Chapter 60

*Chapter 60
2101 Woodpine Road*

**"Yes, mom of** course I remembered. I would never forget our family dinner once a week." Nikolai sighed in frustration over the phone when his mom called him for the 5th time this week.

You could swear Nikolai always forget to go to this dinner when he’s the one that always remembers. Saying goodbye to his mom Nikolai locked his phone and placed it on charge. He seriously needed a new phone battery. That thing was giving up on him.

Rubbing his hands over his face Nikolai thought of the many ways to break the news to Tatiana that they had to go have dinner with his mom.

Tatiana and Nikolai’s mother only met once and that happens to be when Tatiana kidnapped Nikolai. It wasn't the best first impression ever. Nikolai’s mother hated her for putting him in danger so his mother didn't really know they were serious.

Nikolai was going to tell Tatiana he just couldn't think of when would be the best time to tell his mom ‘I love the girl you hate and there is nothing you could do about it’. But Nikolai thinks it is finally the right time. Nikolai knows that Tatia and he have been dating for almost 1 year now and they just graduated.

Nikolai just thinks it is about time he introduces them properly and let his mother know that he plan on being with Tatiana for the rest of his life.

A beep on his phone brought his attention back into the real world. Unlocking the phone I show a Facebook notification. It was a friend request from Rose Dela Vega.

Nikolai shook his head and started stressing. Why would she invite him on Facebook? Although things between them ended well Nikolai didn't think they would ever be in contact again.

Deciding to decline Nikolai locked his phone again and jogged downstairs before he lose his nerve and went alone to his mother's house.

Tatiana was sitting in her office on the first floor. Her laptop opened as she sped away typing something probably important for Silva. Tatiana looked up as Nikolai entered the room before continuing. Not saying anything, Nikolai sat down in the leather chair in front of her desk.

The room was silent other than her keyboard clicking. She sighed and closed the laptop placing her head on her hands. "Yes, Nikolai?" She had a raised eyebrow and a glint in her eyes.

"So I kind of have to tell you something," Nikolai spoke softly, tapping on her desk with his fingers before gulping. "Mm," Tatiana looks at Nikolai with a raised eyebrow. "Well, you know about tonight's dinner?"

She nodded and frowned and looked down at her wrist watch, "Yes, what about it? Is it already time to get ready?" Nikolai shook his head calming her down. "No, it just that my mother... well uhm... she doesn't exactly know... that well uhm you're coming with me."

She looks at me with the kind of glare that could make men in their graves shiver. "I'm sorry? Did I just hear you say that your mother does not know I'm coming?" Nikolai bit his lip and nodded.

She huffed and looked out of her office window. "Call her and tell her that I am coming. Or I'm not!"

Tatiana was about to storm out of the room when Nikolai grabbed her by the arm. "Love, listen to me. I can't because we both know she doesn't really like you and I want her to. I want you guys to meet again and get off the right foot this time. Please?"

Tatiana rolled her eyes before pulling her arm from Nikolai’s hand. "I need to start getting ready. If this ends badly, it's going to be your fault."

« • x • x • x • »

They were 5 minutes away from his mother's house. Tatiana was still silent and hasn't talked to Nikolai since he told her about tonight earlier that day. He couldn’t understand why she is so angry with him.

Tatiana knew his mother didn't like her or the fact of them dating so Nikolai didn't know how to tell his mother that he was going to bring Tatiana with him.

Nikolai stopped at the gate but didn't drive in. Tatiana looked at him, "I didn't tell her because I didn't know how to. I don't want her mad so maybe you could win her over." Tatiana stayed silent for a second before relaxing and kissing Nikolai on the cheek. "I Get it. It's just I know you want your mother to like me and I hate the fact that she doesn't. I don't know what to do to make her like me. I just want you to be happy."

Nikolai kissed Tatiana on the cheek and nodded before driving up the driveway in silence.

They both got out of the car and Nikolai took Tatiana hand. When he saw the other car in the driveway Nikolai quickly bend down and kissed her on the cheek before whispering. "Did I forget to mention my cousin Sonya, would be here." Tatiana glared at him and Nikolai smiled an innocent smile causing her to roll her eyes before smiling.

They walked up the stairs to the door but before Nikolai could knock his mother opened the door and pulled him into a hug. "Glad you're still alive and have not gotten killed with that girl in your life." She huffed. Nikolai quickly cleared his throat and pulled away

"Mother, you remember Tatiana." His mother snapped her head to Tatiana and glared at her before glaring at Nikolai. "You brought her here? Without telling me? Without even asking? I knew she was a bad influence."

Nikolai sighed and rubbed his forehead in frustration. "She has a name and yes mother I invited my girlfriend." Nikolai’s mother snarled and walked back into the house.

"And you want me to get her to like me?" Tatiana hissed into Nikolai ear. Oh fuck, this was going to be a long night. But it was like Karma wanted revenge more than anything. Nikolai was surprised to see Sonya's best friend and his first girlfriend, Rose, here. Maybe that was why she sent him a friend request on Facebook.

Rose smiled at Nikolai and then pulled him into a hug that lasted only a few seconds. "It good to see you Niko. It's been so long!" Rose pecked him on the cheek. Tatiana smiled and took Rose's outstretched hand. "You must be Sonya, the cousin?" Rose looked at Nikolai then back to Tatiana. "Actually no, I'm Rose. Sonya's best friend and a family friend of Nikolai."

Tatiana's smile faltered before she smiled again but this time it looked more forced. Great, like this night, could get any worse. "I invited Rose so you two can catch up but I see that won't be happening tonight." Nikolai’s mother smirked at Tatiana.

"Mother, stop it!" Nikolai sighed in frustration. He rolled his eyes and pulled Tatiana with him to the living room. "Tatia, I had no idea she would invite Rose." She looked at Nikolai with a tight lip smile. "Who is Rose really?"

Nikolai let go of Tatiana's hand and turned around to look at the window. "Rose is, she was my first girlfriend," he whispered in an unsure voice. "Your first girlfriend or first everything?" Tatiana knew him well.

"Everything." Nikolai could actually feel the tension in the room and how ridged Tatiana got. "But Tatiana she doesn't mean anything to me now! You are my world and no matter what my mother does. I will never... NEVER leave you! Even if she doesn't approve. It would be great to have her approval but if she doesn't give it then so what! I love you."

Tatiana swallowed and walked to him. "Promise?" Nikolai smirked, "I promise!" Tatiana relaxed and they walked back into the dining room hand in hand. Nikolai could see his mother's shoulders shrug in disappointment.

"Now Mother, Rose, and Sonya... This is Tatiana, my girlfriend." Rose and Sonya squealed in happiness. Rose ran to Nikolai and hugged him "I'm so glad for you. It's about time you got someone!" Rose let him go and pulled Tatiana in a hug which caused Tatiana to tense. "Tatiana, I can just see it. You two just belong!" Tatiana hesitantly relaxed.

Nikolai winked at Tatiana as Rose let her go. "Well since that's over I want to actually tell you guys something!" Everybody looked at Rose and she smiled. "I have kept it a secret for a while but I am actually dating Kade!" Nikolai tensed and stood ridged.

"Wait your Kade's mystery girl?" She nodded "Kade didn't want to say anything because even though you and I don't have feelings for each other anymore we didn't know how you would react." Nikolai relaxed and had an eased smile on his face. "You'd be good for him."

Now that the tense moments were over they ate but Nikolai could see his mother wasn't happy about this at all. After dinner, he asked my mother if they could go talk in private somewhere.

"How serious is this Niko? How serious is this relationship with THAT girl?" His mother asked the moment the door closed behind Nikolai in his father's old office. "Mother this is serious. I love Tatiana and what you did tonight... I can't believe you would sink so low. Even if she wasn't here, the fact that you would invite my ex, hoping it would make me end things with the girl I love, is despicable."

Nikolai’s mother sighed and sat down in the chair. "I just don't want you to get hurt. With her, in your life, you are bound to get hurt someday!" Nikolai shook his head "Mother, I am not leaving her! I'm sorry but no matter what you say, I'm staying with her!"

His mother sunk further into the leather chair. "And if something happens I can protect myself." Nikolai’s mother snapped her head up to him. "Niko... What do you mean?" He looked around the office and bit his lip. "I joining the Mafia; I will be having my Omertà Ceremony in a few months." She stood up with a scared and enraged look on her face.

"Why would you do that Niko? You can never leave after that!" She cried out at him "Well I don't want to leave because I plan on marrying Tatiana one day!"

Her eyes grew big and a tear leaked out of her eye. Wiping it away like it wasn't there she bit her lip. "Fine, I will tolerate her. I don't like her and I don't approve. But if you love her then there is nothing I can do."

There was this look in his mother eyes. Nikolai knew she didn't mean it. He knew she still had something up her sleeve.

Before Nikolai could say anything she stormed out of the room. Nikolai waited a few seconds himself before leaving the room. Unintentionally he looked out of the window and saw his mother talking to Tatiana outside.

Nikolai was about to go out there and give her a piece of his mind when a manicured hand was placed on his shoulder. "Leave your mother alone. Tatiana looks strong and stubborn. Nothing your mother says will chase that girl away." Rose stated while looking out of the window with him.

*OUTSIDE WITH TATIANA*
"I need you to leave him. He is infatuated, not in love. You will end up getting him killed if you don't leave him. Please, Tatiana, I need you to let my son go." Nikolai's mother stated right after she pulled me out of the house.

I sighed and shook my head. "Ms. Moretti, I'm not leaving Nikolai." She started crying and I continued. "I love you son, and I won't be the one doing the leaving thing. I have told him many, many times what happens in my life, what could happen to him and he said he is staying. He could still walk out whenever he wants to; I'm not keeping him captive. But I'm not leaving."

Nikolai's mother was a mess of tears and running makeup but that didn't stop me from stating the obvious. I understood where she came from. She loved her son and she didn't want him to be involved in the things that his father was working with. But like I said I wasn't going to leave him.

**Copyright © 2018 by Grace Write**