Page 13 of Corrupted Guilt

“You’re doing this for free?”

“Well, Yuri is paying for my school. This is like his own work-study program.”

What the hell? Who pays for someone else’s school? The MBA program costs $80,000 per year. I start to feel queasy and wonder how this relationship started. I want to know details of their entanglement.

Fuck, I’m jealous.

And it’s doubly stupid because I’d have zero chance competing with this chick. She’s better in every single way.

None of that is my business but it’s another reason to be irritated by Yuri.

“I appreciate everything, but I just don’t need your help.”

“And I appreciate that, but I still have a job to do.”

“I can take care of myself.”

Tasha watches me calmly, takes a deep breath before continuing, “I’ve been apprised of a Petya Antipov. He’s not a good guy. I think he could be a danger to you,” she says. “And I can make sure he isn’t. I’m very good at what I do.”

She’s probably good ateverything. I don’t hate her, but Iwantto hate her. Why is Yuri wasting his time with me when he could be with her? She’d look perfect on his arm.

It’s none of my business – he can sleep with whoever he wants.

“I bet you are, but I decided to not accept any help from Yuri. Partly to drive him crazy partly because I don’t need it.”

“That will make him angry, “she smiles to herself and again I wonder what she was picturing there. “Yuri’s not all bad, a control freak, many other bad qualities but plenty of good ones too to balance them out. His ledger is in the black.”

“If you knew him like I did, you might feel differently.”

She smiles, “I was going to say the exact same thing, to you. I guess it’s all in where you’re standing, right? Your perspective and point-of-view. Maybe you’re right, maybe we both are.” She stands up and smooths out her dress, “It was nice talking with you, Katya.”

I’m glad to see her leave, but also pretty sure I’ll see her around campus. Like she said, she doesn’t need my permission, and my unfriendliness won’t deter her in the least from doing her job.

Is she heading to report my obstinacy to Yuri? Will Yuri visit her in her apartment for the report?

Will they end up in bed together?

5. Yuri

I called Tasha to see how meeting Katya had gone. She picked up on the first ring.

“Report, Tasha. How is she?”

“I have nothing to compare it with, but I think she’s smart, independent, and confident in one thing at least: that she doesn’t want help from you. She says I’m not necessary and doesn’t need my services.”

“She’s not allowed to do that,” I say.

“I can’t force her.”

“No, but you could follow her, show her you’re just as stubborn.”

“That’s your job, isn’t it? I will shadow her, but you know this without me telling you: she must want protection or else she’ll slip me at the first opportunity. I can lead a horse to water, but I can’t make her drink.”

I can. “I’ll call you later. Proceed as if she was agreeable, okay? I’ll check in after I convince her.”

I headed straight for the apartment to see Katya. The apartment building is a fortress, I had renovations done all week since the initial report by Anton and Maxim concerning Petya Antipov came in. But living in a fortress only protects her if she stays inside, which she has no intention of doing.

I barged into her room and launch into the angry speech in my head I had been repeating over and over:

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