Chapter 10

ANYA

The next time I awaken, a sinewy arm is wrapped around my waist, my limbs are entangled with another’s, and soft snores are muffled in the crook of my neck.

The realization of what we have done crashes over me like a speeding train.

A chilling sensation creeps through my body as thoughts flood my mind, each scenario more horrific than the last. From Blake discovering our secret to the college authorities uncovering our relationship, everything spells impending disaster.

I wince while carefully freeing myself from Dimitri’s embrace. He seems to be a contented sleeper, showing no signs of stirring as he clings to his pillow once I slip away.

After climbing out of bed, I find I am wobbly in the knees, and my core is sore from the events of the previous night—well, and this morning. It seems I won’t be able to sit comfortably for a while. Standing straight also proves to be difficult, and I crash against Dimitri’s bookshelf.

A creak cracks through the air, and I wince again. Dimitri stirs in the bed, hugging the pillow I was sleeping on to his chest, but to the Lord’s mercy, he doesn’t wake up.

Rubbing my shoulder where I hit the shelf, I turn toward it. Something about it catches my eye for a few seconds before I recognize what it is. Despite its massive size and weight, I seem to have moved it from its previous position.

It might be an illusion, but I think the shelf is hiding something. Wood is visible behind it, and when I look closer, a metal object glints in the dim light. A knob, perhaps. But, needing to use the bathroom, I dismiss the thought. Besides, I shouldn’t pry.

After peeking out of the bedroom, I strain my ears for any sounds that might signal Blake’s presence or return home. Thankfully, the house seems as empty as it was last night.

I tiptoe to the bathroom, where I find my clothes hanging, and quickly dress. Just as I am about to open the door, I hear the front door open.

A gasp catches in my throat as I recognize the sound of a familiar voice whistling a tune. I take a peek to see Blake in the foyer twirling his key ring around his finger while he walks to the stairs.

I accidentally blurt out, “Oh, shit!” and then clamp my hands over my mouth.

Blake stops, and I hurriedly shut the door just before he turns.

“Dad?” he calls out, and I pray fervently that he doesn’t approach this area.

After a nerve-racking minute, Blake resumes his whistling. The sound of his footsteps echoes through the house as he ascends the stairs.

With the need to flee growing inside me, I risk a cautious check, exhaling quietly when I find him gone. I quickly step out and exit the apartment, closing the door carefully so that it doesn’t creak.

After a moment of deep breaths, I mentally say goodbye to the place where all my guilty pleasures came to life, silently praying to God to shield me from Blake’s wrath.

***

“Where were you all night?”

The voice startles me as I enter my apartment and lock the door. With a hand on my heart, I spin around, coming face-to-face with Vanessa. She is wearing a pink top, glittery shorts, and pearl hoops that dangle beneath her curly locks.

“Holy heck!” I exclaim. “How long have you been waiting here?”

She crosses one slim leg over the other as she sits on my couch. I have always been jealous of her legs; they are perfectly shaped.

Her whole figure is like that of a Victoria’s Secret model. While my body isn’t as fine as hers, I am proud of my curves—they do amazing things for my boobs. Then again, I wouldn’t mind having smaller hips to easily slip into my jeans.

“Good work trying to change the topic,” Vanessa says, scrutinizing her long, pink fingernails before snapping her eyes to mine. “Where the fuck were you?”

“You broke into my house?” I ask, placing my hands on my hips while I remind her who the guilty one here is.

“You gave me an extra key, remember?” she states in defense.

My mind still stuck in Dimitri’s bedroom, I only half hear her words. I don’t have the mental capacity to fight right now, but Vanessa must be misreading my blank look.

Her expression falls, and she says, “I’m sorry,” her gaze shifting back down to her hands.

I snap back to the present, my heart immediately melting at the sight of her cute face. I force a smile and try to sound as genuine as possible when I say, “No, I’m sorry. I’ve been making shitty decisions, and my mind is all over the place.”

After sitting on the couch beside her, I raise my arms to her, and she hugs me. I hold her tight, the friendly warmth of her body relieving some tension in me. It suddenly feels like I haven’t seen her in ages, and a sense of missing her overcomes me. I am glad she is here.

“How shitty?” Vanessa asks when I let go. Her nose lifts as she sniffs the air between us. “Wait a minute. You smell like sex. And that hair?” She backs away, giving me a once-over, and her jaw drops open. “Oh my god! Anya Genelia Renée, did you have a one-night stand?”

She is really good at this. I have to be more careful next time.

My cheeks burn. “I don’t want to talk about it.” I sit back on the couch, sinking into the material and groaning when I register the pain between my legs.

Vanessa leans in. “Who was it?”

I give her a disappointed look, my memories of last night playing in my head like a viral YouTube video. “Promise me you won’t be upset.”

Vanessa nods. “Promise. Now tell me. Who is he?”

“Dimitri Rossi.”

She recoils as if I have slapped her. “What the fuck, girl? What the fucking fuck? This is the motherfucking worst news! What the fuck!”

“Nessa, calm down,” I say as she springs up from the couch.

But she isn’t listening to me. Instead, she paces around my living room, cursing to herself. “I shouldn’t have let you go to classes,” she mutters. “You were vulnerable, and I should have gone with you. Holy crap!” She turns to me, her gaze pitiful. “What are you gonna do?”

“It was just one night.” I shrug. “It didn’t mean anything.” As I say it, a wave of sadness passes through me.

~Is that true? Did it mean nothing?~

She pouts, her eyes carrying a solemn twinkle. “You’re in such a mess, girl. Promise me you won’t continue this with him. You might end up screwing his life and yours.”

Sighing, I say, “I know. But it’s…complicated. I don’t wanna talk about it. Just not in the mood right now.”

As much as she loves to dig into my private life, Vanessa also knows when not to. And since I respect her boundaries, she gives me space when I need it.

She uncrosses her arms and plops herself beside me on the couch. We extend our legs on the coffee table, crossing them at the ankles.

“Okay, that’s fine.” Vanessa waves both hands in the air as if wiping a board clean. “Anyways, I solved our little rent problem.”

My curiosity piques, and I face her. “How?”

Her cheeks pinken. “So this guy I met at the bar—very hot, by the way.” She fans herself to indicate how hot he is. “He and I kind of hooked up in the washroom, and then he gave me his card.”

“And?” I prompt, but she lifts a finger.

“Gimme a sec,” she says, keeping me silent as she stares at the ceiling with dreamy eyes, no doubt thinking about her time with him. After a moment, she sighs and continues. “He works at this club called Private Affairs. It’s a kink club where rich people go to explore their sexual desires.”

I widen my eyes, uneasy about the direction she is taking the conversation. “I have concerns about where this is headed.”

She responds with an eye roll, but her smile grows. “I got us jobs there as serving girls!” she says with a clap of her hands.

Stunned, I stare at her, my eyes unblinking as she blinks at me, her lips spread in a wide beam and her teeth glittering.

When she notices my lack of reaction, her brow furrows. “Why aren’t you happy?” she asks.

Rising from the couch, I look at her, still in disbelief. “You got us jobs at a kink club?” I repeat.

“What? All we’re doing is serving drinks. We get to wear cute outfits and listen to fun music. Just don’t tell anyone what we do, and we should be fine.” She drops back on the couch, placing her hands on her knees. “Besides, the pay is fine as hell. We could buy our own apartments if we work there for a few months.”

Money does sound good right now.

Having an easier life does sound appealing, and besides, I could help Mom and Dad too if the pay is as good as Vanessa is making it out to be.

“Okay, I’m gonna check it out and see,” I say, still not convinced. “Not totally liking the idea, though.”

Vanessa brightens at my statement, standing up and taking me by my shoulders. “C’mon, Anya. You know I won’t disappoint you.” She squeezes my shoulders for emphasis. “You trust me, right?”

Exaggerating an exhale, I nod. “I do.”

And it is true. I do trust her. She has never been one to have bad ideas. Me, on the other hand?

“Okay, then!” Vanessa chirps. “We start Friday evening. Cool?”

“Yeah. Cool.”

I should tell Dimitri I will be joining him in hell.