Harlequin: Travails Of A Young Orphaned Widow

Harlequin's POV

I smiled as I saw the reflection of myself in the mirror. Mum was making sure my wedding gown fitted properly so there weren't any loose edges.

Meanwhile, the make up artist did wonders on my face while Eline,my best friend, placed the tiara on my head, right next to the veil.

I can't believe it's actually my wedding today. Before I go on, it would be rude for me not to introduce myself.

My name is Harlequin Anastasia Vladimir. I'm both an American and Russian.

My dad moved from Russia to New York where he met and married my mum. I've never been to Russia before, I was born and bred in New York. I've always asked Daddy to let us go on a vacation to Russia and sadly, he always refused me but when I got fed up and questioned why he continuously refused to let us visit our homeland, he told me Russia's a very dangerous place and it would simply be too dangerous for us there.

I asked mum about what he meant by dangerous and she only ever gave me vague answers saying Dad only wanted the best for us and he was only adamantly refusing because he wanted to protect us. I just didn't get it and pressed on further and at last,she told me that Dad's decision to leave Russia was due to some issues with the Mafia and she refused to elaborate more on it.

When I tried to get further information, I was always given the same answer or the silent treatment and after asking for like a gazillion times and I got no reasonable explanation, I decided to give up and forget about it but my curiosity just wouldn't let me be so I decided to investigate discreetly, gathering as much information as I could by eavesdropping on my parents' conversation and I'm glad my efforts didn't go to waste. I finally found out why Daddy avoided the prospect of visiting Russia like a plague.

Well let's get back to me for now,I'm 14 years old,five feet four inches with brown hair and blue bell eyes. I'm also pretty if I do say so myself and as you've known by now,I'm getting married to my dear Liam today.

Well,we've known each other since childhood and we both like each other a lot. Our parents are getting us married today and I know you must be wondering how and why.

Simply put,God has finally answered my prayers and Daddy's taking us to his hometown in Russian.

A fact not really known to all,Bashkortostan, my dad's hometown allows 14 year olds to get married but not without parental and judicial consent. Dad has expressed his regret of having to go back to Russia but he says his hands are tied because he has to get Liam and I married now. I've gotten to the reason why I'm getting married so early in life. Mine and Liam's families have been friends for ages and both families have always wanted to solidify their ties through marriage but they were never in luck.

Both families either had boys or girls and when both families each had a boy and a girl,they were so happy and wanted to get them married but sadly, when they grew up,they didn't like each other anymore because they both fell in love with completely different people.

The second time each had a boy and a girl,they were allowed to grow up again but something happened and the girl was raprd and got pregnant. She was so ashamed, she committed suicide.

Her father was angry and tracked down his daughter's rapist and it was the son of the head of the Mafia.

Notwithstanding, he managed to trick the guy and was able to kidnap and kill him. So that's why mine and Liam's families had to leave Russia, for fear of the Mafia's wrath. That's the little I know from eavesdropping on my parents' conversation.

Once again, both families have produced a boy and a girl and this time, they were not willing to take chances by letting us grow up before getting us married to each other.

So here you have it,in only a few hours from now,I'll be married to my best friend who is only a year older than I am, freaky right?

Harlequin's POV

I smiled into the mirror and Eline teased me. "Harley look at you,I bet you're thinking of Liam's right now and blushing already." I smiled at the comment,my cheeks betraying and attaining a shade of red. "Don't worry dear,Liam will be at a loss of words when he sets his eyes on you." Mum joined in. Just then, Dad walked in. "Is she ready yet? We don't have a moment to spare,our plane leaves in less than an hour." Dad said, starring at his watch.

"Don't worry dear, she's ready." Mum said and Dad looked up and saw me. "Wow my princess, you look so pretty. I knew this day would come but I never knew it'd come so quickly. Dear,I just want you to know that you've made me very proud today by being so obedient and agreeing to this marriage today." Dad exclaimed with a smile.

"I'm the proud one,for having a father like you,who loves me unconditionally." I chirped with a smile and got into his warm embrace.

"Come along now,dear." Dad said and I walked with him hand in hand into the car. Liam was already in the car and sure enough, he was dazzled when he saw me, he couldn't stop complimenting me and I sure as hell couldn't stop blushing either.

We got to the airport and boarded our flight. The trip to Russia was long and exhausting and I didn't realize when I fell asleep, still in my wedding gown. Dad said I would wear it during the whole trip because immediately after the wedding, we're not staying a moment longer in Bashkortostan, we're taking a plane back to New York and by virtue of that,there would be absolutely no where to change which means I have to wear this big,fluffy gown throughout.

When we landed,Liam woke me up. The drive to Bashkortostan wasn't long and when we got to court,there were some conversations and formalities before we were finally married. We were presented our marriage certificate immediately after and I glanced at it with mixed feelings.

Dad says Liam and I will get married officially in the New York when we're 18. This marriage is just to remind each of us of our duties towards each other.

Dad took us back into the car while mum and Liam's parents took the other car. The driver immediately began the journey back to the airport.

I gazed at the golden wedding ring on the fourth finger of my left hand and it dawned on me that I was now a married woman with major responsibilities and the thought alone, scared me.

Liam saw the fright in my eyes and placed his hand on mine, he then encouraged me.

"Don't worry, we're in this together. I'll always be with you and together we can make this work,I promise." He promised and I didn't realize when smile plastered my face,it felt so good to get some encouragement.

The sudden urge to pee overcame me and I told the driver to stop the car,daddy declined. "No dear,I've told you we aren't staying here a minute longer, it's too dangerous." He cautioned and I kept quiet. After a few minutes and I felt like my bladder would burst,I threatened to jump out of the car and Daddy told the driver to stop the car,albeit reluctantly.

I opened the door of the car with my huge wedding gown trailing behind me and ran out with no exact direction in mind but little did I know that God wanted to save me that day.

When I was only a few metres away, it happened.

I heard something like a gun shot and suddenly, the two cars which held my parents, husband and parents in-law erupted in flames. The force of the explosion threw me across a pillar,banging my head against it. My vision blurred.

"Mum,Dad,Liam,please don't leave me........." I said and blacked out.

My eyes flicked open weakly. Am I dead? I asked myself and gazed around my environment. I was in a large room with blue curtains and I had an IV attached to my left hand. I could clearly see the oxygen mask on my face and the pace maker beeping close to me. I definitely am not dead,wouldn't even think of it,I'm only in a hospital which quite a relief for some reason. I smiled at just knowing I wasn't in the underworld. Just then,a nurse came in and saw me. She spoke excitedly in a foreign language I couldn't quite place and then she left and came back with a man who I suspect is the doctor.

"Ty v poryadke, ditya? ( Are you okay, child?) The doctor asked in a language I couldn't understand. "What?" I asked the doctor, confused. He said something to the nurse in that same strange language before addressing me again. "Are you feeling alright dear?" The doctor spoke but with a thick accent. "No,my head hurts like bad and I can't seem to remember anything." I wailed.

"What you're saying is,you don't remember why you're here?" The doctor continued his investigation. "No,I can't remember a single thing. I don't even know my own name or where I'm from." I said dejectedly and tried to remember but my head hurt so bad that I felt dizzy,I touched my head and noticed it was bandaged.

"Be careful dear,if you strain your brain too much, it could cause major complications. So please rest." The doctor advised. "Could you at least please tell me where I am?" I asked.

"Dear you're in Russia, specifically Bashkortostan. You had a fatal accident which caused a bad head injury. You were brought here to the hospital by a man and he comes to visit you everyday since you've been in a coma." The doctor disclosed

"How long have I been here?" I questioned, petrified. "Three months ago and so far,we haven't been able to find your family and we were hoping when you woke up,you'd be able to tell us but that's not possible now,it seems. You've got amnesia." The doctor relayed.

Tears had already started flowing down my cheeks, I'm all alone with no family or memory. But just then,the door opened and a very handsome man walked in. He saw me and maintained his cold stare despite the smile I gave him. Aargh! Talk about rude. He spoke with the doctor in that strange language which I guess should be Russian since I'm currently in Russia. I can't help but wonder if I was born here,but if I was, why don't I understand this language for crying out loud? Well,all that will come to me in due time.

The very handsome stranger turned towards me. "Ty ne prosto poteryannyy tokenok? (Aren't you just a lost kitten?) He said and I starred at him blankly because I couldn't understand a word of what he was saying.

"I can speak English too,so don't look at me like that." He said but surprisingly, he didn't have that accent like the doctor did. His English was perfect.

"Since you can't remember a thing, I'll have to give you a name, Valery should be good." He said and I smiled.

"Quit smiling so much,do I look like a clown?" He nagged. "What am I supposed to do,frown? Are you some kind of demon that I should be afraid of? Or should I rather shiver in your presence?" I fired back.

"You will soon, and I'll only let this go because your nuts are loose and you're a little girl. I saved your life and you know what? I could end it in the blink of an eye if I want." He snapped.

"I'm sorry your supreme highness, please forgive my impudence but may I know your name?" I asked arms akimbo.

"Dimitri." He said, sharply.