جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

- CHLOE -A day had passed since I came to Armsville. Brian and I still hadn't spoken to each other.I knew we had broken up and we didn't even need to say to each other. However, coming to terms with it wasn’t as easy as I thought it’d be.But then again, my Dad was having a hard time, even though he kept trying to hide it from me.So I decided to be there for him.Coming to Armsville now, it dawned on me that my Dad might have been broke than I thought.“Dad, do you need some money?” I couldn't help but ask when I saw that he sold one of his luxurious cars.“C’mon, sweetie, what makes you think that? Because of the car? I sold it because the engine got bad,” He brushed it off like it was nothing.But I could tell he was lying.My heart ached for him. He must have been going through a lot alone here in Armsville while I was busy having the time of my life with Brian.I blamed myself for not noticing this earlier.This was all Brian’s fault.“Are you sure?” I asked him.He smiled and

- CHLOE -Hearing those words roll off Vasili’s tongue did things to my body.I had never felt this way before, not even when I was with Brian.I knew my answer would determine how the night would pan out. I mean, I could have easily said no.But I didn’t.Instead, I nodded in acceptance.“Are you a mute? I want you to speak to me. How do you Americans say that word,” He paused, and thought for some seconds. “Aha, ‘Use words’.”Looking at him up close he didn't look old like my Dad.Aside from the faint line near his eye, Vasili didn't look that old.“I promise I’ll make tonight worth your while,” I told him, tracing the lines on his dragon tattoo.Where I got that body from, I couldn't tell.And for the first time, I saw him smile.“Do you want it here or should we go back to my hotel room?” He asked.Argh, his accent, I loved it. It sounded so alluring.“The latter,” I answered with a smile.His face scrunched up in confusion, trying to figure out what I just said, and it made me ch

~~ CHLOE ~~“Go on a date with me,” Vasili smiled.My heart skipped a beat when he said that.I didn't understand why he would want to go on a date with me, even after knowing that I was his best friend’s daughter.And also knowing that I was engaged.“I’m engaged Sir, in case you have forgotten,” I reminded him and he scoffed in amusement.“To that… Boy?” He pointed in the direction of the living room. “Listen to me Chloe, that kid isn’t good for you.”Hearing him talk about Theodore that way set my mood off.Theodore was a nice guy.“He is a 24-year-old. He is a man, not a kid,” I defended.Vasili’s jaw locked and he scoffed in exasperation.“Whatever you see him as, I don’t care. In my eyes, he is a kid,” Vasili said.“Why even ask me out on a date?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest.He cussed under his breath in his Russian dialect before he looked at me.“Forget about the date. It is my job as your Dad’s best friend to protect you from boys that come into your life to destr

~~ VASILI ~~“Are we done talking?” Chloe asked, making me stop in my tracks and turn to her.“I believe we are,” I answered her.Then I turned and began to walk away again.“Where are you going?” she asked.“To get your Dad,” I told her.I did not look back at her again. I could feel her eyes on me. I could almost feel her breathing behind me even though she was far away.It unsettled me more than I wanted to admit. But in a good way.Every time I stood too close to her, something inside me shifted in a way I could not control.I walked to my car with steady steps. I had already decided to keep my distance from her.That was the only way to stay in control. Being around her made control difficult.She was trouble.Not because she was loud or dramatic. But because she made me feel things I had no business feeling. I hated that about her.I drove to the convenience store she had mentioned. The whole way there, I kept replaying her expression in my head.The way her eyes filled with tea

~~ CHLOE ~~When my eyes and Vasili’s locked, Everything slowed down.The music in the hall seemed distant, and the chatter of the other guests faded into the background. For a moment, it felt like the room was only big enough for the two of us.But Vasili’s expression did not change. No surprise, no smile. Just a cold, controlled look that made my stomach twist.My heart began to race. I hated that it did. I hated that even though he acted like he disliked me now, I still felt drawn to him.Theo was standing beside me, but his voice faded. All I could focus on was Vasili. I could not take my eyes off him, and I realized I did not want him to.Theo noticed me staring. “Chloe, are you okay?” he asked gently.“Yes,” I said too quickly, blinking to break the intensity of my gaze. “Just… taking it all in.”Theo followed my line of sight and his eyes landed on Vasili. “Oh. Your Dad’s best friend is here,” he said casually. He did not seem surprised, but I could tell he was already calculat