The Next Calls and The Resolve
INT. ALIA'S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
Just then, her phone RINGS again. Without looking at the screen, Alia scrunches her forehead in annoyance. She answers the phone, her voice now sharp with irritation, replacing the earlier fear.
ALIA
(Calm, but with an edge)
Who is this?
(From the other end, the flattering, somewhat shallow voice of one of her colleagues is heard.)
COLLEAGUE (O.S.)
Hello, Godmother Alia! I hope I'm not disturbing you? As per your instructions...
ALIA
(Through gritted teeth)
Why did you call me? Hang up now. Leave me alone! I don't want to talk right now.
(Alia hangs up the phone quickly, not waiting for a reply.)
She almost throws the phone against the wall near the window, but controls herself at the last second. The sting of Victor's Father's warning is still fresh. Her life cannot be driven only by emotion now. She must harden her resolve.
Anashia and The New Path
Alia has just irritably hung up on her colleague. She knows that all her focus must now be on Victor's empire and securing her own position within it.
Just then, another call comes in. The name on the screen is ANASHIA. A flicker of relief and warmth crosses Alia's face. She answers the call.
ALIA
(A hint of exhaustion in her voice, but sincere)
Hello.
(A sweet, concerned voice replies from the other end.)
ANASHIA (O.S.)
Hello, Alia! Are you okay? I was so worried.
ALIA
(Letting out a sigh)
Yes, I'm fine. Tell me about you—are you doing well now, sweetheart?
ANASHIA (O.S.)
(Happily)
Yes, I am. I miss you. I truly miss you a lot.
ALIA
(Bringing resolve into her voice)
You can miss me, that's fine. But now, I want to separate myself. I don't want to be involved in... everything, the way I was before. I need to focus on my husband, Victor. As a partner in this empire, I must be more committed now.
(Alia pauses for a moment, and a new note of determination sounds in her voice.)
ALIA
And listen, there is a big event coming up. We are launching a new project. You are invited. If possible, please come. We will talk in detail then.
(Anashia sounds a little surprised but accepts Alia's decision.)
ANASHIA (O.S.)
Okay, Alia. I respect your decision. I will definitely come. I'll talk to you later.
(Alia hangs up the phone. There is no fear or hesitation on her face now—only a hardened resolve: to solidify her position in Victor's empire.)
The Kiss and The Crucial Steal
Alia has just ended the call with Anashia and put the phone down. The look on her face is no longer one of fear, but of the coldness of solid resolve. She knows she must now play her role as 'Godmother' Alia.
Just then, the sound of the door lock opening is heard. Before Alia can turn—
VICTOR (30s, intense, but softened by emotion) enters the room. There is no sign of irritation on his face, but deep affection. He quickly strides toward Alia, all his prior rage seemingly evaporated.
VICTOR
(With deep emotion)
Miss you, Alia.
Victor pulls Alia into a tight embrace. He seems to want to instantly erase all her fatigue and doubt. Alia is slightly surprised at first, but understanding the gravity of the situation, she gently hugs Victor back.
Keeping Alia held tight, Victor leans his face into her shoulder and kisses her neck. This is not just an expression of love—it is Victor seeking stability and sanctuary in Alia.
VICTOR
(Whispering into Alia's ear)
I handled the Margaret Zhaynkha situation. Everything is fine. Now it's just you and me.
Alia closes her eyes, feeling Victor's embrace. She knows their life will continue between this affection and conflict.
The Real Intent
Carrying the weight of Victor's Father's warning and her own new resolve, Alia seizes the opportunity presented by Victor's closeness and distraction. She knows this moment cannot be wasted. Her eyes are cold with calculation.
While Victor's emotion is at its peak, Alia very carefully, almost invisibly, guides one of her hands towards the inside pocket of Victor's overcoat (or trousers). Lost in his passion, Victor doesn't notice the slight movement.
Under the cover of the kiss, Alia swiftly removes a crucial device from Victor's pocket. It is a small, data-filled gadget, likely holding a secret of Victor's empire.
The moment the device is in her hand, Alia quickly hides it within her palm and pulls slightly away from the embrace. Her expression remains unchanged—she still smiles at Victor, as if only an exchange of affection has passed between them.
ALIA
(Softly, whispering)
I missed you too, Victor.
Alia now has the device safely concealed. Victor still looks at her with deep affection, unaware that in the intimacy of that moment, his wife didn't just kiss him—she stole something vital to his empire.
The Repentance
Alia successfully conceals the device. She steps back slightly from Victor's embrace, keeping the tenderness in her eyes to avoid arousing any suspicion from Victor.
Before Alia can fully withdraw, Victor pulls her close one more time. A look of deep remorse now crosses his face.
VICTOR
(In a tone of deep regret)
Sorry, Alia.
Victor kisses Alia's forehead tenderly, full of emotion.Repentance and Reassurance
VICTOR
For today... for my rage, for my senseless anger towards Margaret, and for not giving you time. You are my true strength. I am nothing without you.
(Alia composes herself. Despite the presence of the stolen device in her hand, she tries to calm Victor.)
ALIA
(In a calm, yet firm voice)
I understand, Victor. The pressure on you is immense. But the main thing is that no distance is created between us. That is what truly matters.
Alia holds Victor's face with her hands, and for a moment, all the complexity hidden within their relationship seems to melt away. Victor kneels, seemingly acknowledging Alia as his Empress. In this moment, Alia is outwardly comforting her husband, but internally, she knows she now holds a key to Victor's empire.
The Breakdown
Alia is trying to soothe her husband. Victor is kneeling, his face filled with remorse. As Alia looks at Victor's face, the unexpected happens.
The cool, hard-headed Lord of the Mafia Empire, Victor, suddenly tears up. First silently, then his sobs become audible. His whole body shakes, and he breaks down, resting his head on Alia's lap. This weeping seems to be a release not just for today's events—it's the accumulated stress, loneliness, and the burden of his brutal role.
Alia is completely taken aback. She has never seen this man—who carries the legacy of the Russian dynasty and the underworld, who can command billions with a gesture—become this emotionally raw. His tears shatter all her defenses.
Alia reaches out and gently strokes Victor's hair. Her hardened resolve slightly wavers. The presence of the device, his father's threat—everything momentarily becomes secondary. Alia realizes that this powerful man also needs shelter and empathy.
ALIA
(Whispering, in a soft voice)
Victor... what is wrong?
Victor is still crying, unable to answer. Alia holds him tighter, deeply disturbed by this vulnerable side of her husband, hidden beneath the tough veneer of the empire. Victor continues to cry, his strong shoulders trembling. This sight deeply affects Alia. She forgets her own resolve, her fear, and even the device hidden in her hand. She focuses completely on her broken husband.
Alia runs her hand through Victor's hair, her voice now filled only with sympathy and concern.
ALIA
(With deep emotion and tenderness)
Victor. Look at me. Tell me, what happened? Tell me. What is weighing so heavily on your mind? You are not like this. Please, don't hide anything from me. Tell me!
(Alia takes hold of Victor's shoulders and gently lifts him away slightly, so she can meet his eyes. Victor's face is wet, his eyes red. The gaze of this Mafia Lord is that of a helpless child.)
Victor tries to speak through his tears, but his voice is choked.
VICTOR
(In a broken, weak voice)
Alia... I... I'm tired. This pressure... this responsibility... I don't know how much longer...
(Though Victor's words are indistinct, Alia understands that this crying stems from the weight of power and extreme loneliness.)
The Destiny of Shadows
Alia holds her husband. Victor is still expressing his exhaustion and stress through his choked voice. Alia is now calm and resolute. That same cold resolve she forged after Victor's Father's call returns to her eyes. Her empathy transforms into a harsh lesson of reality.
ALIA
(Calm, but with an overwhelming firmness)
I know, Victor. I understand everything. I know how heavy the burden of this empire is.
(Alia now holds Victor by the shoulders and turns him to face her directly. She meets his eyes—there is love, but mixed with a message of brutal truth.)
ALIA
But there is nothing we can do, Victor. This is the rule. This is our life, the legacy of your bloodline. You are the King, and I am the partner of your empire. There is no room for weakness here.
(Alia takes a deep breath. Her voice now carries the weight of history and destiny.)
ALIA
This is the game of fate. This power, this darkness—it is part of our blood. The one we call The Destiny of Shadows. We didn't choose this life, Victor. It was chosen for us. We cannot sit here and cry now. You must manage your empire.