“What are you doing here?” Aaliyah asked again.
“Well?” She gained her composure a little, her hand clutching the duvet for her life.
“Didn’t I tell you? I am your stalker, Aaliyah. I would miss seeing you, no?” Volkov said each word slowly, his gaze not leaving Aaliyah’s for a second.
It felt like he wanted to say so many things, but rather than using words, he was using his eyes to convey his message. How is it possible to feel so serine with someone’s presence even though he was everything Aaliyah didn’t need in her life? It made her heart tremble at how much she was getting used to him.
Volkov walked towards her and cupped her face with his left hand, his fingers grazing her neck, and she clenched her fists under the duvet, anticipating his every move.
She kept looking into the deep pool of his eyes, her heartbeat ringing in her head. She waited for him to take action as he started massaging her cheeks with his thumb.
There were so many unanswered and unaddressed things between them, but right now, all they needed was each other’s presence, or that’s what Aaliyah was telling herself to reason with her irrational heart who still wanted him.
“It’s okay. Don’t be sad or anxious about it,” Volkov leaned before smiling, his smile not reaching his eyes.
“Now that I have seen you, I will take my leave,” He said.
‘Stop him. Hold his hand,’ a voice inside Aaliyah was calling out, and it took every ounce of control she had to not hold onto him as he removed his hand gently, her body already missing his touch.
She saw him walking to the balcony and jumping down without a care, and just like that, he was gone.
Gulping her saliva, she slowly rose from her place, wrapping the duvet around her before she went to the balcony and locked the door.
That was close. Why did she leave it open? Luckily it was Mr. Volkov. What would’ve happened if it had been that boss or his men who has been stalking –
Wait. Why is she lucky that it was Mr. Volkov? The small smile forming on her face froze. Isn’t he doing the same thing as that boss? Isn’t he stalking her and now messing with her mind? What is wrong with her mind? Aaliyah growled at herself in her mind.
Meanwhile, Dimitri and Bryce, who had been following Volkov and waiting for him to come back, looked at Volkov, who was walking to his car as he drove away.
“Did he go there to meet her at this time? Is something going on between them?” Bryce asked, and Dimitri shook his head as he started the car.
“Didn’t you notice the look on his face? It’s not the look of a man who is content after meeting his lover. He looked troubled and dangerous even after coming out of there,” Dimitri said before looking at Aaliyah’s window.
Something has happened between them, and it would be best for everyone if they find out about it before anything blows out of their control. Dimitri thought before following Volkov.
“Aaliyah! Oh, honey, I am so sorry for not coming to pick you up. How was it? Do you think you can make it?” Laura kissed Aaliyah’s forehead, and Aaliyah shook her head.
“I couldn’t make it to the second round,” She smiled bitterly, and Laura sighed.
“It’s okay, honey. I know you tried really hard this time,” Laira smiled, and Aaliyah could see that her mother was genuinely speaking.
“I am not sad. Don’t worry, mom. The exams are in two weeks so I will start preparing for them now. Also, if you see Katherine, can you please tell her to not overdo the dress for the masquerade dance? I will sleep now,” Aaliyah said, and Laura smiled.
“Do you want to eat something special in the morning?” Laura wanted to console her daughter.
No matter how much Aaliyah said she was fine, as a mother, Laura could sense that something was wrong with his daughter, and not knowing what was going on, she could only blame it on the Olympiad.
“Mom, you must be tired. You should rest too. Don’t worry about it. I am good. I promise,” Aaliyah smiled the best she could, and Laura smiled helplessly before nodding and turning off the lights as she left.
She had always wished for her daughter to concentrate on her studies rather than those nonsense things that she is interested in, like kickboxing and everything, but now that her daughter was unhappy because of the competition, she didn’t know if she was right in forcing her daughter so much. Laura pressed her lips into a thin line before she met Lily halfway.
“She is sleeping,” Laura murmured, and Lily nodded as they sat on the sofa to discuss an important matter.
In the morning ~~~
“Sweetheart, are you ready?” Laura shouted from downstairs, and Aaliyah, who had barely taken a bath and was in her bathrobe, squinted her brows.
“Ready for what, mom? Are we going somewhere?” Aaliyah shouted back, and before Laura could answer, Katherine marched to Aaliyah’s room, looking mad.
“Miss Aaliyah Gold! Don’t tell me you forgot what day it is today,” Katherine looked at her as if she was the biggest sinner in the world, and Aaliyah quirked her brows, a helpless awkward laugh leaving her mouth.
“It’s the 28th today! You promised to walk in the black Collection! I have been working day in and out for it, remember? This is the fifth collection to show out, and you know it’s important to me,” Katherine said, and Aaliyah sighed.
“Sorry, it completely left my mind,” Aaliyah said.
“I was coming to make you practice last night, but mom said you were tired. Now I am not listening to anything. You need to come with me and practice on the stage. It’s a little different this time,” Katherine said.
“Can I walk barefoot? I don’t think I can walk in heels,” Aaliyah spoke, and Katherine looked at her as if she killed someone.
“Are you out of your mind? You are joking, right? Of course, you can’t. Look, you promised me. You can’t back out now. Where will I find a model at this time? Oh my god, I am panicking -”
“Stop overreacting. I will come with you,” Aaliyah rolled her eyes, and Katherine clapped her hands.
“I know I have the best sister in the world. I am waiting for you outside,” Katherine left and Aaliyah hummed distantly.
“You can ask Suzuki for directions. Your dress and heels are in there with your nameplate AG. I will adjust the dress accordingly. Just practice with the spare heels,” Katherine said hurriedly before taking a deep breath and grabbing Aaliyah’s shoulders.
“Aaliyah, I know you are doing this only because of the promise, but can you try your best? One of the most important clients will appear in this Spring fashion show, and I just received a call from him that someone even more important than him will accompany him. I beg you,” Katherine looked at Aaliyah as if she was her last hope, and Aaliyah grit her teeth before nodding.
“I will do my best. I promise,” Aaliyah murmured before walking inside the large hall where the workers were making last-minute checks on all the lights and props.
“Miss Gold, this way. These are the heels you can practice with,” she heard Suzuki’s voice, and just like that, the torture began.
“I don’t think I will be able to walk on the ramp if I keep overworking my feet anymore,” Aaliyah’s voice came out in a sore whimper as she held her aching ankles.
It had been 3 hours since she had been walking on the ramp to perfect her walk in the spool nude-colored heels, and to say her heels were sore and red would be an understatement.
“Please don’t talk like that, Miss Gold. I will ask someone to bring a warm pack for your ankles, and you can massage them a little before your final walk,” Suzuki left the room hurriedly.
No one came with any kind of ointment even after half an hour. Everyone was too busy with the preparations, and Aaliyah couldn’t blame anyone. Limping out of the room, she looked around to see if she could find someone to help her when suddenly Katherine and a few more ladies, she didn’t recognize entered.
“Come on, girls. Let’s get ready. The walk will start in an hour, and you guys need to show your best. Quick, run along,” One of the ladies said, and soon the professional models rushed inside to get their makeup done and wear the dress.
Aaliyah wanted to corner Katherine, but she knew this was a big day for her sister, and thus, she gulped her pain before turning around and loosening her hair, letting them flow down her back, making the makeup artist smile in amazement.
“You have beautiful hair. Now I know why Miss Katherine was adamant about you wearing this dress. Your eyes and hair are going to compliment this dress even more,” The makeup artist said, and Aaliyah smiled.
“Thank you for your compliment, but I hope you know that the models are there to make the dress stand out. I hope my features don’t become a nuisance,” Aaliyah murmured.
“Oh nonsense, I think this dress will have the highest bid. I didn’t know Miss Katherine had such a beautiful sister. Are you planning on entering the industry too?” The makeup artist started working her magic.
“Not even if someone offers me a billion dollars. I’ll let my sister rule this one,” Aaliyah spoke, and the makeup artist chuckled at her humor.
“Okay. You are all set,” The artist said after some time, and Aaliyah opened her eyes, nodding at her reflection.
As she turned around, her gaze fell to the black sundress with queen-Anne neckline and hip-high slits. It was beautiful. She was proud of her sister’s work. However, it wasn’t her type.
Showing skin wasn’t exactly her favorite thing in the world.
With the help of the make-up artist, she wore the dress before looking in the mirror. The girl with black smokey eyes, and a high ponytail with curled locks, looked back at her with an elegant lady vibe. She looked enchanting even with the slightest highlighting of her features.
The dress looked like it was made just for her. It was a perfect fit.
“You are looking perfect,” The make-up artist said, and Aaliyah nodded before walking out.
“You look amazing,” Katherine clapped her hands, and Aaliyah stood in the line with other girls, who felt slightly jealous of her since she was getting the opportunity to walk with them even with no qualifications.
“It’s our turn. Come on, girls. Go, go, go,” Katherine ushered them one by one as the loud music blared in Aaliyah’s ear.
Taking a deep breath, Aaliyah grabbed the purse that Katherine gave to her at the last minute before she started walking towards the entrance of the ramp. The bright lights made her blink a few times before she started walking ahead, her confidence, making her look like a professional model.
“There’s my girl!” Laura shouted, and Aaliyah barely controlled her smile as she saw Ashton and her friends looking at her in awe while cheering for her silently.
Even though she hated doing it, Aaliyah was enjoying the walk with all the attention she received and how confident it made her feel. It was just like riding a bike right now.
It was all games and her cup of tea as she turned around and posed in the dress until her gaze met with a particular pair of eyes, making her hand tremble that didn’t go unnoticed by the man who smirked at her in victory.
‘Found you,’ He mouthed at her, and it took every ounce of patience and control in Aaliyah to not run and hide away from the man, sitting in the audience, perfectly hiding.
The more she looked at his creepy smile, the more uneasy she felt, barely controlling the anxiousness that was itching to take over her.