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43.
Sofia watched the young woman walk away, the skin of her palm biting into the leather of the steering wheel as she squeezed it hard. She had driven over to surprise Dimitri. She planned to run into him as he left for work, so she parked her car and waited, prepared to bite the bullet and invite him out for coffee. He insisted they could be friends, and she was ready to use her cards and sort things out. Little by little, like before, they would become closer again.
Her plans and excuses went out the window when she looked through the gate to see him saying goodbye to her. She didn’t simply kiss him on the cheek, she hugged him, and he smiled at her with warmth. The same warmth she noted in his tone months ago when he spoke about helping her at the hospital.&n
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An Unroyal Alliance 44.
Ayesha strutted out of the store with the bags of clothes she’d purchased swinging at her side. It had been a while since she bought something for herself, and since she didn’t have classes or work in the morning, she decided to use the car for a drive around. She dropped the bags in the back of the car and got in, ready to return to the apartment.As she crossed the street to get to her car, her eyes fell on a familiar face sitting across the street from where she parked. He sat under one of the large, bright blue patio umbrellas stalking out of the centre of the elegant, polished deck tables. It always seemed easy to pick him out in a crowded space. Once her eyes caught a glimpse of him, he became all she saw.Maybe it was a rouge crush, and she was allowing it to blossom even when she convinced herself she was cutting it down. She didn't want to start anything with someone who still loved someone else. But the uncertainty of that fact kept feeding her wi
An Unroyal Alliance 45.
Early in the morning, Dimitri was finishing his hike for the day when he walked out of the forest and noticed Ayesha sitting by the waterfront. Unlike the last time he had seen her in that exact spot, she had come prepared with a blanket and a lunch box. Casually dressed in dark leggings and a large navy blue t-shirt with a wide enough neck that one side hung off her shoulders.She appeared to be enjoying the day. Her hair was down, her hands stretched behind her, and her neck craned towards the sky as she relished the little sunlight that warmed her skin. Her legs were crossed at the ankles. She had taken her shoes off, so he noticed when she wiggled her toes through the socks.“Hey.”“Hey, right back. How are you?”“Fine, thanks. You?”“Spectacular. Are you finishing up on your hike?” He nodded, and she tapped an empty space on the blanket. “Want to join me?”“Sure.” H
An Unroyal Alliance 46.
"Any better?" Dimitri asked as he turned the car on and allowed the heaters to blast through the vents."Yeah. Either that or I am past the point of feeling anything different."Ayesha shivered violently. She had taken her shoes and socks off, unable to bear them on her feet for a second longer. Dimitri allowed the car to run for some time, using the heat from the air conditioner to make their situation more bearable, but it didn’t change much. They had been sitting there for so long, and nothing had changed.The storm raged around them. The streams of raindrops were so thick Ayesha could clearly see the insides of the car when she looked out the window. She saw Dimitri from the window. He was digging into the back seat, leaning over the console and grunting from discomfort.“Ayesha.”“Yeah.”“Take this.” He handed her a towel and then reached for a jacket and shorts. “Change into that.”
An Unroyal Alliance 47.
“Come on up.”“No, I can’t. I might be all smiles, but I need to get warm.”“I bet. Which is what I am inviting you in for.” She looked out the windshield to the street. “It’s still raining quite heavily. I’ll wash and dry your clothes. You can change into them and enjoy a hot cup of tea. Don’t be so hard-headed. You’ve been shivering so hard your teeth are about to chatter out of your head.”He had no blanket in the car, and aside from the heater, there was nothing else he could use to get warm. The offering was tempting. He wouldn't deny that he dreaded having to sit through the traffic of cars in his still-drying clothes."I don't want to inconvenience your roommate."“Then you have nothing to worry about. He is spending the week at his girlfriend's place. Come in.” She pleaded, and this time he relented."Fine, but I have to find a better place to p
An Unroyal Alliance 48.
Dimitri arrived at his home at noon. The dark clouds were burned out of the sky, replaced by a vibrant yellow-orange glow. Most of the water had dried off the pavement by the time he arrived. Davina's car was also in his driveway. A glance through the pulled-back curtains confirmed that his sisters were making themselves comfortable.Vienna looked out the window, and he waved at her. "When I gave you the keys, home invasions weren't what I had in mind."Before he could process what was happening, Vienna was at the door, throwing it open and launching into his arms.“Oh, I was so worried.” She cried.“About what? What are you guys doing here?” He staggered back, holding Vienna.
An Unroyal Alliance 49.
Ayesha whipped her shirt off her head and draped it on the bench before collapsing on the floor. Joseph brought Ayesha and Carol out to the stadium for a morning of exercise on the weekend. After going rounds on the basketball court, they were ready for a break. Carol joined Ayesha on the floor, leaning her back against the bench as she watched Joseph continue to practice."Hey." Carol began after chugging a good amount of water. "I heard you and Glen are getting pretty close at work."“Are we?”“I thought you were. He keeps you company when I am late and even has started sorting closer to your station?”“Hm. I haven’t noticed. He is a nice guy, but that’s about where it gets with me.”“Still on about Dimitri?” Carol waggled her eyebrows with a suggestive smile.“No, maybe, but that’s not the reason. Like I said, Glen is nice, and that’s it.”"He seems
An Unroyal Alliance 50.
Dimitri dug his phone out of his pocket when it started vibrating. He looked away from his sisters and their play with horses to check the collar ID.“Hey.” He stood as he greeted Ayesha and began to walk away from the postparty.“Hi. I hope it isn’t too late to call?”“No. I hope there’s nothing wrong.”“No. I called to wish you a hap
An Unroyal Alliance 51.
"I want to see it.""Behave yourself?""Come on. I want to see it, don't be shy.""We have not reached that level in our relationship where you get to see me sing." He slapped her hand manacled around his arm. "Behave yourself.""It can't be as bad as you say it is. How long is the video?""Three minutes, and because I care about you, I am sparing you.""Right." She crossed her legs, causing the soft material of her trousers to flutter in the wind. "One of these days, you might slip, and I'll be the judge of that.""One of these days, but not today."He had kept his word and drove out early to pick her up. The drive-in wasn't too far. Before long, they were pulling into the large field. A few cars were already parked, hence why he came early. He drove for a bit and parked where he thought gave them a good view of the screen."How early are we?""Forty minutes." She sighed, reaching behind the console to grab the b
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