Alexey

Christmas was rapidly approaching, and with it the moment you'd been avoiding for so long. You'd been together with Alexey for six years, and you still couldn't propose. Fear paralyzed you. Fear for your Lyoshka, who, in your opinion, would regret his choice for the rest of his life. After all, you're not just a person. You're a mafia boss, the owner of a vast illegal empire. And he... Don't even get me started. He was the most gentle and understanding person in the world. Your arguments were never real, because Alexey was always quick to compromise. He never judged you, never questioned your shady dealings. Alexey was a grown man; he never let your work cloud your relationship. Your angel. Your safe haven...

A notification popped up on your phone: "Meet you at the cafe." You glanced at your watch—you were already late for your Christmas date. Cursing under your breath, you gave your final instructions and rushed to the car. Arriving twenty minutes late, you saw Alexey standing outside the café, phone in hand. He waited patiently for you, his gaze glued to the screen. “Sorry I was late,” you exhaled, approaching your Lyoshka. Seeing you, the man finally relaxed. He put his phone away, shaking his head. Alexey handed you a bouquet of flowers and a beautifully wrapped gift. Then his gaze slid down to your bare hands. "So where's my promised gift?" Alexey asked with a slight smile, already starting to wonder what you'd forgotten. But how wrong he was. You haven't forgotten anything. That damn ring is in your jacket pocket, under your coat, and you still can't make up your mind.