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Serenity

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I was putting a small piece of breaded okra in my mouth, which the waiter brought immediately after we sat down as an appetizer. Every time I came home from boarding school for the holidays, JeAnne made them for me, and I think I kind of got hooked on them. I could never resist, although afterwards I would run at least ten kilometers on the treadmill to burn off the calories.

After what Ares says, however, I stop the movement midway.

"What did you say?" I ask, shocked that he's the equivalent of a human juggernaut and yet able to read me so well.

"You heard me. I'm not here to be your first crush but to make sure you're okay and also to make sure you'll call on me if necessary."

"I would never date someone so old," I say, because I've just discovered that I have a vengeful streak.

Bastard.

Of course, he is partly right. Not about me wanting him to be my first whatever, but because it would be like winning the lottery if it happened. Especially because Ares lives in New York. Dating him wouldn't even interfere with my ballet practice. Once every fifteen days would be enough and . . . No, every fifteen days would be too little. He is very handsome. Once every week.

"Return to Earth, Serenity. You're daydreaming. I saw the way you looked at me, so stop with the I'm-too-old act because I'm not buying it."

"I believe that a man in your position would have women throwing themselves at his feet, Mr. Kostanidis, but with me, you will be safe. My heart already belongs to someone else."

Guys, I've never invented a lie so quickly in my life. I broke all the records. I almost pat myself on the back when I see his expression stiffen.

But it doesn't last long. Soon, a smile of pure irony appears on his beautiful mouth. "You're lying. You don't leave the house except to practice ballet."

Think fast, Serenity.

"You're right. And that's because I'm not interested in anything else that I can’t do with my Otis," I say quickly, remembering the brother of a friend from boarding school. "He's four years older than me, and he's still studying. He's finishing college, but next vacation, he'll come visit me."

"I want his full name."

"What?"

"You heard me. Full name."

"No way. He comes from a noble family, I can assure you. Besides, I can take care of myself."

"What you think is beside the point. I'm your guardian. I want to know who the boy is."

Oh my God. I'm going to have to call Otis and ask him to confirm my lie. Incredibly, I'm better friends with him than I am with his sister.

"Okay," I say and see his eyebrow rise.

"That easy?"

"Do you want me to start a war over everything? As you pointed out, I'm a good girl. A young dancer with a brilliant career ahead of me and a handsome boyfriend."

I look at him to try to see how my words affected him, but it only takes me a moment to feel like an idiot. Ares' expression remains neutral, obviously.

He negotiated to take over my guardianship. He's not worried about my private life.

"And a millionaire."

I just took a sip of water, so I choke. "What?"

His expression denotes confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I thought I heard you say I'm a millionaire."

"That’s what I said."

"How is that possible?"

"Wait, Van Lith never talked to you about the fortune you inherited?"

I feel like an idiot, ignorant. "I never asked."

"It wasn't your place to ask; it was his place to tell you as soon as you turned eighteen. There is a lot at stake. Your future, mainly." He looks angry now. Not in the same way as when he was angry with me—he looks really angry, and it strikes me that his name fits him like a glove. I wouldn’t want to get on his bad side. He's not explosive. He's frighteningly cold, much worse than if he yelled.

"What do you mean my future is at stake?"

"You're a smart girl, Serenity. Think."

"I swear I don't understand."

"You're beautiful," he begins, and I get angry as I feel my stupid heart race, because he says it in a clinical way, not as a compliment. "But if that beauty comes in a nice million-dollar package, it becomes much more attractive."

"Oh!"

Ares

Jesus, I want to squeeze Van Lith's neck right now.

She looks at me in complete confusion, and more than ever, I feel like a creep for having ogled her like I would any woman who caught my interest.

Serenity is not just eighteen years old; she is a sweet angel in every way.

"How serious is your relationship with this Otis guy?"

"What?"

"Don't answer with another question. It won't work."

She gives a nervous laugh. "Otis's family has a lot more money than I will ever have. Did you say millions of dollars in my account? Think of his, but somewhere in the billions. Now, could you explain a little about this fortune you told me about?" she asks, as if she expects me to say at any moment that the claim is a big joke.

Half an hour later, when I finish explaining what her inheritance entails, as well as the way I intend to invest it, she is whiter than the tablecloth.

"Eat."

"I don't know if I can."

"Yes, you can. The performance combined with the tension that preceded it probably prevented you from eating properly before."

"Are you a father?"

"No."

"You're acting like one."

"My role is to take care of?—"

"So that I don't fall into the clutches of a scoundrel. I understand, Ares, but I'm not a baby."

“No, you're not,” I say, swallowing hard as I watch her bring a piece of peppered cheese to her mouth.

"I have a boyfriend. One who won't want to steal my fortune." She says it like she doesn't give a shit about money.

"Do you intend to marry him?"

"I never intend to get married. You'll have to put up with me for seven whole years, Mr. Kostanidis. But don't worry. I won't bother you. The only thing I need is to set up a dance studio at home. I meant to call you and ask for it, but now that I know I'm not on the brink of destitution, I don't think you'll deny me."

"You can have anything you want, Serenity."

"No one can have everything they want, Ares."

"What does that mean?"

"All the money you say I have is not capable of bringing my family back."