Danica POV “Now let’s get something to eat.” He said so casually. Like the money, he spent on that outfit meant nothing. When in actuality it was he who should be more upset than me about the dress. It was his money. It was his time spent trying to transform me.My stomach growled and he laughed.“Yeah. You’re definitely hungry and I know the perfect place to get lunch.” Dmitry picked up his keys and led me to the car.“Where’s Nancy?” I asked when we got back into his car. Her perfume still lingered in the small space.“She left.” His answer was short and simple.“Where are we going?” I asked when he turned away from town.“There’s a spot I know across the lake.”His phone rang, not giving him a chance to say the name of the restaurant.“This is Hardin.” He spoke in a tone I havent heard him use since we were in the hospital. The night he made my father look small in more ways than once.“Hardin!” I heard an excited voice come through the speakers of the car. “I hope I caught you at
Danica POV“I find that hard to believe. What happened to him?”“Him who?”“You’re boyfriend. What happened to your last boyfriend? You dumped him because you realize he wasn’t enough for you?”My lips curled but I couldn’t force them to form a smile for something I never experienced.“I’ve never had a boyfriend. Boyfriends complicate things and my life is complicated enough…” I paused trying to remember the exact way he answered me. “Having a boyfriend at this time in my life wouldn’t be fair to either one of us.”“Using my words against me. Not fair.” He said laughing again.“I can’t help it if it’s true.”“Touché.”The waiter brought our entrees and the conversation slowed as we began enjoying the pasta. It tasted like heaven in my mouth. “This is a nice change of pace from the lunch normally served at my school.”“Let me guess. Dry spaghetti. Grill cheese sandwiches. Pizza Fridays.”“And don’t forget the healthy glass of milk to go with it.”“If you like this, you would have loved
Danica POVThe school was still jumping with after-school excitement when he dropped me off. Though I didn't see anyone from my classes. I remembered Lucas mentioning something about a party after the senior pictures. Maybe everyone was there.I decided to stop by my locker before heading to my bike to place my book bag in the locker. There was no need to carry it home since I doubt if I would do any studying. When I open my locker, a note fell out. I opened it slowly not looking forward to seeing what I said. I knew it had to have been from a student. If it were from a teacher, it would have just been given to me tomorrow during classes.It read: ‘I notice you missed our class pictures. I was really looking forward to seeing you in that dress again. I hope everything is OK.’Signed L.It was from Lucas. We were going to be arranged in alphabetical order, which meant me and Lucas were going to be right next to each other.With my last name being Phillips and his last name being Pierc
Dmitry POV As soon as I dropped her off at the school, I knew where I was headed. I jumped on my phone and called the store. I told them I was on the way and needed it now and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. That dress meant so much to her. I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice when I tossed it in the trash. I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't help knowing that she lost something that she loved. Normally I could care less if somebody had lost something if they wanted. It wasn’t my problem. I mean that's not the way I was raised. My father raised me to disregard everyone else's feelings in business and life. It's our family first and that's life. But just seeing the tears in those big, pretty eyes when I picked her up today. That was enough to stir something in me. I got on the phone and made another call before arriving at the store. By the time I got there, my call ended and business concluded. But I didn’t have time to revel in my success. No
Dmitry POVI turned the car off once we were inside my garage. Danica hadn’t said a word the entire ride back to my home. Not even when I asked if she needed to go to the hospital. She just simply shook her head no. And not once did she look my way.I placed my hand on the handle of the door but took it off as soon as I noticed the stillness of her body. She wasn’t ready to leave this car. And no matter how anxious I was to get her inside to check her for injuries, I had to wait for her.After a few minutes, she snapped out of her trance and said, “Sorry.”I winced hearing her say sorry. She had nothing to be sorry for. “We can sit here all night if you want to.”When she remained still, I leaned back in my seat and waited patiently for her to show me something. After a few more minutes, I finally heard the sniffles. Which soon turned into heaving. “I…have…to..go..back!” She said. “Rick is going to be angry. You have to take me back!”Her door flew open. Somehow, I knew she was going
Danica POVMy eyes stung a bit as they embrace the sun beaming through the window. It took me a few seconds to realize that I wasn’t in my bed. The room was too large and too bright. And the sheets were way too nice.This was Dmitry’s bedroom. I rolled over to check for him, but I was alone. The last thing I remember was him laying down beside me.I didn’t want to be alone and when I asked him to stay, he obliged me.I expected Dmitry to pull back the covers and climbed in bed with me. But instead, he laid on top of the fluffy comforter, leaving me safely tucked inside.We lay there together staring at the ceiling until I fell asleep.The bed was still made on the side where he fell asleep. Or maybe, he fixed it when he left. The room was completely empty.I looked around for a clock remembering there was an electronic clock somewhere in his room. It was Friday morning and I should be heading for school.I got out of bed in search of two things. A clock and Dmitry.I had to go all the
Danica POV This past week has flown by with ease. Dmitry set me up with everything I needed. He replaced my phone and got me a new bike to ride to school. Though it wasn’t as fancy as the bike I wrecked, it was a lot fancier than my grandmother’s beach cruiser. I didn’t have any clothes or shoes, so he took me shopping once again. It took a little convincing but I was able to stop him from taking me to Lords. I didn’t want another run in with Angel. And I definitely didn’t want to have to throw away anymore expensive clothing. He took me to the local mall and brought several pair of jeans, shoes, skirts, and shirts. No matter how many things he bought me, none of it topped the food. I nearly threw up after eating four slices of pizza the first night we ate dinner. I hadn’t eaten that much in one meal in years. Even better, I slept like a baby. I didn’t have to worry about my father raging tempers. Was I going to wake to him ready to fight? Was I going to come home to find hm dr
Danica POV“I forgot to mention, I’m going out tonight.” Dmitry said interrupting my running imagination. I found myself dipping between thinking about my upcoming interview and his relationship with my possible new manager. Though I wasn’t sure what possessed me to think about the latter.“Big plans?” I asked.“Not really. Cory and I normally bar hop on Fridays. I’ll bring you home, then head out right after.”“Oh. Okay.” I said recalling he stayed in last Friday. It was the day after the incident with my father. Dmitry spent the greater part of the day and night making sure I was okay.“Do you have any plans tonight?” He asked.I shook my head, “No. Probably just read a book. Catch up on homework. I’ve got a big end of year project coming up and I want that to be the only thing I have going on.”“Really? Its Friday night. I mean I know you don’t have many friends, but there has to be someone you like hanging with. Or something you like to do for fun.”“Ummm. Reading is fun.” I stat
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