Alexei's POV

Irina held me for a while before letting go , she would always be my sister even though it would be hard for her to accept it . “ What took you so long ?” She asked .

“ I was busy “ I told her as I walked towards my room .

“I want to bath , but we would leave once I'm ready “ I said staring at the bodyguard standing at one corner of the living room.

“Ok boss “ he replied while I went to my room .

After taking my bath, I picked a pair of black jeans , black polo shirt , ash hoodie, white sneakers,and a beanie. After getting dressed. I went to the living and we all left .

The bodyguard drove the Cadillac escalade from the parking lot , while I and Irina sat in the passenger seat. After he drove out of the estate we met a very annoying traffic but about ten minutes later there was no traffic throughout till we got to the antonov estate in Zhukovka.

Tatiana's POV

After Alexei dropped me off outside triumph palace, I walked into the lobby . The towering chandelier sparkled overhead with warm lights . The receptionist smiled at me while the guest at the lobby stared at me with shock written all over them as I walked pass barefooted.

on getting to the elevator, I used my access card and the private elevator to the 60th floor opened without a sound. I entered into our penthouse, Lev , alek and Boris were still playing video games just that they seemed to have had their bath because they are wearing fresh clothes.

Once they noticed me , they quickly walked towards me with concerned looks and questions. “What happened to you “ Lev asked as he noticed the blood on my overcoat “ .

“Where is your boots “ Boris asked .

They kept bugging me with various questions which almost resulted to me having a headache . I ignored their questions and walked towards a white comfy couch. I laid on the couch and they surrounded me still asking questions.

“Stop ignoring us “ Lev yelled at me .

“Fine , I will explain but can you guys just relax “ .

“Relax ? , grandpa would kill us for letting you go out by yourself”

“Lev calm down, I'm fine so grandpa would not be killing anyone” I replied then sighed .

“I decided to go get ice cream at my gelato after submitting my assignment, but on my way back from my gelato , I noticed a girl our age was in the cold and her car had broken down so I asked Alexei that we…”

Oh my Goodness, why did I have to mention Alexei's name . I kept thinking to myself when Lev interrupted. “Wait did you just say Alexei “ he asked even though he heard me clearly.

“Uhmm , yes Alexei. He's my friend and we were just hanging out “ I said trying to defend myself.

“After our argument yesterday, you decided to hangout with Alexei and what do you mean by you are now friends “ Lev asked furiously.

The discussion started getting heated while Alek and Boris tried to calm us down . “I seriously can't believe you are still hanging out with the enemy”

“What enemy, just because his grandfather and grandpa don't like each other does not make Alexei our enemy “ I yelled at him which caused a severe headache.

“Really, I guess I should inform grandpa about your new friend” he said trying to threaten me.

“You would not even dare , if you tell grandpa I wouldn't be punished just scolded but the three of you would have to serve punishment for my actions” . Hearing my words made Lev calm for a minute, it's not like it's the first time they would get punished when I make mistakes or wrong decision. Even Dimitri got punished alot because of me when I was little.

“I don't care if grandpa punishes us but I am telling him. “ Lev continued with his threat but Alek and Boris did not seem to like the suggestion of telling grandpa since they would end up getting punished.

“No one is telling anyone, Tatiana go freshen up so we can go to your family estate , Yelena and Viktoria must be waiting for you.“ . Alek tells me as he drags me from the couch to my room .

“We would solve all of this but you have to stay away from Alexei. Viktoria and Yelena would not like it if you are late . “ He reminded me before leaving my bedroom and closed the door behind him .

Just the thought of Yelena and Viktoria reminded me of my childhood , Yelena is the daughter of my nanny and also dimitry’s girlfriend before he died while Viktoria is Yelena's younger sister and my best friend. I really can't wait to see them so I quickly undressed and had my bath . The warmth of the water helped me relax and my headache seemed to have disappeared.

After my bath , I went to my walk-in closet and realized how much I hated picking outfit especially after my bath. Finally I picked a white crocheted dress , some jewelries, and black sandals.

I dressed up and we all left even though Lev ignored me throughout the ride home .

Traffic was really crazy today and Lev got upset over the traffic, I guess the traffic was just an excuse he used to show his anger . We finally arrived at the volkov estate which is hidden deep in the forested heart of barvikha. The tall gates opened while Alek drove into the compound, I sighted grandpa who was sitted on a wooden chair outside the main mansion .

Alek brought the car to a halt while I jumped down , there was no need for me to ask him because he already knows. It's like a tradition for grandpa to sit outside waiting for me while I jump down from the car and run towards him .

On getting to where grandpa was , I jumped on his body and hugged him tightly like I did not see him last weekend. “Tatiana, did you loose weight? “ He asked as he stared at me and checked my temperature with his hands .

“Grandpa I'm fine” i replied with the brightest smile, “but why did you sit outside it's freezing and I told you not to stay outside waiting for me anymore” .

“and I also told you not to miss your meals “ he scolded me but before I could reply Lev butts in , “grandpa I'm also here “ he informed grandpa like we were not aware of his presence.

“Did Tatiana eat properly this week?”

“Yes sir “ Alek and Boris replied simultaneously , then greeted grandpa with respect before they decided to visit their father at the security house which was a long walk from the main mansion.

Lev and grandpa talked for a bit before he proceeded to his parents mansion which is the second mansion from the main mansion. Lev lives with his parents while I live with grandpa, I have lived with grandpa since I was two years old because I have an ever absent parents .

Just the thought of my parents makes my blood boil. “Grandpa when do you think your children would return? “ I asked even though I don't care , they have not being home for almost a year now and the last time I saw them which was last year , they spent just one night.

“So you miss your parents? , rather than calling them my children refer to them as your parents that they are”

“Parents? , oh please” I said as I laughed uncontrollably while I sat close to grandpa outside.

“Don't be a bad child , your parents loves you and they said you have not being picking up their calls “ he told me looking really concerned.

“I blocked them “ . His gaze went from being concerned to being totally shocked. “ Don't stare at me like that, they kept disturbing me with their calls. I got tired and blocked them” .

Grandpa opened his mouth to speak but before the words could leave his mouth I stopped him, “don't scold me , I don't want to talk about them anymore” I told him in a babyish tone . Well grandpa always respect my decision and that's the more reason he is my favorite person on earth.

My teeth chattered and I wasn't wearing a coat so I stood up and dragged grandpa to accompany me inside .

We got into the living room on the ground floor, the heat from the fire place comforter me .

“So what should we do today? “ I asked.

“About that I would not be at home so you can have a sleepover with Viktoria “ .

“I didn't know you were going out ,I would accompany you “ I said with a wide smile

“No , it's business related so just stay here and have fun “ . Grandpa is alway going on work related trips .

“No , I would accompany you. It would also be a means for me to learn more about our businesses “ .

“I said NO and that's final “ he told me before walking away. My heart broke by his words “NO “ , I could not even give him a piece of my mind .

I kept complaining to myself before I felt someone wrapped their hands around me from behind. Without checking I knew it was Yelena.

“Yelena” I screamed as I jumped out of the couch and hugged her.

“Relax , don't be clingy” Viktoria said with a jealous look .

“Don't be jealous” I replied her while she joined the hug .

“Are you too trying to suffocate me “ Yelena asked before pulling out of the hug .

“Let's have a sleepover in my room or yours” I told Yelena but her mood changes immediately.

“Uhmm ,I …”

“You are going on the business trip too “ I interrupted her .