Page 6 of Cain
“Both?” She smiles hesitantly.
I let out a forced sigh and pull the pillow on me, burying my face in it. I hear her walking closer to me, then she snatches the pillow and reveals my face.
“Get up,” she commands.
“Can’t I take a day off?”
“Nope. We’ll go shopping. You have a party to go to tomorrow.”
Damn, I completely forgot about that.
Cocktail parties like these are essential for anyone aiming to succeed in the modeling industry. They offer a great chance to connect with designers, photographers, and agents. I’m not particularly excited about this one, as the invitation was last minute. Still, with my career just starting, I need to appear eager and available for every event I’m “honored” enough to be invited to.
I’d love to spend the whole day in bed, doing absolutely nothing. Today is my “day-off-everything” day, and all I want to do is stay home and rest.
However, shopping is sometimes even better.
Besides, I don’t feel safe anymore. Not here. I don’t even feel secure in my own house.
When I came back that afternoon a few weeks ago and saw that someone had tried to rob us, the police said they must have targeted us because no other apartment was broken into. But why? We don’t own anything valuable. In fact, nothing was taken at all. Only a few vases were broken, and that’s how we realized someone had been in here. Who would want to harm us?
She’s only two years younger than me, yet she’s already accomplished so much. Meanwhile, here I am at twenty-two, leaving home for the first time. My parents always held the leash, never letting me stray too far.
“Shopping has always made your face light up!” she insists.
Maybe she’s right. Even if I don’t buy anything, the fresh air and the beautiful displays at the mall are all I need to forget about my asshole of a boyfriend.
After slipping into my loose jeans and white cropped top with puffed shoulders, we grab a cab and head downtown to the city’s largest mall.
After three hoursof walking through the endless shops and cafeterias, I am finally sitting on the wooden bench, drinking my longed-for orange juice.
“Jeez, Katerina, after all these shops, you still can’t find a decent dress to go to a simple party?” Emily sighs next to me, yanking her dark brown hair over her shoulder.
“You know me.” I gulp the juice. “I can’t settle with anything I see. I just don’t like anything.”
Emily exhales sharply, obviously tired and moody.
“I promise, one last shop.”
“Fine. Let me sneak off for a smoke in the restroom first,” she chirps, standing up and rummaging through her vintage brown leather shoulder bag.
“Oh, come on, Emily.” I snort, rolling my eyes back.
“I’ll make it quick!” she whispers, tiptoeing to the nearest restroom.
If there’s one thing I hate more than anything, it’s smoking. I can’t stand the smell or the sight of smoke curling from someone’s lips and nostrils.
I take out my phone and start scrolling, sipping the last drops of my orange juice. As my finger scrolls through a series of boring articles about the latest weird sex trends, I catch a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of my eye. I can tell it’s a man standing across from me with his hands tucked casually into his pants pockets. I can feel his intense gaze lingering on me.
I am curious. I lift my eyes just enough to catch sight of him.
It ishimagain. The mysterious man I keep seeing everywhere I go. Bravely, I look persistently back into his dark eyes. Our gazes are locked, causing goosebumps all over my body.
Gosh, he looks perfect. His outfit strikes a perfect balance between casual and formal. He’s wearing black slacks paired with a gray turtleneck tucked neatly into his pants, which highlights his broad chest. A sleek silver watch glints on his wrist, along with a matching bracelet and a plain black leather belt.
He appears wealthy despite his efforts to blend in with us ordinary people. Such a man cannot possibly do so. Even though he doesn’t look like a model, he has that aura that not many people possess.
It’s the first time that I actually notice him, and I find myself unable to take my gaze away from him.
