Then, a single tear fell from the corner of her eye-something that shattered even the strongest man from the mafia world.
It was morning. Alia woke up to find Victor asleep on her lap. At first, she blinked in confusion, then, realizing her position, she suddenly shouted, "Oh no, what have I done! Sorry, Victor!" Her face showed signs of panic and shame, as if something terrible had happened.
She immediately tried to sit up, but Victor-still half-asleep-gently pulled her back with one hand. There was no irritation in his eyes, only a calm expression, as if he understood exactly how Alia was feeling.
Victor opened his eyes with a faint, soft smile and said, "It's nothing, Alia." Then, placing his hand on her shoulder, he tried to comfort her. "If you're uncomfortable, just say it-but there's no need to be so shaken."
Alia looked at him silently. Her mind was racing. On one hand, she thought-what is she doing, making herself so vulnerable? On the other, she felt an unusual calmness in Victor's presence.
After a moment of silence, she softly said, "I didn't know, Victor... I... I'm sorry."
Victor smiled again and said, "You don't need to say anything right now. Just be yourself. I'm here."
It felt like the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship-one where sometimes words weren't necessary, only being there for each other and understanding mattered.
Alia sat quietly, her eyes filled with mixed emotions. Then suddenly, with a strange smile on her lips, she spoke in Russian, "Ты знаешь, Виктор, ты иногда такой... странный."
"You know, Victor, sometimes you are just... strange."

Victor looked at her, a bit surprised, but then a soft smile spread across his face.
"Strange? I'm not strange, I'm just... special," he replied in Russian, a playful tone in his voice.
Alia laughed and said,
"Special? Well, you really are special,"
her smile sweet and sincere, lightening the moment.
Victor smiled gently and added,
"Well, I've always been special. You know that."
Alia, still laughing, said,
"You know, you really surprise me."
Victor looked at her with another smile and replied,
"I'm just an ordinary guy with a few unusual problems."
Alia sat up straighter, still smiling, and said,
"Well, your problems... I guess I need to understand those too."
And just like that, a strange yet sweet banter began between them, marking the beginning of a subtle warmth and a deeper understanding in their relationship.
Alia, with a slight smile, said,
"Alright, I'm getting up now, Victor."
She composed herself and stood up.
But Victor's eyes followed her sharply, and for a moment, he seemed slightly uneasy. Yet, the next moment, Alia seemed to return to her usual confident self and said with a teasing tone,
"Let's have another fight, Victor. Let's see who wins this time!"
Victor responded in a challenging tone,
"If you think I'm someone easy to beat, just remember-I don't lose that easily."
There was a firm confidence in his voice, as if he was fully aware of his strength.
Alia, with a spark in her eyes and a playful smile, said,
"Alright then, let's see what you've got."