Lorraine Lebedev

"Lora." A sweet voice called out my name, I moaned and shifted in my bed. The voice gently laughs then shakes me, which awakes me.

I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was my mother's bright smile stretched across her beautiful face.

"Freshen up, we are going out in an hour." She announced.

I licked my chapped lips and lifted myself up, resting my head on my bed's leather headboard.

"What time is it?" I asked, my voice coming out raspy. "It's noon." she said before leaning in and pecking my forehead. "I'll wait for you downstairs."

She soothed her beige colored trousers before walking away, shutting my bedroom door leaving me in silence.

I sigh and purposely drown myself in my silk bed sheets.

I just want my birthday over and done with.

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"Let me see Lorraine!? " My mother wheedled with excitement.

I soothed the sleeveless satin red long dress that touches the floor, it has a deep split between my thighs with a revealing cleavage. I don't have to wear a bra with this dress, so my sensitive nipples rub against the fabric.

I took one quick glance in the full body mirror before walking out of the changing room.

Her blue eyes lit when she saw me, her painted red lips stretched across her face.

"Sweetheart, red looks beautiful on you." she chipped.

I pressed my lips together.

He crept into my mind as his soothing voice called me red repeatedly.

I shook him out of my head and cleared my throat.

"I think we have found the one." She cheered as she adjusted my dress. "Don't you think?" She inquired.

Her blue eyes searched mine then her smile faded when she noticed that something was off. "Lora?" Mother trials off.

I lightly shook my head dismissing her. "I'm going to change." I uttered then walked back into the changing room.

I took slow deep breaths, staring back at the girl in the mirror.

My auburn red hair fell in soft cinnamon curls swirling to my round face that was as sweet as a white chocolate button. My eyes were the blue of every dancing sky. My eyes and hair always made me picture the image of fire and water. A spray of freckles blessed my skin, like little stars in the sky.

I was a spitting image of my mother but I was nothing compared to her.

She is the purest woman I've ever met. I've always wondered what an innocent soul is doing with a man just like my father who found enjoyment in torturing and killing.

Who was merciless and is known to be incapable of love.

Removing the dress, I neatly placed it on the wooden stool and dressed myself back into my normal clothes which was a black cargo pants, black polo neck and topped it off with my beige coat since it is cold outside and my black boots.

I gathered my belongings including the dress and stepped out of the tiny room. My mother and I paid for the dress including accessories that caught her eye.

We've been roaming around the mall for hours looking for a dress that she can wear tomorrow, I got tired so I offered to take a break and grabbed something to eat.

She agreed and we are currently sitting in a fast food restaurant with burgers in front of us.

"Have you spoken with your father?" She asked out the blue. I shook my head then took a bite of my burger.

A minute of silence passed between us before she raised a question again.

"Lorraine, what's bothering you?"

I looked at her with a stuffed face and forced a smile. I quickly chewed the food and swallowed, then took a sip of my Coca-Cola.

"Nothing. Why ask?" I lied. She shook my head.

"I'm your mother darling, I know it's not the Katina situation, something else is on your mind. What is it?" She asked, her gaze glued onto me.

I looked away and pressed my lips together.

"It's about a guy?"

I turned to look at her wide eyes. "How did you-"

"Lorraine, I am your mother." she paused. "Now tell me, why is this guy troubling your peace."

I lowered my gaze to my half eaten meal.

"For a very long time, mother, I've been denying my feelings towards him. It frustrates me whenever I think about him and what frustrates me more is that I can't fucking control it." I blurted out without thinking. "Sorry." I apologize.

She caught me off guard by placing her hand on mine and gently squeezing it. "Why are you denying your feelings?"

"Because he and I are opposite and what's funny is that I complain that I want to be near him but when I see his face, the only thing I feel is hatred and also this fuzzy feeling." I stated before picking up a fry and shoving it in my mouth. "Does your father know about this?" She questioned. I laughed nervously. "God no! Him knowing will-"

"Oh, I see this 'guy' is someone you're not supposed to be with." she chuckled.

My eyes widened and she noticed that I started to panic. "I was in the same situation with your father. His lifestyle was far different compared to mine. I met him during my early twenties. It so happens that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. You know how my dad was a police officer oh when he found out I was in love with a criminal he was beyond angry, he disapproved but that only made your father want me more. I guess I was a forbidden fruit to him, my sister was there for she supported me but sadly you know she fell for your father which drove us apart."

"Did he eventually approve of you and dad?" I asked. She chuckled. "Oh no, never. He stopped talking to me which led my mom to relapse with alcohol and she died. Months later my dad was killed in a robbery, so I lived with your dad for a couple of years then we had you and got married." She explained.

A part of me was stunned to speak because my mother rarely opens up about her family. The only family member I've met was her sister.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that."

"It's all right sweetheart, on the bright side I was gifted with you." She boasted which brought a smile to my face.

"But what I'm trying to say is that love is wickedly beautiful. It is phenomenal sure it has its downsides but once you find one. You will know." She paused and searched my eyes. "Follow your heart my little love, no matter what painful shit the world has to throw at you. Stand up and fight back alright."

"When I first held you in my arms, I knew I was blessed with a rare baby." she said.

"Rare is beautiful, just like you Lorraine."

A single tear rolled down my cheek, my mother noticed it and she reached over and brushed it away with her thumb.

No matter what the world threw at her she would manage to put a smile onto her face and she stood her ground and fought through pure kindness and that was one of the reasons why I loved her past the moon and beyond the stars. I could imagine that it would break me completely if she was taken from me.

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"You look beautiful."

I looked through the mirror and saw my father standing by the door with a box in his hand.

I flashed him a small smile and thanked him.

I wore light makeup and my hair was done into an elegant updo with pearls. I wore black heels to match with my red dress with rhinestone tassel drop earrings that also comes with a rhinestone choker.

I haven't said a word to my father since the day of Katina's accident, plus he was not home my guess is that he was too busy torturing Raphael for information.

"Your mother sent me here to give you this." he said while he approached me.

"Happy birthday." he said then handed me a small box I was about to open but he stopped me. "You will open it after the party," he stated. I was about to ask why but he beat me to it. "Your mother's rules, not mine."

I lightly chuckled then set the gift on the table next to my full body mirror.

"Let's go, we don't want to be late."

"Yeah." I replied.

I grabbed my belongings and my father and I were escorted to the limousine that will take us to the location of my birthday party.

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As soon as I entered the massive building an uneasy tensed feeling danced in my gut. I'm not sure why but I felt like something was off...

Maybe I'm exaggerating and it's just the nerves.

Everyone wore a dress or suit which will be discarded by the end of the night. Greetings were offered out along the marbled path. Dainty fairy lights added a surplus amount of color, the full moon provided a natural light which held the main event.

Exchanges of gifts and blessings were made- a sweet melody was drifting through the busy atmosphere.

Haletta waved her way through the crowd as he approached me.

A collection of violinists, harp players and pianists were placed at the far end of the hall.

"You look gorgeous." she hollered. "So do you! I noticed you dyed her hair blonde." I pointed out and she gently patted her short wavy hair. Her makeup was mild and it suited her. She wore a black dress that reached thigh topped off with a leather coat and red heels.

"Wow, your parents have gone all out." She commented.

I adjusted my purse on my shoulder and thanked her. When a waiter passed by with a tray I quickly grabbed a glass of champagne and gulped down the liquor to calm down my nerves.

"Woah, take it easy Lorraine." Haletta teased.

This is going to be a long night.

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"Attention, everyone." My mom called out as she clanged the glass with the fork to gain everyone's attention.

Once everyone settled down, my mother set the glass on the table and adjusted her black dress.

"I wanted to thank you all for attending my baby's birthday. This means a lot to me and my husband." She announced.

Father rose from his chair and kissed her on the cheek.

"Anyway, my family and I have come a long way and believe it or not we sacrificed a lot just to be here today. Lorraine is the best thing that has ever happened to me in a very long time." She turned to look at me and smiled which warmed my heart. "We love you sweetheart and happy birthday."

She raised her glass and everyone else did the same. "Too many more years filled with love and joy!"

"Happy birthday Lorraine!" Everyone cheered and laughter filled the room. The music shifted from calming to classic jazz.

My mother pulled me into a hug and her lavender scent filtered my nose, sending shivers down my spine.

Her scent will forever be my favorite.

My father kissed me on the cheeks and wished me a happy birthday. Before I could thank him his phone rang, he read the screen and his face hardened which concerned me.

"Excuse me." He said before walking away.

My eyes followed him until he disappeared into the crowd.

My chest tightened and that feeling that I got earlier on was back.

"Mother." I uttered.

She turned to look at me with a smile on her face which quickly faded when all the glass windows shattered into millions of pieces, screams and gunshots rumbling within the walls.

"Lorraine!" My mother screamed. "Mother!"

My eyes wandered, searching the large building for my mother. All I could see was people running away, hiding under tables, my men or uncles pulling out their weapons and opening fire.

My whole body was frozen as I watched people die right in front of my eyes.

I was forcefully pulled away, my breathing was heavy when I saw my mother dragging us to safety.

We stumble across dead or injured bodies. Cries and screams tortured my ears.

I wanted to help them all but I couldn't.

Before we could reach the exit, my mother's body fell to the ground.

"Mother!" I shouted and rushed to her.

My chest tightened when I saw her blood on my hands.

Then I realized she was shot right in the chest.

-

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