Chapter 7
Seven
Aria
I cannot fucking believe Maxim. Why is he here? Did he follow me or something? Now all of my friends know I'm engaged, and I didn't even tell them. God, this is a big fucking mess.
Lori glances down to my hand. "If you're engaged, where is her ring, Maxim?" There's a bit of sass in her voice.
"Well, it's being resized so it won't slide off her finger anymore.
" Wow, I can't help but roll my eyes at Maxim's response.
The audacity of him to come up with such a smooth explanation on the spot.
But deep down, I can't deny that his quick thinking doesn't intrigue me a little bit.
Despite my best efforts to stay mad, my curiosity gets the best of me.
Lori leans forward, her eyes narrowing as she studies Maxim intently. "Resized, huh? Well, you better make sure it fits perfectly, or Aria here might think twice about that engagement." There's a hint of drunkenness in her tone and I know she's playing around with him.
Maxim chuckles, unfazed by Lori's playful threat. "Don't worry, Lori, I intend to make it fit like it was tailor-made for her."
Her sassy demeanor softens into a mischievous grin. "Well then, I can't wait to see this ring of yours, Maxim. It better be worth all the secrecy."
I shoot Lori a look mixed with both amusement and annoyance.
She's always had a knack for pushing people's buttons just to get a reaction out of them.
And she knows damn well that her teasing only riles people up.
She loves getting reactions when she's playing around.
She's a real bitch like that, but I love it.
Maxim turns his attention back to me, his voice lowering to a more intimate tone. "Aria only deserves the best, and that's what she has."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. There's something about the way he's speaking that makes my heart race with anticipation. Maybe there's more to this man than meets the eye. I doubt all of it is good, but I am so curious.
"So, your father's must be very good friends then," Emily finally pipes up, moving her gaze between me and Maxim.
"Yes, they've known each other for a long time," Maxim replies smoothly, his eyes never leaving mine. There's a flicker of something in his gaze, a mix of intensity and vulnerability that makes me question everything I thought I knew about him.
Emily raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the connection between our families. "Interesting. I didn't know you were from such prestigious backgrounds, Aria."
I shrug, feeling the weight of my family's reputation suddenly heavy on my shoulders.
"It's not something I like to flaunt." In fact, I've never told any of my friends that my father has any sort of association with the criminal world.
All I've said is that me and my brother are the result of an affair.
Lori leans back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, it looks like you picked a good one, Aria. Maxim seems to have it all. Looks. Money. Maybe even a little bit of power."
Maxim chuckles softly, a hint of darkness lingering in his eyes. "Appearances can be deceiving, Lori."
Her playful demeanor fades slightly as she studies him more closely. "Somehow, I highly doubt it."
There's a momentary pause before Maxim speaks again, his voice laced with a touch of bitterness. "Let's just say that not everything is as perfect as it seems in my world."
Curiosity gnaws at the pit of my stomach as I lean forward, desperate to uncover the secrets he's alluding to. "What do you mean by that?"
Maxim's gaze locks with mine, and there's a rawness in his expression that sends a jolt of electricity through me. "Aria, there are things about me that you don't know yet. But don't worry, you'll learn in time, little girl."
Why does he keep calling me little girl?
The first time he met me he called me that, but it wasn't endearing. It felt like he was bullying me then. However, this makes me feel a little different.
I just want him to fucking go away. "Maxim, it's lovely and all that you came by to see me tonight, but I was really enjoying my girl's night."
Maxim licks his lips and forces a smile. "What, you aren't enjoying my company?"
Lori and Emily exchange a confused look. We're throwing them off, so I laugh lightly. "I always enjoy your company, but you know how easily I can get sick of you when I'm working such long hours. Would you mind seeing me later?"
He takes a sip of his vodka and chuckles, bringing his face so close to mine. He presses his lips to my ear and whispers, "I'll see you whenever the fuck I want to, little girl."
My heart races at his audacity, at the way his words send a thrill through me. There's something about the way he asserts himself, the way he challenges me that both infuriates and entices me. I lean back, meeting his gaze with a playful smirk.
"Is that so?" I whisper back, my voice dripping with a mix of defiance and desire. "Well, we'll see about that."
Maxim pulls away, a wicked grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "I like your spirit, little girl," he murmurs, his eyes smoldering with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.
Lori and Emily watch our interaction with wide eyes, sensing the crackling tension between us. Lori clears her throat, breaking the spell.
"Well, this is getting interesting," she says, her voice filled with equal parts amusement and surprise. "Aria, you never told us you had such a fiery side."
I shrug nonchalantly, my eyes never leaving Maxim's. "There's a lot you still don't know about me, sweetheart."
Maxim chuckles lowly, his gaze never wavering. "And there's even more I want to discover, little girl."
The room suddenly feels charged with an electrifying energy as my friends exchange uncertain glances. It's clear that our presence is causing a ripple effect in their comfortable lives. But right now, I couldn't care less about their opinions or concerns.
"If you're going to stick around," Lori says with a knowing smirk, "then you better make yourself useful." She gestures towards the empty glasses on the table. "We need another round."
Maxim smiles, "Of course. Anything for you ladies," he says, his voice dripping with charm as he rises from his seat.
As he walks toward the bar, I can't help but admire the way his tailored suit clings to his broad shoulders, accentuating the strength beneath it.
There's an air of confidence in his every movement, a magnetism that draws me in despite my better judgment.
Lori leans closer to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, well, Aria. I must say, you've managed to catch quite the intriguing man."
I roll my eyes playfully, trying to hide the fluttering in my chest. "Oh please, Lori. You're enjoying this way too much," I retort.
Lori's laughter fills the air as she nudges me gently. "Oh come on, Aria. You can't deny that there's something between you two. The tension is practically suffocating."
I glance back at Maxim, who is now engaged in conversation with the bartender. The way he effortlessly commands attention is both captivating and intimidating. And yet, there's a vulnerability lurking beneath his confident facade that makes my heart ache for him.
"He's complicated," I admit quietly, unable to tear my gaze away from him. He's hot as hell, but I hate him as a person, along with half the shit that comes out of his mouth.
Emily interjects, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Complicated how?"
I take a deep breath and lean closer to my friends, lowering my voice to a whisper.
"Our families being close. It complicates things, sometimes even our relationship," I find myself protecting him in this moment, when nothing says I have to.
I don't know why I'm not telling my friends the truth.
Probably for the same reason I haven't told Sasha our mother's being held captive.
..because I'll only be met with anger and pity.
If I had just accepted what my father wanted me to do, my mother wouldn't be locked up somewhere...but that's something I won't share with anyone. Not even my brother.
Lori raises an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Well, that would naturally be understandable. I'm sure there's a lot of tension since they do business together, right?"
I nod, "That's exactly it. There's so much pressure to make this relationship work," I'm being honest, and yet I'm also lying.
Maxim comes back with the drinks for everyone and passes them around. We spend the next hour having a few drinks and everything seems to be going well until Lori and Emily have to leave. Internally, I'm screaming. I don't want to be left alone with this man. That's the last thing I want.
I say my goodbyes to my friends and they leave, meanwhile, Maxim pays for our bill. I make my grand escape, leaving the bar, and head down the street. I want to get away from him, even if it's just for the night.
But, it doesn't last long. After five minutes of me walking back home, heavy footsteps are ringing out from behind me.
I quicken my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. I glance over my shoulder and see Maxim closing in on me, his determined stride unwavering. Panic begins to bubble within me as I search for an escape route, but every alleyway and corner seems to disappear into the shadows.
"Wait up, little girl," Maxim calls out, his voice laced with amusement. "You can't really think you can outrun me."
I ignore him, my mind racing with thoughts of self-preservation. I don't want to be anywhere near him, and I was stuck spending a couple of hours with him tonight. Can't the guy take a fucking hint?
Maxim grabs me by the shoulder and forces me to turn around, but the moment he does I'm whipping my hand against his face. The impact of the slap burns my hand badly.