, locked onto Evva. The delicate lace of her gown, the gentle curve of her hand resting on the white roses, the luminous anticipation that mirrored my own in her eyes.
Then, the silent ritual. The weight of the small velvet box in my palm. The heavy gold band, a tangible symbol of the forever we were about to build. As I carefully slid it onto her finger, her touch was warm, electric, a spark igniting a fire in the quiet space between us.
"With this ring," I murmured, my voice a low rumble of emotion, the vow echoing the deepest truth in my heart, "I thee wed."
Her own ring, a delicate band of light, followed, a cool promise against my skin. "With this ring," she replied, her voice clear and steady, a melody that resonated with the very core of my being, her gaze unwavering, "I thee wed."
The priest's voice rose, a pronouncement that sealed our fate. "Now you may kiss the bride."
A collective breath held by the gathered guests. My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs, a joyous drumbeat. The space between Evva and me dissolved, the scent of jasmine, suddenly potent, the fragrance of our future, filling my senses.
Her smile widened, an unspoken invitation to the life we were about to share. My gaze dropped from the captivating depths of her eyes to the soft curve of her lips, the anticipation building to a fever pitch, a sweet, almost unbearable tension coiling within me. I leaned in, the warmth of her breath a whisper against my skin, the promise of our first kiss as husband and wife…
RRRRING!
My eyes snapped open, the lingering warmth of her lips on mine instantly shattered by the shrill, insistent blare. My chest heaved, the echo of wedding vows still a phantom whisper in the sudden silence of my room.
"Wtf… what the hell was that I just dreamt"
The damned ringing persisted, a relentless intrusion. I fumbled for the phone on the nightstand, the bright screen assaulting my still-hazy vision. Sergei.
I answered, the remnants of that profound joy curdling into sharp irritation. "Sergei,"
"Mr. Petrov, I apologize for the early hour," Sergei's voice was tight, a note of barely suppressed urgency cutting through the morning quiet. "But something… concerning has just surfaced regarding RusTech."
Lev, still caught in the lingering warmth and joy of his wedding dream with Evva, frowned, dragging himself back to reality. "Concerning how, Sergei? What is it?"
"Sir, there are reports… anonymous articles and social media posts… questioning the legitimacy of RusTech's early funding. They're suggesting unethical sources, even potential illegal activities during our initial stages."
Sergei's voice was grave. "It's spreading rapidly, and we haven't been able to get ahead of it."
Lev sat bolt upright in bed, the remnants of his dream dissolving into a cold knot of disbelief. "Early funding? Where is this coming from?"
"The origin is difficult to pinpoint, sir. Untraceable online posts, anonymous sources citing 'insider information' from years ago. But the narrative is damaging, painting a picture of a compromised foundation for RusTech." Sergei paused, the weight of the situation evident in his tone. "The fallout is significant, Mr. Petrov. Investors are already expressing concern, and the media is starting to pick up the story."
A wave of anger washed over Lev, the idyllic image of his wedding shattered by this sudden attack on his family's legacy. "Fabricated lies. Someone is deliberately trying to tear us down."
"That's our assessment, sir. The speed and coordinated nature of this suggest a deliberate campaign. We're working to trace the source, but so far, it's proving elusive. What are your instructions, Mr. Petrov?"
Lev's mind raced, the shock of the dream's contrast with this harsh reality sharpening his focus. This wasn't just about reputation; it was an assault on the very history of RusTech.
"Sergei," Lev said, his voice now firm, the last traces of sleepiness gone. "I want you to gather everything. Every mention of this rumor, every piece of data we have on our early funding – the real data. We need to understand the extent of this attack and who is trying to rewrite our past. It's time we fought back, Sergei. Find out who is throwing this dirt on our name."
"Fuck!" I spat out, the word a raw eruption of the turmoil churning within me. I ran a frustrated hand through my disheveled hair, the lingering sweetness of that dream now tainted by the bitter taste of betrayal. What the hell was going on today? First that unbelievably real dream, and now this?
I moved with a sudden, urgent energy, stripping off my sleepwear and pulling on a crisp shirt and trousers, the familiar routine a small anchor in the chaos of my thoughts. I couldn't shake the vivid image of Evva, the weight of the ring on her finger, the promise in her eyes. It had felt so real, so tangible, a stark contrast to the intangible poison now spreading about my company.
I descended the stairs quickly, my mind already racing, formulating questions, demanding answers. In the grand hall, Father paced with a restless energy, his usually composed face etched with worry. He stopped abruptly as I entered, his eyes locking onto mine.
"Lev," Father said immediately, his voice strained, the usual booming authority subdued. "Did you… did you hear about this rumor? This… this vile accusation about how I started RusTech?"
I met his gaze, my own expression a mixture of anger and grim determination. "Sergei just told me. This morning. What in God's name is happening, Father? Who would dredge up something from so long ago and twist it like this?"
Father ran a hand through his already disheveled hair, a rare display of his inner turmoil. "I don't know, Lev. That's what's so… insidious about this. It's like a ghost from the past, suddenly given a voice, a venomous one. They're questioning everything I built, the risks I took, the sacrifices I made in those early years. My integrity, our reputation… it's all under attack."
"The details are vague, Sergei said," I pressed, my voice sharp. "What exactly are they claiming?"
Father's jaw tightened. "They're suggesting my initial investors were… unsavory. That the capital I used to launch RusTech came from illicit sources, that I cut corners, made deals in the shadows. Lies, Lev! Utter lies!" His voice rose with a flash of his old fire, quickly suppressed by the underlying anxiety. "I built this company on honest work, on innovation. I weathered storms, yes, but our foundation was always solid."
I could see the raw hurt in his eyes, the personal affront of this attack. It wasn't just a business threat; it was a strike at his very legacy, at the foundation of my company. "Someone is trying to destroy us, Father. And they're digging deep, trying to poison the well at its source."
Father nodded heavily, his gaze distant.
"Sergei is looking into the online sources,trying to trace them? The authorities… should we involve them immediately?"
"Sergei is on it," I confirmed, my mind already several steps ahead. "But this feels… targeted. Calculated. Involving the authorities now might just fuel the fire, give them more publicity. First, we need to understand who is behind this and what their endgame is. We need solid proof, Father, before we make our move."
___________________________________
Evva's POV
"Omg, Mom, really?" I exclaimed, pausing in front of the mirror to adjust my necklace. "That's the most amazing news! Yay! I'm going to be an aunt!"
My mother's voice, warm and filled with the same joyful anticipation, crackled through the speaker. "Yes, darling! Camille just told us this morning. They're so thrilled, and of course, so are we."
I laughed, picturing my younger brother's mischievous grin. "Oh, trust me, they'll be wonderful parents, Mom. They're both so loving." A genuine warmth spread through me at the thought of a new little member of our family. "Have they told Jaden's parents yet?"
"They're calling them next," Mom replied. "It's all still very early, of course, but they wanted to share the happy news with us right away. I just had to tell you, Evva. I knew you'd be so excited."
"Excited is an understatement!" I grabbed my handbag, my mind already picturing tiny baby clothes and planning potential spoiling sessions. "Tell them both how incredibly happy I am for them. And Mom? Keep me updated on everything, every little detail. I want to be involved."
"Of course, sweetheart. You know I will. Now, you're heading to the atelier?"
"Yes, just about to walk out the door. I have a fitting with Mrs. Davies this morning, and then I need to finalize the sketches for the new collection. It's going to be a busy day, but this news has definitely given me a spring in my step."
I couldn't stop the grin that stretched across my face. Aunt Evva. It had a lovely ring to it.
"Well, enjoy your day, darling. And I'll call you later with any updates. So happy for our little family.
"Me too, Mom. Love you!" I ended the call, a buoyant energy filling me.
The happy buzz from my call with Mom still hummed in the air as I wandered into my kitchen, phone in hand. I leaned against the counter, idly scrolling through my social media feed while the coffee brewed. Jaden and Camille… an aunt. It was such lovely news.
Then, a headline caught my eye: "Questions Raised Over RusTech's Early Funding." RusTech.
Lev's company. I paused for a moment, a slight frown creasing my brow. Vague accusations about their initial investors and funding… it sounded messy.
I skimmed the article, not really diving deep. Anonymous sources, old history being dragged up. It was the kind of corporate drama that often filled the news cycle. For a fleeting second, I wondered how Lev was dealing with it. It couldn't be pleasant to have your company's past scrutinized like this.
Shrugging slightly, I continued to scroll. It was his world, a world of high stakes and intense pressures. I had my own busy day ahead at the atelier. The image of tiny baby clothes flitted through my mind again, a much more appealing topic than murky business dealings. I made a mental note to call Jaden later.
The coffee machine hissed, signaling it was ready.
its rich aroma filling Evva's modern kitchen. I poured a cup, the dark liquid steaming invitingly. Taking a slow sip, I savored the warmth and the jolt of caffeine, a familiar ritual to start my day.
With my coffee finished and the city beckoning, I grabbed my bag and headed out, ready to immerse myself in the creative energy of my atelier.
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