Page 53

The air between us was silent.

Almost stilled as we walked side by side toward the front door.

Which Sevan instinctively opened for me, motioning me through first.

And I didn't hesitate to walk past her, feeling the sharp cold air nip at my face as I walked toward the car with Sevan following behind me.

The driver opened the back door before I was even remotely close to the car, respectfully nodding at me as I slid into the backseat.

Where flowers and a gift bag sat in the middle of the two seats.

A burgundy Cartier bag to be exact.

The bouquet was very massive too.

It nearly took up the entire backseat.

"This is unnecessary," I said as Sevan slid into the backseat from the other side.

"It is extremely necessary," Sevan argued my point as she closed her door.

I lazily raised my brows as I buckled my seatbelt, refusing to open the expensive gift.

Which I could tell Sevan picked up on immediately.

"I do not need your gifts," I emphasized, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I never said you did," Sevan said, picking up the small gift bag, and carefully placing it in my lap, "You deserve them instead."

I rolled my eyes, "Your words are very... cringe," I mumbled, still refusing to open the gift she had gotten me.

I only placed it back on top of the flowers, away from my lap where it had been placed.

Sevan's lips twitched up at my insult, "You can do better than that," she determined, knowing I had more insults for her.

I shrugged, "I would rather throw gift out of the window," I said, glancing away from her and staring out of the tinted windows.

"Then throw it out, Zinovia," Sevan didn't hesitate to say, sounding entirely too unbothered for my liking.

I clenched my jaw, glancing over to the bag that sat between us with the flowers.

"I do not litter," I said before I could think it through, furrowing my brows as I glanced back toward the window, "But I still do not open stupid gift."

Sevan hummed, "If that's what you want baby," she murmured, relaxing back in her seat.

I lazily raised my brows, "It's all I want," I said almost purposely.

For some reason, I wanted last word with her.

"All you want?" she emphasized.

And I could suddenly feel her dark eyes burning into the side of my face.

I hummed tightly, "You leaving me alone after this would be a very nice plus," I added, my tone sharpened with nothing but insult.

Which never really seemed to bother Sevan.

"We both know that's not possible," Sevan murmured, continuing to stare at me so openly.

Meanwhile, I focused on staring out of the tinted windows—watching the city blur past me.

And for once I left her with the last word.

Only because I knew my response more or so entertained her.

She enjoys talking to me even if I am rude.

So silence seems to be the best option.

The car ride was really only ten minutes anyway.

Or barely so.

It was around nine minutes—I counted in my head when I zoned out.

And as we both slid out of the backseat of the car, the unopened gift remained left behind.

Something that I was curious to see.

Unfortunately so.

But I refrained.

It is most likely some expensive piece of jewelry that I do not need.

I will be more than okay.

Even if a part of me does like the idea of receiving a gift from Sevan.

One that she picked out herself.

But it is too late to fall for gifts and flowers.

Or even dates.

I just like giving her hope.

Only to snatch it back from her when she's finished with this unnecessary display.

"Basketball...?" I questioned almost in disapproval.

I do not attend sports matches.

I never have.

"Let me guess," Sevan said as we walked up the short set of stairs with the crowds of people around us, "First time?"

I rolled my eyes, "You enjoy taking my firsts, da?" I purposely asked her as we walked side by side, "Only to play games with me."

Sevan tilted her head, "This isn't a game," she immediately shut my accusation down.

I hummed in disapproval, "You were saying otherwise in Colombia," I mumbled, glancing down as we continued walking toward the arena.

"Zinovia—"

"I do not want to hear any more of your pitiful apologies," I quickly cut her short, letting out a deep sigh as I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my fur coat, "We just get this night over with," I added in a reluctant mumble.

And for once Sevan remained silent, walking beside me as we approached the numerous glass doors that people entered the arena through.

There was security and then the pre-paid ticket lines and a line to purchase tickets.

Sevan seemed to already have tickets for us.

Courtside tickets to be specific.

A lot of people were filing into their seats or already seated in the arena—with only a few minutes left until the game was scheduled to begin.

"I want vodka," I said as I sat down in the cushioned chair.

Meanwhile, Sevan halted her actions—standing in front of me with her attention tilted down on me.

"Ask properly and I'll go get it for you," Sevan said almost purposely, raising a brow when I narrowed my eyes at her.

Mostly because I do not want to ask her properly.

But I also know she will not get it otherwise, and I will have to sit here with that lesson.

Unless I get it myself.

Which I refuse to do.

I suddenly let out a deep dramatic sigh.

One that lasted almost a few seconds.

Until I finally said—

"Can you go get vodka for me... please?"

Sevan immediately nodded in approval, "Of course," she murmured, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes when I noticed the way her lips subtly twitched up.

She is satisfied.

Something she should not be.

But at least I get my vodka.

I let out a content sigh, relaxing in my seat as I briefly watched Sevan pass through the crowd toward the concession stands.

And knowing she would disapprove, I went ahead and decided to take a few more of my Xanax pills.

Mostly because the three I took earlier do not seem to be helping my heartbeat calm down as usual.

If anything it is very erratic.

So I swallowed three more of the pills.

But without a drink to wash it down, it was very... uncomfortable.

But it was not the worst thing ever.

I think I have taken so many Xanax's today that it might not begin to work for me tonight.

Which is very frustrating.

Mostly because I need them to work now more than ever.

Luckily, by the time Sevan returned after around ten minutes, I felt somewhat calmer.

My heart still felt like it was a little rapid.

But otherwise, I felt much better.

Aside from the sudden tiredness tugging at my consciousness.

I will most likely want to leave basketball game early.

This is not my scene anyway.

"Better now?" Sevan asked me as she watched me twist open one of the airplane bottles of vodka.

I nodded once as I lifted it to my lips, downing the entire shot in one sip.

"Much better," I murmured, clinging to the burn that ran down my throat so perfectly.

Sevan hummed in disapproval, "I don't like this drinking habit," she said as if her opinion mattered.

I lazily raised my brows, "Perhaps if you weren't here I would not want to drink," I countered back, staring forward as loud annoying music began playing through the surround-sound speakers.

"You drink regardless, Zinovia—don't do that," Sevan immediately shut my previous statement down.

And I could suddenly hear the irritation in her voice.

Good.

I just couldn't further her irritation with the music growing louder and the basketball players now making their entrance.

Everyone around me seemed to be clapping and cheering.

Except for Sevan who sat silently, occasionally taking a sip of her water.

She had also gotten me a bottle.

But I was too busy with the small airplane bottles of vodka.

And the basketball game that I actively tried to pay attention to and understand.

But my focus felt almost tilted.

I could not focus?

It was very odd.

But I also did not mind zoning out.

It made time go by faster.

"Zinovia."

I blinked a few times, forcing a hum as I glanced away from the court.

That was now empty...

Which I quickly realized was due to half-time.

Good, time has gone by very quickly.

"Zinovia?"

"Da," I quickly mumbled, glancing over to Sevan whose attention seemed to be entirely on me.

She almost looked concerned.

But it was subtle—barely even recognizable on her face.

It was only the slight furrow of her brows that gave it away.

"Are you good?" she asked, eyeing my face for a moment—or my eyes specifically, "I just said your name numerous times."

I shrugged, "I zoned out," I breathed out honestly, relaxing back in my chair with a deep sigh.

"What?" Sevan asked me, and it wasn't sarcastic or in a joking way.

It was more of a genuine question.

"I zoned out," I repeated myself more clearly, realizing my last words might've been too lowered for her to hear.

Sevan forced a hum, still openly eyeing my face for a moment.

Which felt like it was burning up under her stare.

Or maybe it was already burning to begin with.

I am unsure.

"Pizza," I suddenly said, using the first excuse I could think of to send her away, "I want pizza," I said, forcing my words to be louder.

When all I wanted to do was be silent.

"Come with me," Sevan said, and I almost wondered if she didn't want to leave me alone.

I shook my head, "I like to stay here," I mumbled, staring forward again at the court.

It was silent for a moment, aside from Sevan's stare that spoke volumes.

I just couldn't tune into what she was possibly thinking.

So I ignored her in general.

Until she eventually stood from her chair with a reluctant sigh.

"Five minutes," was all she said, walking past me back toward the concession stands.

I naturally relaxed further in my chair, feeling entirely content without her pestering presence.

All she does is stare at me.

It is very exhausting.

Now I have at least five minutes to myself.

Which almost felt like little to no time.

Or perhaps Sevan was gone for less than five minutes.

Because before I realized it, she was sitting back down beside me with the slice of pizza I requested.

Which I just realized I had told her I wanted.

It almost felt like I had forgotten about it in the span of only minutes.

"Here," Sevan said, holding it to my lips rather than letting me feed myself.

And for once, I let her—leaning into to take a bite of the warm cheesy pizza.

But only because I felt almost too lazy to even lift my hand to hold it.

So I let her feed me a few bites, unconsciously thinking about the first time I had pizza.

And how I fed that same pizza to Sevan as we sat in that large hotel bed.

She had taken care of me.

Something only my father had once done.

Why does she act that way for nothing in return?

Not even a... relationship?

"I'm done," I said, leaning away from the half-eaten pizza.

Which I realized was the only thing I had today aside from breakfast earlier.

But breakfast was very filling.

And I was busy with business the entire day.

"I think I want to leave," I suddenly spoke, watching the basketball players return to the court.

Although, the crowd was more focused on the digital jumbotron camera that would occasionally land on someone in the crowd.

There were also the cheerleaders, who seemed to be concluding their dance that I didn't bother paying attention to.

"Let's stay a little into the third quarter," Sevan said, clearly not wanting to leave just yet.

But I feel very tired now.

I want to leave.

"Nyet," I sighed, hesitantly standing as I tried to shift my focus away from the jumbotron.

Which I suddenly realized displayed me and Sevan.

With the words Be Mine? in large bubble letters under the display of us.

What is this?

I blinked almost a few times, glancing over to Sevan who I realized was now standing beside me.

And suddenly I could feel thousands of eyes on us both.

For once, Sevan had willingly created a public display for us.

Which... I admired?

I think?

I can not think straight, especially not with the crowd cheering and chanting encouragingly for me to say yes.

"Zinovia," Sevan's familiar voice echoed—before I felt the warmth of her arm around my waist steadying me.

I drew in a deep breath, furrowing my brows as I tried to center myself beyond the loud crowd of thousands of people.

"What's wrong?" Sevan asked me, her voice coming through to me in abnormal waves.

All I could really process was her concerned expression.

Something that was much more prominent now.

But the sudden gasps that echoed around me, distracted me from her familiar face.

Along with the darkness that filtered in around me.

Something that tugged me in almost roughly, contrasting the weird warmth that I felt wrap around me.

Until I couldn't begin to process anything but the endless darkness.