Chapter Three
The Muse~
"I can't find you." I hold my phone to my ear with my shoulder as I carry my ton of luggage out of the airport VIP terminal.
"Mimi!" I am almost startled out of my skin as Kristine approaches me from who knows where. "Oh God! It's been so long!" She hugs me from behind as Dylan and Ana walk up to me.
I sigh as I feel her envelop me in the warm embrace. "How have you been?" I take my phone from my shoulder and slide it inside my pocket.
"You really need to ask?" Kristine looks like she is on the verge of crying, "You took a whole damn eight fucking years to come back here!"
"Not my fault." I shrug her off me as Dylan takes my luggage from me "I am a busy woman you know." I grin.
And this is the last bit of freedom that I will be getting before I actually disappear into the cage that they prepared for me…
"Of course, miss busy woman." Ana rolls her eyes sarcastically as she wraps her hand around me and pulls me into a quick hug before she lets me go. She lets out a breath then smiles mildly, "Good to have you back."
She hasn't changed all that much huh?
Dylan approaches me and plants a soft kiss on my cheek, "Welcome back. I think you are the best gift Kirstine has gotten on her birthday in the last eight years." He wraps his hand around me lightly before pulling away.
I grin, "Thanks, but her birthday is not today, it's tomorrow, I suppose?"
"It is already 12 am, busy woman." Ana shoots me a look and I chuckle nervously.
"Well, happy birthday then." I turn to Kristine and give her another warm hug, "And just like Dylan said, I am your best gift, so don't ask for anything." I say, jokingly.
"As if you have got me any proper gift throughout the years." She rolls her eyes but crackles. I love it when she smiles like that. "So, where are you gonna stay?" She asks with her hands on her hips.
"Yes, Mimi, if you don't have any place to go, for now, you can stay with us." Dylan offers, a look of concern spreading across his face.
This guy has always treated me like his younger sister and after marrying Kristine, I think I am officially his sister now.
"You can also come with me." Ana offers, "I live alone, just for the records."
I laugh softly at their offers and shake my head. They have never gotten used to what kind of household I belong to.
"Guys… I am a Volkov." I try to remind them that problems that are related to money or such things are nonexistent in my dictionary.
Dylan chuckles and shakes his head, " Ah, right, you are a CEO soon-to-be."
The word CEO dims my eyes but I maintain my smile. This is the only facade I can pull over my face to hide what is going on inside me.
"So do you need a ride back home?" Dylan looks hopeful. And I taste bile on my tongue to tell him that I have a driver.
My eyes drift to where my Lexus ES standing in the distance, my driver is waiting for me by the car. I look back at him and answer with a smile, "Of course, I will be saved."
Dylan looks pleased with my answer and starts to drag my bags toward the direction of where seemingly, his car is parked. Kirstine starts to drag me along with her and Ana follows suit. I look at my driver out of the corner of my eyes and he nods, apparently, he has gotten the hint.
***
Kristine talks a lot. Ana doesn't talk at all. And Dylan seems to be blind as he agrees with every single bullshit that Kristine sprouts. I am not an exception as well because I too agree on every single thing, doesn't matter if it's rational or irrational.
Ana knows that everything Kristine says is nothing but an invitation to new troubles. So do I. But I do nothing to stop it. Ana does everything to stop it.
This is how it worked since we were in high school and before I moved to DC.
It was the main topic of our conversation on the drive to my new villa last night. Dylan intentionally drove very slowly and this is why I got home really late last night. This led me to go to bed late last night and that resulted in me sleeping through the whole day.
Yes. I just arrived in New York after eight damn years. And I slept through it. I deserve a world record. Or an Oscar at least.
My phone was on silent mode when I plugged in the charger last night and I was too tired to put it on the general mode. I didn't sleep in the past sixty hours as I had to manage some paperwork before I got on the flight.
Everything aside, it all seems new when Ana scolds me as I run about my bedroom to fetch all my things before we go to the bar downtown. I haven't been scolded like this in eight long years. I have been manipulated and pressured. So it feels nice.
***
"You are officially on my personal list of 'unpunctual people' list now, Mimi." Kirstine says, sweeping her eyes over her wristwatch before giving me a pointed look, "I thought all those rich things at least taught you how to be punctual."
I shrug and slide onto the stool beside her, I give Dylan a quick wave and a smile—who sitting on Kristine's right side, "Not my fault, I have been working for three days straight and I am a light sleeper, so couldn't sleep a blink in the past sixty hours. You can't blame me."
The bar is bustling and it makes me a little uncomfortable since it has been a long time since I have been in a public place like this. The scent of alcohol and the noise of laughter is making the place warmer and cozier. It is kind of good to be here after all those years.
"Surely not, Your Highness." How can Ana go without making a snarky remark? Of course, she has to.
I snort and my head drops between my shoulders, which are shaking from the held-back laughter. "Come on An, tell me more. Have you gotten any date or anyone promising?"
"Nah, they run away." She replies as she makes her order to the bartender, "Alcohol?" She offers.
I shake my head, "Juice. Alcohol isn't my strong suit."
"What a shame." Dylan comments and there is something in his voice that makes me laugh harder.
Someone enters the bar, and I feel the hair on my neck rise as a shiver down my spine. Someone is watching me. My head turns in the direction instinctively. My breath catches and I am immobilized for a moment as my eyes lock with a pair of brown eyes. I don't actually know whether because of how warm those brown eyes seem, or how intensely they are staring at mine.
I know them so well…