005

- CHLOE -

“What?” My brows creased in shock when Theodore brought out a ring.

So this was what he wanted to tell me?

This was so sudden.

I know I intended to get him to marry me somehow.

But after last night with Vasili, I changed my mind.

I didn't want to take advantage of Theo. I wanted to succeed on my own and earn my own achievements.

My Dad would be more proud that way, and my conscience would stay clear.

Marrying Theo for money made me feel like I was a gold digger, and I didn’t want that.

“Theo… I—” I wanted to decline, but he interrupted me.

“Please don’t say no. I have always loved you. Hearing how Brian treated you made me regret not trying harder to win your love back then. So please don’t turn me down now. Let me treat you like the queen you are,” He pleaded.

I looked into his eyes and saw the same sincerity I saw when he confessed his feelings for me back at high school.

I’d broken his heart back then, and I couldn't do that again. He had always been a nice guy.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it.

“I know that this is abrupt and you may not love me fully yet, but love can grow. I promise you won’t regret marrying me,” he added.

My instincts told me to say yes. That he was right and a decent guy. I was also sure he would treat me well.

So I began convincing myself that I wasn’t a gold digger.

Then I said, “Alright then. Yes, I will marry you, Theo.”

He sprang up and pumped his fists into the air, overjoyed. I chuckled at his excitement, convinced that I was making the right decision.

“I have one last favor. Can I see your Dad? I was, and I’m still a huge fan of his. He’s a legend to me. I’m hoping to get good tips about growing my company,” Theo said with excitement.

I almost teared up, but I sniffled the tears back.

So I nodded, touched. At least someone still looked up to my Dad, even after everything.

“Sure, we can go meet him now,” I smiled.

The waiter brought our meal, and we ate while Theo and I caught up on what we had missed in each other’s lives.

This all felt rushed, but I didn’t want to make Theo feel rejected again now that I knew what being rejected by the person you love felt like.

After we were done eating, I texted my Dad that I’d be coming home with a friend, and he said it was okay.

So Theo and I went to my house.

Reaching there, my Dad wasn’t in the living room, so I told Theo to wait while I searched for him.

After minutes of checking, I met him in the kitchen, cooking a dish I’d never seen before.

“I never knew that you could make international meals. What’s the occasion?” I asked him, impressed by his culinary skills.

“My best friend used to love this meal, and after over a decade of losing contact with each other, we reunited at the party last night. He is on his way here now. So I’m preparing this to welcome him,” My Dad smiled.

“You had a best friend and you never told me?” I asked him with an amused smile.

“I was angry that he left. But he explained why last night,” He answered.

I nodded in understanding.

It was great that his best friend was back. At least my Dad wouldn’t feel lonely anymore.

“Alright. I brought a man back home Dad. His name is Theodore Bane. He is a huge fan of yours and my Fiancée,” I said calmly.

“Really? So my little girl is getting married?” He hugged me tight in excitement.

I wish I were as excited as he was. But I guess I would as time goes by.

At that moment we heard the doorbell ring.

“That must be him. He really loved you when you were born. People called him your second dad back then,” My Dad chuckled and held my hand leading me to the living room.

I was all smiles looking forward to meeting my Dad’s best friend, but when we got there and I saw who he was, my jaw dropped in shock.

It was Vasili.

“Vas, welcome to my home,” My Dad said, hugging him.

My heart began to race a thousandfold to the extent I felt like it’d explode in my chest.

I wanted to disappear so Vasili wouldn't get to see me and know that I was his best friend's daughter.

“Even after these years your house still feels like home to me. I missed you, my dear friend,” Vasili said to my Dad.

Did Vasili not remember me or was he pretending not to?

Because he didn’t look shaken.

Then I remembered how his brows creased when he saw me just now.

The air tightened. I was trapped between guilt, desire, and dread.

Most of all, I was an inch from having a panic attack. The only thing stopping me was the slow and steady breathing technique I always used.

“Meet Chloe, my daughter. Your goddaughter,” He gestured to me and I forced a smile.

“Chloe meet my best friend and your godfather, Vasili Ivanov,” He gestured to Vasili who smiled.

“She has grown up so well,” Vasili told my Dad.

“Yes she has and this is her fiancé, Theodore Bane,” My Dad introduced Theo proudly.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Theo shook hands with Vasili.

But somehow Vasili’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.

The whole thing felt so awkward and complicated that I began to feel claustrophobic.

I wanted to feel guilty for having sex with my Dad’s best friend. A man who took me in like his daughter when I was little.

But the thing is, I didn’t regret it even a bit, and it made me feel like a terrible person.

“Uhm, I’m gonna use the restroom. I’ll be back soon,” I announced and the men nodded.

While I walked away, I could feel Vasili’s stare boring holes in my back.

I went into my room and began pacing thinking of my next move.

It all felt like a dream.

But Vasili was really here. I had to make sure he didn’t tell my Dad what happened last night.

Because one wrong move and everything would unravel.

However, I still remembered how good dick felt. How perfect his thrusts were. Just remembering all this and how I kept crying out in pleasure made me wet again.

Shit, this was bad.

I ended up leaving my room, knowing that Vasili wouldn’t want to tell my Dad that, “ Hey buddy, I fucked your daughter so hard last night.”

I was close to the guest toilet, heading for the living room when I saw Vasili standing.

It was like he was waiting for me.

“So your name is Chloe. It is a beautiful name,” Vasili complimented me with a smile.

So he did remember me. I wanted to tell him, “Please don’t smile that way. It makes my heart skip a bit.”

But I refrained from doing so.

Instead, while trying to keep my voice steady, I said, “You left last night without saying goodbye.”

He nodded, “I’m sorry. I had to or else…” He trailed off. “But it’s good we meet again, don’t you think?”

“Don’t tell my Dad about what happened last night. I know you won’t and can’t but I just wanted to remind you,” I told him and he chuckled, stepping closer.

“Who says I can’t? I am your godfather, remember I owe it to your Dad to tell him when his daughter is being… Naughty.”

My pulse spiked as he brushed his thumb across my lower lip.

I closed my eyes, savoring the touch and fighting the urge to kiss it.

“You still can’t resist me and you want to get married to that boy?” He teased me, his voice low and filled with amusement.

“Stop. Doing that. Don’t come close to me, and don’t… Don’t touch me,” I said, stepping back even though every fiber in my body ached for him.

He raised his hand in surrender, giving me space. I felt empty without him near, and I hated it.

“I never seem to be able to keep anything from your Dad. He has that effect on me.,” He smiled slyly. “But I promise to stay silent… Under one condition.”

Dreading his response, I swallowed, and asked, “What condition?”