Vanished in Chicago (Vanished)

It has been two days since the dinner where we met and every day, she comes over so we can talk and bond. She listens to me when I tell her my frustration and she also talks to me about Jakub. I haven’t had the balls to ask her to use her phone yet and I know if I do, she will let me, but I can’t bring myself to put her in the middle yet.

Ugh. Too much to think about too early in the day. I turn my head to look at him as he sleeps so soundly and like I do whenever I leave the bed before him which isn’t often, I lean over, kiss his lips before whispering so low he can’t hear me. “I think I might love you.”

Getting out of bed, I switch my mind to the rest of the day. I have class today with Professor Walsh and I am dreading it. He is becoming increasingly weirder and more inappropriate, and I am literally one more innuendo and touch away from letting Jak loose on him. I am trying to hold out because after today I only have an online final for his class so essentially, this is the last time I am going to have to see him.

A quick shower, some makeup and a cute Bandeau jumper with some heels and I am ready for the day ahead. When I make it downstairs, I see Anya has once again been hard at work with breakfast. “Good morning, Miss DeSantis. I trust you slept well?” She asks, placing a plate of steaming hot waffles and bacon in front of me.

“I wish,” I grumble digging into the food. She hands me a glass of orange juice with a slice of lime on the glass and before I know it, I am crying in my food.

“I will go and get Mr. Wojcik.”

“No. Please don’t. I am fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.” I hold my breath hoping she listens. When she gives me a slight nod before turning back to the stove. I release the breath I was holding when I know she is not going to wake him. I take a few deep breaths to stop the tears. I am appalled at my outburst.

When I was growing up, my sister would always make breakfast for us on Sundays before she went off to do whatever it is she used to do. She would place a lime on our glass of juice saying the only thing missing from O.J. was a bitter citrus. Seeing Anya do that, drove home how much I miss my family. I mean I know I was already away from them, but I was able to talk to them when I wanted. “Screw this,” I say pushing my plate away. Grabbing my coat and bag from the front, I walk out the door. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum get out of the armored car and I slide in. Now I am pissed. I am over this shit. I am going to ditch my shadows after class, and I am going to my uncle's house. I know Jakub is going to lose his shit, but you know what, I am done doing everything he wants. What about what I want? I mean I don’t know how the hell this is all going to turn out, but damn it, I have to try right? His mom is right. Why can’t I have both? I should be able to have my sisters and somehow make it work with him. I just need to be able to talk to my sister and make her understand that although it is exactly as it looks, I want to see where it goes. I mean surely, she won’t kill him then. Right?

Before I know it, we are pulling up in front of the school. I wait of course for them to open my door and follow them in with one in front of me and one on my flank. “Good morning, Chiara.” Paul greets me as I walk through the door.

“Good morning. Are you ready for the test?” I ask him as I put my books down on the desk, relieved the teacher hasn’t shown up yet.

“As ready as I will ever be.” He is fidgeting with his papers, and I get the distinct impression he wants to say something to me. I know me having the guards is intimidating, but they stay outside when I am in class.

“Is everything okay?” I ask him as I unpack my stuff.

“No, everything is fine. I was just wondering if you would be up for getting something to eat after the test. You know, celebrate being done with this asshole.” He chuckles and I can't help but laugh with him. I feel a little guilty. I knew he liked me, but I have been so caught up in everything that has happened and in trying to figure out my life, that I haven’t told him I am in a…something-ship. I know everyone wonders about the guards, but no one has asked, and I am grateful for that because I have no clue how I would explain it.