The Last Time I Said Yes のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 29

Twenty Two Years Ago…I remember the sounds of laughter from my classmates in school. For a moment, I too was one of them, running around and chasing each other with a happy smile on my face. I forgot myself.That soon shattered when I saw my dad’s bodyguard in a distance, watching me with no emotion. He turned to leave and I took it as my sign to follow him. The other children didn’t even notice me walking away. They were too focused on playing and continued to do so as if I had never been there.Each step I took towards the parking lot felt heavier because I knew this would be reported back to my father. And then there he was, standing beside the car with the back seat door open, waiting for me. His eyes were cold as he watched me get into the car before entering himself.I sat quietly beside him. I didn’t need to say anything because he knows. He somehow always knew.“You are the successor to the Andreev Empire, and yet you waste your time running with children who will never matte

Alina PovI let my mother drag me back inside the house in total silence. When we re-entered the ballroom, we were greeted with music and chatter, and my mother went right back to her flawless expressions as if nothing happened. Every smile she gave to the party guests was delivered with the grace of a seasoned hostess.And she didn’t let go of me. Nah. She held unto my hand as if I’d run away if left unmonitored, but I didn’t fight against it. I’ve caused enough trouble for one day.My own mask didn’t feel secure. I kept thinking about what happened and what Mikhail is going to do. It all feels surreal, like did he really kiss me in my bedroom or did I black out for a few minutes and ended up dreaming?The party ended and the guests started to take their leave. Mother stationed herself at the grand doors as she bid the guests farewell. I couldn’t help but feel the sense of dread coming. I leaned against a long table set near the suitcase, and stared into the ground as I awaited the

The environment was dead silent as I parked my car outside the Andreev Tower, like the city was still asleep. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard- 7:21 a.m. early, just how my father liked it. That thought alone made me roll my eyes as I stepped out.The guards at the entrance stiffened at my presence. I gave them a single glace before walking past them. The elevator ride to the top was quiet except for the hum of the cables. I entered his office and found it empty. Of course it was.Dimitri is a man of ritual. If he says to be here at eight, he will walk through those doors exactly at eight. Everything about him was precision.I walked to the massive oak desk that ruled the room. The chair was turned towards the window, like an emperor’s throne facing his empire. I poured myself a glass of whiskey from his decanter on the side table and relaxed into his seat.The alcohol burned its way down and I sighed when I felt it hit home. I had thirty-five minutes to remember why I was here

Alina PovThe house was too quiet for a morning. It was always like that but today felt intentional. The curtains in the dining room were half-drawn, letting a polite amount of sunlight to flatter and reflect off the porcelain plates and golden silverware.I sat at the end of the dining table and rested my hands on my lap. A maid served a plate in front of me; scrambled eggs, sliced avocadoes, and toasted bread, beautifully arranged. My parents sat across from me. They were already half-way through their breakfast while I spaced out for ten minutes. I glanced at them.Mom moved so elegantly with a perfect posture and controlled movements as she ate. Dad was looking straight at me but wasn’t saying anything. He stopped only to take a couple of bites out of his food before resuming his original stance.I swallowed and decided to break this silence.“Am I really not allowed to leave the house?” I asked quietly. I didn’t mean to sound so small but I was finding it hard to find the confide

Alina PovThe silence after that was deafening. I rested my head on the wooden door while my senses came back to me. My heart was racing so fast I felt light-headed. When my eyes caught sight of the mess below, I realized what I just did. On the phone, and with Mikhail no less. My hands flew to my face. The embarrassment was hitting me in waves.I could hear his voice from the phone calling after me.“Alina answer me.”My face burned. “I…I, bye.” I cut the call immediately. I can never face him again. Living with my parents might not be so bad after all, I thought. But when an image of Harris popped into my mind, I shuddered at the thought.What is wrong with me?I slowly got on my feet and walked towards the sink, turning on the faucet. I couldn’t look at my reflection in the mirror at first, as if my reflection might accuse me. When I finally did, it startled me at first. My flushed cheeks, glassy eyes and swollen lips from continuous biting which did nothing to mute my voice by the