Hmm what was up with Segei? Niki did set her free, and idk, maybe I'm naive, but he did let her go. As much as her being with anyone else would pain him. I believe in the end that he wouldn't hurt her that way again, because he knows that she would know. He can't stand to see her look at him in a bad light. So again, what was that crap with Sergei and even if it's true, who is he to say that to Jill.

I loved "I am not my Job." I also like that Niki told her that he would lie to her, if she asked him about what he did. I appreciate his candor, and that he's letting her know up front.

Jasmine told Sunny not to be afraid of the dark. Well if she wants to be in Niki's world, she will have to learn to light his dark from within. Although, I agree with some others that Niki's world isn't for Sunny.

Thanks for updating

@ Introspection-  I agreed with your deduction of Sergei.  I feel he is up to something.  Also with the hints dropping that he gave Jill.  HMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Hey Onimosity, you do tough well.. I feel like I am sitting on a razor’s edge here, waiting for this balancing act that is Sunny and Nikolai lives to either go south fast or make a laborious climb to each other. Either way – not good for my heart, lolol...

Would somebody please rescue me from Sergei and his machinations? There comes that feeling again that he is up to something. Every time I read about Sergei I have the urge to solve the riddle that he has become in this story and that Onimosity is entirely your fault and a testimony to your writing skills. You have kept him basically as a puppy dog for Sunny’s affection, seemingly harmless, but you have given subtle hints that he may not be all that he seems. I like that J. I like that a lot... Therefore at the end of this story his character could go either way (be the villain or the good guy).

Now I have questions, why is he so suddenly chummy with Jorge (yes they now work together and... so what)?  Why the need to talk to Sunny about Jorge? And why drop hints to Jil about Sunny’s relationship with her Nikki? And lastly why the cold behaviour and smirks at Jil if he (Sergei) has accepted that he is only her friend? And I know it couldn’t be because he believes Nikolai would harm Jil. He can’t be naive to believe Sunny is not enraptured by Nikki, for god sake he has been around her for over three years. Who says she doesn’t know that she is not free? I think she knows very well seeing that she a bodyguard following her around day and night reporting her movements back to Nikolai. It would have served Sergei well to have listened to the song Sunny was singing (and observe the amount of time she took to chose that song), while he chose to run off his mouth to Jillian. What then are his motives if not only to be grossly self serving and suicidal? WTF is his game plan here? Oh yeah I’m obsessing again.

Oh, the conversation between Sunny and Nikolai was bittersweet in many ways. I wonder if and hope she is really ready to hear about Nikki’s business dealings? He sure is not ready for full disclosure. He too is up to something and I like that J, because unlike Sergei, he is about making Sunny happy. But I sobered up real quick and felt sad, but respect him further, when he told her that he would lie if she asked about his day’s activities. I just hope time is on his side. You did well to show the contrast in Sunny wanting to do non-profit work and the shadow that has become of Nikolai’s business dealings. On some level we, the readers, don’t even know how dirty Nikolai has to get his hands. We do know that violence is part of his lifestyle but just how far he goes for his Russian boss it has not been fully revealed. And I like that J. When or if Sunny finds out so will we, I suspect. Keep the mystery going Onimosity... you have us all under your spell. I like how Sunny recalls her memories of her mom in times when she needs strength to deal with difficult situations and this situation is the toughest. Mothers are so good that way, aren’t they? And oh the very last question I promise - Vasily must live in Sunny’s building how else is he able to guard her all the time? Lol...  Ah the date, I can’t wait. Spin on Onimosity, spin on...

Have a great day... while I labour, I am going to listen to all the music suggestions made...

Loved the update and it was revealing how she was processing what she learned from her mother and the things that happened in her life.  Even though she loves Niki, I don't think she will stand by and accept his life. She is so conscious of they issues her parents had that I don't think she will allow Nik's world to jeopardize her brother's or her life.  Will Nik be strong enough to leave that life behind?  No matter how much he loves Sunshine, he has a lot of darkness in him that will not be easy to overcome.  Bittersweet yes, awaiting the next update.

Awesomely...Wonderful...Update!

Thank You!

This was a sweet update. There phone conversation was a hoot to read. There playful banter made me smile. I am still rooting for them to get back together and hopeful that Nikoli will open up more. Still dont trust Sergi, something not right there. Thanks for the update.

For a bridge chapter...I found it highly enlightening...

I love the flashback scenes of Jasmine/young Sunny...it adds so much depth, warmth, and insight to the story...I really appreciate those rare moments...Jasmine was really a wise sage...and she taught her daughter well in the short time she had with her...

This chapter actually gives me more hope that Sunshine and Nikolai can weather this storm together...not saying it will be easy in the least...but they can do it...I love that Sunny is now confronting/asking questions about exactly what Nikolai is/does...after all he is asking her to take a huge leap of faith on him by sharing her life with him...that means ALL aspects of his life...one should always enter any relationship with your eyes wide open...not with eyes wide shut...thusfar, Nikolai has diligently shielded her from his dark, stark world...but she needs to know everything...not just the sanitized version he has allowed her to see which was easy for her when she could envision a life without Nikolai...now, feelings have deepened...and they are both at a crossroad...he is a very dangerous man who lives in a dark and often unforgiving world...though he has humbled himself to reveal the depth of the love he has for her...he still has not show her the 'real' Nikolai...his true self...and will there ever be a time when he can leave that life behind for the woman who holds his heart...or will Sunshine have to compromise her principles to live within his world...looking blindly away from what/who he is...he is right...he is not the sum total of that life...but it remains a very important part of his makeup...will he get over his fear of losing her completely from his life to reveal what exactly he is...or will he trust her enough to love him as he really is...this is such a complicated tale...

I see Sergei isn't as dense as I thought he once was...he does realize that Sunny is not and probably will not be as 'free' of Nikolai as she claims to be...yet, I do not trust him...and I see him biding his time and then doing something to set things to a head...his conversation with Jil at the karoake bar was very revealing...and his obsession with Sunshine continues...

Can't wait to read more...you're killing this story as usual...hurry back...love this story...thanks for sharing!!!

I continue to enjoy this story.  She is trying to keep her eyes open and she is once again listening to the things her mom taught her.

Sergei and now Jil. Nikolai has all kinds of competition. He has to share his history with her to some extent. Jil  seems just as sneaky to me as Sergei.  I loved the conversation with her mom. Awesome update!

Interesting update. Hmmm, wonder if Nikki will ever leave that part of his life behind for Sunshine or will Sunshine accept all of him??? Jil is gonna be disappointed that Sunny is available to hom. Sergei may have gotten the only friends message now. I hope.

OK this chapter was bittersweet for me.  It answered some of my questions, but left me feeling more nervous for my favorite couple.

Things are getting shaky for Nikolai. He dirty dealings are going to come out.  If he doesn't confess to Sunshine, I bet Sergei will be more than happy to spill the beans. She should hear it from Nikki though.

Sergei is looking more and more like a coniving little bastard. Even though Sunshine doesn't want him, I'll be he makes sure that Nikolai doesn't get her back.  I'm sure he doesn't know how Sunshine feels about Nikki. Will she tell him though?

At least if Sunshine and Nikki don't reconcile (sniff, sniff), going to Paris will help her get over him.  I hope beyond all hope that he'll take a different path in life to be with her.

Thanks for getting this update out early so I can get some sleep.  I love this story and don't want it to end.  Thanks also for the regular updates. 

Another great chapter!  Jil better realize he can't have Sunshine either.

I really really really hate Sergei..really! He is a troublemaking cow. He brought gardner up on purpose and was about to tell Sunny's businesss to Jill. He is sickening. No matter what happens DO NOT let Sunny nd up with Sergei's behind..I despise him.

I am so nervous fro Nikki. I believe he should tell her about his business dealing , just come completely clean but I also think they need a time of healing first. I agree telling her now would be adding fuel to the fire and she would still be reacting off of the hurt from her father. I think if they have some closure from that incident maybe she could at least deal with the rationally. I agree Nikki is not his business. He has become a better man than he was before and he is seriously trying to change. If she totally rejects him now, it will either kill him or turn him so black there would be no coming back.

Although, it appears Sunny is planning a lif not dependent on Nikki ...traveling to third world's doesn't sound like a wife or mother...or gansters wife. I want them together but Nikki will have to let non legitimate part of his life go, if he can. He may want to but will they let him just walk away.

I am getting sad again because it seems so impossible for the two of them and Sunny with anyone else makes me sick inside...I am trying to remain hopeful but you are not making it easy sweetie.

Excellent updt and excellent story!!