15 comments/ 19995 views/ 32 favorites Silent Love Ch. 01 By: Kaya_Shulia Silent Love: Part One Note to reader: The words that are in italic are either the thoughts of the characters in the story or non-English words. This is an interracial romance, and is my first story so constructive criticism is much appreciated. I don't have an editor yet, anyone interested? The story has a slow start be advised, but I promise it will get spicier soon. Enjoy!!! Atlanta, Georgia She could not believe she made it. She was really a Callaway student. Fear and excitement that has been building up since she got her acceptance letter kicked in to the maximum as she ran, with a map in one hand and coffee on the other, toward her first class. Coming in as a transfer student from a two year community college, she knew little of some of the happening that go on in college life and was excited about getting a chance to experience all the opportunities a four year college has to offer. Coming from poverty and working her way to one of the best schools in the country she had only one fear. The fear that she will not fit in with the rich and privileged students that come from all over the country and around the world to attend Callaway. She knew she was as intelligent as the rest of the student body and that she will do well academic wise, but the fear of not fitting in socially and the possibility of being titled the "Poor African Girl" hanged over her head since she got her acceptance letter in May. Over the summer she had worked her butt off to make enough money to buy new cloths, fix up her car, and by a decent looking phone so she won't stand out with her new class mates. At her two-year college nobody cared about who they impressed, because there was nobody to impress, but Zoya knew Callaway was going to be different. Silent Love Ch. 01 Silent Love Ch. 02 Thanks for the wonderful comments and support Literotica community. A special thanks to Honeycaramelbits, you are the best editor in the world!! No sex yet (  sorry, the characters are not ready for that step yet). Please remember to vote, and do comment to your heart's content. Silent Love Ch. 02 "Sorry, my name is Zoya. Umm...you scared me there. I work for Mr. Bazin. And, cleaning...that is what I am doing here. I...I did not know anyone was coming here today. Mr. Kabinov said it would be empty on the weekends. You work for him too?" "Kabinov?" "No, I mean Mr. Bazin," she said with a small hesitant smile as she tried to put a little space between them. Placing her cleaning supplies in the cleaning basket that she carried around the house with her she continued speaking. "Mr. Kabinov told me one of you guys would stop by every once in a while, but I guess I did not think it would be on my first day." "hmmm..." Even the sounds he makes are sexy. After a moment of silence with Dmitry analyzing her and not seeming to be in any rush to leave and get what he came for, Zoya spoke up as she moved toward a broom and a duster that were against the wall. "Are you here to get Mr. Bazin something? You never said what your name was." "Dmitry." "Wow isn't that like the most common Eastern European name ever? What was your mother thinking? If I have a child I am going to name them one of the most unique and beautiful name I can find." She said all of this before she could bite her tongue. Great job Zoya, now you insult his mother and make the guy angry. You really know how to shoot yourself in the foot. "I am sorry that just came out," she said turning around to find his arms crossed. "I kind of have trouble holding things in sometimes when I am nervous...um Dmitry...it is nice to meet you ... and it is a nice name. I like it. Do I know you? You look familiar." Hell she was rambling like an idiot now. He said nothing. Still not moving or speaking to her but his stare was kind of scaring her. She decided she was just being silly, there is no reason to be scared of him. He obviously works for Mr. Bazin or otherwise he would not have been able to get in. So she was completely safe. It was just that she never meet someone as handsome as he was, even Erik had nothing on this guy. She realized that was the reason for her nervousness, he was fucking gorgeous. As she started swiping around him he moved toward the center of the room and leaned back against one of the couches with his arm still crossed. "I am very happy to be working here." She rambled off as he continued to stare at her quietly. "I mean not only is the money good, but it is also not far from where I live. I never actually heard of Mr. Bazin before I had the job interview. You like working for him? He seems too rich for one guy. Can you imagine all the people that could be feed and housed with just his wealth alone? I don't think I can handle being rich like him. I would feel too guilty having so much and some people having nothing." "He worked for it. No one handed anything to him. Self-made-man, the Americans say. Why should he not spend it as he wishes?" He should speak all the time. His accent is so fucking hot, she thought. "Nothing wrong with that I guess, but I still I don't want to be rich like him though I just want to have enough to be happy." "Sometimes having enough is not enough to satisfy our desires for more. It is human nature to always want more." "Nope, unlike him I know I will be happy with enough." "How do you know anything about him? Did you not just say you never meet him?" "I don't need to meet him to guess what kind of person he is. Look at this place. Mr. Bazin is just like other rich people. They want to have everything and anything that they can get their hands on, no matter who they hurt in the process." "You sound like someone who has a prejudice against all rich people." Zoya laughed at that as she looked up from what she was doing. "Maybe just a little bit...living through the social and economic inequality we have around the world can make you like that. Anyhow, you never told me what you were here for Dmitry." "Just some things" Why does my name sound so good when she says it? He thought as he looked at her a few seconds before moving toward the door for the master bedroom. Dropping what she was doing Zoya ran past him and blocked the door with her body. "You have no right to go into the master bedroom and come to think about it, I never saw an ID or anything to show you were who you say you are. Wait a minute and I will call Mr. Kabinov." "Move. I am in a rush. You have already wasted my time running your mouth." "I wasted your time?" she asked with a raised voice, pointing a finger at herself as she used her other hand to take out her cell phone. "It takes two to hold up conservation and it is not my fault you just stood there like you had nothing important to do." "Move or I will move you." Holding up her hand to him in a sign for him to wait she put her phone to her ear as she waited for Mr. Kabinov to pick up. Moving closer to her he put his hands on her waist and lifted her up until she was eye to eye with him. In the process of lifting her up Zoya dropped her phone in shock and heard it make a sound as it connected with the floor as she tried to hold on to his shoulders to prevent herself from falling. As he moved her closer to his body she felt his breath on her face and her mind went blank for those few minutes he held her against him. He smelled so good was the only thing running through her mind when she looked into his eyes. She had to restrain herself from leaning down and put her face to his neck and breathing his sent. She feels so perfect was the first thing that crossed his mind as he unknowingly fitted her body against his. He could not understand his resistance to letting her go. His mind was telling him to put her down and step away, but he could not seem to let go of her or stop bringing her closer to him until she was actually fitted against his body. His left hand moved from her waist to her neck as he touched the curly hair there. He never had a chance to touch a black woman's hair before and as he moved his hand around her bun he became fascinated with the texture. As he was about to move his hand from the back of her neck to her face he was brought back to reality by the noise coming from her cell phone. She was still dazed from his sudden movement and the contact of their bodies, giving him a chance to put her down fast and open his bedroom door without her realizing it or moving to stop him. Zoya understood what happened only after he closed the door in her face and locked it. Both took deep breaths and leaned against the door wondering what had just passed between them. Remembering there was another way in the bedroom Zoya located her phone and ran toward the music room. As she ran into the guest room she dialed Mr. Kabinov once more. She heard a sound of a lock turning and realized that he had locked her out again. Why am I running to open the door, he is twice my size and could easily do me harm if he wanted to. I should be running away. But for some reason she could not explain she did not feel threatened by him. Hearing Mr. Kabinov on the other line she rushed to explain to him what had occurred. Mr. Kabinov said nothing until she finished telling him about the man who entered the apartment and locked himself in the master bedroom. "What did this man look like?" He sounded a bit too calm for Zoya. "Black hair, grey eyes, tall and Russian." "Did he give you a name? What he is doing in the condo?" "He said his name is Dmitry and that he was there to pick up something. Should I call the police sir?" "The police are most likely not going to charge a man for breaking into his own condo young lady. If I were you and wanted to keep my job I would apologize and stay the hell away from Mr. Bazin as long as possible. He has a hot Russian temper, but a few hours should cool him down." "I thought he was like old," she said annoyed at how well composed Mr. Kabinov sounded. She could not remember what she exactly said to him, but she knew she insulted her boss and had no idea how she was going to get herself out of the shit hole she buried herself in. "Where did you get that idea from?" "It does not matter now. I will call you later if I still have my job." "Don't be dramatic and no matter what you do don't cry. Mr. Bazin hates people who cry." "Ok, bye." Crying, definitely not the path to take. Besides, she was too angry at herself and him to do that. How can he just let her go on and on about what a sleazy rich guy he was without telling her she was talking about him. And what the hell was the matter with her that she just started speaking to some random stranger like he was her best friend. After taking a couple of deep breaths and pacing back and forth a few times, she finally got the courage to knock on the door. Hearing nothing from the room she knocked again. Guessing that he was probably in the bathroom, Zoya decided to go back to cleaning instead of standing there and waiting for him to answer the door. Silent Love Ch. 03 I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I had writing it. Lot of hugs and kisses to Honeycaramelbits for the wonderful editing. Please remember to comment and vote. Kaya Silent Love Ch. 03 "Don't sleep," he said softly as he lifted up her chin and moved curls of hair off her forehead. "Don't smoke," she answered as blinked up at him. He let go of her chin and put the cigarette out. As he leaned back to the sofa Zoya placed her head on his shoulders. Dmitry placed his hand on her head and began playing with her loose curls. Sighing softly she began humming a Florence + the Machine song that was playing softly in the room: Silent Love Ch. 04 Happy New Years!! Sorry for taking almost two years to update 'Silent Love.' I hope you enjoy reading part four as much as I had writing it. ~Kaya S. *********** "My father is coming now. I just called the limo driver and he should be here soon too," said Erik as he placed his phone away. They were all crowded around the V.P. Section bar. "Well my beautiful people, it's been a pleasure. Let's do this again," Mathew James said as he clicked his glass to Rohan's in a toast. "I don't know how y'all can still be drinking hard liquor," Katherine said as she, Robert and Michael took a seat between Rohan and Mathew James at the bar. "It's a...." "Please shut up," Elizabeth interrupted Mathew James reply. "Erik, how do I look? If I knew we were going to be meeting your father I would have tried to at least look decent tonight." Elena rolled her eyes at this and mouthed, "Bitch" in Zoya and Tama's direction. "You look okay," he said as he walked up to the bar and took a seat to the right of Rohan. Zoya stood up to stretch her legs as they waited for Erik's father. Yawning with arms above her head, she froze as she saw him crossing the room heading her way. Please don't let him come here. Oh God, what am I going to do? Fuck!! He is coming toward me. Don't look up. No look up and be cool. Fuck. Me!!! "Pa, these are my friends from Callaway," Erik said as he moved past a frozen Zoya to stand next to Dmitry. "Oh it's such a pleasure to meet you. I'm Elizabeth." Elizabeth said as she walked up to him and shook his hand. Dmitry responded with a curt nod and kept his eyes on Zoya as one by one they all thanked him and introduced themselves. "This is Zoya," Erik said after everyone except Zoya greeted his father. "She is not feeling well tonight." Erik added something softly in Russian, and seemed to go to extreme measures to keep Elena from hearing it. "It's a pleasure Zoya," Dmitry said as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. "What?!" "It is a pleasure to meet you," Dmitry answered while still holding her hand tight, without an expression on his face. "How?" She stammered out as she sharply pulled her hand out of his, and looked away from him to Erik and then back. "Sorry, as Erik said she is not feeling well," Tama said as she quickly took Zoya by the elbow and moved her in the direction of the exit. "Some people have no class," Elizabeth made disapproving sound as she moved to stand between Erik and his father. Looking back, Zoya saw Dmitry still looking at her with his usual expressionless face. "All right guys. The car is here. I'll see you later Pa," Erik said ignoring Elizabeth's comment. "Text me when you get home," Dmitry said as he lifted a hand in farewell. Glancing once more at the exit Zoya and her friends went through he walked off. ********* What the fuck to do? I will have to quit. No, we need the money. Find another job, and then quit. Yeah that's smart, let's do that. What do I say to Erik? Nothing. He doesn't need to know that you let his father put his fingers up your.... I can always move back to Africa or.... "Zoya!! Get the fuck up." "No! Leave me be you cold hearted bitch." "Seriously come on. It's 3pm on Sunday, and my mom has been asking me non-stop what's wrong with my African friend." "So, it's not my holy day. Tell your mom it's a black girl problem," Zoya mumbled from under her pillow pulling back the covers while Tama was trying to yank them away. "Stop bitching and let's go to the park." "No! Fuck off," she shouted as she rolled to the other side of the small bed. "No more drinking for you. You better get your drunk ass up or I am going to pour this water on you." "I'm up!" Zoya jumped up from the bed. She knew Tama was a crazy bitch and she would pour the fucking water. Having seen her do it to Elena and her brother, she wasn't willing to take a chance. "Oh God, my head." "You know we were really worried about you. Here take these," she said giving Zoya two blue pills and a glass of water. "Red pill or the blue pill. Fuck you Morpheus, nobody wants that shit called reality." "The Matrix? Now? Take the pills and get your geeky ass up." "You are dead Mr. Anderson...muhaha," Zoya tried her best Agent Smith voice while trying to smother herself with the pillow. "Come on out of bed. The day is still young." "Can you be any more fucking cheerful, Mary Poppins?" "Yes, come on!!" Tama said as she pulled a suicidal Zoya out of her room. *********** "How much longer?" Dmitry asked Boris looking out the window wondering how many more fucking cows he was going to see. "A few more minutes, two more exits. The farm should be near the exit," Boris answered not looking up from his iPhone. "Have you heard from the Libyans?" "Still working on it, but I did hear from Doha and Riyadh. More info should be coming in soon." "Good, tell Dav it needs to be done before the meeting with the Israelis." "Will do sir," he said as he looked at Dmitry's head leaning on the window. "Sir, what are your plans for the Argentineans?" Boris asked his nervousness showing by his constant foot taps since they left Atlanta. Bazin did not answer; Boris knew better than to ask again. "Well we'll be there soon. Got some research done and it seems that Colon's family has owned the farm for a while. He seems trustworthy enough, but looks can be deceiving." Again Bazin did not say anything. Boris knew that if Bazin did not want to talk then nothing he said could make the Bazin open his mouth, so he went back to his phone. They arrived at the small farm in Gainesville, Georgia in silence. They waited in the SUV until Geo and Devon signaled for them to come out. Colon and three of his men, as agreed, were waiting for them at the entrance of a two storey, blue farmhouse. The area was too quite to be a working farm, and from what Dmitry could see there were no animals of any kind around. Since it was not a formal business meeting he had chosen to wear blue jeans with a black t-shirt and boots; everyone except Colon had similar attire on. "Dmitry Bazin, welcome to my home. Not the best of my homes, but it will do. Na?" Colon greeted them with his smooth Spanish accent. "Colon," Dmitry said as he took Colon's offered hand. He took off his sunglasses as he followed Colon inside the air-conditioned home. Boris and Geo followed right behind him, leaving Devon waiting outside. The house was empty except for a long table with chairs in the living room. Dmitry and Boris took their seats after Colon took his. Boris wanted to take out a notepad and take notes, but that was not part of the agreement. "You are well known by many Bazin, and to be honest it came as a surprise when your man said you wanted a meeting. Our paths have never crossed before, so to what do I owe this pleasure?" "I hear you are a specialist." Colon liked a man who can get down to business. "Ahh is that so? How much and how long are we talking about?" "Twenty million, I need it done within two week." "Consider it done," Colon said with a smile. Twenty million for one job was not a deal one could reject. "You will need more than one man. Of course there is a possibility of bonus after. " "Location?" "My people will contact you." "I don't do contracts so there was no need for your man here," he said looking at Boris. "Good, you are a man of your word then. Expect more information from us soon," he said as he got up to leave. Shaking hands with Colon at the door they got back on the road to Atlanta. Bazin did not talk to Boris again until they were fifteen minutes away from their office, and it was only to tell him to schedule a meeting with Erik. ************* It was Tuesday night and as usual Zoya tried to make sure she finished her work at the condo before "Mr. Bazin" came back. She thought the best way to deal with her dilemma was to forget it. She seem to do that a lot since meeting him, while also trying to avoid him as much as possible. It had been almost two-and-half weeks since it happened. The semester was almost over. She just finished her midterms and finals were three weeks away. As she got out of the elevator she plugged her headphones on and placed her phone in her jeans pocket. Walking into the condo and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she made her way to the kitchen and looked around. He did not leave her a note today. She moved to the fridge and opened it. Taking out a drink she sang as she moved around the kitchen in her daily routine. "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. And they're like it's better than yours. Damn right, it's better than yours. I could teach you but I have to charge. My milkshake is better than yours..." She cut off with a scream as someone tapped her in the back. She quickly turned around right into his arms. Breathing heavily she tried to move away just as his arm came around her. Zoya slowly looked up into his gray eyes and took a step back with him still holding her to him. "Hey... You surprised me," she struggled out. More like you scared the shit out of me. He did not reply, but removed his hands from around her and walked to the fridge. He poured milk in a glass, took an apple from a bowl in the middle of the kitchen table and walked out. Sticking her tongue out to his retreating back she whispered: "Asshole," and went back to cleaning. It took her about an hour-and-a-half to finish what she needed to do, and since he'd shut himself in his room she didn't bother asking he needed it to be cleaned. Plus she just cleaned it yesterday, so he should be fine without it being cleaned for a day. But it was just her luck, just as she'd finished putting the cleaning supplies away and was about to leave, he opened his room door and looked at her. "Come," he ordered and walked back into his room. "Come, don't let master wait too long or shit is going to happen," Zoya tried to impersonate his voice and accent as she closed the door to the condo and walked toward his room. She found him at the window reading through what looked like work files. He had changed from his suit into plaid pajama pants and a white tee, and was wearing reading glasses. Hmm...I would never have imagined him being so...scholarly, at peace, and not so controlling. This will take getting use to. Looking around she saw there were files all over his bed and paper scattered around the room. Not organized, the little faults that make you human just keep adding up. He did not seem to notice as she came in, or maybe he was ignoring her just because he could. She cleared her throat a few times, but he did not look up from his reading. Wrinkling her nose she moved away from the door and dropped her backpack onto a chair. She walked to the middle of the room and looked at the fireplace. Drawn to the heat she moved closer. Hearing him move she turned away from the fire and waited for him to speak. "Take this," he said as he moved back to his bed and picked up his laptop, and waited for Zoya to come forward. "Take notes." "But I have to..." Zoya broke off what she saying as he turned and stared down at her with an expression that was the closest as he would ever look to being annoyed. Better deal with his crap or you going to be searching for a new job soon. Clearing her throat she took the Mac from him and moved towards the bed. As he moved back to the window with more files, she moved some papers aside in the bed and sat down. "Password?" "Korjev," he said without looking up from his reading. "K-O-R-J-E-V," he said after she tried two times to spell it and failed. Opening word processor, she waited from him to speak. "Type, don't worry about the spelling." Not looking to see if she agreed or understood, he started to pace around the room as he rattled off his notes. Zoya did not understand what she was typing, and the few times she asked for clarification she got nothing but an off look from him and so decided there was no point. By the time he stopped she could not feel her fingers and she could feel a headache coming on. Almost three hours had passed since they started, and she guessed he only stopped because he was tried too and saw that she was slowing down. Naming the file "Crazy man's notes" she saved it and closed the computer. She threw it across the bed and lay down, crushing some paper in the process. It was only 10:47pm, but Zoya was so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open as she watched him move around the room, collecting the files and papers he scattered around the room. "Dmitry," she mumbled. "Hmm." "You are paying me overtime. Sleeping. Okay," she sighed and drifted off to sleep. Placing the papers he was holding in his night stand, he looked down at her for a few seconds, and then reached down to remove her tennis shoes. Placing them down on the floor, he removed the covers from under her, and tucked her in. Picking up the laptop, he moved to the other side of the bed, and lay down on top of the covers. His lips turned up at the corners as he saw what she named the file. Copying the file, he renamed the copy, made a few edits, and sent it as an attachment with a note to Boris. Closing the computer, he placed it under the bed, took his glasses off, and got under the covers. He reached up above and turned off the lights. He stared at the back of her head for a longtime before finally turning away from her. He was almost half a sleep when he felt her roll behind his back. Dmitry turned to her with a groan and pulled her close to him after a long minute. Mumbling something in her sleep Zoya turned into his arms. She hugged him to her, slipped her legs in between his, and went right back to her deep sleep. What situation have we placed ourselves into? You make it very hard for me to let you go, he thought. He leaned his chin on top of her head and fell asleep rubbing her back. ************* "Play with me Dmitry," she laughed playful as she moved her hands under his t-shirt. Instead of answering, he waited to see how far she would go. With no answer from him, she kissed him on his chest and moved to undo his pajama pants. She nuzzled his abdomen and rubbed his stomach as she slowly pulled the strings. "Is it suppose to look like this?" she asked as she pulled him out of the silk pajama pants and wrapped her hands around his member. "It's like magic. Up and up it goes." Dmitry let out a loud noise as she blew air onto his penis and moved her hands under him to squeeze his ass as he lifted his hips off the bed to meet her mouth. Done with playing sleep he opened his eyes and met her brown gaze as she looked up at him before taking him into her mouth. "Fuck baby," he rasped out. "You want me to stop?" she asked sweetly as his dick popped out of her mouth. "No," he said harshly as he grabbed her curls and moved his hips up to meet her mouth. Needing no more pressure she slowly took him inside her mouth and sucked. He moaned louder and almost screamed when she bit his sensitive organ. His eyes rolled back and closed as enjoyed the feeling she was creating inside of him. "Suck and pull harder baby," he demanded as he moved his hips to go deeper inside her mouth. He was so close to coming. She sucked faster and moaned along with him. He frantically fucked her mouth. Almost there. She stopped. Pulled away and removed his strong hands from her hair. He opened his eyes to demand an explanation. She smiled coyly down at him and said nothing to his demanding stare. "Come here love," he said as he pulled her up toward him. Making sure to slide her body against his, Dmitry lay her on top of him. Caressing her body softly he refused to give her the kisses he knew she wanted from him. Not in rush he shaped her ass with his hands and then gave it a slap just to watch it jiggle. Their eyes locked and then suddenly she was under him. He took her mouth and kissed her hard. Massaging her breasts, he refused to let her lips go. He sucked on her lower lip and moved to claim her tongue. She began to breathe heavily and let out a moan of approval as he moved his away from her beautiful breasts and slipped a finger in her pussy. His baby was always ready for him. Rubbing her swollen nether lips, he used his other hand to play with her left breast. He placed another finger in her pussy and began to finger fuck her. From the noise she was making he could tell that she was about to cum. He stopped just as she was about to let out a scream of pleasure. Unable to speak Zoya nudged him in the ribs to get his attention. "What are you waiting for?" "Tell me what is it that you want?" "You know." "Yes, but say it anyway." "Fine!" She attempted to push him off of her, but he stopped her by quickly flipping her on top of him and holding both of her arms behind her back as she sat on his stomach. Breathing in shallow gasps she stared down at him and waited. "You know I'll give you anything you want, solnyshko. Now tell me what you want." He knew she did not like to state her desires with words, but he needed to hear her say them. "I need you. Inside of me." Hearing exactly what he wanted to hear, Dmitry flipped them over and placed her underneath him. He entered her without a word, covering her gasp of surprise with a kiss. His sweetheart fit him perfectly. There was no need for words as he drove in and out of her. The only sound in the room was their heavy breathing and the noise made as two bodies came together. They were both close to coming; he was not willing to leave her behind and she was not willing to cum first. Holding onto the bed frame he fucked her harder, she let out a scream, sinking her teeth into his shoulder in the process. His hands gave out and slipped from the bed frame as he lost control and exploded inside of her. His seed released and he sank deeper into her he as he stopped moving. ******** Dmitry woke up as something painfully kicked him in the stomach. For a minute he could not remember where he was. Looking around his room to make sure everything was okay his eyes came back to focus on the person sleeping next to him. She had kicked him in the stomach with her knees in an attempt to curl up next to him. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head in an attempt clear it and not to think too much about his dream. This is not going to turn out well for us sweetheart, he thought as he stared at the head resting on his elbow. Moving her to the other side of the bed, he covered her and lay down on the opposite side. Making sure there was good amount of space between them, Dmitry closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep. *********** She came out of her slumber snuggled to something very warm. She took a deep breath, smells so good, she thought. After snuggling into the wonderful smell and the warmth, she tried to stretch, but something was pinning her arms down. Still not opening her eyes Zoya tried to move around. She felt like she was sleeping on top of a log. My body is in pain from yesterday. That good for nothing asshole worked me to death. She though as she sighed and tried to move again. Still locked in, she slowly opened her eyes and looked up into Dmitry Bazin's sleeping face. Finding herself laying on top of him, she let out a squeal that was muffled as he turned to his side, turning her with him. Oh God, what is it about this man that keeps me letting my guard down? Zoya quietly waited until he settled down and went back to sleep before trying and move again. "Stop." She froze with her struggle and looked at him. Eyes still closed, face expressionless, he looked like he was still sleeping. If she did not hear his command for her stop, she would have thought he was still sleeping. "I have to go to school. I have class at 8:30. Exams coming soon too, I can't miss it." Shut the fuck up Zoya, you don't need to explain yourself to him! He opened his eyes at this and gazed at her. He disengaged himself from her and turned away. Back to sleep for all Zoya knew. Silent Love Ch. 04 She leaned over his body and took a peek at his chest and the pillows. No excessive saliva on either. She had a tendency to drool on random nights; thank God last night was not one of them. Taking a slow breath, she got out of the bed. Since she was fully clothed she knew nothing happened last night. But why did she feel so disappointed that nothing happened, disappointed that she was no longer in his arms? Crazy, crazy, crazy, girl! Crazy-stupid-slower-than-a-donkey-girl, she chanted as she locked herself in the bathroom. Since it was only seven she decided to take a shower and go straight to school. Opening the door slowly, she tipped-toed into Dmitry's closet and pulled out a blue hoodie and a white-tee. She peeked at the bed once more, and then rushed back into the bathroom. Although both the t-shirt and the hoodie were too big they would have to do. Going to school in the same clothes she had on yesterday and spent the afternoon in cleaning was a no-no. She hoped no one noticed that she was wearing the same black jeans. She looked in the mirror and smiled at the shabby image that stared back at her. Hugging herself, she took a lungfuls of air, breathing in his scent. Hmm... always nice, she thought to herself as she shoved her face deeper into the hoodie. She was sure he would not mind her wearing his clothes. With that much in his closet he would not miss it, plus she would return them anyway. Walking out of the bathroom, she found the bed empty. Guessing he was somewhere in the house, Zoya bit her lower lip. She was hoping he would sleep until she left. Sighing aloud she rolled her clothes and stuffed them inside her purse, while looking for her shoes. Finding them beside the bed, she put them on, and got her cell phone out. Texting Shahid to tell him she slept at Elena's place and that she was going to school from there, she walked out to the living room. Not finding Dmitry there, she walked into the kitchen to find him sitting at the table reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in one hand. Well this is going to be awkward, as usual. "I am leaving." Why you have to tell him when you could have just left? She scolded herself as she waited for him to speak. He looked up from the newspaper to her and waved with his cup to the fridge. "You have time to eat," saying no more he went back to his newspaper. Well I guess this is the best invitation I am going to get. May as well since I don't have money to spend on school food anyway. Walking into the kitchen, she placed her bag on the chair across from him, and went about getting breakfast. She tried to find an explanation for his different moods as she moved around the kitchen, and came up blank. Rich man with a 20-year-old son. He can get whatever he wants from the world, and he was blessed with good looks and intelligence. There had to be an explanation for his attitudes toward her and his cool demeanor. Most people usually liked her, she was not Miss Popular, but she got along with people. He completely ignored the fact that they almost had sex at the club, stupid vodka's fault, and now seemed to be ignoring the fact that they spent the night sleeping in each other's arms. He seemed so unaffected. Like he can control what he feels, and let it out to the world whenever he pleases. Hmm...why the change in moods though? She placed her cup of tea and plate of peanut butter sandwich on the table and took a seat. She took a few bites from her sandwich and sipped her tea. He looks so cute early in the morning. It must be the messy, bed hair making him look much younger. Still not looking at her, he continued to read the newspaper, and took a sip of his coffee every once in a while. Zoya was almost done, when he spoke behind his paper: "What did you say to Erik?" "Nothing. He does not know I work for you." No reply to that. "And plus when I told him I worked, he never asked where." Zoya forced herself not to go on any longer as he continued to read, and not reply to her explanation. After a few minutes she got up went to the sink, cleaned her plate and cup, and went to pick up her bag up. "I'll return the hoodie and shirt next time," expecting no reply she turned to leave. He got up from his chair. She stopped in her tracks, but did not turn around as he moved toward her. Her heart jumped as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her body against his. Giving her a hug, he put his chin on top of her head. Slowly he slipped his hands under her shirt, placed his hands flat on her belly, took a deep breath, and spoke against her hair. "It can't happen." Unable to speak Zoya nodded her head understanding what he was saying. She let her body lean into his without thinking. She felt like thousands of stones were being forced shoved down her stomach and cursed her eyes for going a little teary over his dead set tone. Maybe she felt more than she ever thought possible; dreamed dreams she never thought would come true, but entertained anyway. She shivered and exhaled a long breath as he started rubbing her belly. Dmitry whispered something in Russian as he kissed her ear and moved his mouth down to her neck. He hated to contradict himself, but for some reason he disliked seeing her in the state he put her in less than a blink of an eye. Everything seemed to be a contradiction since he set his eyes on her; so what was one more? What was it about this girl that made him so weak? Why do the expressions on her face make him do things he normally would not do? "Sorry, I mean yeah, I completely understand. It would be ridiculous and idiotic for us to let anything happen. There's nothing between us anyway, but bad decisions on my part." She tried to laugh it off and pull away from his warm body, but she could not break away from his hold. She could feel his chuckle more than hear it; what was amusing, she did not know? "We are clear," trying to move away again with no success. "Da," he whispered as his large hands moved slowly under her shirt to cup her breasts and squeeze. Breathing heavily she turned to face him. Dmitry leaned down and nuzzled her cheeks. Her bag falls as she wrapped her arms around him, meeting his lips for a kiss. They both sighed as their lips met. What are we doing? He must have brushed his teeth in the other bathroom, she thought. His mouth tasted like coffee and mint. She let out a deep moan as he squeezed her ass and his tongue meet hers once more. Lifting her up a few inches above the ground Dmitry held her chin with one hand to control her movement and held her up with the other. She curved her arms around his neck as they deepened their kiss. He devoured her mouth and she paid him back in kind. By the time they pulled apart her lips were swollen and belonged to him more than they did to her. She let out a strangled sound as he slowly drifted from her lips to kiss her neck and shoulders. Zoya grabbed his hair and pulled him closer. She kissed his neck and playfully bit his ear. Shit they were about to finish what they started at the club. Fuck school and everything else, she thought as she tried to get at his lips once more. Without a warning he suddenly disengaged her from him. "What the...." Holding her steady as she tried to adjust to being placed down so fast. Dmitry placed the hood back on her head, grabbed her bag from the floor, and gently pushed her out the kitchen into the living room. He zipped up her hoodie as they got to the door leading to the elevator and placed her bag over her shoulder. Still confused, Zoya looked up at him in puzzlement as he pulled her along and out the condo. "Zoya," he said in farewell as he pushed her into the elevator. "Dmitry," she replied as her heart gave a kick at hearing him say her name for the first time. "Keep them. You look good," he said just as the elevator closed. Zoya laughed and could not stop a big grin from appearing on her face. She couldn't understand the man, first he says nothing can happen between them, kisses her like there is no tomorrow, and now compliments her. They say Dmitry Bazin was a genius in his work but they never said he was a crazy, mad man too. What the heck had she gotten herself into? *************** "My professors are killing me! Three 20 page research papers, four tests, a shit load of quizzes, and a whole bunch of meaningless homework." "Welcome to the club," Zoya smiled at Erik as she took a sip from her smoothie. "I curse the human who was stupid enough to think that in order to gain knowledge one has to be graded. Fucking assholes all of them. My father is no help either. The bastard wants nothing but perfection." Zoya let him steam off and ignored the odd looks the people in the café were giving them, as Erik's accent thickened and his voice rose with every word he spoke. "I swear that man is worse than Hitler and Stalin combined. My own hell on earth. All I hear from him is do well in school Erik... don't disappoint me Erik... you are where you are because of me Erik. The worst part is he does not even speak out loud; he just stands there and gives me that cold I-know-everything look. It is worse than living on the streets of Moscow. This fucking school, that whore of a father, and this fucking country; I hate it all. I am going back to Russia." He stopped, took a few deep breaths and looked at her. She smiled and shook her head at him. "Don't lose it. We still have a few more weeks before finals. Mother Russia will wait for you." She advised in a failed attempt to imitate his accent. She leaned over and ruffled his hair. He laughed at her and blew the hair she messed with off of his forehead. "Want to do an all-nighter with me this Friday? We can study and just chill," he said as he took a sip from his latte. "Sure, after I get off work I will come over to your place. Listen, I have to tell you something." "What up ZK?" He asked as he placed his cup down and looked at her weary expression. "Umm...I never told you where I worked and what I did. You never asked and so I never bothered, but recently I found out something and it's only right I tell you." She paused and cleared her throat a few times. "Prostitution? Stripper?" He laughed out loud as she aimed her smoothie in his direction. "Bitch, please!" "Well out with it, whatever it is it can't be that bad." He said with laughter still in his voice. "I work for your dad," she said taking a slurp from her smoothie. He was quiet for almost two minutes. His expression blank, he seemed to have forgotten that she was sitting in front of him. Zoya fidgeted in her sit waiting for him to speak. "Doing what?" He asked softly. She never heard that sober deadly quite tone from him before. It gave her a pause. "I...um...clean his apartment." His expression seemed to have changed within seconds after the words left her mouth. Seeing the change in expression, Zoya continued in a fast pace to finish her explanation. "I know I should have told you as soon as I found out my employer was, but I was too embarrassed to let you know that I was nothing more than a housekeeper. Less actually now I think about...I don't get health insurance and shit. I am sorry!!" "Wahoo... it's all cool Zoya. I am just surprised. I am your friend, you know you can tell me anything and it's going stay between just us two." "I know. Sorry. I didn't know when I took the job he was your dad. I mean y'all don't have the same last name or anything." "I was given my mother's at birth. Oh that explains a lot! Knew something was off that night at the club even if you were drunk. That was the night you knew, right?" He asked as he took a bit from a croissant he brought with his coffee. Zoya noticed that the smile was back on his face. "Yeah, I had the shock of my life alright and I was not drunk, just tipsy" she said as she pondered about his sudden change in moods. "Dmitry can be a little motherfucker, just don't cross him and you will be fine. Other than being too smart for his own good, my father is a complete loser when it comes to human things. I don't think he even has any friends. Business partners, but friends eeh...Sad but that's the father I have," he said with a laugher in his voice. The way he talked about Dmitry got under her skin, she couldn't explain why. Dmitry was his father so he had more right than anyone to talk that way about him, but she did not like his tone. She almost spoke up to defend him, but decided against it at the last minute. "SOOO, we cool?" She asked in hope the subject will move away from Bazin. "Oh I am cool, you on the other hand are not so..." He trailed off as he got his backpack and coffee cup, ready to leave. "I was cool before you were born or knew what cool was, mister," She yelled at his retreating back. "At your age I am sure you were and did ma'am!" Laughing, he tried to run out of the café. Zoya caught up to him at the door and smacked him upside the head. As they walked out into the street he placed his arm around her shoulder and she wrapped her arm around his waist. He looked down at her as they walked, talked, and laughed back to campus. ************ Maybe it was a dream she thought as she peeked inside once more. She didn't think she ever seen that many serious guys in black suits in real life before, and Dmitry was in the center of it all. She listened in on the ongoing conversation, more like the argument between them, but could not understand a word they were saying. It seemed like they were speaking rhetoric in a language she could not decipher. The meeting room was intimidating enough, but the fact that it was full of the most important business people in the state of Georgia and maybe the country made Zoya freeze in her tracks at her attempt to sneak in and have a word with Mr. Bazin. What were they doing in Dmitry Bazin's office, and why was she such a fool in thinking she could sneak in past the secretary and everything would be fine? At that moment, with wide eyes focused on him in the middle of the crowed discussing important issues with these men, she realized how powerful he was and his status. Maybe it was their personal interactions, but she never fully realized or thought about the amount of power he held and its source. She knew he owned several businesses, but how he came about it she did not know. Was she too quick to judge him? She realized he was a book she had not even opened yet. A book whose title she read and mistook as the full content. She was in downtown cleaning a customer's apartment when she decided to stop by and tell him about Erik and their conversation, and get him to sign a check he left for her but forgot to sign. It was a great mistake to come to his office unannounced. Thank God the men were too busy talking to look at the door. The best solution was to confidently walk slowly away and make sure no one sees her. No one would ever know she was there. Maybe no one would notice her dirty sneakers and jeans. Taking a deep breath she tried to close the door just as Dmitry's eyes moved from the documents he was scanning and settled on her. "Well, fuck" she thought as she closed the door shut just as he stood up in the crowd, still holding her gaze. Walking quickly past his secretary and his bodyguard Geo, who glanced at her without shock. He knew she was there, and did not say a word. She almost ran toward the elevator, stopping in her tracks as she saw the crowd of workers waiting. She had to get out of there quickly. Deciding she would take the stairs, she moved toward the door labeled 'stairs'. Just as she was about to open the door to the stairs a hand pulled her into a big, empty office. Turning around she found her face smashed into his chest. She knew it was Dmitry; no one had a smell like his. She was very tempted to just press her nose to his chest and breath. Moving quickly away from him, she attempted a small smile. "Well this is a surprise." "Why are you here?" "I was around." He moved toward her quietly. "And I thought I stop by and talk. Plus you forgot to sign my check, but seeing you're busy I was just leaving," she rushed as she tried to pass him to get to the door. He grabbed her by the arm and using his body he pushed her tightly against the door. "What is it that you want?" His voice did not change in tone. They could be discussing the weather. She tried to answer him but no sound came out. His hold was a little painful, but what worried her more was her reaction to feeling his body against hers and how close his face was to hers. Her body was short circuiting. She was never one who liked to play rough, but she wanted him right there and then to press her harder against the door, leaving no space between them. She would let him have his way with her. Her thoughts shocked her. "I talked to Erik and...." "Do I look like I care what you do?" he cut her off. "I hire you to clean my apartment. Don't come to my office unannounced and stay out of my personal life. Understand?" Why was she staring at him with pain in her eyes? He promised her nothing and they had nothing together. Those moments of craziness did not give her a right to look into his personal business. Even if they were dating she had no right to come to his office without his permission. They had to stop and he needed to stop leading her on. It was never his intention. Maybe he was being too harsh with her, but she would be better off with a boy she could experience new things with. Someone who could give her what she wanted and needed. He needed to act his age and stop this little madness he created with her. "Of course, I am sorry. I don't know what I was thinking...I umm..." her voice stopped working as she looked down and away from his all-seeing eyes. "I have to go," she whispered as she tried to move past him once again trying to ignore the pain his words caused. She should feel nothing. She was the employee and he was her boss. They lived in two different realms that could not be bridged. He did not move as she struggled to get free. He needed to let her go. Why was he not letting her go? "Listen to me," he commanded as he lowered his head and placed his forehead against hers. "I need you to understand. Can you try to understand?" "Understand what?" she whispered to his face. "You...we...it is dangerous. You can't be here...in my life. You will only get hurt. Do you understand?" He asked softly as he placed one hand on her hip and the other against the door. He knew he made no sense, but needed her to say she understood. "But...I don't want..." "Say you understand." "I understand," she whispered as she looked into his gray eyes. "I need to go," she breathed out as her arm went around his waist. He nodded but did not move. "What are we doing sweetheart?" his voice was so soft and tender against her cheek she thought she was hearing things. She never thought he would speak to her with that much emotion in his voice. What were they doing? Why was separating so hard when they both knew it was for the best? Was this the last time they were going to be like this? "Goodbye," he said softly as he moved away from her. Turning around the face the door she let out a small breath and opened the door. She came face-to-face with his secretary Kristen. Kristen blinked at her for a few seconds and then looked past her to their boss. "The Governor and Senator Williams are online for you, sir." Zoya heard no more as she quickly walked past Kristen and headed toward the elevator. ********* "You need to lose your virginity before the semester ends. You just need to find a guy and do it." "Are you crazy?! Don't listen to Lena. Think about all the disgusting diseases you can get." "Once its done you are going to feel so free." "Do it with someone special, Zoya. Not just any random dude." "I lost mine when I was drunk in high school and I am perfectly fine. Sex is amazing and you are going to regret it if you wait too long," Elena whispered to Zoya across the table. Silent Love Ch. 04 They had this conversation before, and since both Tama and Elena lost theirs a while back it was no surprise Zoya's v-card was the main focus. "I am not waiting for Prince Charming, but I am also not giving it any random John." "You're too picky. You're not bad looking and have guys who like you. You just need to try." "I am not going to throw myself at random guys, Lena!" "I'm not saying you have to throw yourself, maybe just let them slid in." She slapped the table as she laughed at her own joke. "Anyway, are you excited for winter break Tama? How are the plans going?" Zoya asked in an attempt to get out of the conversation. "Great! Tim's got everything in order and as soon as finals are over we are out of here." Tim and Tama had been together since junior year of high school and four years later they were still going strong. "You're a bitch. Who goes to Europe during Christmas and leaves their friends?" "Hmmm...I know. So, I know you are dying to tell us about Erik." Elena stared at Zoya as if expecting her to say something. "He does not talk about his 'personal relationship with others in detail' as he likes to say. So, I know little about what happen between y'all two." She answered Elena's stare. "The sex is good," she began. "But he just is not the one and we both know it." "Y'all have known each other since school started, like three months now. Is that enough to know if he is the one?" Zoya asked. "You don't need time to know if he is the one." "Well I don't believe in 'The One' anyway, but I think y'all should give it a chance." "Hmm... Maybe. But dang the sex is so good. He is definitely one of the best I ever been with. We might be going to Russia in winter break too." "WHAT??!" Zoya and Tama screamed out. "Its not final but we been talking. He is going back for winter break, and I have not been for a while so why not?" "So, who the bitch for going to Europe during Christmas without her friends?" "We can meet for a cup of tea in Paris," Elena answered Tama without a blink. It was just like her to do something without much consideration. "Erik's dad is probably going to pay for it. Erik says he won't even notice and it will fit in his allowance." "Rich kids," Tama sighed with a shake of her head. "His dad might be in Russia too. Erik tells me he is religious and shit. He is so hot. If I was 27 I would fuck him." "If you thought you had a chance with him you would have let him fuck you," Tama replied. "True that." "Don't you feel weird saying that or even thinking about it when you are having sex with his son?" "Nope, one has nothing to do with the other." "I don't think that's how it works," Zoya chipped in the conversation. "I am just saying I know a man when I see one and Dmitry Bazin is a man. He looks like the type who would hit the shit out of me, but I would be screaming with pleasure just from the contact." "Eew stop it. Nasty hoe," Tama pushed further down the bench they were sitting on. "How's sex with Thomas? Boring as usual?" "Our sex life is great. Period." "Zoya Khan, is there any guy you'd like enough to fuck?" Lena changed the subject back. "Eeeh..." "No, yes, maybe...you don't know. I know this guy from my school you should meet. Y'all both into philosophy and politics and shit." "No." "Okay, all I am saying is you better lose it before we come back from Europe. You will be 24 soon and then you will be 30." "Ah yes. I should do it before my vagina disappears," Zoya said to Elena in a sarcastic voice. "Let's get out of here. It's getting crowded and I am starving," Tama said as she made her friends get up and leave the cafe. Walking out into the streets of Buckhead, the girls headed to a South African Restaurant called 10 Degrees for an early dinner. *********** Dmitry paused in the process of removing his tie as he walked into the occupied kitchen and looked down at her. He continued to watch her without a sound for a while. She was softly singing along to the music coming from her phone. She was typing on her laptop and every so often she would consult her textbook. He was not surprised. He stood there for a few more seconds looking down at her and then walked around her to go get water from the fridge. He took out two bottles. Still typing away and mumbling to herself; Zoya did not look up until he put one of the water bottles in front of her; right beside her laptop. With a gasp of surprise she quickly leaned back against her chair and looked up into his calm eyes. He drank his water, stared at her shocked face, and said nothing. "I finished working early and needed a place to do my essay," she said as a way of explaining why she was still there. She watched him drink his water as he looked down at her silently. Who knew drinking what can be so sexual? He walked out without a word. Two faced asshole. She watched his retreating back for a minute and then got back to writing her essay. She loathed losing her concentration while writing; it always seems to take her hours to bring back her focus. Almost a half an hour had passed since Dmitry disappeared in his room when Zoya heard someone knocking at the door. Irritated on being distracted Zoya saved her work and closed her laptop. Expecting Dmitry to get the door, she slowly began to gather her things to leave. Hearing the knocking once more she left the kitchen with her backpack on her shoulder, and looked at Dmitry's closed bedroom door. With a frown on her face, she quickly opened the door after a third loud knock at the door. Noticing her untied tennis shoes, Zoya did not look at the person at the front door, but instead bent down to fix her laces. "Sorry, I thought my Dmitry was going to get it. I was in the kitchen...."She stopped mid-sentence as she realized her slip of the tongue. My Dmitry?? She quickly looked up at the two men staring down at her with blank looks. Maybe I am growing smaller, she thought as she looked at the pair dumbfounded. Who the giant men were and what they wanted she knew not; but she did not want to get in their way for any reason. Getting up, she took a step back after a few seconds of staring and blinked a few times just to make sure they were really there. "Well this is a surprise," the brunet of the two said with an accent she could not place. He smiled at his ginger partner briefly and walked in. The ginger closed the door as he followed in; he looked beyond Zoya, and then reverted his piercing green eyes back to her. "What's a surprise?" "You of course sweetie. What's your name love?" "Who are you looking for?" She asked softly as she moved away from him. "I asked you a question first." "Zoya," she rumbled out not liking the tone he was using with her. "And you are?" "Alexander Watson, you my love have my permission to call me Alex," he smiled as if he was giving her a great privilege and tried to take her hand. Zoya quickly stepped away and moved further into the living room. "I have a meeting with your Dmitry Mademoiselle Zoya," he said with laughing eyes. His partner still quite, continued to scan the condo. "He is not mine. He will be out soon. I was just leaving." "Oh. I was hoping you would be around. Boring Bazin is not really the best company in the world." "Sorry, but I got to go." "Since your Dmitry is taking so long why don't you keep me company love?" He asked in a commanding tone as he and his partner passed Zoya, and took a seat facing her. "No. Sorry." "That was not a request love. Sit down," he said waving at the sit in front of him. "My workers are not yours to command Alexander," Dmitry said making Zoya jump in surprise as he appeared behind her. His worker? "Eh Bazin?! Took you long enough." "Should have made you wait longer, you little bastard." "Ah come to papa, love," he said getting up with open arms. His red headed partner still did not say a word. "Go fuck yourself," Dmitry grumbled as he moved past Zoya toward the other two men. A bubble of laughter left Zoya as she heard him curse for the first time. Dmitry ignored Alexander's open arms and took a sit opposite the two. "I see nothing has changed with you," Watson said with a straight face now. "I see you been bothering my workers with your constant calls." "It was important." "What?" "Tea first, Zoya love," he said looking Zoya straight in the eyes. "I like my tea with milk and honey." "But, I have to go." "Well Dmitry, don't be slow. Tell the girl what you want to drink so she can be on her way." "You are not welcomed in my house. Leave, you can show yourself out" Bazin replied in a dry tone as he got up to return to his room. Alexander said something in a language Zoya did not recognize. Sounded Russian, but not Russian. He spoke for a while, before finally Dmitry took his seat again. "Ms. Khan, get tea." "I don't have time for this; I am done for the day." Plus she had her essay due later that night. He did not reply to this or turn his head. He said something softly with a dry tone to Alexander. Alexander laughed at whatever he said, and they continued their conversation in the unknown language completely ignoring her. Walking softly to the door Zoya opened it to leave. She stopped in the door way as several thoughts ran through her head. Fail the essay or lose her job? Good grades or food on the table? "Fuck!" She whispered softly as she slammed the door shut. She placed her bag next the front door and walked toward the kitchen. Bazin said something that made Watson cackle, and then they continued on with their conversation. Ignoring them she continued into the kitchen. Weird men, she thought as she boiled water for the tea. She wondered about their relationship. They seem to know each other very well. Completely different in personality, can't imagine them being friends. Fifteen minutes later she came out with a tray of tea and mini Russian deserts she found in the food storage closet. Ignoring them once more she placed the tray down and rose up to leave. "Pour. Milk and two spoons of honey. Rataq does not want any." Assuming that Rataq was Alexander's partner, she sighed loudly and turned to the tray. Who raised these men? Please every once in a while would be nice. She poured one cup and prepared it as he requested, handing Watson his cup. I should be a tea brewer. I wonder how much they get paid. She turned to Dmitry with an expressionless face in demand of how he wanted his tea. She got a glance of his eyes for the first time since he came out of his room. She took a deep breath to settle her queasy stomach in reaction to the power of his gray eyes. They were not soft today, but a scrutinizing, sharp stormy gray. Maybe one day she will look into those eyes and not feel anything. But not today. Unable to read him she held up the teapot. He looked at her and then the teapot for a second, and then looked away and said something to Alexander in the same language they were speaking before. Zoya blinked a few times with a frown on her face. Rude jerk. I am a fucking idiot a million times over. "No soup for you!" She said to herself as she placed the teapot down and began to rise up off the carpet. Alexander laughed at that and looked down at her in good humor. "What?" Dmitry asked also looking up at her from where he was sitting in annoyance. Alexander chuckled and shaking his head at Dmitry in pretend disappointment. Dmitry did not say anything at that, but continued to look at Zoya. "The line from Seinfeld. Your Dmitry has no sense of humor, don't you agree?" he said to Zoya shaking his head at Bazin again. "Umm...I am not in the position to judge." You're Dmitry. Ooouf I am never going to live that one down. "I choose to differ. Come. Sit with us. I can't take all of him in at one time." "That's what she said," Zoya said as she looked up the ceiling trying to figure a way out of her current situation. She only analyzed what she said after Alexander almost chocked on his tea due to laughter. "I like you." Dmitry scowled at this, but continued to say nothing. "God save me," Zoya mumbled to herself. Just as she was about to turn to leave, Alexander said something fast to Dmitry and Dmitry replied something fast. Although she could not understand she knew they were talking about something serious, and Dmitry did not seem happy about whatever Alexander was saying. Deciding to quietly leave she grabbed the tea tray and went into the kitchen to put away the supplies she taken out. Assuming the men did not want any more tea since they did not call her back; Zoya put everything away except the cup Alexander was drinking out of. When she returned ten minutes later Dmitry was alone. Watson and his man were nowhere to be seen. He was still sitting where she left him in a relaxed position in the couch with his arms crossed looking at the far off wall. Not wanting to deal with any of his changing moods, Zoya headed to the door to get her backpack and leave. "Stay. Please, sit." He said it so softly that for a while Zoya thought she was hearing things. He did not face her, but kept on looking at the wall. She looked around the apartment for a minute as if to make sure no one else was around and that he was in fact speaking to her. He looked so alone sitting there by himself, something tagged at her hart. Leaving the door she sat next to him. She removed her tennis shoes, leaned back against the couch, looked out to the balcony, and kept quiet. What a weird relationship we have, she pondered it again. After minutes of him not saying anything Zoya got up and told him she was going to get her laptop. He did not respond. She did not expect him to. She came to the conclusion people that were too smart or successful were just weird, and maybe she just need to learn how to deal with this weird man. Returning to her seat, she opened her essay and began to make minor changes. Thinking that there was nothing else she could do to improve the essay, she saved her work and submitted it. She expected to at least get a 'B'. Closing the laptop and putting it back in her bag, she waited for him to say something. Maybe he just needed the company of a fellow human being. No friends, Erik said. While she was busy with her schoolwork he had gone to the kitchen and gotten a bottle of red wine. He brought one glass, and was slowly drinking while he looked at the fireplace in the middle of the living room deep in thought. After five minutes of the silent treatment, she grabbed the wine glass from his hand and drank some while he lit a cigarette. "Hmm...what language were you and your friend 'Mr. Watson' speaking?" She asked in an attempt to break the silence as she poured more wine. "Alex? He is not my friend. Polish." He took the wine glass from her and drank. She thought about the last time they drank together or more like the last time she drank and he watched. Nope, can't go there you stupid brain. "He does not look Polish and what kind of Polish name is Watson?" She asked making a face as old unwanted memories flooded back to her of the night at his club. "How do Polish people look like?" "Not like him. What did he want?" No answer to that question. Maybe she should not have asked, but she was too curious to let it go. "How many languages do you speak?" she asked after a long awkward silence between them. "Six," he said still smoking. "Woooow! I am struggling with three and a half. What languages?" He hesitated as if giving that small information held life and death. "Russian, Polish, English, French, German, and Romanian." "Really Impressive. Where did you learn all of them?" she asked him in French. "Around," he continued in French. "I see your French and English are not bad, what is the other two?" "My mother tongue Wolof and half Arabic." "When did people start speaking half languages?" Dmitry mumbled to himself as he took the wine glass back. "You plan to go back to Senegal one day?" "How..?...What else do you know?" "Only the facts. No secrets, yet." "Yeah I plan to go back one day. I still have family members there. As for secrets, I have none. I am actually like one of the most boring person on the face of the earth." "We all have our secrets, boring or not." Zoya did not say anything to this. Although he was participating in the conversation Zoya knew his mind was somewhere else. She took the glass of wine he offered back to her and tucked her feet under her as she sat closer to him on the sofa. Taking a sip, she looked up at him. They were inches apart now. She never felt so comfortable and on edge with any human being as she did with him. Being alone with him made her feel a bizarre mixture of calmness and anxiety. She had never felt anything like it before. It frightened her. "Romanian!... say something," she struggled out to keep the conversation moving. "I don't think I ever heard it spoken. Say anything." Was it her or was there not enough air in the room? He whispered something to her. "Are you married? Hiding a pregnant wife somewhere?" She asked in a whisper, switching back to English from French. He shook his head in negative and looked down at her with questioning eyes. "Well, if you want one just speak Romanian all the time." "What I said made you want to marry me and have my babies?" He asked as a smile crept down from his eyes to his red lips for the first time that night. "No!... I mean it just sounds so good when you speak it. Never mind.... what does it mean?" lowering her eyes as a blush heated her face. It felt good to bring that smile to his face, even if she had made a fool out of herself. "Something that will make you want to marry me and have my babies," he said softly his accent getting thicker. Zoya accepted this with a laugh and a nod of her head. Looking around the room she focused on the wall he was looking at earlier. Finding nothing there she looked back to him. Something was wrong with him. Although he was not much of a speaker, usually when he was in a room or in your presence he controlled the situation, but today after Alexander and his man left he looked too distracted. The whole time they were speaking he was drumming his fingers on the sofa and pulling at locks of hair in deep thought. He had smoked two cigarettes and was lighting his third. She knew his mind was going over 100 miles per hour, what was going on in there? As usual she did not know. What news did Watson bring him? "Want to do something for me?" she asked bringing his attention back to her. "$3,000." "What?" "That how much I am worth an hour...if I spend an hour with you that is how much I would be giving up." "Okaaay...So, is that a yes Mr. Time Keeper?" "What is it?" he asked in a monotone voice. "Where are your glasses?" "In the room," he looked at her with blank expression. "Be back in a second," she said as she jumped off the sofa and ran to his room. Two minutes later she came back with his glasses on and a notebook and pen in hand. Taking the opposite side of the sofa, placing her feet up next to his legs, she looked at him through his glasses and smiled. "My name is Dr. Zoya Khan and I will be your therapist for today. Dr. Cooper could not make it. I am sure whatever is bothering you we can work it out," she said in the most professional voice she can master. Dmitry twisted his whole body to take a look at her. Putting his cigarette out, he did not say anything at this. Seeing no response from him she continued. "Everything you say I promise will be just between us two. Now, let's start with something easy: what is your name?" "Gabriel Dmitry Korjev," he said without a pause. Zoya took this in with a straight face and wrote it down. "Spelled K-O-R-J-E-V and what do you prefer to be called?" She asked as she wrote it down.