INSATIABLE CRAVINGS
Insatiable Cravings – Episode 49
Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game}
TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.
Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
~ Genevieve ~
They say never to step on a lion’s tail, as it’s a sure way to invite one’s inevitable doóm, often leading to a rather tragíc demisé. Only the lucky ones live to tell the tale, albeit with a few scars and scratches as reminders.
Margot Larson has foólishly trodden on the lion’s tail, and I’ll make certain it’s the last time. I’ve tolerated her for far too long. My silence must have led her to mistake me for a foól, and it’s high time I correct that assumption.
It’s no secret that I despíse school, but today I donned my Wednesday uniform with a grin stretched wide across my face. My hair cascaded down my back in soft waves, and I tilted my head slightly as I admired my reflection in the mirror, my gaze falling to the necklace resting against my chest.
The necklace, a delicate gold strand with a not-so-tiny dove pendant, has never left my neck since the day Dominic placed it there. That was long before I even realised I’d fallen for him.
It still baffles me sometimes that I’m actually in love with someone. Me, who always found the idea of love rather cringeworthy, particularly when it comes to public displays of affection. Goodness, how I loàthe PDA. And yet, here I am, hopelessly in love with someone. Someone very special. My Dominic, my love, my soon-to-be perfect boyfriend. Mine and only mine, forever.
Sighing heavily, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and left my room. Luckily, Mum wasn’t home, just Dad, so we had breakfast in near silence, exchanging only the usual pleasantries. Afterward, I drove to school, not without first stopping for my morning coffee.
As I pulled into the school’s car park, I typed out a quick text to Dominic before stepping out of the car.
Me ≈ Already at school. Hopefully, the surprise you mentioned includes Margot looking miserable all day because her dear Daddy’s gone broke. By the way, don’t forget to think about me all day. winking face
“What’s with the big smile?” Sloane asked, stepping out of her car at the same time, her expression both amused and curious.
“Why?” I shot her a questioning look. “Is it so strange for me to have a smile on my face on such a beautiful day?”
“Beautiful day?” She repeated incredulously, glancing up at the overcast sky before looking back at me. “You and I have very different ideas of what a ‘beautiful day’ looks like.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“Because it absolutely chucked it down last night.”
Of course I knew that. I’d stayed up late, reading on my Kindle after revising for exams.
My confusion must have been obvious, so she added, “So, it’s not exactly a beautiful morning.”
“I love the rain,” I replied as we walked side by side down the path towards the school’s entrance. Tucking a few stray strands of hair behind my ear, I continued, “It’s loud, sometimes dangeroús, but peaceful. There’s something calming about it that I can’t quite explain.” Sloane was now looking at me as though I’d grown an extra head. “And what comes after the rain?”
She stepped through the hallway door first, and I followed. Turning her head slightly, she answered, “Calm?”
“Exactly, my friend’s friend.”
A contagious laugh burst from her, and I couldn’t help but join in.
Sloane’s undeniably beautiful. Her shoulder-length brunette hair framed her face perfectly, highlighting her striking green eyes and the tiny dimples on her cheeks.
Honestly, she deserves better than Christian.
“Did I miss something?”
Speak of the dévil. My eyes rolled instinctively as I heard Christian’s voice. He kissed her on the cheek before I even turned to face them, making me want to gag.
“Hey,” Sloane beamed up at him, clearly enjoying being in his arms. “Nothing, really, we were just…”
I cut in, “Arranging your funeral.”
Christian smirked at me, though I knew it wasn’t sincere. “Is that so? Shame I’m not déad.”
“Yet,” I replied dryly. “The key word is ‘yet’, idíot.”
“I miss the day you weren’t at school.”
“And I miss the day you had your dentist appointment.”
That was two years ago, when he didn’t come to school for a whole week after having his wisdom teeth removed. He’d whinged about how much it húrt – his words, not mine – and so I was dragged to visit him by none other than my best friend, Julianna.
That week had been absolute bliss, thanks to his absence.
“You…”
“You two would make the perfect husband and wife,” Sloane cut him off, her voice filled with teasing amusement. “You’re always at each other’s throats. A classic enemies-to-lovers story, don’t you think, Genny?” She nudged me playfully with a grin.
“Absolutely not,” I replied firmly. “I’d poisón him within a day, and I’d be a widow.”
“That’s if I eat anything you cook,” Christian retorted.
I scoffed. “You really think I’d cook for you? Poisón comes in more forms than just food, you know.”
With that, I strode away from the pair, catching Sloane’s giggles trailing behind me.
••
I suppose happiness really does have a significant effect on one’s day, especially when you’re anticipating something rather special.
My footsteps echoed through the corridor, the black boots I wore striking the concrete floor as I headed towards biology. The corridor was completely deserted; all the other students were already in class, except for me.
I may have been running a bit late, but it wasn’t entirely unintentional. Alright, perhaps it was. But honestly, it’s only a few minutes, isn’t it?
No big deal, right?
I exhaled as I passed by the headteacher’s office, only to double back when I heard voices. Voices I knew all too well.
Margot and Mrs Green.
“Wait.” Margot’s panicked voice came through the door, soft but clear enough for me to eavesdrop. “What do you mean I’m late on the payment? Didn’t my dad send it yesterday?”
“No, he didn’t.”
Mrs Green adored her because, in front of the teachers, Margot was the picture of perfection – prim, proper, and polished. Her tone was gentle, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
She’d never spoken to me that way. She despísed me, and believe me when I say the feeling’s mutual.
“B-but he said he would.” Margot’s stammer caused a sinister smirk to tug at my lips. “Let me just give him a ring.”
A few minutes passed in utter silence; she was clearly trying to get hold of her father.
“Dad?” A pause. “What?” Another pause, and honestly, my smirk grew even wider. “No, how can that be? What’s happened?” Her voice quivered with dread. “Exams… I… Dad, this simply can’t be happening right now.”
Except it is, and I can’t begin to explain how satisfying it was to witness. Leaning against the wall, I waited for her to finish her little show. I don’t often indulge in such pettiness, but in this case, it felt necessary.
Another few minutes of Mrs Green comforting her dragged on, forcing me to busy myself by inspecting my manicured nails.
The sound of the door opening made me glance up, and there she was, staring at me with surprise.
“Oh, hello,” I said, overly cheerful. Her expression shifted from surprise to displeasure.
“Were you listening in?” she snapped, the nerve of her. “How dare—”
I stepped closer, and that promptly shut her up, the grin still firmly fixed on my face. “I may have overheard a bit, but that’s hardly my fault, is it?”
“Oh really? And whose fault is it that you’re standing out here?”
“I was on my way to class, then I thought I’d stop by to check on my payment.” I paused dramatically, tilting my head with a mockingly sad pout. “Something you can’t quite relate to at the moment, can you?” I clicked my tongue, shaking my head. “Such a shame.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re on about.”
She could deny it all she liked, but I had Dominic Morozov on my side. There’s no beating me.
Feigning confusion, I let out a slow, exaggerated hum. “Does this mean you won’t be taking the exams because Daddy’s gone bankrupt?”
Margot’s lips tugged into a frown, distorting her already unattractive face. “My dad hasn’t—” Then it hit her. “Wait, how do you know?”
I offered a slight shrug, my wicked smirk remaining firmly in place.
“You did this.” It wasn’t a question; it was an accusation, and a fairly accurate one at that. She wasn’t stupid, I’d give her that.
“What? Did what?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, Genevieve.”
“Do I?”
Margot’s frown deepened into a scowl as she stepped closer. If looks could kíll, I’d be six feet under with the glare she was giving me. “You utter twàt!”
“Mind your language,” I warned.
“And if I don’t? I’ve no idea what you’ve done, but you’d better fix it immediately. I’m not interested in playing your stúpid games.”
“And you think I am? Oh, please. I’d sooner chew nails than spend time with the likes of you, let alone play games.” I shot back. “Perhaps it’s for the best that your dear Daddy’s lost all his money. We might actually get to see some character development from you. Oh wait, we won’t, because you won’t be sitting your exams.”
I saw it coming but did nothing to stop it. The sharp, needle-like sting spread across my cheek as her palm connected with my face, sending it snapping to the side. The paín shot through me, but instead of reacting, I simply let the sensation simmer, feeding the dark thrill within me.
I slowly turned back to her, a final smirk curling my lips. But this time, I let that smirk twist into something else, something dàrker. Like the derànged psychópath I’m becoming, I allowed my expression to shift, my lips quivering as tears brimmed in my eyes. I blinked up at her, feigning fragility, playing the victim perfectly.
The game had only just begun.
TBC
