Danica POVThe next day, Dmitry took me to see a lady about a dress. Well, not the actual dress.The lady who he repeatedly called ‘B’ took my measurements and showed me a bunch of fabrics. Not that she wanted my opinion. Just wanted to know how they looked against my skin.Then she pushed us out the dress shop, claiming to have a lot of work to do in such a short time.Afterwards, we met up with his parents. They too were a fan of the Italian restaurant on the lake. I was sad to hear Cory wouldn’t be joining us. He served as a buffer when Dmitry’s parents were around.Thanks to him, I hadn’t been alone with Mrs. Hardin since that day in Dmitry’s room. And I was thankful or it. Her tone and meddling comments left me feeling untethered in a way I couldn’t explain. She was part reason why I was at odds with Dmitry and not seeing him all week. Her words lived free in my head every quiet moment I spent alone. ‘I can’t tell if you are so important to him that he wants to keep you a secret
Danica POV“Do you want to go to the lake with me?”Cory’s head popped up from couch to see me holding a brown straw basket I found in Dmitry’s pantry. I packed a few chips, drinks, and sandwiches. Only two though, in case Cory decided he would rather spend his day playing a couch potato.I also packed a small blanket and towel.I would have asked Dmitry, but he was at work.“Is that food?” Cory asked.I smiled and nodded.“Then alright. Just let me change my clothes and I’ll meet you outside.”I nodded and hurried out the door. I didn’t want to risk running into Mrs. Hardin.The moment I stepped outside and saw a town car pull into the driveway, I instantly regrated coming out of my room.She got out to the car with a small bag in tow. Took one look at me and said, “Off to do nothing?”There was a small line between her genuine interest and her sarcastic comments. I lifted the basket a little. “Just off to the lake.”She held her nose a little higher. “Don’t you do anything else ot
Dmitry POV I came home to not so surprising dinner party. The only thing that kept it form being a surprise was the act that Cory warned me about it. My mother invited the Clements. The were in town for the Gala and were one of the only families who were bringing their two age appropriate daughters. Lacy and Margie. My mother was stepping up her match making game. Lacy just finished at Columbia and was on her way to be a lawyer. Margie was still in undergrad college at UCLA. Her major was undecided, but my mother didn’t care. So long as she came from a good family, she was on the list of eligible women I could marry. Mr. and Mrs. Clement would love it if I married one of their daughters, so they had no issue putting them on display. The entire thing sickened me. Nether of use were over the age of twenty-two and out parents were already trying to secure a wedding. “I can’t wait for this week to be over.” I whispered to Cory. “You’re not the only one bro.” I looked to him. “Oh
Dmitry POVOur parents decided to head to the Clements hotel suite for the night. They were going to entertain some other friends and leave us with the girls. Just another plan to play match maker.Cory had the bright idea for us to head to Erie for the night. Something about a party for a college buddy of ours. Just like most of our college friends, I hadn’t seen him in years. I hardly remembered he lived in Pennsylvania. Much less a few towns over in Eerie.We all stood in the foyer as he tried to convince us. “I’m telling you, we can gas up the Range Rover and be there in a few hours. We can get a hotel room in town and stay for the night.” I looked at the clock. It was only ten. If we left now, we could be there by twelve. Just when the party would get crazy.“We’re in.” Lacy gave in.I on the other hand was ready for the night to be over. I needed to talk to my friend. I needed to know more about why he wanted to be Danica’s date to gala.“I don’t know. I’ve had a long day.”La
Danica POVThe morning after the party, I didn’t sleep a wink. Sleep should have been just beyond the horizon since we didn’t get home until five in the morning.Though my night didn’t go as intended, surprisingly, I enjoyed most of the night.Cory stayed near me the entire night, making sure no random guys approached me and to make sure I didn’t get stuck in some corner being bored. I appreciated that because Dmitry was acting weird again.He made up for ghosting me all week by finally inviting me to the gala and buying me what I hope to be a perfect dress. But then he left me feeling awkward again by basically all but screaming to his mother that I was attending and I wasn’t a date.To make matters worse, he refused to introduce me as anyone other than ‘Nobody’ to his friends. I felt like I was in high school again.Was he ashamed of me? Of our friendship?Those girls were like him. Wealthy.And I was something different. I had no money. No family. No future.One of the girls consta
Danica POVI tied my hair into a tight bun. A suggestion from Mrs. B at the dress shop.Next, I took the time to apply my makeup. Dmitry had a box from MAC delivered two days ago. It was full of things I never tried. Mascara. Eye Liner. Lip Liner. It was a world I never experienced.The most makeup I’ve worn included Lip gloss, lipstick, and foundation. Foundation mostly for the bruises. None of it was as fancy as anything in this box.I watched a few videos on YouTube. I was able to do a smokey cat eye with shiny pink accent to match the dress.Lastly, I applied a funny named lipstick. Film Noir. It was a frosted golden bronze liquid.I stared into the mirror for almost ten minutes before I decided to finally put on the dress. The very original amazing dress that Dmitry had made for me. All this time, I thought I was being fitted for a dress to be ordered from another city.The dress arrived just last night, special delivery and wrapped in a black box with a big pale pink bow on it.
Danica POVWe pulled up to the country club. It was on the other side of town and held the biggest ballroom in Riverwood.Limos lined up and down the circle driveway, letting people out to walk the red carpet. Cory mentioned a professional photographer waited at the end of the carpet to take a few pictures. But the space where we exited the car was packed with photographers and news anchors.“Why is there news crews here?” I asked and Cory answered as he straightened his jacket.“This Gala is more like a benefit. Hardin Industries raises almost 4 million each year to be split between two charities of their choosing. A few papers and new channels cover the event every year.”I had no idea this was such a big thing. Or even a noble thing. I assumed it was just a big party for rich people to get drunk and show off their fine jewelry. “What are the charities this year?”Cory responded. “This will be the first year, it’s just one charity. Domestic violence victims.”I tried to hold in my
Danica POV I suppose the night went on as a normal party of this stature would. We were served a three-course dinner accompanied by champagne in fancy flutes. I've always heard these kind of events leave the stomach wanting more and yet I was completely fulfilled. Not just with the food but also the entertainment. In the center of a dimmed stage sat not four, or six band members, but one lone violinist covering all the latest songs. I couldn't make out her face as she sat on a darkened stage wearing all black, but I imagined she was just as beautiful as her music. Enclosed in her own small garden surrounded by plants and vines. It was absolutely stunning. I kept my eye on her the majority of the night. I knew everyone at the table and still I had nothing to say to anyone except Cory and Dmitry. The entire table occupants consisted of me, my two guys, Lacy and Dmitry’s parents. So when each of them were away, I kept my eyes trained to the stage. Which was nearly the entire time I sa
EpilogueOne Year LaterDanica POV“I still cannot believe you’ve been living here in this house. With those two gorgeous men all year long. Every time I come to town, I’m still amazed.” Grace said while lounging on the float next to me.She was home for summer break, and we were enjoying a nice swim while Dmitry and Cory fixed a few poolside snacks.“First of all, I’m not living here with two guys. It’s just me and Dmitry here. Cory’s just visiting. Always visiting.” I laughed. "Just Like you are visiting me now."Grace flew in from Cali a few days ago. She was on summer break from UCLA. I was on summer break too from University of Pennsylvania. I started attending last semester since I didn’t apply on time last year. Now that I had money for college, the dream of getting a degree in English didn’t seem so far away. Thanks to my grandfather’s generous insurance money.I kept my grandfather’s house, though I didn’t live there. Instead, I visited a few times a week to study and write.
Danica POVDmitry and I lay comfortably across the couch with me nestled on top of him. We’d been laying here for nearly an hour without saying a word. Simply enjoying being in each other’s space. The kiss we shared was passionate and enticing, but nothing else was needed tonight.Another half hour passed before something started nagging at me.“What did you mean, you were here when Rick left? How did you know he wasn’t going to be here tonight?”He sighed. “There is something I need to tell you.”Dmitry shifted beneath me until we were both in a sitting position.“When you first came to work for me, I started looking into your family.”“You what?!” I jumped off the couch. “Did you run a background check on me?”He laughed. “No.” He leaned forward. “Well, not really.”I folded my arms across my chest. And sighed waiting for him to explain.“I didn’t have to wonder why you wanted to hurt yourself that day on the bike. I knew when the nurses were working on you that something wasn’t rig
Danica POVI slowly crept my way up the dark stairs, and down the restored hallway to Ricks room. Sweat covered my hands as I thought of all the things that could go wrong if opened this door and he was laying there waiting to meet his intruder.My mind became riddled with memories. I looped the hallway twice, struggling between leaving the house and opening that door. Finally, I came face to face with the bedroom door that used to belong to my grandfather. And now belongs to my father.I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open at the slowest pace my hand could muster. My eyes squinted at the small rust screech. I peeked through the small open space to see a very vacant, perfectly made bed. My head swiveled around the room as I pushed the door wider.It was empty. The room was neat and clear of sign that someone lived here. I expected to see Ricks clothes thrown across the furniture. And unmade bed with beer cans scattered throughout the sheets. But I found nothing.It is as
Danica POV I pulled off onto a dirt road behind my fathers’ property. I would cut across it every other day to go to Dmitry’s house when I was trying to hide the fact that I’d been working off my debt. I didn’t want my father to know I was sneaking in and out the house late at night. Even if I was working, he would find some perverted way to punish me for it. I parked the car and closed my eyes. I needed strength for what I was about to do. It was late and I had nowhere to go. There were a few hundred dollars in my account from being paid. Enough to get a hotel room at the cheapest motel in town. But I didn’t have a bank card yet. Dmitry took me to set up a bank account after I got my second check. I’d never forget the look on his face when he realized didn’t have one. I was eighteen with little knowledge of the world around me. It was almost ridiculous how much I had to learn to catchup with everything my classmates parents taught them outside of our normal school work. I cut t
Dmitry POVI disliked this night with a small portion of hate. Every year, we have to throw a big party, just to get our counterparts to give to charity.Small dinner plates. Entertaining music. Boring Speeches.I had half a mind to just write a check for the full amount myself. But my mother is always reminding me. This is how we make friends. This is how we leave our mark in life.Every year I plaster on my fakest smile. But this year was different. Its the first year my smile was real.I was happy though I couldn’t completely show it.From the moment I saw her in that dress, I couldn’t stop smiling on the inside. From head toe, hands down she was the prettiest girl tonight.Between her smooth copper tone, the rose gold shimmering of the dress, the dramatic gold makeup, and her hazel , Danica was perfect.There were so many times tonight I wanted to go to her. Sit with her. Chat with her. I wanted to know if she was enjoying herself. And every time I glanced at our table, I found m
Danica POV Dmitry reached for my arm once more, but I wiggled out of his grasp and burst through the door. I didn’t stop there. I kept going, making my way through the same crowd that gawked at my outburst. My feet didn’t stop there. I kept moving. A few seconds after pushing through groups of people, I heard Dmitry shouting my name and a few onlookers pronouncing their shock at his outburst. Still I didn’t turn back to look at him. I knew if I did, he would only end up embarrassed and I would end up hurt. Or should I say, more hurt. I kept going until I reached the front of the ballroom, just before the green artsy hallway. Standing near ballroom entrance was Lacy and her sister. I caught the tail end of her sentence. She noticed me just as the words came flying out of her mouth. “….nothing more than a common girl. No way is he interested in her.” My cheeks flushed as I brushed past them. This felt like school all over again. Mrs. Hardin gave Lacy the ammunition she needed to ke
Danica POV I headed for the garden inspired hallway we walked through earlier just before entering the ballroom. I was certain everyone would be here in the ballroom. They’d had their fill of artwork and beautiful greenery. I could be alone and still in attendance. I’d take some time to view the pretty paintings in the small walking spaces we passed. With my head aimed straight, I walked passed the patrons. I caught a glimpse of Dmitry, who looked bored. Caught between is father and another older gentleman. His mother was nowhere to be found. This would be the first time tonight she wasn’t hanging on her husband’s arm. Cory was nowhere to be found either. Just as well. He was good company, but I just needed a breather. Especially after being the center of attention for a dance that I don’t think ill ever forget. The hallway was nearly empty, I could hear a few female voices from one of the indented corners. No doubt they were marveling over the number of brush strokes in the paint
Danica POV The violinist began playing Turning Page by Sleep at Last. This was way too much of a romantic song to dance with Cory. He gave me an apologetic look, then leaned in to ask me, “Will you be able to find you way back to the table?” I nodded my head. Then he walked away to meet his mother and another young woman. I was just about to take my first step towards the table when I felt a hand lock onto mine. Instantly, I was pulled into Dmitry’s hold. My senses were invaded by his cologne. I didn’t realize until I exhaled, but I just spent the last few seconds inhaling all that I could. He smelled amazing. “What are you doing?” I asked as he placed his other hand in the small of my back. He smiled, “Dancing. What does it look like?” I quickly glanced around, confirming the feeling I got the moment he grabbed me. Eyes from more than half the room were on us. Just beyond the edge of the dance floor was Cory. He lifted his champagne flute with a subtle head nod. Though we didn’
Danica POV I suppose the night went on as a normal party of this stature would. We were served a three-course dinner accompanied by champagne in fancy flutes. I've always heard these kind of events leave the stomach wanting more and yet I was completely fulfilled. Not just with the food but also the entertainment. In the center of a dimmed stage sat not four, or six band members, but one lone violinist covering all the latest songs. I couldn't make out her face as she sat on a darkened stage wearing all black, but I imagined she was just as beautiful as her music. Enclosed in her own small garden surrounded by plants and vines. It was absolutely stunning. I kept my eye on her the majority of the night. I knew everyone at the table and still I had nothing to say to anyone except Cory and Dmitry. The entire table occupants consisted of me, my two guys, Lacy and Dmitry’s parents. So when each of them were away, I kept my eyes trained to the stage. Which was nearly the entire time I sa