Then Ani returned with a whiskey for Moushegh and one for Raffi, too.
“Thanks, but where’s your drink?” Raffi asked.
Ani smiled. “I never drink on the job. Though…I may have had a sip of yours.”
“Good on you,” Moushegh said to Ani, then took a swig.
Ani occupied the empty seat next to Moush egh. Uh-oh. Why was Ani sitting next to his father?
“You know,” Ani said quietly to Moushegh, so low Raffi could barely hear. “My grandfather was Toros Avakian, fighter in—”
“My God,” his dad said, his voice softening with recognition. “Toros Avakian. He fought in Artsakh, didn’t he? Under Monte—back in the nineties?”
Raffi blinked. His dad knew her grandfather. The wayDad’s voice shifted, like he was speaking the name of someone sacred, made Raffi sit up a little straighter.
Ani nodded, seemingly thankful for the recognition. “As you may know, he was injured from it. Went everywhere with a cane. But he loved that cane so much—it was made of cedarwood from Beirut—it became part of his silhouette, his presence. He even asked to be buried with it.”
Moushegh made some noises of discomfort, then said, “Well, such a fine cane, I’m sure. And such a man. He could wear that cane with pride.”
“Some might say you’re such a man.” Ani smiled at Moushegh.
And then something wild happened. Moushegh smiled back and said, “I wouldn’t dare compare myself to war heroes, but—”
“But,” Ani said, a full sentence to sit there, for him to consider. Then, she touched Moushegh lightly on the shoulder and added, “I have to go now, clean up this mess somehow.”
“You do that, my girl,” Moushegh said, entranced.
Both father and son stared in her wake. Then Moushegh turned to Raffi, his expression stern but with a flicker of softness underneath. He jabbed a finger in Raffi’s direction, his voice low and gravelly. “You better not do anything stupid. A woman like that doesn’t come around twice.”
27
Ani
Ani woke upin Kami’s Napa house to many, many texts. This was never a good sign, and before Ani had read anything, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
She decided to read Talar’s text first.What the hell? Is this true?There was a link, and it was from theDaily Mail. God help her.
Ani clicked it and held her breath.
The title read,Grace Zhang Pre-Wedding Drama—EX-GIRLFRIEND Wedding Planner to Blame?
Oh no, no, no, no. Ani read quickly.
No one’s star has been rising faster than Hollywood’s latest darling, Grace Zhang (27). The stunning actress has captivated audiences worldwide, with her viral video alongside legendary co-star Robert De Niro making waves across social media. And now, the world has been watching with bated breath as she prepares to tie the knot with entrepreneur Kami Mardian (30).
As fans eagerly await every detail of Grace and Kami’s upcoming nuptials, they were excited to catch a glimpse of the first major event: a traditional Armenian pre-wedding ceremony. This intimate gathering, honoring Kami’s Armenian roots, was held last night at the picturesque Ô winery in Napa. But what was supposed to be a night of cultural celebration and elegance quickly turned into a soggy disaster.
In a shocking turn of events, theDaily Mailcan exclusively reveal that the wedding planner is none other than Kami Mardian’s ex-girlfriend, Ani Avakian (30). Yes, you read that right—Grace Zhang’s picture-perfect wedding has been orchestrated by the very woman who once held Kami’s heart!
Nothing could have prepared guests for the unexpected drama that unfolded. Just as the guests sat down for dinner, a rogue water hose suddenly burst to life, drenching the exquisitely dressed attendees in a torrent of water. What was meant to be a serene celebration turned into an unplanned—and very unwelcome—water fight.
Was this just an unfortunate accident, or something more sinister? Guests were left whispering in dampened disbelief, with many speculating that this could have been a deliberate act of sabotage. Could Ani Avakian have used her position as the planner to exact revenge on her former flame, spoiling her special day with Grace?
While the soaking incident left everyone in a state of shock, Grace, ever the poised starlet,laughed it off with a grace befitting her name. But behind the scenes, tensions are said to be at an all-time high, with Grace and Kami reportedly questioning the decision to involve Ani in their wedding plans.
Will Grace and Kami’s wedding day be as star-studded and flawless as we all hope, or is there more drama on the horizon? One thing’s for sure—this is one Hollywood romance that’s anything but boring.
Stay tuned for more exclusive updates as we keep you in the loop on all the latest developments in this unfolding saga!
