**__PDV NICKE__**
Sunday 28, 11:00 PM
I'm leaning against the bar, glass in hand, absently observing the room where the twinkling lights and sultry music assault my senses.
Why am I here?
The cold atmosphere disgusts me, but I can't leave so easily. I'm playing my part in "FURZ."
A server takes my empty glass and pours me a top-shelf whisky, a precious elixir. I make an effort to focus on the glass, but I end up asking for the bottle. Getting out of here is impossible, but I'm dying to escape.
I bring the bottle to my lips. The alcohol flows slowly down my throat, a sweet escape.
I scan the room, searching for Clev, but he's surrounded by those lackeys who dance and laugh, rubbing against him like flies. They all seek his attention.
What worthless scum!
Clev is chatting with the Ïlovitch twins, our allies. If I intervene, they won't leave me alone.
I look at my black sweater, my pants. The heat of this party weighs on me.
I'm dying of boredom.
My eyes drift toward the exit, ready to flee this stupid music, but I spot her there, at the entrance. It's already 11, but she arrived like a breath, unexpected.
We had agreed on 10.
She strides toward a couch, settles in, crossing her legs and grabbing a champagne flute that a server hands her before disappearing.
Her red silk dress hugs her curves. My eyes follow the slit up to her chest.
What a woman!
As she converses with her accomplice, I struggle to ignore her lips sipping champagne.
Kira Cress Nate.
I lift the bottle to drain it. An irrepressible need for her attention overwhelms me, and my eyes remain glued to her.
She doesn't see me yet. She's talking seriously with Lessimo.
I check my phone to find a message from Clev, warning me that EXUS has arrived and is heading toward them to introduce the Ïlovitchs. I reply with a distracted "ok."
***
It's been over ten minutes since I've been watching her. Clev, the twins, and EXUS have gathered, exchanging laughter and jokes. The atmosphere is unbearably relaxed.
It makes me sick.
Allya speaks seriously, her furrowed brow a sign of her concentration.
That witch.
Hren, the one who introduced himself last, speaks up, and Clev turns his gaze toward me, pointing. Our eyes meet for a second, and I feel a shiver.
She ignores me.
Why hesitate to approach? I want to provoke.
With a confident and dangerous stride, I approach their table, sweeping the others aside with a nonchalant glance, as if I couldn't care less.
I cut into their conversation.
- I really hate your eyes, I say to capture her attention. My hands in my pockets, I lean slightly toward her.
- I don't give a damn, she replies, challenging my gaze.
I bow slightly, a smile on my lips. Her eyes have the force of a missile, but her body remains unyielding, worthy of the most fearsome assassin of EXUS.
I desire her with a fierce intensity…
- Nicke, she thunders, her brows furrowed, captivating my gaze. There she is, losing her cool for me.
My smile fades. My name on her lips disgusts me; she pronounces it with disdain.
- You're starting to annoy me, she hisses, anger piercing her face.
She runs a hand through her hair and sets down her glass, holding my gaze with a determination that borders on defiance.
- You're really a special case, Moya Zlaya, I say, whispering the last words inaudibly.
She is chillingly beautiful. I already know she will destroy me. Kira, I could do so many things to you.
I hate that color.
The hatred dancing in her eyes is almost indecent; it takes my breath away.
I want that hatred.
She must only hate me.
I crave it; she attracts me.
For the first time, I find pleasure in this sensation.
Hatred.
- I don't think this is the right time for a drama, don't you think? Allya responds reasonably, oscillating between us.
Always there to ruin my fun, that witch.
Panic dances in her eyes. I understand what she fears. But no, I don't intend to kill the witch. Just maybe caress her a bit too much.
Allya hesitates to place a hand on me, trembling, but she withdraws upon seeing my unyielding calm.
I am calm.
Allya places her hand on my wrist, trying to gently pull me away, well aware of my own instability.
I follow her against my will.
Damn, it hurts; I feel too tight, too constricted; it crushes me.
Where is she taking me?
- You know, Clev won't think like you, nor will Matvei, she warns, sensing my thoughts.
Clev and Matvei.
I know EXUS is here for the contract, but they would never betray their own. It's disconcerting, a heap of false pretenses.
And it drives me mad.
I cross the room to escape, feeling eyes on me as whispers circulate. They must have their tongues like vipers, but they're afraid to use them against me, and they're right to be.
Finally outside.
Allya quickly withdraws her hand from my wrist. I shoot her a dark look while continuing toward my car. She follows closely, annoying me.
- What happened, Nicke? she asks, adjusting her pace to match mine.
She irritates me at every turn.
- What game are you playing? my question slips out, crossing my gaze.
- Game? You know if your father finds out this contract fails because of your attitude, you can bet he'll marry you off, willingly or not, within the week? You should realize I'm doing you a favor by keeping you away from EXUS. She huffs, stepping a little closer while maintaining a reasonable distance.
A distance that's too small. I keep walking.
- It's because of her eyes, and she came after me first. I'll have her next time, for sure, I murmur to myself.
- Maybe she already has a boyfriend and doesn't want to play the slut. If you're really talking about Kira Cress, I advise you to stay away from her. There are thousands of Italian blondes with green eyes, she says, well aware of who I'm talking about.
A boyfriend?
A laugh escapes my lips; I can't help but let that word linger, my head tilted back, amused by the thought. How cute if she has a boyfriend.
It's even better that way.
- Hey, stop! Allya exclaims, noticing I'm bleeding.
The glass I shattered in my hand because of her the day she left the room out of her depth.
A boyfriend?
As if!
- You're clenching your fist too hard; look, you're bleeding more and more, Nicke, she says, her voice oscillating between concern and anger.
- It's Kheïl for you, Allya, and I like this pain, I sigh those words as I get into my car, a smile on my lips.
I love the pain. But this one has a delicious flavor. This scar will be magnificent; I'll make sure of it.
It comes from Moya Zlaya.
- Take care of yourself when you get to HQ, Allya says, pulling away to return to the party.
Damn, I don't care about bleeding.
I even love it.
- Enough, back off or I'll kill you, I say, anger now on my face.
- You're really a huge jerk, Kheïl. The worst. She turns away, heading back to the party as I speed out of the parking lot.
I continue to distance our worlds.
- I know perfectly well that I'm a jerk, witch, I sigh, taking the road home. Tonight, I'm not going to HQ.
I need air to think about Moya Zlaya.
I unzip my jacket, freeing myself a bit.
I also need air to fix this.
---
Vote, share, comment.