I knew he would be right—Cy is always right—but I let my stupid expectations take over.
When I step into the room, I sense movement. At first, I think it’s Vaughn, but then I register the different footsteps and pull out my gun.
But it’s too late.
Someone hits me upside the head, and as I fall, a thickly accented voice says, “Your father wants to see you, Yulian.”
31
VAUGHN
Yulian, answer my calls.
Where are you staying? I’ll come meet you.
Listen, I know you’re upset by what I said, but it’s the truth of where we are. We can’t change our identities, and we can’t live openly in the public eye. Even you must know that we have to be careful. But understand this—I love being with you. It’s not only about sex, and you’re not just a casual fling to me.
I care about you, Yulian, okay? I care about you a lot.
I want to go back to the house, where it’s only the two of us. I’ll take a few days off during the week and make up for my absence this weekend. How does that sound?
Is it so bad to just have each other without the outside world interfering in what we have?
He ignored me.
Didn’t even read my texts.
It’s the following day, and he still hasn’t picked up my calls. His phone goes straight to voicemail, so maybe he’s on a flight back to the island.
I pace the length of my childhood room after a sleepless, restless night. I’d rather be in my own place, but Mom insisted I stay.
Insisted, as in she and Dad barely took their eyes off me after that sudden meeting with Yulian. I tried to act composed, but undoing my bow tie and checking my phone every two minutes for his name didn’t exactly help. Their suspicions only grew, which is why I’m here now—tucked under their watchful wings, where they think I’m safer.
And it’s all because Yulian decided to crash the party.
Honestly, I should’ve suspected that he might show up, but then again, he’s so unpredictable sometimes, I don’t know what the hell to expect.
But I don’t like the silence. It’s not like him.
I’d rather he’s upset with me while talking to me instead of this complete withdrawal.
Stopping in the middle of the room, I text Gareth, as himself. He called me for help the other time, shattering the illusion between real-life Gareth and the Reddit one. And now, we just talk normally, as friends, and Ineeda friend right now.
I complained to him once about how Yulian draws attention like a magnet. People hit on him even when he’s in a damn helmet.
Gareth called him a fuckboy and said that I deserve better.
But that’s not true. Yulian’s been loyal since the moment this started. He never flirts back—though he does smile, and I hate that.
Those smiles are mine.
What? I don’t share.
Me
I think I messed up.
Gaz
