Page 51 of Impregnated By the Bratva

I gave him a slight smile and headed in. “Break a leg,” Pavel called out jokingly.

Glancing back, I stuck out my tongue at him. I heard him laughing as I walked through the double glass doors. On both sides were small round tables with chairs. In the middle was the oval-shaped reception desk. As I approached, the woman behind the desk looked up.

“Hi there,” she said as I stopped before the desk.

“I’m here for an interview,” I said, feeling my throat closing on me. I was excited for the opportunity, but nervous as well.

“Oh,” she said, looking at her computer screen. “Didn’t they call you?”

“Yes, they called two days back and said I should come in today,” I replied, unsure what she meant.

“Not what I meant,” she responded, shaking her head. “They moved all the interviews to next week. The manager had something come up. I’ll make a note, and someone will call to reschedule.”

My mouth fell open as she stared at me. I couldn’t believe it. “Sorry, dear,” she added.

“Uh, no, it’s fine,” I replied, pulling myself together. “I understand. Thank you for your time. Have a lovely day.” I felt a little disappointed as I headed back out.

Pavel was leaning against a pillar as I exited the building. He must have been able to see the disappointment on my face. “You’ll get something,” he said, lightly bumping my shoulder.

“The interview was moved,,” I replied. But deep down inside, I was scared. I had two other interviews left to do. We walked about four blocks to get to the second place. They wanted someone with more work experience, though, which I didn’t have.

“Come on, smile, even if you don’t get this one, you still have the first one next week,” Pavel said as we headed to my last interview.

Stopping before the last building, I smiled at Pavel. “Okay,” I said confidently. “Wish me luck.”

“You’re going to kill it,” he said. Looking back at him, we both laughed.

Once again, the interview didn’t go my way. My mood had sunk to the depths of the ocean. Pavel placed his arm around me, trying to comfort me. Leaning in, he whispered as if telling me a secret. “I still haven’t congratulated you on taming the beast.”

“The beast?” I asked, stepping back from him. Turning my head to the side, I narrowed my eyes as I looked at him, slightly confused.

Pavel burst out laughing. I waited patiently for him to gather himself. Once he was standing still and breathing normally again, I spoke. “What exactly are you implying with such a statement?”

“Oh, my dear,” he said, coming closer. “My brother, of course. Who else have you tamed that I do not know of?” His tone was light and teasing. “My big, violent, badass brother is as tame as a puppy.”

Instantly, my cheeks heated up as a blush spread across them. Shaking my head, I glanced down. I tried to control the redness, but there was no hope. Looking up at him sharply, I added my own twist. “Oh, shall we start discussing your love life? The Chernykh sister?”

For a moment, Pavel looked offended. He shook his head and smiled softly as he replied. “Nope, nothing to discuss there.”

Smiling, I started walking back to his car. With my interviews done, there was no reason to hang around longer. “What a shame, you have so many admirers,” I taunted him. “I saw the girls drooling over you.”

Glancing back at him, I saw his cheeks changing color. “Well, that’s unfortunate for them. With me, the ladies can expect fun and nothing more. I will never be tamed!” Pavel exclaimed.

I bit my lower lip to keep from bursting out in laughter. His declaration was not an easy one. I kept my cool as I spoke over my shoulder. “If you say so, my friend, if you say so.”

Pavel smiled at me as he opened my door. “I say, it’s time for lunch,” he said, checking his watch. “How about it? Do you think you’ll be able to eat?”

Laughing, I nodded in agreement. He got in and drove to a small shopping complex. “I think this will do,” he said, getting out. As he opened my door, he continued to speak. “What do you feel like having?”

Glancing at the signs, I pointed to one of the boards as I replied. “I think Pizza would be nice. How about you?”

Pavel lowered his head to his right shoulder and then to his left, grinning. “Yes, why not,” he responded after a bit.

We entered the shopping complex and headed straight to the Italian Pizzeria. “I’ve heard they make the best pizza in town, but we’ve never been here,” he said as we went inside.

A young man with two menus in his hand greeted us and led us to a table in the back. As we sat down, he spoke. “Anything to drink?”

“Yes, please. I want a vanilla milkshake,” I replied before Pavel could open his mouth.

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