The Billionaire Mafia’s Slave

CHAPTER 71: ON THE INTERNET

LILY’S POV:

“Oh my God, you look perfect!”, Galina commented once the makeup artist was done applying the makeup on me.

“Are you sure?”, I was really nervous, feeling like a freak with all this hairdo and makeup. I was worried about what Nikolai would think of me now.

This was going to be the first time I would attend such big event, I never even got to attend senior prom.

“Of course! Heads would turn when you walk by. Nikolai would be so jealous! Ha!”, Galina said, with her hands clasped together. I smiled at her remark.

We got ready and Galina said she would go downstairs first.

“Why?”, I asked.

“We both need our entrance, especially you”, She said. I didn’t quite get her but I nodded, I waited for about 5 minutes after Galina left before following.

As I walked to the staircase, I caught sight of everyone downstairs but my eyes remained on the most enchanting man there… Nikolai.

I gasped as my eyes locked with his, he was divine, so out of this world. He offered me his hand which I took them.

“You look… breathtaking”, He whispered for just me to hear, it was just like electric and I smiled at him.

“And you look really handsome”, that was what my mouth could pick out of the thousands of words my brain thought of.

“I do?”, He asked but something tells me he was just being sarcastic.

“Very”, I replied.

“Can you stop drooling already”, Galina said to Nikolai and they laughed while I blushed. Nikolai’s father announced that we start going because the event will soon start.

As I walked into the ballroom, I was blown away by how fancy and beautiful everything looked.

“Wow, it looks beautiful”, I said not meaning to be loud.

The ceiling was super high and had pretty paintings on it, and the chandeliers were like giant sparkling diamonds. The walls were shiny and gold, and the floor was so polished it looked like a mirror.

It felt like I had entered a magical world, where everything was perfect and anything could happen, like a real life fairy tale castle.

“Open the doors!!” Mr Vladimir commanded and the guards by the large door pulled them open. I heard Nikolai say something but I couldn’t make out what he said.

***

The room soon filled with the sound of people laughing and chatting and the rustling of their fancy clothes.

Everyone was dressed up in their best outfits, and the women’s dresses were like something out of a movie – colorful, shiny, and totally gorgeous. The men looked like princes, all handsome and charming.

‘Not as charming as Nikolai’, I said to myself.

The air was filled with the smell of perfume and champagne and the music was lively and fun. Nikolai had me glued to his side, I didn’t move an inch away from him, he did not let me drink, not even to talk to anyone, just wave and smile at them while he did the talking for both of us.

“They don’t deserve to hear your beautiful voice”, He said to me.

I watched as Nikolai’s father and mother greet all the guest with a smile on, Galina was already drunk and dancing with some dude. My eyes moved to the side and I noticed Lev staring dagger at the guy she was with, I smiled and shook my head at how childish they were being. Lev clearly loves Galina but what is he scared of?

Roman was out of sight and same as Anastasia, come to think of it, she was not with us when we came to the ballroom. She wasn’t somebody I should worry about so I dropped it.

‘Maybe she’s running late or already here’, I said to myself.

“Why isn’t your eyes on me, what are you looking at?”, I felt Nikolai’s breath on my ears and I gulped. He looked at the direction I had my eyes on.

“Nothing”, I quickly responded, putting all my focus back on him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, can we please all have our seats”, I heard the MC say. Nikolai and I sat at the table meant for The Vladimirs and the once loud room was down to hush noises.

“I would like for the host of this wonderful Moscow Masquerade Ball to take the mic and give an opening speech, can we please welcome to the floor the great Mr Oleg Vladimir!!”, The MC announced and the crowd gave a round of applause as Nikolai’s father approach the stage. He took the mic and faced the crowd.

“As many of you know, this fundraiser ball has been part of the Vladimir family for generations long gone and will be for generations to come… I am not much of a talker, I leave that for the softies”, he paused and the guest laughed.

Seeing Mr Vladimir up there reminds me so much of how much Nikolai resembles his father, the aura, voice and the way they talk.

“… I want to thank you all who took time out of your busy lives to come and join me celebrate the new year with me and my family and to also give out to the less privileged. I want to let you know that your generosity will be highly rewarded”, He concluded and the crowd gave a round of applause including me while Nikolai didn’t even move a muscle.

Something was off, the Vladimir family is a long line of mafia and underworld leaders, why then are they doing charity?

They are known to be killers, smugglers, drug traffickers and worse, why do they take out their time to give back to the poor every new year? Could they be some other agenda or are they just doing it out of the kindness of their heart?

“Please enjoy the party, buy whatever and do have a Moscow Masquerade evening”, He said, leaving the stage.

From what I know, the fundraiser involves the guest buying any item inside a glass on different tables. It could be diamond necklace, rings, precious artifact from a country, a painting from a famous old artist or a crown warn by a former king or queen. How they get these items, I don’t know and I rather not ask.

***

The party was back to its usual loud music, laughing and chatting by people and clicks for glasses and heels.

“Wait here, I need to say hello to someone”, Nikolai said, kissing me on the cheek and leaving into the crowd. I was the only one left on the table, Mr and Mrs Vladimir were keeping their guest company, Nikolai’s aunt was with her friends, Galina was drunk someone and Roman… Roman is always going to be Roman.

I heard whispers above my head but I didn’t take it as anything, it’s just the ball.

“That’s her”.

“Yes, that is the ugly girl”.

“Oh my God, she really think she could measure up to Elena?”.

“She must have warmed Nikolai’s bed to get to where she is now”.

“I know a slut when I see one”.

“The news is all over the internet”.

Those noise was getting to loud and obvious to know that they were referring to me, the other girl even pointed her finger at me and sneer.

I looked up at them from were I sat and they were making it too obvious. I started to feel uncomfortable in my own skin, I stood up, taking a glass of red wine from the table and downed all its content. With another glass of wine in my hand, I left the crowd, away from prying eyes and searching for the restroom.

I was already getting drowsy from the previous glass and I couldn’t walk straight in this dress, I turned and collided with someone.

“Oh my!”, I recognized that voice, it was Anastasia that screamed.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!!”, I quickly apologized, trying to clean off the drink from the person’s dress. Turns out it wasn’t Anastasia I spilled the drink on… it was Elena.

‘Fuck me’, I said to myself when I saw who it was.

“Are you fucking blind?!! Look now you ruined her perfect dress!!”, Anastasia shouted, drawing attention to the scene.

“It’s okay Ana, she didn’t mean to. I could happen to anyone”, Elena was calm, lips slightly raised as she dabbed on the spot with a paper towel.

Elena looked so beautiful tonight, he dress was a black feathery ball dress, with thousands of gem stones, She looked like a warrior and a princess.

“I di-didn’t mean to clash into you-you Elena, I’m so sorry”, I apologize again, not minding the loud Anastasia.

“Of course you meant it! You couldn’t accept that Elena looks more beautiful than you and the news that she and Nikolai meant work things out, you clearly took your frustration on her! Fucking two face!”, Anastasia ranted.

“Wait– What news?”, I asked in confusion? Something was clearly going on on the internet that was about me and I’m not aware of it. I was so certain it was what Galina was too busy on her phone with and what those girls said to me.

I was too busy getting lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice when Anastasia picked up a glass of champagne and aimed at me but someone held her hand back.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you”.

It was Nikolai and he looked mad, his voice was ten times meaner and so was his expression.