INSATIABLE CRAVINGS
Insatiable Cravings – Episode 66
Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game}
TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.
Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
~ Genevieve ~
The tension was mounting faster than I could bear. Dominic was glaring at Liam with an intensity that oozed hatred, while Liam was doing his utmost to maintain a fabricated smile on his face.
Not ideal. I needed to intervene before Dominic turned the dark intentions I could see brewing in his eyes towards poor Liam into reality.
I let out a small hum, hoping to divert their attention away from their heated stare-down. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. I doubt they even noticed the sound I made.
“Dominic, this is Liam, a friend,” I said, placing particular emphasis on the last word to ensure he heard it. The smug grin that spread across Dominic’s face was both infuriating and oddly charming. “Liam, this is Dominic…” I paused, trying to think of how to introduce him, before settling on, “also a friend.”
His grin vanished faster than it had appeared. The light in his stunning amber eyes dulled, sending a pang of pain straight through my chest.
“Right, Dominic? That’s what we are, isn’t it?” I asked, locking eyes with him. “Friends?”
He didn’t respond, merely staring deep into my soul. I found myself wondering what thoughts were racing through his mind at that moment. I wanted to know every single thought as his whiskey-on-ice eyes bore into mine.
Was he contemplating our ‘friendship’?
Was that why he looked as though my words had wounded him? But this was what he wanted, wasn’t it?
I was merely fulfilling his request.
Liam must have sensed the thick fog of tension hanging between Dominic and me, as he cleared his throat to break it. “You can have this one instead,” he said, extending the other glass of blue drink he was holding, the one that was supposed to be his.
I smiled and accepted it. Lately, Liam had been nothing but friendly in ways I appreciated. He wasn’t as flirty as usual, just a bit here and there. It was such a pity we’d gotten to know each other just before heading off to university.
Just as I raised the glass to my lips to taste the delectable-looking drink, Dominic struck again, snatching it from me. I sighed as he downed it in one go, just like the first.
“Enjoy the night, Vixen,” he muttered before walking away.
“Vixen?” Liam repeated, puzzled. “Do you have another name I’m unaware of apart from Genevieve Dove King? And isn’t a vixen a female fox?”
“It is.”
“And?”
“He just calls me that; it’s no big deal.” I desperately tried to keep my tone casual.
“So, it’s a nickname?” I nodded. “It suits you.”
..
A few minutes earlier, I had slipped out of the room filled with cheerful people socialising and having fun, seeking a moment of peace and quiet before going back in.
It doesn’t make sense, does it? I mean, who on earth is unhappy at prom? Results are due in a few days, and I will finally be attending the university I’ve always dreamed of. Yet, somehow, all I feel is an overwhelming sadness plaguing my soul.
Why is he here tonight?
I’ve been avoiding him all this time only for him to reappear, looking absurdly hot in his suit. This can’t be my fate, can it? Is this some sort of punishment from the universe for something I’ve done?
“It’s noisy, isn’t it?” I turned to face a pretty girl my age who looked strikingly familiar.
Her eyes… those eyes are so recognisable too. I must have seen her somewhere around school; that’s the only explanation.
The realisation hit me that her question was directed at me, so I nodded. “It is.”
She smiled warmly, exuding friendliness. “I can relate. Do you remember me?”
I slowly shook my head, feeling guilty for not recognising her. All I knew was that I’d seen her before.
“I’m Aurora,” she introduced herself.
Then it clicked. I remembered now. She was the girl I’d bumped into in the hallway, causing her books to spill onto the floor, which I had helped her pick up.
The ‘Aurora M’ I recalled from her pink book was still fresh in my memory. I also remembered that I never got an answer regarding what the ‘M’ stood for.
“Genevieve.”
“Oh, I know,” she said with a knowing smile. “I follow you on Instagram.”
“Oh.”
My eyes lingered on her as I took in her dress. Aurora wore a pink short dress, her black hair straightened with a bow pinned in, and pink heels. She looked like a princess and acted like one too.
“You like pink?”
She scoffed, as if shocked I’d even dared to ask that question. “Do I like pink? No. No, I don’t like it.” A twist was in the air. “I love pink!” she exclaimed, dramatically. “It’s the best colour there is.”
“Eh, I’d have to agree to disagree,” I retorted. “Black is the best colour there is.”
“Uh-huh. Black is dark, no light whatsoever.”
“Exactly. Who wants to wander around looking like a unicorn has just vomited on you?”
That cracked her up. Aurora shook her head in disbelief as laughter spilled from her. Surprisingly enough, her laugh was infectious, and I found myself bursting into one of my own.
“It’s not funny,” I insisted, my chortle betraying my words.
“Then why are you laughing?” she said, sounding almost out of breath. “And by the way, there’s no pink in the rainbow, unfortunately.”
“There’s no black either, unfortunately.”
“Valid point, if you ask me.”
“Well, I’m not asking you, Aurora,” I playfully snapped.
“Call me Rory; my friends call me that.”
Surprise washed over me as I grinned at her. “Are we friends?”
“You don’t want to be?”
“No, no, I was just surprised, that’s all.” Clearing my throat, I stretched out my hand for a handshake. “Friends?”
Aurora’s hand inched towards mine, and just as I was about to clasp our palms together, she pulled me into an unexpected hug. “Who shakes hands these days? Where are we, the eighties?”
Nervously, I chuckled slightly before wrapping my arms around her. She smelled lovely, like fields of roses but also sweet, like vanilla.
“What perfume do you use?” I inquired once she pulled away from the hug, clearly satisfied with it.
“It’s a secret.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s custom-made just for me.” Oh, that’s nice. Then, she added with a beaming smile, pride shining in her honey-coloured eyes, “I made it.” Oh! “I own a brand.”
“That is… impressive, really.”
“Thanks,” Rory flushed. “It’s called Rory Glitters.”
Oh, I’d heard of that. Jules only shopped from there. All of her clothes, shoes, accessories, and even perfume came from there. But I’d never tried it myself; I’m not quite sure why.
“How old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
Eighteen?!
So, I was right. She was my age.
“Your parents must be quite chill to let you have your own business.”
“Um, I wouldn’t know about that.” My brows arched in confusion, and fortunately, I didn’t have to say anything before she continued, “They’re gone. I never knew them; I was just a baby when they díed.”
“Sorry?” I muttered, unsure of what to say in a situation like this.
A situation where someone is sharing about their parents’ déath but doesn’t look the least bit sad about it.
I was right. Aurora brushed it off with a small chuckle as if it were such an easy topic to dismiss. “Nah, it’s fine. I have an amazing brother.”
“I have an amazing brother too. He’s simply the best, I swear. I don’t think anyone can match up to him.”
A mischievous smirk danced on her lips. It piqued my interest so much that I tilted my head to try to decipher the words in her eyes. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t, because she was a stranger.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Your face says otherwise.”
“What do you mean?” Aurora was having far too much fun playing this game, and I hatéd that she was getting to me.
“You’ve got that weird look on your face while I brag about how awesome my brother is. You’re not even countering my words.”
“Why should I?”
“I don’t know,” I whined, agitated. “Just because.”
“We should exchange numbers. I’d love to annoy you more.”
“Ha ha ha, so funny.”
••
When I re-entered the party, the first dance was just about to commence. Ordinarily, I would make a beeline for my best friend to join her on the dance floor, but the sight of the brightest smile lighting up her face as she chatted with her ‘boyfriend’ made me hesitate.
Just because my love life was in tatters didn’t mean I should ruín others’ happiness as well.
So, I pivoted on my heels and headed to the bar to order a drink, having only managed one this evening, thanks to that one individual. As I reached the bar, I placed my order for a mocktail and waited for it to be prepared.
“Aren’t you going to dance?” the bartender asked, busying himself with my drink. I didn’t fancy engaging in conversation, so I merely shook my head. “Rough night?”
“More like a rough few weeks.”
“Ah.” He nodded knowingly. “School issue? Or is it more of a love life dilemma?”
My gaze flickered to him, astonished at how he had deduced that so quickly. He must have noticed the questions swirling in my eyes, as his lips broke into a cheeky grin.
“By the look on your face, I’d wager it’s the latter. Who’s the lucky bloke? Is he here?”
There’s an old saying, ‘Speak of the devil, and he shall appear,’ for no sooner had the words left his mouth than a figure materialised beside me. Glancing over my shoulder, there stood Dominic, drumming his fingers on the counter.
Our eyes locked the moment they met, intense and wild. Dominic’s gaze slowly drifted down to my lips before returning to my eyes. Whenever he was near, it felt as though the entire world faded away, leaving just him and me.
It was both thrilling and terrifying how deeply I felt for him. It was as if I had no control over my heart when it came to him, how my feelings surged even after days of staying away.
Those days had dragged by at a torturóusly slow pace. I attempted to distract myself from thoughts of him—how he had kissed me so passionately in his office bathroom, how he held me tightly in his sleep as if he could never let go—by burying myself in my studies. Of course, that didn’t work; each time I paused or submitted an exam sheet, my mind immediately returned to him.
And now, here he was before me for the second time tonight, looking at me as though he couldn’t fathom his life without me, all while looking incredibly dashing.
“Here you go,” the bartender’s voice sliced through the charged atmosphere as he slid my drink towards me. I snapped my head around, blinking in awkward surprise. He merely smiled at me, “Enjoy.”
“It’s rather surprising, isn’t it?” I glanced over at Dominic, puzzled and taken aback by his sudden comment. “Liam isn’t hovering around you. I wonder where he’s gone; you must be wondering about that too, yes?”
“What do you mean? Are you insinuating something, Mr Morozov?”
“Perhaps I am, Ms King. The first dance is about to start; I daresay you’d want to dance with him, wouldn’t you?”
“Perhaps I would,” I replied. “After all, Liam is quite the dancer. I’m certain he’d make an excellent partner.” His expression contorted into pure rage, and I couldn’t help but smirk in satisfaction. “Oh, I meant dance partner.”
I knew I shouldn’t have ventured there after persuading him that Liam and I were merely friends. But in my defence, he was being an utter àrse.
“Be cautious with your words, Ms King.” His tone was laced with a subtle thréat that I could decipher with ease. “Accidénts happen, and who knows who they might happen to in the next moment?”
Liam.
“I dare you, Dominic, I dare you.” With that, I turned away from him and made my way towards Julianna and Alessio.
Her ‘boyfriend’ spotted me first and turned her towards me with his hands resting on her hips. My best friend looked positively radiant as she beamed at me, waving me over.
“Alessio just suggested we go on a trip. What do you reckon?” Jules chimed, excitement bubbling around her.
A trip sounded delightful. But…
“No, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your moment,” I replied.
“Don’t be silly, Genevieve. You’re anything but an intruder,” Alessio interjected before Jules could. I glanced from him to her, and she nodded. “Come on. If you don’t come, she won’t.”
“So, I’m bait?” I teased.
“Eh, kind of,” he bantered back. “So, will you come? We’re leaving tomorrow for my family’s cabin.”
I didn’t hesitate any longer. “I’d love to.”
“Brilliant. The plane departs at nine in the morning,” Alessio grinned, leaning against Julianna’s shoulder. “I can’t wait.”
I turned to catch a glimpse of Dominic, only to find him already staring at me. Even with the infuriatingly long distance between us, both physically and emotionally, I could see something in his eyes.
A look that was almost inscrutable. I didn’t even attempt to decipher what thoughts were racing through his mind. Turning my attention back to the lovebirds in front of me, I forced a smile onto my face. “Me neither,” I said, taking a sip of my drink.
TBC
