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So I followed him into his room and stood there watching him walk around shirtless.
“Do you like the view?” Andrew stated as he entered his bathroom.
“Haha, you wish, but just so you know, I’ll be staying with you tonight,” I said as I followed him into the bathroom, biting my bottom lip.
When I didn’t hear anything else after he sighed, I came to the conclusion that he didn’t want me to be there with him and said, “Never mind, I will just go to my room.”
Andrew inquired, “Did I say no?”
“Um, no,” I said, looking down at the floor.
“I’m going to take a shower, and you better be there when I’m done. Unless you want to come with me?” Andrew stated.
“I’m going to change, I’ll be back,” I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t go, just take some of my clothes.” He said as he closed the bathroom door.
I walked over to his closet and grabbed a pair of his boxers and one of his numerous black shirts.
Before slipping on his clothes, I removed my shirt, bra, and pants. I needed to brush my teeth, so I went into my room.
I brushed my teeth and wore my hair in a loose bun. I checked myself in the mirror one last time to make sure I looked okay before heading over to Andrew ‘s room.
I ran into Andrew ‘s room and saw him coming out from the bathroom wearing only his boxers. His abs glistened from the drops of water he didn’t wipe away, his hair was wet and messy, and his biceps flexed with every small movement .
“Didn’t I tell you not to go?” He raised his eyebrows.
“I needed to brush my teeth.” I said as I approached him.
I put my hand on his chest and watched as he tensed in response to my touch. I traced my fingers across his chest, shoulders, biceps, and arms, admiring his inked skin. I returned his gaze and noticed him staring at me.
“I like your tattoos,” I commented.
“Come on, come on.” He mentioned picking me up. As he placed me on the bed, I wrapped my legs around his waist and faced him.
“Come on, it’s bedtime.” Andrew muttered as he let me go and walked to the other side of the bed.
He climbed onto the bed, and I climbed on top of him, my head on his chest and his arm around my waist. I entwined my fingers in his and marveled at how perfectly my fingers fit in his.
“Andrew?” I inquired.
“Yes, kitten.” He murmured.
“Can I go to the base after shopping tomorrow to practice shooting?”
“Yes, Seb will take you.” He responded
“All right,” I said.
I was mesmerized by all the tattoos on his body as I watched his chest rise and fall. My eyelids became heavy, and I closed them.
I felt at ease around him.
****************
When I woke up, there was nothing but a dent in the bed from where Andrew had been sleeping. I sighed and decided it wouldn’t hurt anyone if I just lay down for a few minutes longer.
I was worried about the Mafia Ball, afraid that something would go wrong. Andrew was supposed to be with me, but he couldn’t save me from everything. Nothing would happen to me because I knew how to shoot and defend myself.
I got up and went to my room because I needed to take a shower. I entered my bathroom and hopped into the shower, allowing the hot water to soothe my mind.
I got out and got dressed; I was going shopping, so I chose leggings and a sweatshirt.
I entered Andrew ‘s office and informed him that I was going shopping. He handed me his credit card, and after several refusals and his insistence that I use it, I gave in.
I went downstairs, where Seb and the driver were waiting for me. While we were driving to the mall, I slumped into the car and almost fell asleep. I was exhausted and didn’t know why.
Seb and I went into a few stores and I tried on a bunch of dresses, but I was unimpressed. Before giving up, I went into one last store and searched the sections until I found an elegant black dress on one of the racks.
I grabbed one of the employees and she assisted me in trying on the dress. I was amazed at how well the dress fit my curves. I was overjoyed because the dress was black, which was Andrew’s favorite color. I removed it and asked the employee to ring it up for me.
I paid for it and walked out of the store satisfied and relieved.
Not only did I find the perfect dress, but I was also able to join Melissa at the shooting range.
I climbed into car and we drove to the base.
I left my dress in the car when we arrived and followed Seb because it was only my second time here. He led me back down the stairs into the big room, and then into a hallway, where he stopped at one of the doors and motioned for me to enter.
I smiled at Seb and walked in, eager to start shooting again.
I looked around the room for Melissa and found her shooting a handgun and hitting the target every time.
I approached her and waited for her to stop shooting before speaking to her.
“Melissa.” I said.
“Oh, you’re here for more practice?” She asked, putting down her gun.
“Yes, I’d like to try moving targets right now.” I elaborated.
“All right, boo, I see you.” She stated
I laughed and went over to my booth to collect the gun. I took a position, aimed at the target, and pulled the trigger. I was sloppy in the first few rounds and I didn’t hit the target at first, but after readjusting myself, I started hitting the bullseye.
After about an hour of shooting various targets, I decided to try moving targets. When the fake people started moving around, I aimed and started shooting at them all. Every time, I hit the target.
When the course was finished, I put my gun down and checked the time.
I’d been here for three hours, Jesus.
When I looked around at the other booths, I realized I was the only one at the range. I walked out of the room and down the hall, looking for anyone. It was deserted.
I remembered the way Seb and I had come, so I retraced our steps. There was no one in the large room with the boxing ring when I arrived.
I began walking up the stairs before hearing “You.”
I turned around and scanned the room again; someone was near the ring, but I couldn’t see who it was because the room was so dimly lit.
“Huh?” I inquired.
Ashley, I recognized the figure as it moved into the light. I rolled my eyes and resumed my walk up the stairs.
This b*tch truly believed she was worthy of my attention.
“Excuse me.” She said as she walked up the stairs.
I continued to disregard her.
I could hear her racing up the stairs behind me. I was almost to the top of the stairs when I felt my hair being pulled and my body began to fumble backwards. I stumbled a little, but quickly regained my footing and spun around to face her.
My hair had been pulled by the bitch.
“What?” I yelled at her.
“Keep your distance from Andrew; he is mine.” She spit back.
I could smell the cheap perfume on her even though I was only a few inches away. I gave her a sidelong glance, unimpressed that Andrew would fuck her.
Her hair was fried, she was missing some fake nails, and her fake eyelashes were nearly falling off.
“No.” I responded by crossing my arms over my chest.
“No? Listen, bitch, he’s been with me for three years, and you won’t stand in the way of our love.” She responded.
I burst out laughing “Hun, you’re just insecure, and you already know Andrew looks at me as if he’ll never look at you again. Now, before you embarrass yourself any further, I recommend that you go get new hair and nails and, while you’re at it, get a new personality.” I turned around and walked back up the stairs.
As I exited the building, I noticed the driver and Seb standing by the gate. I got into the car and he drove me back to my house.
I entered the house and went upstairs to my room. I noticed my dress hanging on my closet door, reminding me that the ball was tomorrow.
And, knowing it was going to be a long day, I decided to sleep through it.
************
“Ava.”
“Huh?” I inquired.
“I’m calling people to take care of you, so you should be ready in about 20 minutes.” Andrew stated.
I was sitting on a couch in Andrew’s office, wanting to watch him work and being completely bored.
The ball was at 8 and it was now 6; I had spent the entire day slugging around and bugging Andrew.
“Do I really need people to do my hair and shit, Andrew?” I inquired.
He had a puzzled expression on his face as he looked at me “I expected you to be more excited about people doing your hair and shit. The majority of females are.”
“Did you bring any other girls to this ball?” I inquired.
“Yeah, and they all loved it when I called these people to look after them.” He stated. My heart clenched, I wasn’t unique… To him, I was just another girl, but at the end of the day, I couldn’t care less. If I were just another girl to him, he’d be just another boy to me.
“Mhm, so I assume they all stayed in your house as well, and when you were finished with them, you just threw them out.” I said, hurt. I jumped off the couch and began stomping towards the door.
“Ava.” Andrew yelled, refusing to get up from his chair.
I turned around and gave him a hard stare “No, Andrew, I appreciate you clarifying your intentions for me. I believe we should start a countdown or something, exactly where it says ‘I’ll get rid of Ava in two weeks’ just so I can prepare.” I retaliated with a spit.
Andrew stood up and approached me “I’ve never brought another woman to live with me, Ava. Yes, I slept around and brought other girls, but none of them come close to you. I’ve told you before, and I’ll tell you again, that I’m in your life for good.” He stated.
“Ava, I like you. You make me feel things that I don’t want to let go of.” He continued.
I went over all he had done for me and concluded that he was telling the truth. Although I despised the feeling of doubting him and convincing myself I was less than I was, the reassurance felt good.
You had better not send me away. I responded by darting my gaze to him in a challenge.
He smirked and pressed his lips against mine. My knees buckled and all I wanted to do was melt into him, but I knew I needed to start preparing.
“Call off the people, I am perfectly capable of preparing myself.” I said as I backed away from the kiss.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“Okay, kitten.” He said this as I cringed slightly at the name.
I kissed him again and walked out of his office. I walked into my room and realized I needed to take a shower.
After I got out of the shower, I curled my hair and tied half of it back. I applied light makeup, but after some thought, I decided to apply a dark red lipstick to my lips. I put on my dress and marveled at how it sparkled in the light and clung to my curves perfectly.
I put on some black heels and looked in the mirror one last time. I exited my room and began walking down the stairs once I was satisfied.
Andrew was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, facing away from me, but he turned around as soon as he heard the clanking of my heels. I swear I saw drool coming from the corner of his mouth as his eyes widened.
I chuckled and approached him. He was dressed all in black, and despite being fully clothed, he was sexy as hell.
“You look fantastic, kitten.” As he grabbed my waist and drew me into him, he said.
“You don’t look bad either.” I said this while winking at him.
“Let’s go before I do something I’ll be sorry for.” With a smirk on his face, he said.
I laughed as I followed him outside and into the limousine. He held my hand the entire way there, and I rested my head on his shoulder.
When we arrived, I noticed a lot of white flashes, which I assumed were paparazzi.
“Don’t say anything, just walk by.” Andrew told me, his tone solemn.
I nodded and watched as Andrew exited, then assisted me in exiting.
“Are you his fiancee?”
“Do you have any idea how many people he killed?”
“May I have a name?”
“Take a look over here.”
When we finally got to the door, I ignored them and let Andrew lead me up the stairs.