Chapter 24: Twenty Four

"Ellie, that one's perfect!" Amy squealed as her best friend walked out of the changing room for the fifteenth time now, in a pink-purple gown that reached her heels. It framed her curves perfectly, the edges glittering.

"I like it," Ellie decided, giving a twirl.

"It's settled then. Just take it to the front desk and we'll package it for you," the stylist said, stepping from behind the curtains.

They made their way to the front of the boutique, Ellie clutching the beautiful gown. Amy was digging through her purse for her wallet when the bell above the door chimed.

"Ellie!" a deep voice called out.

Amy looked up to see a tall man with sandy black hair and warm green eyes striding towards them.

Before Ellie could even respond, he swooped her into his arms, planting a kiss on her lips right there in the middle of the store.

"Jeremy!" Ellie laughed breathlessly, her face flushed when she pulled back.

"Well, you'd have to get used to it sooner or later," the man leaned down with a whisper, pulling an arm around her shoulder, tucking her to his side.

"This is Jeremy, my fiancé." The pink flush was still on her face as she introduced him to Amy. "And Jeremy, this is Cassie, my best friend."

"Pleasure to meet you," Jeremy grinned, extending a hand.

Amy took it, returning the smile. "I've never seen Ellie this happy before. Thanks for doing that."

Amy knew love when she saw it, and watching them—Jeremy whispering something in Ellie's ear, making her laugh, the casual way they coexisted in the same space like people that had known each other for a long time—she couldn't help but feel bittersweet inside.

This was all she ever wanted. Her mind drifted back to Mikhail, the man she never asked for. She sighed, turning away just as Ellie linked an arm in hers.

"Come on, we're going to the park next. When was the last time we had a picnic? College." She laughed. "Well, that's changing now."

They were about to head out, her hand still linked with hers, when Ellie's phone rang.

"Um... sorry, I've got to take this," she muttered, picking it up, stepping back from Amy and hurrying out of the room. But Amy had already seen who the caller was.

A cold feeling settled in her gut. What did Mikhail want this time?

Amy moved toward the door, pretending to admire the hanged clothes, but her ears were listening for every bit of conversation.

"...I need you to return Amy to the mansion."

Amy stiffened. No, she thought, walking forward, reaching the door. How dare he do that? She clenched her fist, fuming with rage.

"But Mr. Volkov, I..." Ellie started.

"It's non-negotiable. And urgent," Mikhail's voice cut in.

Amy stormed through the door, grabbing the phone from Ellie.

"Wait, no, Amy!" Ellie yelled, but she was already speaking into the speaker, her voice sharp.

"Return me?" She laughed angrily, her voice rising. "And what exactly do you take me for, Mikhail?"

"Amy..." There was a long silence at the other end of the line. She could hear the frustration in Mikhail's voice, making her blood boil all the more. He had no right to be frustrated!

"I'm not going," she said immediately. "I'm having fun for the first time since you butted back into my life, and I'm not going back to the mansion now."

"Now is not the time, milaya," his voice was softer now, as though attempting to soothe her, but that didn't change the fact that he was the reason behind her distress, just like always.

"I'm not going," she said again, glaring at the screen, her voice becoming more desperate, tears stinging at the corner of her eyes. "You can't just call me back whenever you like. It's not fair."

She could feel Ellie's hand on hers—to pull her away or encourage her, she wasn't sure, but the feeling was comforting.

There was an even longer silence. Amy bit her lower lip. How could he be so heartless?

"Daniel will pick you up in a few minutes. Be ready," he said, and then the line went dead.

"He's terrible!" Amy fumed. She handed Ellie the phone, walking away, eyes burning with unshed tears.

"I'm sure he has a reason," Ellie offered, pulling her back into the room.

Amy tried to smile. In her opinion, the only reason was that Mikhail must have derived some kind of pleasure from constantly tormenting her.

And to think she assumed they would have an understanding after last night. She nearly laughed at herself. The joke was on her for thinking the devil would change.

"You ladies good?" Jeremy asked, walking toward them from the front desk. He slipped his wallet into his pocket, the dress tucked under one arm.

"Yes, just some minor inconveniences," Ellie answered for the both of them. "Cassie has to return home," she explained.

Jeremy raised an eyebrow, sensing it was deeper than that, but he didn't ask, simply nodding.

The door opened and Daniel stood at the doorway.

So fast. Of course he had to be fast, Amy thought, glaring at the man.

"You'll be able to make it for the engagement party, right?" Ellie asked, clutching her hand before she went over to Daniel.

Looking at her, Amy gave a smile, giving her hand a squeeze. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Ellie."

However, once she was out of the boutique, the smile wiped off her face.

Daniel led her to the black Tesla parked at the side of the building.

She stepped in, crossing her arms across her chest, making no effort to hide her anger.

Daniel cleared his throat, sitting behind the wheel. He glanced at her, feeling that he had to say something, anything that would make the ride more bearable, but in the end, he turned on the music before stepping on the accelerator.

Amy stared out through the window throughout the whole ride, all but shimmering with anger. The streets blurred around them as they sped past.

Amy folded her hands on her lap, portraying an expression of calm that was far from what she really felt, thinking of the things she was going to say to Mikhail's face once she was right in front of him.

The car slid through the metal gates of the mansion. Amy was out even before Daniel parked properly, not waiting for him to open the door, marching straight for the building. The double doors were already open and she could hear voices coming from the main hall.

Good, she thought. Let him deal with her fury in front of whoever else was present.

Amy pushed through the doors of the hall with such force they banged against the walls, the sound echoing through the space like a gunshot.

The hall fell deadly silent.

Mikhail stood at the head of the long dining table that had been rearranged to look more like a conference table, scrolls of maps and laptops on it along with what looked unmistakably like a rifle, surrounded by at least eight men, heavily built, in black suits.

They should have intimidated her, but Amy had eyes for only one person.

"How dare you!" she shouted, her voice carrying through the room and conveniently amplified. "How dare you call me back here like I'm some kind of... of property you can summon whenever you please!"

The men glanced between themselves uncertainly. Mikhail's jaw tightened, his blue eyes flashing with warning.

But she stepped even closer, her index finger pointed. "I was having one normal afternoon, Mikhail! One!" She stopped in front of him, hating the way her voice cracked with emotion, hating the way her legs wanted to take an instinctive step back under his burning gaze.

"And you couldn't even let me have that!"

In the silence of the whole world, Amy could feel every pair of eyes on her, but at this point she didn't care. Let them see. Let them see the monster he really was.

"Gentlemen," Mikhail called, his voice deadly calm. "Let's meet back in ten minutes," he said, not taking his eyes off her.

The men stood up without a word, chairs scratching against the tiles as they filed out. Daniel was the last to leave, casting one last look at Mikhail before shutting the door.

Mikhail moved with lightning speed, closing the distance between them. He grabbed her roughly by the arm.

Amy let out a gasp, stumbling into his chest.

He cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him.

"Never," he breathed, his voice icy cold, and for a moment, all she could see was the cold, ruthless mafia boss. "Never disrespect me in front of my men again." He spoke slowly, punctuating every word, his grip on her tightening.

Amy could feel herself trembling slightly, but she stared up at him, a defiant fire in her eyes. "What are you going to do? Lock me in my room like a child?"

"Oh, milaya," Mikhail leaned closer, his breath inches from her skin. "There's so much more I can do."