INSATIABLE CRAVINGS
Insatiable Cravings - Episode 71
Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game}
TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.
Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
~ Genevieve ~
Never in my life did I imagine I would find myself in the role of someone's girlfriend, let alone miss that someone to the point of madnéss. Yet here I am, lost in thoughts of my boyfriend, recalling how his body feels against mine when he embraces me, or the way he plays with my hands.
He seems to do that more often these days. It’s been two and a half weeks since we began dating, and with my university schedule being so demanding, I haven’t been able to visit him as frequently as I did before. So, whenever I do manage to see him, he ensures to wrap his arms around my waist, touch my arms or fingers as much as possible before I have to leave. He might be a bit clingy, but trust me when I say I don’t mind in the slightest.
Shifting away from thoughts of my boyfriend, university has been quite enjoyable. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of attending Suncrest University, or SU as it’s affectionately known, and now that I’m finally a student here, I’m relishing every moment.
Most people apply to Suncrest University for two main reasons. First, the remarkable academic reputation the institution has built over the last two decades, and second, the stunning architectural design of the campus. For me, it’s a combination of both, because, quite frankly, I, Genevieve King, cannot be seen in a school that doesn’t resonate with my vibes and aura.
You may call it prideful or conceited; I prefer to think of it as simply knowing my worth and minding your own business
"Stop giving me that look, Genevieve. It’s really rather annoying," Julianna groaned, lifting her mug and sipping from it like the well-behaved girl she most certainly is.
I sighed deeply. "What’s annoying is you pursuing this, Jules. I kept quiet throughout secondary school because she pleaded with me to stop insisting, but now..." I sighed again and shook my head. "Now you’re doing this. You’re going ahead with medical school when it’s not your dream, and I don’t like it for you."
We’d carved out time from our busy schedules to catch up today, as it had been nearly ten days since we last hung out. It might not seem like much to most, but given how often we used to see each other, ten days felt like an eternity.
At the moment, we were ensconced in our favourite café, enjoying some girl time, sipping coffee while I did my utmost to dissuade her from making what I believed to be the worst decision of her life.
"I know my dreams."
"Do you really? I have no doubt you’d be successful as a surgeon, but at what cost? Your happiness is at stake here, Julianna. Don’t do it."
"But..."
"No buts!" I exclaimed a tad too loudly, drawing unwanted glances from nosy busybodÃes who clearly didn’t know how to mind their own business. "You can’t build your future's foundation on that. Do what you want to do, not what you feel you have to do. Don’t go ahead with this, Jules."
"My parents will..."
"Do you genuinely believe they’ll suddenly change just because you became a surgeon? Do you think all you’ve endured without them will simply vanish? Do you think every single moment, the happy and the sad ones you’ve experienced without them, will somehow include them in your memories?" I interjected, cutting off whatever nonsensÃcal excuse she was about to offer for her useléss parents. "Because I think not. Nothing will change. Absolutely nothing. So, please, Julianna," everything within me was pleading for her to see the sense in my words. "Do it for yourself, not for them."
My best friend, Julianna Ember Nelsons, whom I’ve known for ages, heaved a heavy sigh, looking deep into my soul as she declared, "I’m going to be a surgeon, Genevieve. You may not believe it, but somewhere along the line of wanting to become a surgeon for them, I’ve started to genuinely enjoy the thought of saving lives. I’ll be able to bring smiles to people's faces after saving their lives or those of their relatives, and I think that’s rather brilliant."
If that’s what she truly wants, I suppose I can’t say anything to deter her from her dreams. I’d be a terrible best friend if I did. So, what do I do?
I forced a smile onto my face, but it was far from convincing, even to me. It was a pathetic attempt, but an attempt nonetheless.
"I can do both at the same time. Drawing will always be a part of me, so there’s no need to..." Julianna paused, as if struggling to articulate her thoughts. "Can we please change the subject?"
I nodded, suppressing the resignation that settled in my heart. I had been urging her for ages to follow her true dreams, but perhaps it was time to step back and let her do what she believes is right.
"Of course," I chimed, feigning happiness as if nothing had transpired a few moments ago. "How are you and Alessio?"
Her face turned a light shade of red, a soft blush blooming across her cheeks, making them appear almost like rosy petals. As the warmth spread over her skin, she instinctively tucked her dirty blonde hair behind her ear, a shy gesture that only highlighted her flustered state. "He... we’re good. Splendid, in fact."
"Oh, really?" I wiggled my brows at her teasingly, like a right twÃt, and she giggled like a lovestruck girl—perhaps because she is. "How good? Do tell, I’m intrigued."
"Un-intrigue yourself."
"Not a word."
"Don’t care."
I opened my mouth to speak, but the ringing of my phone halted the words on my tongue. Without taking my eyes off blushing Julianna, I picked up my phone that was resting next to my coffee mug, and fúck, when my gaze flicked to the screen, I became the one blushing.
It's him.
My boyfriend.
The love of my life.
Too much? Probably, but I couldn’t care less.
"Hey," I chirped, bliss washing over me at the soothing sound of my boyfriend's chuckle.
"Hey," Dominic replied in the same tone as I had, as if he were teasing me. "How are you today?"
"I’m alright. But shouldn’t you know that by now if you’re keeping an eye on me?" I paused for a second for dramatic effect. "Oh, did I say eye? I meant eyes. Two pairs of eyes, Dominic."
"Vixen, I’m doing it for your safety. The world isn’t a safe place, especially when you’re the Brà tva Don's girlfriend. My enémies are out to get me, and there’s no doubt they’ll use you to get to me. It’s not as if they haven’t tried it before."
"I know that, but I dislike the feeling of having eyes on me wherever I go. That’s why I even turned down the bodyguards my grandfather wanted to assign to me."
"You did?" He sounded shocked. "But I’m pretty sure you had bodyguards before I assigned my own men to look after you."
Wait, what?
Does this mean my grandfather didn’t listen to me and still has bodyguards without my knowledge? They’re more subtle than Dominic’s men, because even now, I can feel their eyes boring into my head, no matter how far away they are.
I need to have a word with my grandfather. If he has his own eyes on me, does this mean he knows I was kidnappéd? But he hasn’t said a word about it, and my mother doesn’t seem to know either.
What is Henry King up to? If this is some kind of grand scheme to make me submissive because he thinks he has something on me, he’s in for a rude awakening.
"What are you thinking about in that pretty little head of yours?"
"Nothing." I shook my head to clear those unwanted thoughts, at least for now. Then, I smiled. "What’s up with you?"
"Oh, nothing. Just missing my girlfriend who I haven’t seen in ages."
Blimey, who knew Dominic Morozov would be so dramatic? I think I’ve rubbed off on him a bit too much.
"Ages? We had dinner four days ago, and I slept over at yours."
"We did?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm, I don’t remember."
"What do I have to do to jog your memory?"
"Go on a date with me," Dominic said, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm, the warmth and excitement radiating through the phone, making my heart race because I could almost feel his smile on the other end.
My lips curled into a smile as I asked, "When?"
"When are you free?"
"Not tonight. We’re having a family dinner, perhaps tomorrow?"
"Right. I’ll come and pick you?"
"Alright."
"I love you,"
The smile on my face blossomed into the widest, brightest grin. No matter how many times I hear him utter those words, it never grows old. I shall never tire of Dominic Morozov telling me he loves me in that low, resonant voice of his, rich like velvet.
"I love you too."
After we bid our goodbyes and hung up, I dropped my phone back onto the table with a soft thud. Julianna leaned in closer, her breath warm against my ear as she murmured just for my ears, "You're in love." She sang it playfully, the hint of mischief dancing in her tone.
There's no denying it. I am utterly, completely, and irrevocably in love with Dominic Morozov.
★★★★
"I’ve missed you so much." I cried out against Adrianna’s shoulder as we embraced, the familiar scent of her perfume enveloping me like a warm blanket.
She’s home tonight for the dinner Grandfather ordered. He doesn’t know how to ask for something; he simply commands it, and it happens, like a clock striking the hour.
So, that’s why we’re all gathered tonight. Well, everyone except Everett.
Gently patting my back, she murmured, "I’ve missed you too. It’s been nearly two months since we last saw each other."
I pulled back and sniffed, the salty remnants of tears lingering on my cheeks. "More like three and a half months, but who’s counting?"
Adrianna’s face lit up with laughter, a sound that rang out like music in the air. "You, apparently."
She truly is a sight for sore eyes whenever she smiles or laughs. Adrianna King is already a dazzling, glamorous vision to behold. She’s one of the very few irresistibly beautiful people I’ve encountered, and I’m not saying that simply because she’s my sister.
She is elegantly exquisite in every way, shape, and form. There’s an aura that follows her everywhere, drawing all eyes towards her even without her trying. Her sense of fashion may differ from mine, but trust me when I say it suits her to the core, accentuating her figure and grace.
Each of the King siblings—Everett, Adrianna, and I—has a distinct sense of style that perfectly reflects our personalities.
"Why shouldn’t I? You’re practically married to your work."
"Not for long, now." Grandfather interjected sharply, his tone ominous and mysterious, low and meaningful, with a knowing glint in his eyes that sent a chill down my spine.
Adrianna and I exchanged glances, sharing a look of confusion. The elation that had graced her features moments before faded slowly, like the last rays of sunlight disappearing at dusk. I remained in the dark, bewildered while she seemed to have pieced it together.
What on earth is happening?
Dinner had barely commenced, and already the drama was unfolding.
"Father," Mother called, her expression pleading, her voice like silk, trying to smooth over the tension.
"Why wait?" he queried, though everyone present knew he wasn’t expecting an answer. "Just tell her now, Mariah."
"Let’s have dinner first." Dad stepped in, his voice steady, yet I could hear the strain beneath.
"Don’t make me repeat myself, Mariah." Henry King snapped, completely disregarding Dad as if no one had spoken.
It clearly riled Dad, for he gritted his teeth, angér gleaming in his eyes like the sharp edge of a blà de as he shot a glare in Grandfather's direction.
Seriously, what is going on?
Am I thÃck?
Everyone around the table seemed to know something I didn’t.
Dad and Mother exchanged glances, and somehow, it prompted her to step forward. Mariah King approached her eldest daughter, my sister Adrianna, taking her hands in hers with a tenderness I hadn’t seen in years.
She hadn’t done that in such a long while. In fact, it had been sixteen years since I’d witnessed Mother’s mask of composure slip, revealing a glimmer of the warmth and tenderness she once showed us. The contrast was jarring—her distant, calculating gaze had become all too familiar over the years, making this rare display of emotion all the more striking.
"You’re getting married," her voice emerged low, yet clearly audible, like a whisper carried on the wind.
Flabbergasted, I stumbled back, my knees suddenly weak, jelly-like, and wobbly, as if the very ground beneath me had shifted. Adrianna, the one to whom the statement was directed, appeared to have a better grip on her emotions than I did. Her eyes widened, a mix of shock and disbelief flashing through the brilliant blue depths, but she held her composure, her lips pressed together tightly as if to keep from speaking.
"You’re getting married to Xavier Carrington." Mariah added, her words slicing through the air like a knife, leaving a stark silence in their wake. In that moment, an emotion I would describe as dreà d—or perhaps rà ge—flashed through Adrianna’s eyes. It was fleeting, but it was definitely there, a storm brewing beneath her calm exterior.
TBC
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