Chapter 52

Six months of blessed freedom. I took us someplace new everyday as I learned my new neighbourhood and just enjoyed the fact that I didn’t need permission to go someplace. The security detail made their presence known at the penthouse but once in public they magically disappeared. I knew they were there, but they gave me my space to just be and that’s just what I needed.

After the first night when I danced into the penthouse, then held Irena and cried. I didn’t know if it was tears of joy or something else. I just knew I needed a good cry and I did just that. Then when I cooked my first meal, I remembered my time as a servant, and I was actually glad I learned some skills to take care of myself.

Nora arrived two days later. Mila was probably angry I didn’t choose her, but I had already promised Nora and I couldn’t sleep knowing she was that close to Vlad. I need not worry because after she arrived, she told me Vlad hadn’t been at the palace since I left. And with that I put him from my mind.

Discovering Wi-Fi and being on the internet was truly a wonderful experience. I had an office with a Mac book pro, an iPad and an iPhone. Everything was connected to each other and my phone was a smart phone and boy was it smart. So was the thing called Alexa. It had answers to all my questions, and it controlled the appliances for the penthouse. After seeing all this, I felt like I was living in a cave.

Ironically if I didn’t want to leave, I didn’t have to. I could do everything from my computer, iPad or smartphone. I searched recipes and signed up for an online computer course. I could even work from home offering my legal knowledge for money. So, while I brushed up on my Microsoft office skills, I tested my typing speed, formatted my resume and created a few accounts. Not on social media though, I knew that was pushing my luck.

Nora helped me with all this, and I was surprised to know she was so tech savvy. She was training for a secretarial post when she met Vlad and I reminded her that now she was free she could do as she pleased but Nora just laughed bitterly and changed the subject. All in all, she was great company and I gave her privileges as a roommate and not my maid.

That arrangement suited us both just fine until she dressed up one night and told me she was going out.

“You’re going out?” I repeated stupidly.

“Yes…only if you don’t want me to…”

“No, no, no.” I hastily denied. “It just that its night-time.”

She laughed. “Sometimes, little Czarina, night time is the best time to go out.”

I frowned at her, I hated when she used my title like that and she knew it, so I said dismissively over my shoulder. “Well, have fun.”

She rolled her eyes and grinned and stepped out the door. It was dangerous to go out at night. The last time I went out at night was with Vladimir and the last time I went out by myself had been disasters. So no, I was not ready to go out after dark, at least not yet.

It went on like that for a few weeks, her stepping out dressed in designer outfits coming back at all hours of the morning. I shouldn’t be worried about her, but I was…well to be quite honest I was more curious than worried. So, when she came back one morning I knocked quietly on her door. She was still dressed in the clothes from the night before and grinned like she was expecting me.

“How may I be of service, Your Highness?”

“You don’t have to call me that!”

“Strangely, I find it suits you.”

“Where do you go at night?”

“Out.” She said with a smirk.

“Out where?” I asked impatiently.

“Have you ever been clubbing, Your…Azura?”

“Clubbing?”

“Yes…it’s a place people go to dance…”

“I know what a club is!” I just didn’t know the expression clubbing that’s all.

“Would you like to go clubbing with me?” She asked grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

“I have no one to watch Irena.” I hedged.

“Not so free, are we?” She teased.

“I can go to the club!” I argued. “I just can’t take Irena with me!”

She stepped out of her room and walked over to Alexa. “Alexa give me the names of a reputable babysitter in the area.”

“Reputable babysitters near you are….”

As Alexa counted down her list, I knew I was going out.

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“There’s too much outside.” I whined as I tugged the neckline of my dress higher, but it did no good, there wasn’t enough excess material anyway. Bodycon was what Nora called it. It was gold, spaghetti strapped and sheathed me like second skin. Gold strap heels were on my feet and thank God, a black leather jacket was coming with me.

“It’s supposed to look like that.” She said as she appraised my reflection in the mirror. She had also silk pressed my hair, so the short curls were now shoulder length and in a stylish up do with bangs.

“Maybe if we got another dress…”

“Maybe if Vlad was here…”

“This has nothing to do with that!” I told her reflection.

“So, you say…but this is modest for your first night out.” She pointed out. “You’re being a baby.” She added for good measure.

The doorbell rang and we both turned “That must be the sitter.” I muttered as my stomach twisted.

Nora patted my shoulder and went to let her in.

Nora acted like Irena was hers and did all the talking while I paced in worry. When she came to tell me, it was time to go. I pulled Irena from the babysitter’s arms and held on. Nora pried her away from me with an uneasy chuckle.

“It’s her first time leaving the baby.”

“I totally understand,” The babysitter acknowledged “but she shouldn’t feel guilty about you two having quality time together. All couples need time to have their fun!”

“Couple?” I chirped, not understanding.

Nora hustled me out smiling at her. “Don’t worry I see to it she remembers how to have fun. Goodnight!” She finished closing the door behind her.

“Couple?” I repeated. “Why would she compare us to a couple?”

With a smirk she explained. “Because it’s what I told her.”

“And why would she believe a crazy thing like that!”

“Because its normal here and in France.”

“Normal?” I appraised her like a foreign object. “How will it even work?”

“I can show you if you like, Princess.” She purred, and I jumped away from her and she laughed. “You are so precious and still so innocent! Tonight, will be a treat!”

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Maybe it was for her, but I was already regretting taking off my jacket. Bodies pressed in too close and I lost count how many times I felt someone grope me. This invasive, improper loud place was supposed to be fun.

“Relax.” She shouted in my ear for the millionth time as I gave a guy who ogled me my frostiest glare. “You should at least dance.” She suggested moving her body to the horrendous music.

“Where?” I shouted back. There was barely room for a thought far less to dance.

“Loosen up. Move those hips a little. They’ll make room.” I lifted a brow at her suggestion but watched her and mimicked her movements. Sure enough, I magically got more space to move. “See.”

I didn’t acknowledge her but kept moving as she did but as I watched another dancer. I began mimicking her moves and I felt hands slip around my waist. I pushed the culprit away and he put his hands in the air saying. “No problem baby just wanted a dance that’s all.”

“Dance with him!” Nora commanded.

And I turned back to Mr. Grabby and appraised him as one would a lab specimen. He wasn’t bad to look at from what I could see in the semi darkness. “Just dance and hands on my waist only. No higher, no lower.”

“Got it.” He agreed with an uneasy chuckle.

I resumed my dancing and he stuck to my rules. Then the song changed, and he held me tighter. Vladimir was the only man to hold me this close and I was uncomfortable admitting it to myself as I was acting it out. I pulled away to put more space between us and he closed the distance. I did it again and he repeated his actions.

“I’m done dancing, thank you.” I said as politely as I could.

“But the song isn’t over…”

“She says it’s over. Then it’s over!” Nora told him.

“Fucking Dykes!” He cursed before leaving.

“This isn’t me Nora. I’m going home.” And without waiting for her reply, I headed to the door. I already had on my jacket and was flagging down a cab when she rushed out.

“Detail or not I better make sure you make it home safe.” She grumbled and jumped in the cab with me. I smiled my apology and rested my head on her shoulder for the ride home.

Nora opened the door to our apartment and froze. I was about to ask what’s wrong when she dropped into a deep curtsey and over her head, I saw him. Vladimir was here.