Chapter 7
Y ulianna – Age 17
Wayward Academy...I was here, and I still couldn’t believe that my father agreed to let me attend for my junior and senior years. We’d argued about it for weeks, so when he walked into my bedroom and said that I could go, I screamed so loud the guards came running. Coming here came with rules, but I didn’t care.
I’d only ever been homeschooled and barely allowed out of the house unless accompanied by an army of guards and Frida. I was going to miss her so much. She was my person, the one who knew my secrets and my accomplice for any crazy idea. But she wanted to finish school near home and be able to visit her family. I understood that, but the invitation was open if she wanted to take it. Selfishly, I hoped she’d come next year.
My heart hammered in my chest as we pulled through the tall gates. The property reminded me of back home, but not recognizing the trees and flowers that grew here made me giddy with excitement.
The car came to a stop, and I grabbed the door handle. Father touched my arm, stopping me. I looked at him as fear lanced my heart that he was going to say this was all a joke.
“Wait for the driver to open your door, Yulianna. How many times must I remind you?”
“I’m sorry, Father,” I said, lowering my gaze. “This is just so exciting for me that I lost myself for a moment.”
“You’re right. This is a whole new experience for you, but I trust that you will handle yourself with the same dignity that you would if you were at home. Any calls from the dean about boys sneaking into your room or your grades slipping will?—”
I touched his arm, interrupting his threats.
“Father, I know the rules. I promise not to disrespect our family. Thank you for trusting me,” I said, and he sighed.
For just a moment, I saw my father, who loved me and not the man who had kept me prisoner for seventeen years, parading me around like one of his thoroughbreds.
“You’re right. You’ve always been a good girl.”
He meant that I’d been the perfectly obedient daughter who knelt at the feet of the patriarchy. I wanted to spit in his face but kept my disdain hidden.
That was what he saw, but I was destined to fly. In my heart, I longed to make a difference in this world and to do crazy things like skydiving. Most of all, I longed for Eddie’s touch. My heart was just as wild as any of the stallions my father had purchased. I would break free of the stall he tried to keep me in soon. But today was not that day.
Instead, I would take full advantage of getting to spend a whole year with Eddie before he graduated. We wouldn’t waste a single second.
“I’ll make you proud, Father,” I said as the driver opened the door.
Getting out of the car, I sucked in a deep breath. The air was different here and the sweet smell of freedom smacked me in the face, taunting me to run now.
The doors of the school opened, and as if I were in a dream, Eddie stepped out. My heart stopped and I swore time stilled. He looked so handsome and in his element. He would be a magnificent leader. Three other guys flanked him like bodyguards, but my eyes never left him.
Eddie smiled, walking down the stairs like he owned the place. He was doing a far better job of pretending I wasn’t here as his eyes remained on my father. My blood heated with each step closer.
“Mr. Mikhailov, it’s good to see you again,” Eddie said, holding out his hand.
“Edmundo, likewise.”
“Will you be staying for dinner before flying out? I’ve sourced all the best restaurants for you,” he said, and my father smiled.
“Thank you, but I need to have a quick word with Dean Martin and then must be on my way back home.”
“That’s a shame. Next time, then.” Eddie looked at me. “Yulianna, it’s my pleasure as always.”
“If you say so, Edmundo,” I said, purposely looking at my nails. Even though all I wanted to do was jump on him and kiss him.
My father held out his hand, wanting Eddie to follow him. Even though he’d lowered his voice, I could just make out what they were saying.
“You have always been respectful to me and my family. I trust that it will remain that way. You will keep an eye out for anyone who would dare hurt my daughter.”
I couldn’t see Eddie’s face, but the rough and growly tone of his answer told me that he looked fearsome.
“If anyone so much as lays a single finger on Yulianna, I will break every bone in their body and then call you,” he said.
“I knew I could count on you. Thank you.”
My father turned around, but I ignored them like whatever they were discussing was no more interesting than watching paint dry.
“Yulianna.”
I looked up from my nails. “Yes, Father?”
He gave me a small smile, and I thought for sure he was going to say something degrading like behave. Instead, he grabbed my shoulders and kissed my forehead.
“Have fun. I’ll see you at Christmas.”
My eyes filled with tears. “I love you.”
He nodded, but glanced around at those standing nearby and didn’t say it back.
“Same,” he said, instead.
Any other time that would’ve hurt, but not today. I stood there in shock that this was really happening as my father walked up the stairs and disappeared inside. Did I dare even look at Eddie? Was it all a dream that would disappear if I broke the spell?
My body shuddered as Eddie touched my lower back.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered under his breath, and I couldn’t stop the stupid smile from spreading across my face.
“I’ve missed you more.”
“That’s completely impossible.”
“Wow, you two are disgusting,” one of the boys I recognized said. Heat spread all over my body with embarrassment. Were we really that obvious?
“Hi, I’m Marcus Rossi, this jerk’s best friend.”
“Not sure you are still my best friend after that comment,” Eddie said. “Don’t mind him, Ana. Marcus can’t keep a girl longer than one night after they get a look at what he’s working with.”
“Ouch, you fucker,” Marcus snarled but smiled.
“Why? What is he working with?” All the guys looked at me and laughed.
“He means what’s in my pants,” Marcus said, pointing and my eyes followed his finger before I gasped and quickly looked away. All laughed again and I covered my mouth, but joined this time.
I’d never heard a conversation like this before. Everyone had always been so proper around me, but it felt good to not worry about what anyone thought.
“Ignore them. They always fight like an old married couple. I’m Lawrence Collier,” his other friend said, sticking out his hand for me to shake.
“Nice to meet you,” I said, smiling. He had the most piercing blue eyes I’d ever seen.
I looked at Eddie’s third friend, who was fiddling with the cuff of his shirt. I stepped up to him.
“Hi, I’m Yulianna,” I said.
He looked up and pushed the glasses back on his nose. “Are you talking to me?”
“Duh, Paul…who else would she be talking to?” Lawrence shook his head.
He shrugged. “No one talks to me other than you guys,” Paul said, and there was something so sad in the comment. One that I sadly understood to my core.
I held out my hand. “Well…I’m not like anyone else. I’m Yulianna Mikhailov, and you are?”
He shook my hand, the corner of his mouth turning up in a shy smile. “I’m Paul Henry.”
“Paul here wants to be Dean of Wayward one day,” Eddie said.
“Is that so,” I asked.
“He’ll have to learn to talk to people before he can take over as Dean,” Lawrence said, rolling his eyes.
“Careful, Lawrence. The quiet ones will surprise you the most,” I said, smiling at Paul. “Besides, Dean Henry has a nice ring to it.”
Paul’s whole demeanor changed, and he stood taller. I hated bullies, and I got the distinct impression that Lawrence could easily turn bully. But...I’d only just met him five minutes ago, so what did I really know?
“Why don’t we get your stuff up to your room, and then I can give you a tour,” Eddie said.
“I’d love that.”
It was amazing how casual Eddie was here. He was like a whole new person and yet not in a bad way. He tapped on the glass of the car, and our driver popped the trunk. Lawrence whistled as he stared in at the massive suitcases, making me blush.
“I went overboard, didn’t I?”
Eddie smiled. “Well…maybe a little. But that’s why you have four guys out here.”
“Oh, you thought we were helping you,” Marcus said and then laughed.
“Rossi, don’t make me kick your ass and embarrass you in front of Yulianna,” Eddie teased.
“Kick my ass? More like I’ll kick your ass. Whatever, give me a suitcase,” Marcus grumbled as I grabbed my purse and jacket from the car. I walked up the stairs and waited for them.
“Ready,” Eddie asked as he and Lawrence carried the largest piece of luggage. I nodded and held open the door for them.
Between all four guys, my stuff was carried inside all at once. My smile had become permanent as I took in the wide sweeping foyer. People were chatting all over the place, sunshine poured in through the skylights, and the hum of activity fed my deprived senses. It might have only been a few minutes, but this place…it felt like being at Eddie’s in Italy.
It felt like home.