Maksimillian
A day before Zenovia, the twins and I had arrived in Moscow with our bodyguards through my private plane, Zenovia’s brother, father, mother and friend had already been waiting for us at my luxurious home.
The huge estate was in a T-shape. It had four stories, twelve bedrooms, fourteen bathrooms, four sitting rooms, an entertainment room, a pool room, a sauna and an olympic-size indoor pool. It had a detached building for the security and household employees on the left side. The canine houses were near there, too. On the other hand, the garage for a dozen cars and vehicles was on the right side. Behind it was a lawn tennis court and a driving range, where I or some of my employees would use as a pastime or recreational area to practice golf.
The premises also boasted nature, with varying sizes of trees and well-manicured lawns and well-cared gardens. A fountain was in the middle of the lawn, which had a statue of Domovoy.
“What’s that statue? It looks creepy,” Zenovia whispered, asking me while our babies were each carried by her parents. We were at the huge porch, looking at the vast lawn. A table was in front of us, where we were seated at. Food and drinks were served by a couple of maids that afternoon.
I chuckled at her. “In Russian folklore, Domovoy is known as the household spirit of a given kin. It is a deified progenitor⸺the fountainhead ancestor of the kin. You see? Domovoy is depicted as an old grey-haired man in a cape, wearing a winter cap, and has flashing eyes. You should see the lights at night. His eyes are creepier,” I answered her, still laughing.
“Why do you have that there in the middle of the fountain?” She could not seem to let go of it.
“That Domovoy is believed to protect our well-being. It’s been there since my mother married my father.”
“Oh.”
Overall, the reunion was heartfelt, dramatic and joyous, if I must say. Tears of delight were spilled, and I was touched that everyone loved our two little bundles of joy.
Aunt Marisha and Rurik were also there. They could not help but also admire my two offspring, who mainly got their looks from me. The twins got their eyes from Zenovia, as well as her beautiful mouth and hair.
I watched as Zenovia surveyed the estate with her eyes. The tall iron gate could not be seen from where we were. CCTVs were all over the place for protection. Armed security guards with their respective Caucasian Shepherd roamed the grounds now and then.
***
It was around midnight when I suddenly felt a jolt, heart pounding fast and hard. I thought I heard something like a thud, but it was all fine. Zenovia was sleeping peacefully beside me, wearing only her thin beige nightie. Nonetheless, I got up, and out of my new habit these past several perilous months, I took my gun with me. It was always hidden under my pillow.
I recalled Zenovia was stunned when she first saw me keeping the gun close by. When I explained to her why, she was horrified, especially when I showed her my scar from the bullet wound I suffered the day she went away to Moldova. From then on, she had not spoken anything about the gun in our room.
Right now, I just needed to check our two babies in the adjoining room. I left the door ajar to go there easily. Although there were bodyguards outside our babies’ room, I was still overprotective of them, because I had no idea who was after me and Zenovia until now. My PIs were not able to trace who had hired those gunmen yet. I knew they were even embarrassed to give me reports that were negative. I must say that the person behind all these was very careful and smart. He kept his tracks clean and untraceable.
When I reached my babies’ room, I froze. Someone in all black hovered over my son. With my heart pummeling my chest, I pointed my gun at the seemingly familiar person. She turned sideways to let me see her face in the dim-lit room.
“What are you doing here at this hour, Aunt Marisha?” I questioned her with a frown, putting my gunhand down to my side.
“I just want to see them, Maksimillian,” she answered in a whisper, smiling up at me. “They remind me of you and your late brother when you were still babies.”
I stepped towards her to check my babies, relieved that they were still fast asleep. I could see their small chest rising and falling as they breathed.
Turning my head to my aunt, I wondered why she was wearing an overall black suit, which was quite alarming, if I didn’t know her. It was as if she was a criminal sneaking into someone’s house at night.
“What are you wearing?” I questioned her, though it was not the first time I saw her in something like that. “Have you been practicing archery again, in that overall suit?”
Aunt Marisha chortled softly. “I can’t help it.”
“Just go and rest, Aunt Marisha.”
“Can I stay here and watch the babies?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No. You have to go and rest,” I repeated.
I held her by the shoulder and began to push her gently out of the room. However, she pushed my hand away. With one swift move, she already had my gun in her hand, sniggering at me maliciously. So were her eyes.
My heart bounced in my chest. “W-what are you doing, Aunt Marisha?” I demanded in an angry but low tone.
She snorted. “What do you think, Maksimillian?”
“I have no idea.” I gritted my teeth, seeing her smile.
“Maks? Where are you?”
I heard Zenovia shuffle inside our bedroom. At the sound of it, she was clearly coming to the nursery room fast.
“Zenovia, stay there!” I warned her, but I saw her already entering the room.
Zenovia froze upon seeing Aunt Marisha pointing the gun at me. I moved to cover her, protecting her from my aunt, if ever the latter would squeeze the trigger. I couldn’t let her shoot Zenovia, if she was indeed going to kill us.
“Don’t you move, Maksimillian!” Aunt Marisha ordered me. Her eyes flashed.
“W-what is this, Marisha? Why are you doing this?” Zenovia asked in confusion. Her alert and alarmed eyes darted to our babies.