Page 35 of Venomous Desires

The stories of these thugs were not new, but the experience was.

So, I kept walking, keeping my eyes open and wide. A part of me contemplated going to the nearest police station and filing a report against two of the people who had been haunting me these past few days.

The stalker, who seemed to have some kind of evil intentions, and a snake, a.k.a Judas Romanovski. He never walked, but glided with smooth and deliberate movements.

But after a lot of pondering, I realised I didn’t have any proof against any of these two. Police would demand it, and when I’d say Russia’s precious billionaire harassed me, I fear if they’d even believe it.

Not that I wanted to get into any legal trouble with the corporation. So I decided instead of reporting, I’d simply resign. And I had. Just waiting for Kyle’s confirmation.

I sent a text to Kyle this morning right after waking up from my unsuccessful slumber.

I resign.

The brooding man had seen my text, but he hadn’t replied yet. And I wondered if it meant anything. Was he ignoring me? Whatever it was, I was not going to go into that mansion ever again. The memory of its shadowed halls and suffocating silence still clung to me.

God ruin my soul if I let that sarcastic, narcissistic, self-righteous blind demon come in front of me ever again. His piercing eyes and twisted smirk haunted my thoughts. No, never again. My sanity depended on keeping my distance from him and that accursed place.

He had a way of getting under my skin like no one else ever could.

I was walking down the street, my mind lost in a haze of thoughts, when I took a sharp turn and collided with something, or rather someone. The impact was jarring, and I nearly lost my balance, bracing myself for the inevitable kiss with the dirty pavement. But before I could fall, a strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me into a warm, solid body.

Blinking in surprise, I found myself staring into a pair of bright green eyes, sparkling with amusement. My heart skipped a beat as recognition set in.

“Well, well, I wasn’t expecting you to run into my arms, Sera,” Ivan teased, looking into my eyes. “Two times in a week.”

My eyes widened, and I pulled myself away and cursed myself for embarrassing myself for the second time this week. “O-oh, I-I am so sorry, I didn’t mean—” I was a stuttering, blushing mess.

“I don’t mind though,” he interrupted, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He reached out and lightly brushed his thumb across my lower lip. “You got something... on your lips.”

My breath hitched, and I stared at him. “Oh, thanks...” I rubbed harshly at my lips, feeling something I shouldn’t feel. It was too uncharacteristic for him; he never touched me this... boldly. Or was I being overdramatic?

His hand lingered for a moment longer before he pulled it away, his gaze softening. “Had a rough night?” I noticed concern in his green eyes and felt guilt tripping me for doubting him.

“Couldn’t sleep...” My eyes dropped to the ground to his brown leather boots, too polished, and something uneasy crept up my neck as I felt the eyes on me again, more unsettling.

I looked around, but there was no one except us and a few other students.

He pushed his hands into his denim jacket and bobbed his head at the cafeteria. “You look like you could use a break,” he continued. “Want to grab a coffee?”

I hesitated. Despite the warmth in his voice, I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my chest.

“Sure,” I nodded with a stretched smile.

As we walked together, his hand lightly touching my arm to guide me, I eyed him and frowned. Was it just me, or did he look a little different today? I observed his neatly styled hair, casual clothes, and unusual smile. I shook my head. I was being paranoid.

“Sera?” My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. Turning around, I found Alina sitting behind me with a cup of espresso in her hand, her usually smiley face contorted in a deep frown, her eyes fixed on something behind me.

“Alina.” I smiled and walked to her, but her gaze didn’t waver. When I touched her arm, she finally tore her eyes awayfrom the man standing next to me and looked at me, her features hardened. “You’re early.”

She gulped, her eyes flickering back to Ivan before she nodded curtly. “Yeah, I had a workshop to attend.” I frowned, noticing how her eyes seemed distant and dark as she grabbed my arm. “Um... do you mind?”

My mind buzzed. And I let my gaze move between the two. Ivan seemed unfazed and all smiley when my eyes met him, but Alina looked disturbed. I nodded, and she pulled me away from Ivan.

“How do you know him?” She asked, I frowned, not understanding what was the deal.

“Know who? Ivan? Oh, we just share some classes. He’s a good friend.”

“Stay away from him.”