Vera’s POV.
The moment David left this morning, I started packing my remaining clothes of mine. I didn’t even allow Irene into my room so she wouldn’t discourage me and make me stay back.
It’s time I take charge of my life and build myself.
I took my bath and fixed on my dress. A black leather trousers and a turtleneck shirt and boots.
I tied my hair in a ponytail and glammed my face with little makeup. Then with a little bit of difficulty, I started pushing my bags outside.
I have plans now. The modeling agency will call me for an audition and I told Sage to help me find a realtor who would get an apartment for me.
So for now, I’ll be staying in a motel while preparing for the modeling audition.
The creak of my bags as I dragged them over the floor attracted Irene’s attention and she came hurtling forward with wrinkled brows.
“Vera…?” She stalls a bit, looking around as I drop the bag by the exit and hurry back to my room to gather the remaining ones.
While climbing down the stairs, she gazed up at me and let out her question.
“Where are you going?”
I huffed, putting back my stray hair ringlets behind my ear. “Irene I’m packing out,” I said demurely but Irene didn’t seem to understand because she still had the confused look on her face.
“Packing out? To where?” he threw the question at me again.
I sagged my shoulder and turned to fully face her. “To earn a living. To build my life.”
“Well…” The words stuck in Irene’s mouth. I knew she didn’t expect that at all. What girl in her right senses would have David as her foster father and would still choose to build her life from scratch?
The man has the power to bend the laws of most companies at my feet yet I’m doing this?
It might sound crazy but I needed to do this, the words were on my lips but I held it back. I can’t let Irene know I’m doing this so David would love me. Or see me as old enough to be his woman.
I just need to do this. To get myself in order and beat Claire in this game. I want to be in such a position she can’t win David’s heart only I can.
“I know it sounds crazy, Irene. But David’s no longer my foster father. So I need to work on my career now.” I said again but the woman was too tongue-tied to speak.
I ignored her momentarily and refocused my attention on taking my bags outside. New security in black suits just like Andrei littered around the mansion.
I wonder why David brought more security men. He wasn’t like this before.
Ignoring the thoughts, I kept focused on dragging my bags to the garage until I heard Andrei’s voice behind me.
“Vera!” He called. The baritone of the boogeyman’s voice spread fear down my spine.
I slowly turned to face him, holding onto my resolve. No matter what, I refuse to let him talk me out of doing this.
“Yes, Andrei?” I asked, working a brow up.
He stepped around the corner and came standing before me. Then. “Where are you taking these to?”
I smirked cockily and said. “I’m packing out.”
After dropping that bluster, I twirled on my feet and walked to the driver’s side of my Audi. I opened the car’s trunk and started putting my bags inside.
“Vera. It’s not safe for you out there.” He said, looking shocked at my words.
“Oh, trust me it is…”
I countered his words but he stepped closer, wanting to hold me but I moved back abruptly. “Don’t come any near, Andrei!” I barked.
Andrei scoffed. “Vera, the world is dangerous. Too bad for a princess like you to be there…”
“If the world is dangerous, it’s people like you that inhibit my movements that makes it dangerous.”
My eyes glint with determination and willingness to fight and ensure I gain my freedom.
Andrei bounded on his feet, running his hand roughly through his hair. I steel my heart, not wanting any of his words to impale inside me.
“Vera, I don’t know how to explain this but it’s not safe for you out there. You should take your things back.”
I don’t pay mind to his words, I focus on shoving the last remaining bags into the car.
When I’m done, I shut the trunk and hightailed it to the driver’s side. I shoved into the car, shut my door, and started the engine.
“Get out of my way Andrei!” I barked at the huge man but he didn’t move.
I grinned crazily and revved up the engine. The instant I buck backward with speed, Andrei fell by the side avoiding getting hit by my car with barely an inch.
“You’re lucky I didn’t hit you,” I muttered to myself and then trained my eyes toward the gate.
As if he had received a signal, the gate man shut the electric gate using its password, making me boil.
Climbing out of the car, I slammed my door shut and barked at the Gateman.
“Fucking open that gate!”
My pitched voice gathered everyone’s attention but I didn’t give a damn.
“I’m sorry Vera you can’t leave.”
Andrei’s voice came from behind me. I turned and glowered at him.
“If you don’t open the gate I’ll call the police.” I threatened but Andrei wasn’t fazed.
This time he didn’t say anything but the glint in his eyes and the stern expression on his face tells me he wouldn’t comply.
Besides who are the police to David Truman? Of course, David can easily bribe them to get their eyes off of this.
That made me seethe and I bit my lips to the point of pain. What do I do?
My heart tap-danced with fury as I think of a way out. I knew this was going to happen and that was why I warned David on time yet his men are preventing me from doing what I should be doing.
I fished out my phone and attempted to call the police, Andrei rushed forward to snatch the phone from me and I used that opportunity to steal the gun in his holster.
“Dammit!” Andrei cursed, stepping away with my phone only for him to see the gun…his gun, being pointed at him.
For the first time since I knew the huge man his eyes went wide. Though it’s not much of a shock or fear…
It’s all a disguise to make me drop the gun.
“I’ll shoot you if you don’t move out of my way…” I ground out, watching him with a hard look in my eyes.
“Vera drop the gun. You’ll hurt yourself.” He gently pled.
I sneered at his words. Then. “Do you think I care? It’s either you let me out or you be prepared to bury me or they bury you. Choose.”
While saying that I slipped out the flip knife from my pocket.
I turned the knife over my stomach, daring them to make a single move.
Irene was by the door watching me with horror in her eyes. The guards all stood stiff and tensed.
I pinned my gaze on Andrei wanting him to try any stupid move.
“Vera. Just drop the gun and you can talk this out with David.”
“Not any chance…” I scoffed, clicking the safety away a little just to scare the man..
“Please, Vee. I’m begging.” Andrei boomed but I refused to move.
Just then I hear the squealing of tires in front of the gate with the Gateman opening the door.
I don’t move my head even as someone comes in but from his scent, I knew already that it was him. Someone must have called him.
“Vera! Fuck.” David cusses and aims to reach my side but I snap.
“Don’t come any close or I will shoot.”
“Vera just drop the gun.” David begins pleading.
“Not until you let me out.”
I challenge him.
I hear him make some noise at the back of his throat before he speaks again. “Is this about getting a job? A house? Fuck kid, I’ll do it for you just don’t hurt yourself.”
I sneak a peek at him and I see the contorted look of fear, raw fear in his eyes.
Is he that scared of losing me?
Why does he look concerned when he has a girlfriend?
“I need proof that you won’t fail to do that.”
“Fine. Fine. I’ll prove it right away. But you have to promise me you’ll accept Andrei and his colleagues to be your security guards.”
Hell, when will he ever stop giving me security? What do I need it for?
“Fine. I accept.” I say. I’ll accept anything and everything as far as I leave his home.
David puffs a long sigh, grabs his phone from his pocket and dial a number.
“I need an apartment, James…” He starts muttering into the phone rapidly while I slowly drop the gun.
In short moments, David ends the call and faces me. “It’s done.”
To be continued…