26

Ares, Xavier and I hit the club as planned. Loud music filled my ears as I entered the place. My eyes caught sight of several people dancing—more like grinding against each other, not caring about anyone watching them.

"Let's go to the VIP lounge," Xavier spoke, his voice barely audible over the music but we managed to hear him because he was close to us. Ares and I offered him a nod before the three of them walked to the VIP lounge. I sat on the big comfortable couch while Ares plopped down beside me, his arm draped around my shoulders which I ignored. I then ordered a light drink, not having the intention of getting drunk.

"You haven't returned home all day today," Ares spoke up making me look at him as he continued, "you do realise that right?"

"I know," I took my glass from the man who was holding a tray in front of me and Ares who also grabbed his own, "my dad didn't even bother to call me, you do realise that right?"

"Proves how much your dad cares about you," Xavier muttered, drinking his own drink.

"Xavier, if you get drunk, you're gonna have to handle your own shit this time." Ares said seriously to Xavier who rolled his eyes, mumbling, "you always say that," under his breath.

"What happened last time?"

"He stripped himself naked and almost peed on the pavement," Ares responded, snorting which made me chuckle, looking at Xavier in amusement.

"Dude—" he threw his head back, letting out a groan, "—I've been trying to forget that and you keep reminding me of it. Fuck you."

"Some things aren't meant to be forgotten." Ares shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink.

"Hey, Ary baby!" Shouted someone in a high pitched voice making me snap my head in the direction of the entrance to see a woman walking in. She had a huge smile plastered on her face, her red hair tied into a bun and her green dress barely covering her body.

I looked at Ares with a smirk tugging at me lips, "who is this, Ary baby?"

Ares rolled his eyes at me before flickering his eyes to Xavier who had his head buried in his hands, "what the fuck is she doing here?"

"Well this is a public club and you haven't exactly banned her from here," I replied before adding, "and she even has a VIP pass so you should ask yourself the 'what is she doing here' question."

"Did I tell you how much I love you?" Xavier snapped his head in my direction, "no? Then I fucking love you!" I raised my brows at him, not knowing what else to say.

Xavier cleared his throat, "Not love—love. I mean the other kind of love. I don't love you like I wanna make you mi—"

I cut him off, "I got it. Thanks."

He grinned in response before both our eyes darted to the woman who was now standing right in front of Ares.

"Cal—" Ares paused, trying to remember her name, "—something. Why are you here?"

"Ary! Who is this girl?" The woman ignored Ares's question and asked, staring at me in disgust.

I took a sip of my drink before glaring at her, "you might want to stop giving me that look if you wanna keep your ugly eyes, Cauldron."

"Cauldron? It's Caldera! Not Cauldron! Bitch!" She scowled, "Ares, throw her out or you won't have me ever again!"

"Why would he want you when he has me?" I didn't know why I asked that question or how it even slipped my mouth. I did not intend to ask it yet I did. Did that make sense? Fucking hell—was I jealous? No—maybe?

"You're a nobody!" She rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips as she pushed her chest forward making Ares sink deeper in his seat, "I'm the daughter of Thomas Gilbert for crying out loud! My dad is a fucking millionaire and who are you?"

"I'm Alexia Ivanov," I responded with a small smirk when I saw a hint of fear flash in her eyes, "and you're definitely not lucky to have met me." Turning to Ares, I asked, "will you do the necessary or should I?"

"Get out, woman." Ares said sternly and seriously to the woman who stayed still, glued to her spot as she stared at Ares.

"It's Caldera not Calidera—" she bit her lower lip, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "—please, I love you, Ares! I don't want to be your whore anymore! I don't want to be someone you just fuck. I want to be your girlfriend, I want you to be mine!" 

"You don't have to be," Ares's voice was void of emotions, "I've told you a dozen times that I do not fucking love you. You were just a pass time, nothing else—now get the fuck out of here before I throw you out myself."

"You'll pay for taking Ares from me," she pointed her forefinger at me, her long nails inches from my face yet I stayed still, tempted to bite that nail off her finger. However, she removed her hand before I could do so, "you'll pay for this, Alexia. I promise." 

"Name your price, the money will be deposited in your bank account by tomorrow morning." I said earning a huff from her as she turned around and stormed out of the room.

"Ares," I looked at the guy, "I want you to know that I'm not one of your whores. As from now on, you're mine and I'm yours. I don't care that we've known each other for a short amount of time, alright? If I see any woman touching in inappropriate ways, I will not hesitate to put a fucking bullet in their vagina."

"If I see any man touching you in inappropriate ways," he flashed me a smirk, his hand going to the side of my face as he pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear, "I won't hesitate to shove their dicks into their asses. Capito, amore?" [Understood, love?]

"Sì. Abbiamo un accordo." I replied, mirroring his expression. [Yes. We have an agreement.]

"If you call dating an agreement then an agreement it is."

"So let me make a small little conclusion here," Xavier cleared his throat, "you guys are dating now? As in you two are boyfriend and girlfriend, yes?"

"Yes," both Ares and I replied at the same time as I gulped down the rest of my drink.