Chapter 21 - Tia

Clara Vitali is one of the richest students attending our college. So of course she would be the one to throw a party of this magnitude that every single person was just dying to get invited to.

She invited everyone, she wasn't skimpy or selective. Every graduate got an invite. And looking around now, I think every single one of them is here.

The music is thrumming loudly from speakers I can't see. The decor is over-the-top luxurious. Everything seems to be covered in gold, including the food—gold bite-sized pieces of sushi carried past on gold trays, crystal glasses rimmed with gold edges are filled with golden champagne.

Balloons everywhere. Glittering gold.

It makes me wish I'd chosen a different dress. The red doesn't really go with all this gold. Something blue or black would have looked better.

"Tia, oh my goodness, you came. I'm so glad." Clara grabs me into a hug, her gold dress shining as brightly as the decorations.

"Wow, Clara, you look incredible. I can't believe you've put this all together."

"My dad arranged it for me, to say congratulations and all that. He's really excited about me graduating."

"I'm sure he is," I smile, wishing I had parents who could be proud of me, too.

"Where's your man?" Clara asks, glancing around.

"He's just getting us some drinks."

"Come and find me later and introduce me. All the girls keep talking about how freaking hot he is. I have to see for myself."

I laugh. "Will do."

The other students around me are laughing, shouting and taking shots of—you guessed it—gold tequila.

When a tray of shots comes past me, I grab two of them, then push my way through the crowd towards Yefim.

"Here," I grin, handing him one of them.

"Oh, we're starting with the tequila. You're asking for trouble with this."

"Maybe I'm looking for trouble," I say, glancing up and down his gorgeously sculpted physique. The black suit he's wearing hugs his body tightly; custom made for him, as all his suits are, it accentuates every muscle and his beautiful broad shoulders.

He notices me staring for too long.

"Do you want to go find a dark corner and make out?" he asks with a chuckle.

"Wow, you haven't even had a tequila shot yet and you're already trying to take advantage of me."

"I've been trying to take advantage of you since the first day I saw you. The tequila is only going to make it worse."

I hold my shot up towards him. "Well then, here's to a fun night."

He grins, then throws his head back, taking the shot.

I pull a sour face as the alcohol burns down my throat. Even expensive tequila still tastes like tequila.

"Ugh," I say, sticking my tongue out.

Yefim laughs at me. "You don't like tequila?"

"I love it. I just don't like drinking it," I giggle.

He hands me my gin. Strawberry, with a red slice on the edge of the glass.

Glancing up and down my body he says, "Amongst all the gold, you are the rose that stands out, catching everyone's eye."

I press my lips together to try and hide how massive my smile is, but I fail. How does he know exactly what to say all the time?

I hold my hand out for him to take. "We're going to the dance floor," I announce, then pull him along with me, not waiting for him to reply in case he protests. Some guys just don't like dancing. But I love dancing, and it's my graduation party, so he has to like it too.

It turns out that Yefim is a damn good dancer.

Fuck.

If I thought he was sexy wearing the suit—now I have to somehow control myself while he dances in the suit, pressed up against me, his hands on my body. I'm barely managing to hold it together.

"What are you doing later?" he whispers in my ear.

"Not sure yet. There's this hot guy who offered to take me to dinner."

"I think he offered to take you tomorrow night. Which means you're free tonight. So how about you and I go home together?"

"That's very forward of you. I don't go home with tall, dark, devilishly handsome men that I've only just met." I grin, enjoying the game we are playing.

"Mm. It's a good thing you married this tall, dark, devilishly handsome man then, isn't it." He spins me around and then pulls me right up against him again.

Rocking his hips, he guides my body to sway in time to the music.

We are having so much fun together, laughing, flirting, joking.

The tequila tray comes past a few times and we have a few more shots, then after a while Yefim notices my cheeks glowing red.

He takes my hand and pulls me off the dance floor. "You need water and maybe another gin before you have any more tequila," he chuckles.

"I want all the tequila. I want to party tonight."

"Well, party like a good girl, and drink water when I tell you to."

"I'll be your good girl," I giggle.

His eyes darken as he looks down at me. "You are my good girl." His deep voice rumbles through me, sending delightful shivers down my spine.

"Tia," Clara's voice interrupts the moment. "Is this him?" she says, sounding shocked, her eyes tracing over every inch of Yefim.

"This is my man," I say proudly. "Yefim, this is Clara. She's hosting the party."

"Clara, lovely to meet you." He holds out his hand to take hers, but she goes in for a cheek kiss. She is practically drooling over him.

I laugh. She doesn't stand a chance.

She's too tall and too skinny, just like Zoey. And this man belongs to me.

At least for now.

While the agreement is in place.

I bite my lip.

I've just graduated, my debt is almost paid. Does that mean his side the deal is fulfilled?

Clara is chatting with Yefim, and I turn towards them to pay attention to the conversation. I don't want to get caught up in my thoughts and ruin the party. Tonight is a celebration. I want to enjoy myself without worrying about anything else.

One of Clara's other guests calls for her attention.

"Oh my goodness, I have to go. But I'll come find you guys later and chat some more." She smiles, broad and beautiful.

It still shocks me, doesn't seem real, that Yefim chose me over all of these girls that are clearly really into him. Falling over him.

Yefim pulls me against his side again and talks down to me.

"Wait here. I'll be right back. I'm going to get us some water."

He kisses my forehead and I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the touch of his lips, the sound of the party around us. This moment. Just taking a mental photograph of this moment.

Then he's gone and I'm standing alone.

But not for long.

An older guy, very good looking, very distinguished, comes up to me.

"Tia, Clara tells me you were the top graduate. To be honest, I've been keeping my eye on you during this final year."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I don't even know who you are." I blush a little, wondering if I'm supposed to know him.

"Clara is my niece. My name is Giorgio Vitali. I own a number of very large business in Boston. The reason I like to keep an eye on the top graduates is to see if any of them catch my eye—and you, young lady, caught my eye."

I swallow hard, smiling nervously.

"I just focused and studied hard," I say, not really knowing what he actually wants from me.

He smiles a wide, charming smile.

"A girl like you can get any job she wants at any company she wants to work for. Your grades aren't just good, Tia. They are borderline perfect. You are a smart and very beautiful girl. I'm sure you are very proud of yourself."

"Oh," I say, realizing he really has been keeping an eye on me. "Thank you."

I'm rather enjoying the praise and attention, because it's not like I have my own parents who would say all these things to me.

"Listen, I know tonight is about celebration, but I did want to talk to you. Like I said, I own a number of businesses here in the city. I want you to come and work for me. You just need to state what salary you want and it's yours. A top position in my company. You'll love it. And you'll have everything your heart desires."

He tilts his head, waiting for me to reply.

"That's so generous of you. I'd love to look over your offer. But tonight—well, let's make a plan to meet sometime next week."

I don't want to be rude to him. I am so flattered by his offer, but I rather enjoy working with Yefim. And he has already told me that my position and salary will improve now that I've graduated, so before I go accepting other offers, I need to hear him out. Dubrov is my first choice in terms of companies I want to work for. Besides, I want to stay close to him.

Giorgio takes my hand in his, smiling and shaking my hand. His eyes pierce into me. He is a man with a very strong presence. I imagine he has a lot of power, a lot of people doing exactly what he says.

"Then we will make a plan to meet next week, beautiful girl. Congratulations, Tia, on your graduation. I'll get your number from Clara and set up an appointment."

He turns to walk away, and a few moments later Yefim arrives with our drinks and a bottle of sparkling water.

"Here you go, baby girl. Who were you just talking to?"

"He offered me a job," I grin, proud of myself that I'm being headhunted, even if I know I most probably won't take it.

"Oh, he did? Better than the job you have?" Yefim sounds guarded.

"I don't know yet. He wants to meet next week. I didn't answer him now when he asked if I wanted to work for him."

"What's his name? What company is it?"

"He didn't say the company—apparently he runs a number of businesses. His name is Giorgio Vitali."

Yefim's face drops. He looks like he's just been slapped hard.

"Yefim?" I say, lifting my hand to touch him, nervous because he looks so horrified. "What's wrong?"

"Giorgio Vitali. Do you know him?"

"No. He's Clara's uncle. Clara, the girl you just met now. The hostess."

He nods tightly, his eyes darting all over the place.

"Tia, we need to leave, right now."

"What is going on, Yefim?" I say, my heart beginning to beat faster and faster at this unknown danger he seems to be sensing.

He takes my drink from my hand and puts it on a nearby table. Then he takes my hand and pulls me towards the front door. He keeps watching his back, looking everywhere. I have no idea what is happening right now, but I just have to trust him.

I'm practically jogging to keep up with his long strides, and he is holding my hand so tightly it's hurting.

Outside, he hurries over to where our car is parked and pulls the door open for me.

"Get in. Now. Quickly." He is looking behind us towards the house.

I climb in without a word, my blood pumping loudly in my ears. He runs around the car and quickly gets into the driver's side, starting the engine.

His wheels spin on the gravel of the driveway as he pulls out of the parking area, pushing the accelerator down hard as he heads for the gate to leave the property.

I don't say a word. He is so focused on getting us out of here I'm too nervous to interrupt him.

The security guard opens the gates for us and Yefim breathes a sigh of relief, pulling away from the house into the public road. He floors the gas, screaming away from my graduation party.