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Serenity

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

I didn't expect him to be here when I woke up, but I was very upset when, on getting up, I saw the familiar three dozen calla lilies in a vase on the dining table and a jewelry box next to it.

For any other woman, perhaps it represents an attempt to seduce, to please. For me, it reminds me of the two years he remained distant.

"It was Mr. Kostanidis who ordered it to be delivered," the maid says, entering the room. "Aren't they beautiful?"

I nod, unable to speak.

"He asked you to call him as soon as you woke up. It looks like your cell phone is turned off, Miss Blanchet."

It’s not turned off. It's with Madison. She told me that you can't use phones inside SIN, so I handed her mine before going on stage.

God, what a fool I made of myself!

After everything that happened, he didn't change how he sees me at all: as a silly girl.

If it weren't for me being injured by the scorpion, would he even have approached me? Would we even have seen each other at all once we lived in the same city?

I woke up happy, feeling full in my body and mind. What happened yesterday seemed like a dream, but now, I'm starting to think I embarrassed myself last night. The flowers and jewelry are a kind of message: nothing has changed.

I go to the bathroom, forcing myself to take a shower and move on to my only comfort when I feel alone: dancing.

Four hours later, my body is worn out enough that at least for a while, I've forgotten about everything else other than my art.

During one of the breaks I took, one of the bodyguards handed me my phone with a note from Madison, asking me to call her.

There were also messages from Ares, but I ignored them.

I talked to Madison for about ten minutes and was happy that neither she nor Cici had gotten into trouble with their husbands because of my stupid idea of annoying Ares by performing at SIN .

I'm getting ready to go into the changing room because I feel exhausted, but one of the other dancers intercepts me along the way. He's very friendly, but I'm not sure what his name is, and I tell him that, even at the risk of being rude.

"Powers," he says, smiling.

We talk for a while, and he makes me laugh several times. When he invites me for a bite to eat, I decide to accept. Debra is traveling, and the other option would be staying home alone.

Maybe that's what I need: to get away from the Kostanidou for a bit, to make new friends.

Only then do I remember what JeAnne told me: I still need to ask Ares why he didn't tell me about Mr. Van Lith's death.

Not today, however.

I need a break and, above all, to get over my embarrassment. I made the biggest mistake possible: I fell in love with the man who declared, the first time he saw me—and that wasn't even on a real date, but at an obligatory meeting—that he didn't want any commitment.

After yesterday, it's as if a curtain has been pulled aside. I finally understand why I've never been able to be interested in another guy these past two years.

It was lust at first sight with that Greek ogre.

Lucky for me, I don't like him. It's only passion, physical attraction, so I'll never run the risk of loving him.

"So, how are you feeling about your debut as prima ballerina?" Powers asks, bringing me back to reality.

We're at a diner near the New York City Ballet, and from where I'm sitting, I see two of my bodyguards standing in the doorway.

I grimace in disgust, even though I know their presence is necessary. If Powers noticed my escort, he’s too polite to mention it.

"Do you want a sincere answer or a cute one?"

"The truth, always," he says, smiling, before bringing his glass of orange juice to his mouth.

"It hasn't sunk in yet. I can't believe I was chosen. I've dreamed about this my whole life and now that it's happened, I haven't had time to process it. Maybe fear will catch up with me on opening day, but for now I . . .”

I stop talking when I notice Powers looking past me. A second later, when a huge hand lands on my shoulder, I know the reason for his expression.

Ares is here. I don't even need to turn around. My body recognizes him. How is that possible?

I prepare to face him, but then he leans down without any warning and kisses my mouth. It’s not just a brush of lips; it’s a kiss with tongue and teeth, one that brings back inappropriate memories of last night.

When we separate, I don't even know where I am anymore, every single one of my neurons trying to realign itself.

"You've been running away from me all day, baby. So I had to come and hunt for you." He turns to Powers. "My name is Ares Kostanidis, and you are?"

I'm left in disbelief when he stretches his hand towards Powers, such completely different behavior than with Otis, whom he seemed to want to kill.

"Powers Udow." My colleague accepts the hand, but a quick look at his face is enough to see that he is scared to death.

He stands up, silently, and picks up his backpack without making eye contact with me.

Excellent!

When I accepted the invitation for lunch, it didn't even cross my mind to make him a fling or anything like that—only to make friends. But honestly, I don't want to be friends with someone who runs away at the slightest hint of danger.

He says goodbye quickly, and the arrogant Greek, the last person I want to see right now, takes his place.

"Your friend must be in a hurry," he says sardonically.

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Why not?"

"Because people will think we're together." I get up too and exit the diner, leaving him to pay the bill.

I see a security guard walk towards me, but I ignore him. Luckily for me, a taxi is passing by at that very moment, and I get into it, giving the driver my address. He takes off, and when I look back, I see Ares standing on the sidewalk, shooting poison darts out of his eyes.

I haven't been in my apartment five minutes when I hear the door open.

How could he have arrived so quickly? He must have been on a motorcycle.

"Get out. You can't come in like this. It's my house."

"What the hell was that? Why did you run away? By the way, why did you run away all day?"

"I understood your message, guardian . The usual flowers and also the jewelry."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not stupid. To silence your conscience for not having visited me over the last two years, you always sent me three dozen calla lilies and a piece of jewelry. Even after everything that happened yesterday, you returned to your old routine, treating me like a child."

"I sent your favorite flowers and a piece of jewelry made just for you, as I have done over the past few years."

"What?"

"I know that you didn't open any of the ones I gave you in the past. Yesterday, when I was leaving your room, I saw all the untouched boxes inside your closet. I wanted to understand why, so I sent one more today as a test."

"A test? Exclusive jewelry? Wasn't it with my money that you bought them? I thought you had your secretary send them or something. In the romance books I've read, the arrogant tycoon doesn’t even bother to buy jewelry for his exes. He orders his secretary to do it."

He doesn't say anything, and I'm not stupid: it's clear he's done that with girlfriends too.

But not with me?

I leave him alone in the living room and run to the closet. I take out all the boxes I've never opened and sit on the floor with them around me, including the one I got today.

When I start to unpack them, I feel like crying. They are all ballet-themed, but clearly unique. They also have deep blue stones, the same color as my eyes.

I look up and see him standing in the closet doorway, his jaw clenched.

We don't say anything, but I don't need words right now. The gifts say a lot because now I know he thought of me when he sent each one of them.

I stand up, and he watches me like a hunter watching his prey as he considers his next meal. There's not a hint of humor or softness in his expression, but I've just discovered that I like the danger he exudes.

Without saying anything, I throw myself into his arms. He picks me up and buries his head in the crook of my neck, biting with relative force. The sting of pain excites me.

"Don't run away from me again."

"Then make me stay," I challenge him.