Page 42 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

I need to stop seeing him that way, but it seems impossible.

It sucks to be so attracted to someone who isn’t attracted to you too.

I don’t look at him for a while because I don’t want him to see me blushing. Maybe having dinner with him tonight was a bad idea. Maybe I should have just gone straight to bed.

Chapter 13 - Avraam

When I arrived home and walked through the door I was shocked at how enthusiastic her greeting was towards me. It came out of the blue. She has never greeted me like that before.

I could see she was relieved and happy to see me, but I have no idea why. At first, I thought maybe she was trying to trick me in some way, but as she followed me through to the kitchen, I could sense something else was going on.

She was genuinely happy to see me. For whatever reason. I decided to enjoy it.

It makes me smile—to have someone waiting for me at home that reacts that way when I arrive. I felt welcomed. I felt as though she had missed me, and it was such a special feeling to be wanted in that way.

But especially after what happened this morning, I expected her to want to avoid me. Not come flying down the stairs to greet me.

This morning was awkward. I doubt it was pleasant for either of us. I thought she would be angry with me.

Or at least annoyed about it.

***

We are both settled at the dinner table now and the food smells incredible. I was so hungry when I left work—and craving Asian. I almost didn’t order it because I wanted to get something Ruslana would like as well. But then I realized I have no idea what she likes, and I took a chance. Just making sure I got enough variety to cover different options.

I twist some noodles onto my fork and chew thoughtfully. Savoring the flavors of the stir-fried chicken, but also thinking about her. I can’t figure her out. She’s like a puzzle and I don’t have all the pieces.

Every now and then, I look across the table towards her and she seems to shift uncomfortably under my gaze.

She keeps blushing, her cheeks growing bright pink.

I want to chuckle because she looks so fucking cute when she blushes, but I can’t push my luck here. Things are uneasy enough as it is. Just the fact that we are sitting together after this morning—it’s something I don’t want to test further.

“Did you enjoy your day? Did you start a new book?” I ask, looking for something to talk about.

“I didn’t start a new one, not today,” she shakes her head. “But yesterday, I finished that other one, the one you recommended.”

“And?”

“It was good. A bit dark. Kind of morbid. I think I prefer the more light-hearted stuff, but I mean, I still enjoyed it.”

One corner of my mouth curls into a smile. Too dark for her. I guess her brothers have kept her well-protected from the realities of this world she lives in. She is part of the mafia, but she thinks that book is dark. I guess it all depends on what you’ve seen in life.

“I found the book I want to read next, though,” she says, carrying on the conversation.

“And what book is it?” I ask, looking over at her, seeing the enthusiasm in her face.

“The one on statistics in business.”

I laugh, thinking she must be joking. But the moment I laugh, she looks very offended.

“Are you serious?” I ask in shock, unable to hide it.

She starts laughing this time, “Yes, don’t look so surprised.”

“It’s not what I was expecting you to say at all,” I laugh again, “Why in the world would you choose that one?”

She shrugs, “How else am I going to learn how to run a business? It’s the same reason I read all of the books I read about business.”

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