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Tiana hadn’t specified what kind of place we were going to, so picking what to wear was difficult. It was worse knowing I had a camera in my room. I could’ve taken them down easily, but who knew what they might then do to see what was happening in my home if I did?
I acted as if nothing was wrong. It was terrifying taking a shower, but after two minutes under the scorching water, I’d forgotten all about the camera. Hot showers were a way for me to release stress, and it felt like paradise.
Droplets of water fell down my body, the clear glass fogging up almost instantly, and a small sigh of contentment slipped past my lips as I closed my eyes, my mind blank as my breathing became heavy. Goosebumps appeared all over my body, shivers so delightful I never wanted to leave the shower.
Alas, all good things came to an end, and so did my forty-minute shower. I threw on the first pair of pants I saw, which were beige, and a matching blazer, with a black turtleneck underneath. My accessories consisted of a black belt, golden rings, and small earrings. I didn’t do much with my makeup—I barely had time to put on mascara and concealer—and pulled my blonde hair into a neat bun.
Tiana was right on time. Another reason I liked her. She was never late without a proper excuse, and that happened rarely. Her bright-red car was right across the road from my apartment.
“Tell me about the other guy,” I said to Tiana as soon as I’d buckled my seat belt.
“Do you not even remember his name?” She rolled her eyes when I shook my head. “His name is Luca, he’s a few years older than us, and works as an IT tech.”
“You’re buying me dinner if this one doesn’t pay out for me.”
She burst out laughing, and then we took off.
These two men were as interesting as a pair of rocks on the side of the road.
Nick was polite enough. His auburn hair was curly, and a few strands fell over his forehead. His bright eyes seemed innocent, and overall, he was cute. However, from time to time, I saw something in his eyes change. They’d go from angelic to demonic, and Tiana was too busy chatting away to notice it.
Luca, on the other hand, was the true definition of a flirt. He had a few jokes up his sleeve that he’d definitely prepared in advance. His blonde hair was messy, giving him an “I just woke up” look that wasn’t flattering at all.
If you went on a date, no matter how tedious it was, you were supposed to make an effort, to make it seem like you wanted to be there.
Although Nick and Tiana seemed to have hit it off, he was behaving strangely, and I monitored him closely over the course of dinner. He noticed me observing him, and in an hour and a half, his demeanor faltered only twice, though he tried his best to conceal it.
“Are you always this stone cold?” Luca interrupted my staring, and my eyes snapped to meet his. I blinked as the boyish grin on his face widened at my look of confusion.
“Probably,” I replied.
My beverage of choice tonight was sparkly water, as the restaurant’s selection of whiskey was terrible. It wasn’t an expensive place, and since it was intended to be family friendly, they’d focused more on their food than the quality of their alcoholic drinks. I sipped from the straw, raising a curious brow at him.
“Ouch,” he said, seemingly offended. “I prefer my women… with a little bit of emotion.”
I chuckled. “I prefer my men successful and wealthy; I guess neither of us will be getting what we want tonight.”
His mouth fell open, and Tiana and Nick paused their conversation, all eyes on me. Trying to be discreet, Tiana kicked me under the table, which earned her a glare from me.
“All right then.” She tried to change the subject as fast as possible. Things had become awkward quickly, though I was unable to comprehend why. Luca had been asking for it. I’d noticed how he was ogling me and had no doubt that his main priority tonight was to fuck me.
How the hell did Tiana find these guys?
“So, how long have you two known each other?” Tiana asked them.
They both turned their attention to her, and she smiled in triumph at having made the situation less tense.
“Our dads went to the same high school and university,” Luca replied, his voice flat. “And they remained close throughout the years, so I guess that’s how.”
Nick shot the same question back. “How about the two of you?”
I smirked as I watched Tiana from the corner of my eye. She blushed; eyes locked on the half-empty plate of pasta in front of her.
“Well,” she said before she cleared her throat. “We were freshmen, and someone started a rumor about Ekaterina being in the mafia, and somehow, people thought it was me. Long story short, she beat me to a pulp until she realized it wasn’t.”
“Mistakes happen, and I apologized.” I felt the need to offer that disclaimer, given the odd looks the boys had thrown my way. “Which I guess wasn’t a great way to prove the rumors wrong, but oh well.”
The conversation dried up after that. I gave Tiana a knowing look, which she returned with an apologetic one. She was definitely buying me dinner.
