Page 12 of Cain
And then, he starts. When Kryštof gets mad, nothing can stop the flood of words, the swearing, the endless stream of anger. I’ve always hated it, and no matter how many times it happens, I can never get used to it. Once he’s in one of his tantrums, there’s no calming him down. So, I wait. It’s one of those times that I’m glad we’re on different continents.
Maybe he is one more reason I wanted to leave my hometown.
I throw my phone onto the bed, but his muffled, distant voice still seeps through the speaker, piercing my ears.
Emily rushes into my bedroom. “What the hell is that noise?” she squeals. I shoot her a weary glance and look at my phone. “Oh … him again?”
“Shhh, he’s gonna hear you.”
Determinedly, she walks over to my bed, snatches my phone, and brings it closer to her lips. “Kryštof? Hey, what’s up?”
“What are you doing?” I mouth, eyes wide.
“Emily, kde sakra je Katerina?” he fumes through the phone.
“Where the hell is Katerina …” Emily repeats, a wicked smirk lacing her lips.Good job learning Czech!“Katerina is late, and she needs to go to a party to meetnew people, expand her fabulous social circle, and maybe even discover the meaning of life. But no, apparently, she’d be better off staying locked in her apartment, doing absolutely nothing, while you sit there sulking and inventing new ways to feel sorry for yourself, right?”
“What the?—?”
“Glad you agree! Bye, Kryštof.” She hangs up, turns off my phone, and throws it on the bed.
She looks at me, breathless, her brunette hair untamed around her face.
“Are you sure he won’t be taking the next plane here?” I ask, my eyes still wide.
“I will kick his ass!”
We both burst into laughter. What would I do without her? I’m so damn happy and lucky that, among all these crazy people surrounding us, she’s my ally—the voice of reason.
“That’s a worry for another time, girl. Now, go and have some fun.”
I sigh, my expression becoming more solemn. “You know I don’t want to go, don’t you? Especially without you.”
“I know, but until you find something else to earn money from, you have to do this. Plus, the invitation was just for you. You always seem to shine more when I’m not around, anyway.”
“That’s not true!”
“You’re not from around here; you need to blend in. Besides, I’m sure this party will suck, so I’m not really missing out on anything, right?”
“I guess you’re right.” I exhale as the realization of it sits heavy on my chest.
I can’t back down now. I need to be an adult. Besides, this is something I chose.
I pull Emily into my arms. “Thank you, sweetpea.”
“Show them how it’s done!”
I stepout of the cab at the photographer’s apartment building, where the party is being hosted, and look up at the tall building ahead. It’s something that makes my breath catch—huge buildings like this don’t exist in my hometown.
The entrance is sleek, framed by glass and steel, with bouncers standing guard. I take a sharp breath, adjust my outfit, and make my way to the door. His apartment is the penthouse. Obvious, huh? Where would a famous and rich photographer live if not there?
After countless floors, I reach the top of the building, and the elevator doors open. “Finally.”
I walk down the long corridor, letting the muffled and loud lounge music guide me to the correct door.
It is ajar. “That’s not creepy at all,” I murmur to myself and grab the knob to push it open. “Here goes nothing.”
I enter the apartment and leave the door open, just like I found it.
