Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Author's POV

Vera grabbed on his shoulders tightly when he carried her out, scared that he might drop her.

Vlad smirked at her reaction. He placed her down on the chair.

She quickly fixed her dress and looked at the buffet in front of her.

"I am not hungry"

She said. Her appetite was gone.

"Why?"

He asked casually while sitting on the chair in front of her.

She clenched her jaw, irritated that he is seriously asking this to her.

"Because I was kidnapped and forced to marry."

She snapped.

"How long are you going to whine for that?"

He asked.

"Whine?"

She furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief.

He sighed and fixed his coat while leaning back in his chair.

"Women are dying to take your place... You are thinking too much... Take it as an opportunity instead of seeing it as a problem."

He said looking at her.

Vera frowned.

"Opportunity?"

She couldn't understand him.

"You are smart, Doc."

He smirked.

"I know you will find out the meaning behind my words."

She looked at him confused while he started filing her plate.

"I said I am not hungry."

She looked at him.

Vald dropped the spoon and she gasped when he dragged her chair towards him. She froze when his lips touched her ear.

"I can be gentle in limits, Wife... If you keep acting stubborn then I have to show you my stubbornness too and trust me you won't like it... I want this plate to be empty in twenty minutes..."

He kissed her cheek.

"Come on!"

He slid the plate in front of her.

She glared at the plate and he raised his voice.

"Come on!"

Vera had no choice but to follow his orders. She can't do anything until she finds her brother.

He chuckled when she angrily stuffed her mouth with bread. His phone rang and he walked away while talking to the caller.

Vera glared at his back and stuffed her mouth again.

"How lovingly you are looking at your husband."

She heard a mocking voice.

Vera frowned at the woman who was standing in front of her with a mocking smirk. She is old, has Ash grey hair in bob cut and wears a formal black dress like she is attending a funeral. Solitaire diamond on her finger sparkled under the sun.

"Truly a wife you are"

She walked towards her, tapping the heels on the  wooden floor.

"Sorry, Do I know you?"

Vera asked, minding her tone because she doesn't want to attract enemies unnecessarily.

"No, but you should!... I am your mother-in-law."

She said and sat on the chair crossing her legs arrogantly.

Vera looked at her unsure, she wasn't in the wedding.

"You didn't attend the wedding?"

She asked.

"I was busy... But I am a mother after all, I have to perform my motherly duties. so here I am."

She replied boringly.

Vera raised her eyebrows amused thinking what was more important than her son's wedding. It was obvious that she is not in a good relationship with Vlad.

"So, Veronica... Right?"

She said.

"Who are you exactly?"

"I am a doctor..."

Vera answered.

And she burst out laughing.

"Oh lord!..."

She sighed dramatically and Vera frowned at her weird bitchy behavior.

"You are a doctor and you married a mafia... Epic!"

She waved.

"Anyway, your so called doctor life is over anyway... And I am not even interested in that, I want to know your family background."

"What do you mean by my doctor life is over?"

Vera asked with a deep frown. She has worked really hard to become a doctor and no way she is going to give up on that.

"Ohh honey!"

She looked at Vera with fake concern.

"You married a Mafia and their wives had no choice but to follow them everywhere like a puppy... You think you are different from all of us..."

She chuckled.

"Wed and bed the man that's it... And yes, don't forget you will also have to pop out babies for him..."

Vera grew restless by her words. Her nightmare was coming into reality.

Vlad glanced at Vera while talking on the phone but clenched his jaw when he saw Maria sitting there. He disconnected the call and walked towards Vera.

"Son!"

Maria was amused.

"Mother!"

Vera noticed the venom in his voice.

"Congratulations!... I was just greeting your wife."

She smiled.

"Why does this show off."

Vlad sat beside vera and placed his hand on her lap.

"You are the least interested person in my wedding..."

"You think!..."

Maria smirked.

"Perhaps I am the most interested person in your life... I heard whatever happened at the wedding. Sorry to hear that."

"I'll tell dad that you were here... No need to do formalities. Leave!"

Vlad said in a dismissal tone.

"Now that I have wasted my time by coming here then I should at least make good use of it."

Maria sighed and looked at Vera.

"So Veronica, you see my son is not interested in enlightening me but I am sure you will... I would love to hear about your love story."

Vera looked at Vlad not knowing what to say, Maria really sounded evil to her.

"I am sure she is..."

Vlad interrupted.

"But I would love to spend time with my wife... And I would really appreciate it if you respect our privacy..."

Maria hid her anger behind her fake smile.

"Of course... We will continue this some other time."

She grabbed her purse and walked away.

Vera sighed when she left but she definitely made her restless.

"Did she say anything to you?"

He asked.

Vera shook her head.

"Nothing unexpected!"

Vera knew that her life might take a turn and Maria just gave her a reality check that it will happen to her.

Vlad looked at her expressions and realised that something has happened. He doesn't trust Maria even a bit.

"She is my stepmother..."

He said and Vera looked at him.

"She never leaves a chance to destroy my life..."

Vlad looked into her eyes.

"And she will try to do the same to you... So if she ever tries to hurt you, hurt her back... I'll be in your support..."

"I am not here to hurt anyone..."

She mumbled.

"You have to..."

He replied.

"This is not my life..."

She shook her head.

"You will embrace it soon."

His words were getting on her nerves, he is forcing her in his world for which she is not ready.

"I want to meet Ryan..."

She demanded.

"It's been only one day and you are already making demands like a wife..."

He asked amused.

"I haven't met him for years... Please!..."

She requested.

"I need to know that he is fine..."

"He is fine, Vera..."

He replied and she realised that he has no intention to let her meet him.

"I want to see my brother, Mr. Volkov... If you really like me and want our relationship to work then at least act like it... Why it's so hard for you to let me meet him..."

She said madly.

"It should be give and take..."

He smirked.

"As much as I know, I am the only giver... You haven't earned my trust yet.. it's been only two days and you have tried to escape, injured your leg, made a scene before marriage and tried to attack me... Why should I trust you?"

She leaned back and looked at him frustrated when he leaned closer and caressed her cheek with his knuckles.

"Rule is simple, Wife... Give and take!"

She wanted to wipe off that arrogant smirk.

"What do you want?"

She asked.

"Your consent!"

He said and she gulped.

"I can touch you while not giving a fuck about your consent but it's no fun..."

Vera's head started spinning when he said that.