His Princessa

dangerous heir

Dimitri Ivanov
23
Depressed

____

"Papa, I tell you time and time again that this life you're trying to push me towards is not for me. You don't want to understand that. Ever since Dominic died you've made me his replacement when you barely gave me attention when he was here." I said frustrated.

"I DO NOT CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT DIMITRI! This is our family, this is your responsibility. We're at war with the Japanese and we need to make allies, this is not the time for you to be deciding on living life how you want it. You are my heir, whether I wanted you to be or not doesn't matter any more. You will play your role and uphold the Ivanov name."

I hated this, the constant arguments and the fighting with my father. The air was tense between us, something wanted to crack but we both managed to reign in the heat. I walked out of the living room, passing my teary mother in the hallway. She called after me but I didn't have it in me to listen to another lecture.

"Listen to your father, he knows what's best for you, for us." She'd say.

I didn't have it in me to listen to that bullshit anymore. I was tired of the expectations, the rules and the coldness. So I just kept walking.

The weather was cold. It was currently snowing out but it didn't matter to me. My body felt hot, anger and turmoil all rolling together. I needed to let this pent up frustration out. So I did what I always did.

I grabbed my leather jacket from my room and the keys to my Ducati and went down to the garage. The engine roared to life with a monstrous sound as I put the key in the ignition. I rode furiously out of our estate, with my father watching from his office window like he always did.

The city was beautiful at night time. Lights shining bright, people bustling about with their own agendas. It felt calming to me, I didn't even know why I stopped. The plan was to grab a beer at the local bar but oh well. I walked around with my leather hood up. I tried to be invisible but with my 6'5 height and somewhat bulky build, I stood out like a sore thumb.

I thought about my apartment. I had purchased it recently. It was cold and bare, devoid of any furniture except for the newly purchased bed and couch. I'd order more things online by myself once I got the time. I didn't tell my father, but I knew that he knew.  The nights I didn't spend at home were enough for him to be curious. Him and I couldn't stand being around each other lately and we both knew it was for the best. Even though he wouldn't want to say it out loud.

I kept walking down this unfamiliar street until I glanced at an art store. It wasn't perfect but it looked like it had soul and I wanted a couple of  custom paintings so I figured why not. I walked in and was immediately hit by the scent of drying paint and vanilla bean. The interior itself had personality, old brown brick with various art pieces hanging on every bit of space available.

A big white bookshelf filled half a wall with a large  light brown sofa on the side. Polaroid shots hung on the other side of the art. Nature, people, every shot held beauty and a story. Whoever owned this place had a good eye.

So caught up in looking around I was startled by a voice. Soft, raspy and low.

"Excuse me? Are you interested in the art or you're just looking around?" She asked.

She was a short little thing, maybe 5'3. Shiny brown skin that glowed under the golden light of the shop, paint stained denim overalls that covered her small frame and glasses that did nothing to hide her beautiful big doe eyes. She was beautiful, breath taking even and I couldn't help but be in awe.

"Yes, I am looking actually, something custom made. I want something big that can cover up most of a wall. Artistic, maybe the ocean and the moon. Can you do that Ms...?"

"Oh, sorry my name is Debby and yeah, I can totally do that for you. Though it might take me some time, I'm a little caught up right now with pieces that need to be at an art gallery by Friday." She explained.

"Explains why you're painting at 9pm." I said letting out a small chuckle. "Most shops are closed by now you know?"

"Yeah, I get that but I live upstairs so it's no biggy. Better to get stuff done you see."

"You shouldn't be telling strangers that, they could try to hurt you malyshka."

Wait what? The name came out of nowhere but it was fitting, so I didn't dwell on it. She looked puzzled by the unfamiliar word but I didn't have it in me to explain so I continued,

"How much?"

"Well, I'd need to get a bigger canvas, more paint, bigger brushes and more floor covering so $600." she said pressing her lips together after saying the price.

"Okay."

I pulled out a ward of cash from my cargo pockets and counted up to $800. I handed it to her.

"This is $800..." she said looking at me confused.

"Consider it extra for the transport, you need my details yes?"

"I—uh sure. Fill in the document on the register over there."

I put in all the necessary details in the form then looked at her again before making my way towards the door.

"It's late, you need to sleep and close up shop princessa." I said walking out of the shop.

As I walked outside, I glanced at the shop window again only to be met with her turning off the lights. Good, she listened. I walked back to my apartment slowly, with thoughts of the pretty girl in my mind.