The younger man looked unfazed by whatever the older man did, like he was already used to it and even expected it from him. But his eyes were fixed on me, then they traveled down to my arm and saw my hands joined with Dimitri's. I noticed the young man frown at first, then he gave me a half smile.

Who the hell are these people?

Did father invite them?

They walked towards me, their steps showed off grace and power, only the elites and powerful people in this country walked like that. I know because I see it in my father and uncle when they walked into a room, like they owned the place and everyone in it.

“Oh! Such a beauty!” The older man said in a thick Russian accent. “You're even more beautiful in person.”

I smiled politely. “Thank you.”

Dimitri let go of my hand and disappeared behind me, I focused on the two men in front of me.

“What do you think?” The older man asked the young one. “Isn't she pretty?”

The young man didn't even glance at me. “I think you're making her uncomfortable, father.”

Father? They didn't look alike, I couldn't have guessed.

“Oh I'm sorry pretty, didn't mean to do that. But I should appreciate beauty when I see one, right?” He gave me a smile that revealed his dimples.

“You're a handsome man yourself,” I blurted out before I could realize myself.

The man burst into laughter. His son, who hadn't been invested much in our conversation lifted his head and looked at me with confused eyes.

“I like her already!” His father said. He lifted my small hand and kissed it. “Pleasure to meet you, Irina.”

I wanted to ask who he was but I noticed father and uncle come in the room, Dimitri followed behind.

“How dare you!” Father raised his gun and pointed it at the man. “How dare you come to my territory!”

Anger was plastered all over father's face, even uncle looked a bit shaken.

Seriously, who are these people and why are they crashing my party?

“Calm down, Roman. No need to get violent, I am only paying a visit.”

The men didn't flinch, like they believed father wouldn't fire a single shot at them. I began to get very curious about their identities, but what really bugged me was why the son wouldn't take his eyes off me! Whenever I looked at his direction, our eyes would surely meet. Freak!

“Leave before things get messy,” father warned.

“We didn't get a reply from you,” the man continued despite father's warning. “And so we came to see for ourselves, and I must say…” he revealed his dimples again. “We made a good choice.”

What are they talking about?

“I reject your offer.” Father said matter of fact.

Offer? Could this be related to what I overheard father and uncle discussing earlier? What offer could they be talking about?

“Uh uh…think about it again,” the man insisted.

“There's nothing to think about, you bastard!” Father moved quick, he lunged forward, his fist rising quickly, but before he could land a blow on the old man, his son got between them and stopped father's fist.

“I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, Mr Roman. We can talk like civilized people.”

His voice was calm. Like the calm sea after the turbulent waves. But they held power and command. When he spoke, one would know not to mess with the man behind the voice.

Wait…did he just call my father uncivilized?

“Let go of my father's arm!” I screamed, annoyed at myself for sounding like a little girl.

He did let go, put his hands in his pocket and gave me a sneer look.

Arrogant!

“We'll be back,” the old man promised. “But until then…Happy birthday, pretty Irina.”

The way he complimented me made me want to smile, but a look at my father's face turned that smile into a deep frown.

“Party's over,” uncle announced once they left. Within minutes, the hall was cleared out and it was just me, father, uncle and Dimitri.

Well?? Who's going to explain this whole drama to me?

“Father, who are those people?”