Sasha
I go down the stairs and stop at the edge of the living room with my hands on my hips. “Misha, have you finished your homework?”
He quickly sits up, turning around to look at me from the carpet, and by one look at his face I know that he hasn’t. It’s been just five days since Misha got enrolled in the local school, and he’s already slacking. I mean, it’s good that he doesn’t feel the pressure of Father’s disapproval, but still.
“But Mom, it’s Friday!” he pouts with a complaint in his voice. “I have the whole weekend for that.”
Oh, is it Friday? I close my eyes with a sigh and pinch my nose. Damn it. I’ve kinda lost count of the days since we moved here. How long has it been? Two weeks? Three? I shake my head and open my eyes. God, it’s been almost a month, and I’m still here.
“Alright, well…” I look around, trying to find a way to avoid admitting my own dumb mistake. “The sooner you do it, the better.”
Misha purses his lips in response, and even though it’s not the best behavior I’m still glad to see him being more lively than before. “But, Mom, I want to play some more. The Red Leopards have almost defeated the Black Octopuses, I can’t let it happen again!”
He pointedly looks at the whole fleet of ships and boats engaged in what looks like a fierce sea battle. Almost all of these toys have been brought by Louis, and you know what? It looks like a goddamn bribery to me. And it works!
Ever since Louis stole Misha to go on that damn trip to Navy Pier, the two of them have been getting along like best friends. And okay, I have to admit, it makes me happy to see Misha being more open and talkative these days, but…ah, come on, it’s Louis we’re talking about! He can’t just casually steal my son’s affection, it’s not fair.
I huff, trying to breathe out my frustration, and focus on Misha. “Alright, you can keep playing, but don’t forget that you have a painting lesson later, okay? Mrs. Lee is gonna arrive in half an hour.”
He nods, already diving back into his game, and I watch him for a few seconds before turning around to the kitchen. I know Louis is at home, but he’s been staying in his office for most of the day, and I don’t really like it. How am I supposed to know when he’s gonna show up? I’m not keen on bumping into him, to be honest.
Even after weeks of living together, I still feel tense in Louis’s presence. The sheath of my dagger is pressed into my back, secured under the waistband of my sweatpants, and it makes me feel like I’m in constant danger. Which maybe I am, I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like Louis wants to kill me, but I don’t appreciate the ease and confidence with which he handles me.
God, I really should’ve dealt with him a long time ago. I lean on the counter, distantly listening to the growing murmur of the kettle and staring into the distance. Louis is my enemy, our enemy. Maybe Misha doesn’t understand it yet, especially after Louis blabbered to him about his innocence, but when he grows up, he will understand.
Louis is not our friend, and I have to kill him. So why the hell haven’t I done it yet?
I drop my head between my shoulders and shake my head with a sigh. But how can I do this to Misha? Louis is pretty much the only friend he’s ever had-or at least, Misha sees him as a friend. If I kill Louis or even just harm him, how can I look Misha in the eyes after that? How can I look at my own reflection?
I shut my eyes and grip the counter tighter, gritting my teeth around the sudden surge of feelings in my chest. I hate to admit it, but Misha is not the only reason I’m so reluctant to fulfill my revenge. My feelings are such a mess, and…goddamnit, why do I still have them?
I was supposed to leave them behind years ago-but apparently my heart is still alive, and it’s still beating harder in Louis’s presence.
But okay, my heart isn’t that big of a problem. I’d be able to swallow whatever affection is still kindled in me and live with it for the rest of my life. But what am I supposed to do with my body? Whenever I see Louis, something inside of me clicks, filling me with a wave of desire so strong I have to force myself to act even harsher than usual.
The memories of the pleasure he gave me haunt me every night, and I can’t help but touch myself, thinking about him. I’ve never met a man who understood my sexual desire so well, and it drives me crazy to have him so close again. Even now, the thought sends a wave of warmth through me, and I hate it, god, I hate it.
Haven’t we been here before? Hasn’t he broken my heart already?
I breathe out sharply and open my eyes when the temperature in the kettle reaches its peak. I have to pull myself together. I have to follow my plan and get my revenge-but the thing is, I don’t have a plan. I’ve spent four goddamn weeks in Louis’s house, and I still haven’t come up with a plan to get rid of him.
Sasha, it’s really time for you to toughen up.
I feel so weak just thinking about it, and it only makes me more aggravated. No, it’s definitely time to do something. Mom’s murderer is right under my nose, I can’t just sit around and let him think we’re some kind of a family. We’re not and never- “Oh, hey. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
Louis chuckles, entering the kitchen with an empty cup in hand, and I don’t have enough time to stop myself before I automatically step away from him. Goddamnit. Was that too obvious? He glances at me weirdly, so I guess it was, but what can I say? I don’t want him to be anywhere near me,
I-
But it’s too late. Something in my stomach warms up at the sound of his voice, and I swallow a flash of arousal and look away. Shit. I really have to find a way to get over this. Maybe I should go out and find a good guy to have sex with? Although I doubt he would be as good as Louis-and damn it, thinking about it doesn’t make it easier.
“Good to see you, too, I guess,” Louis murmurs, placing his cup in the dishwasher, but I ignore him until he walks out of the kitchen and stops in the hallway. “I gotta go, buddy. See you soon.”
“Bye!” Misha waves his enthusiastic goodbye, and from the corner of my eye, I watch Louis leave the house. Where is he going? Isn’t it too late to start work?
I hum under my breath, watching him get into his car under the faint light of the setting sun, when I see another car approaching our driveway. It’s Mrs. Lee, arriving just a little early for her drawing lesson with Misha- and suddenly, something in my mind lights up.
If she stays here with Misha for the next two hours, I’ll be able to follow Louis and shoot him away from Misha’s eyes. All I need is my gun, a dark hoodie, and some luck to not be caught on the way. It’s a perfect plan, and I run to the second floor to grab all I need before hurrying to open the door for Mrs. Lee.
“Hi, listen, I have a very urgent thing to deal with, can you look after Misha during the lesson?” I say in a hurry even before the young woman says anything.
“Wait, Mom, are you leaving, too?” Misha gets up on his feet, looking at me with a frown, but I can’t let this chance slip away.
“Yes, teddy bear, I’m sorry. I’ll be back very soon, alright?” I send him a flying kiss and, not waiting for any other questions, run out of the house and to my car. It’s time to start the chase.