“Of course, babe. Who are you bringing?” she asks.
“It’s just Jenni,” I answer quickly, not wanting to explain too much.
“Oh, okay,” Maria gasps, a teasing lilt in her voice. “I thought you found yourself a man. Never mind.”
I can’t help but laugh at her response, a wave of amusement washing over me, even though part of me is still simmering inside. “Nope. Just Jenni.”
We laugh together for a moment before the conversation quiets down.
“Thanks again, Maria,” I say, my voice softer now. “I’ll let you know when we’re heading out.”
“Anytime! Go have fun, Zoe. Loosen up, okay?”
“Will do,” I reply, then hang up the phone.
I sit there for a moment, looking down at my phone, the weight of my decision settling in. I don’t even know what I’m looking for by going back. Maybe it’s curiosity, maybe it’s obsession, or maybe it’s just a way to regain some sense of control over all the chaos swirling in my head.
I quickly text Jenni as I hurry into my bedroom to take a shower:You want to go to the club tonight?
Her reply comes almost immediately:I wish. I’m out with Ben.
I roll my eyes, even though I know Jenni can’t see me. Ben. Her on-and-off boyfriend. To be honest, I don’t even understand why she’s still with him. He’s always been a problem—too immature, too unreliable. He doesn’t deserve her. But she insists on holding on, and I’m not going to argue with her.
I quickly text back:Okay, babe. Have fun.
Thanks, will do,Jenni answers.
I sigh, my phone still in my hand. Part of me considers just going to the club alone, but I don’t want to. If I do find Lukin in the club tonight, I need a buffer, someone who would keep me balanced and anchored to the ground.
But there’s no one to go with, and I’d rather brave going alone, than sit here and wait in silence, consumed by thoughts of Lukin while the next bouquet gets delivered to my door. What would it be this time? Chrysanthemums? Lillies? I don’t care. I throw my phone on the bed and head into the shower.
I’ll go alone.
Chapter Ten - Lukin
I sit in my office, the soft hum of the city outside my window barely reaching my ears. The room is silent, save for the occasional clink of my pen as I tap it against the desk. I’ve been here for hours, trying to drown myself in work, to escape the thoughts that have been circling in my mind nonstop. My work has been dragging a bit these past few days, thanks to a certain curvy girl with hazel eyes and wild auburn curls.
As I struggle with this, Arseny walks into my office without knocking. I look up sharply, and his eyes flicker to me for a brief moment before he begins. He knows better than to waste time when I’m in one of these moods.
“Everything is in order, Boss,” Arseny starts, his voice steady. “But there are some things you need to know.”
I don’t respond right away, just nodding for him to continue. His gaze shifts to the folder in his hands, the same one he’s been updating daily with information about Zoe. It’s become a ritual. A fucking obsession.
“Zoe’s been rejecting everything,” he says, his voice a little tighter than usual. “Flowers—she’s been throwing them out. The black orchids, the roses… everything.”
I don’t flinch. I don’t react. But inside, there’s a tight knot of frustration building. She’s rejecting me?
He keeps talking, unaware of the storm in my chest. “She’s disregarded the protection detail you assigned. The man you had shadowing her? She yelled at him, told him to stay away.”
I hear the words, but they feel like they’re coming from a distance. My jaw clenches, and I stand up, pacing the length of the room, my steps deliberate, controlled.
I know what she’s doing. She’s pushing back. She’s trying to maintain control. Trying to remind herself she has some say in all this.
But she doesn’t. She doesn’t know what she’s dealing with.
I turn away from him, trying to push down the surge of irritation that’s creeping up on me. But it’s no use. The frustration, the desire—it’s all boiling over now. I’ve tried to give her space, but that’s not what she needs.
“Where is she now?”
