CHAPTER 5

The Dinner Table

The bruise on my wrist was a deep, ugly purple. I stood in the dorm bathroom, staring at it in the mirror while the shower water ran behind me. I didn't want to wash it off. I didn't want to wash away the feeling of David's skin against mine or the way his fingers had dug into my flesh when he lost control. He called it a mistake, but my body remembered it as a choice. A choice he was now trying to take back.

I got dressed slowly. I chose a white dress shirt that was crisp and stiff, making sure the sleeves were buttoned tight so the marks stayed hidden. I had to be the perfect son today. I had to be the boy Maya loved and the boy my parents were proud of. But underneath the fabric, I felt like a different person. I felt dangerous.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, Chloe was sitting on my bed, scrolling through her phone. She looked up and frowned.

"You're actually going?" she asked. "I thought you were stressed about the exam."

"It's Maya's dad," I said, checking my tie in the mirror. "He invited us to dinner. I can't really say no to a billionaire, right?"

Chloe stood up and walked over to me. She adjusted my collar, her eyes searching mine. "You look like you're going to a funeral, Leo. Or a fight. Is everything okay with you and Maya? You’ve been so quiet lately."

"I'm fine, Chloe. Just tired," I told her, forcing a smile. It was the same smile I gave my mother when I didn't want to talk about my grades. It was the smile that always worked.

"Just be careful," she said softly. "You’re acting like you’re carrying a secret that’s eating you alive. If Maya’s dad is giving you a hard time, you don’t have to impress him."

"I know," I said. But she didn't know. Nobody knew.

The River Club was the kind of place that made you feel small if you weren't rich. The lighting was low, the music was just a soft hum in the background, and the air smelled like expensive perfume and old money. I saw them sitting at a corner table near the window. The city lights were reflecting off the glass, making the whole world look like it was made of diamonds.

Maya saw me first. She stood up, her face lighting up with that bright, honest smile that used to make me feel warm. Now, it just made me feel cold.

"Leo! You made it!" she said, throwing her arms around my neck. She smelled like vanilla. I hugged her back, but my eyes went straight to David.

He was sitting there, a glass of dark liquid in his hand. He didn't stand up. He didn't even look at me at first. He was staring at the table, his face cold. He looked older tonight. The bags under his eyes were darker, and he looked like he hadn't slept at all.

"Good evening, David," I said, my voice steady. I pulled out a chair for Maya and then sat down directly across from him.

David finally looked up. His eyes hit mine. There was a split second of pure, raw panic in his gaze before he smoothed it over. He gripped his glass a little tighter.

"Leo," he said. His voice was a low, dry rasp. "I wasn't sure you'd be able to join us on such short notice."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. "Maya said you were home early. I thought it would be good for us to talk. You know, catch up."

Maya grabbed my hand under the table, squeezing it. "Isn't it great, Leo? Dad is actually taking a break from work. He’s been so stressed lately, I was worried he’d forget what a restaurant looked like."

"Work is important, Maya," David said, his eyes never leaving mine. "But some things require personal attention. I was just telling her how important it is to keep our circles small and trustworthy."

"I agree," I said. I picked up the menu, but I didn't read it. "Trust is everything. Especially when you're keeping secrets. It must be hard for a man in your position to know who to trust."

David’s jaw clenched. I saw the muscle twitch, just like it had in the penthouse. He took a long sip of his drink, his throat moving as he swallowed.

"We manage," David said. "We find ways to remove the things that don't belong."

The waiter came by and took our orders. Maya did most of the talking, telling stories about her classes and her friends. She was so happy, so oblivious to the war happening right in front of her. She laughed at something I said, leaning her head on my shoulder.

I looked at David while she was leaning on me. I wanted him to see it. I wanted him to feel the weight of what we had done. He looked away, staring out at the East River, his hand trembling just enough to make the ice clink in his glass.

"Are you okay, Dad?" Maya asked, her voice filled with concern. "You're barely eating."

"I'm fine, sweetheart. Just a bit of a headache," David said. He finally looked at me, and this time, he didn't look away. There was a challenge in his eyes, a silent plea for me to stop.

"Maybe it's the wine," I suggested. "Or maybe you're just carrying too much. You should try to relax more, David. Like you did the other night. You seemed much more… comfortable then."

Maya looked between us, her brow furrowed. "The other night? Did you guys see each other?"

The table went dead silent. I could hear the faint sound of silver clinking against plates at the next table. David’s face went pale. He looked like he was about to choke.

"No," David said quickly. "He must mean the gala. We spoke for a while then."

"Right," I said, smiling at Maya. "The gala. I guess I’m just getting my days mixed up. Everything has been a bit of a blur lately."

I felt David’s kick under the table. It wasn't an accident. It was a warning. I didn't flinch. I just looked him in the eye and took a bite of my steak.

When the bill came, David paid without looking at the total. He stood up abruptly, smoothing out his suit jacket.

"I have an early meeting," he said, his voice tight. "Maya, I'll see you this weekend. Leo, stay out of trouble."

"I'll try," I said. "But you know how it is. Sometimes trouble finds you."

He turned and walked away, He didn't look back.

Maya sighed, leaning back in her chair. "He’s so intense lately. I think his new business partners are really getting to him. But I’m glad you guys are getting along better. He seemed… well, he seemed like he was really paying attention to you tonight."

"He was," I said. I reached over and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I think he’s finally starting to see who I really am."

I walked Maya to her car and watched her drive away. Once she was gone, I didn't go back to the dorms. I walked toward the river, the cold wind biting at my face. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a private number.

I answered it, but I didn't say anything.

"I told you to stay away," David’s voice came through the line. He sounded breathless, like he had been running. "What are you doing, Leo? You’re going to destroy her."

"I'm not doing anything, David," I said, leaning against the cold railing. "I'm just being the perfect boyfriend. Isn't that what you wanted? For me to take care of her?"

"Stop this," he hissed. "I can give you money. I can get you a job anywhere in the city. Just name a price and leave us alone."

"I don't want your money, David," I said. I closed my eyes, picturing him standing in his dark office, alone. "I want to see you again. I want to talk about that 'mistake' you made."

"There is nothing to talk about."

"Then why did you call me?" I asked. The silence on the other end was my answer. "I’ll see you soon, David. Sleep well."

I hung up before he could respond. I looked down at my wrist and unbuttoned the cuff, pulling the sleeve back to look at the bruise one last time. It was fading, but the memory was only getting stronger. I wasn't just a student anymore. I wasn't just a son. I was a weight in David Petrov’s life, and I wasn't going to let him put me down.