Love Beyond Boundaries

I was afraid of my friend's father. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular, with the cold air of a calculating and ruthless businessman. Whenever his cold, piercing gaze fell on me, everything inside me twisted, and goosebumps spread across my skin. It seemed he did not like me. He believed I was a bad influence on his only daughter. But in reality, I was usually the one pulling her out of all kinds of trouble that could seriously anger Vladimir Sergeyevich. Even so, I always ended up taking the blame. And today, I was almost certain it would happen again. "My dad is coming here!" Lenka's mint-green eyes flew wide open as she looked around in panic. "This is bad. We have to get everyone out!" "I told you that you were playing with fire," I reminded her. "How did you even think it was a good idea to throw a party at home?" "Dad said he would not be back until Monday," my friend said, biting her lip. "How was I supposed to know? What do we do now, Liz?" "Do not panic," I sighed. "Turn off the music. We will kick everyone out and maybe we will have time to clean up." Lenka rushed to the huge speaker flashing with colorful lights and shut it off. I flipped the switch, and the living room was flooded with bright electric light. Angry shouts filled the room as people squinted and looked around. "Sorry, but the party is over," Lenka shouted loudly as she climbed onto the coffee table. "Everyone out!" More displeased voices followed. "What the hell is this?" someone yelled from the crowd. "I just talked Anya into hooking up, and now this?" I heard drunken laughter and messy chatter. I shook my head and climbed onto the table next to Lenka. "The police are on their way," I shouted loudly and confidently for those who did not get the hint. "The neighbors called them. Get out while you can." That worked almost instantly. Boys and girls hurried toward the door, kicking aside empty bottles scattered across the floor. Slowly, the noise in the house faded, and Lenka and I were left alone. Cigarette butts, beer cans, plastic cups, skewers, chip bags, and other trash covered the floor. How we were supposed to clean all this up in such a short time was a mystery. "I think I am going to lose all my freedom," Lenka sighed hopelessly as she jumped down from the table. "I will be locked at home forever." "Stop talking," I said as I climbed down too. "Go get trash bags. We need to clean this up." Lenka kissed my cheek with a loud smack, her sweet perfume filling the air, and then ran off to the kitchen. I cast a thoughtful look around the living room and decided to start by picking up the bottles from the floor. I squatted down, grabbed one, then another. When I bent for the third, I realized my dress was soaking up spilled alcohol. "Damn it," I cursed as I jumped to my feet. A greenish stain spread across the soft peach fabric. Rolling my eyes, I headed to the kitchen after my friend. "I finally found them!" Lenka turned toward me the moment I walked in, holding a roll of dark purple trash bags. "Let's get to work!" "I am covered in beer," I complained as I tossed the bottles into one of the bags. "Do you have anything I can change into?" "Yes, of course," she nodded. "There is a whole closet in your…" She broke off when the front door slammed loudly. We exchanged frightened looks, and panic flashed in Lenka's eyes. "He is back," she whispered. "I am done for." "Are you sure it is him?" I asked. "Maybe it is someone from the party?" "It is him," Lena sighed quietly. "Only my dad slams doors that hard. Especially when he is furious." "What do we do?" I shot a quick glance at the door, then back at her. "Go upstairs," she ordered. "Change for now. I will go take the hit." "Hang in there," I said, touching her shoulder before hurrying toward the stairs. For some reason, I felt panic too, even though I had not thrown this party. None of this was my fault. Still, the moment I remembered the icy stare of those dark green eyes, I shivered. I hoped Vladimir and I would not run into each other. After reaching the second floor, I did not go straight to Lenka's room. I stayed by the railing and listened. I could not hear much. Her father was not the type to shout. He could make someone shake even while speaking calmly. Pressing my lips together, I finally went into the room and walked up to the milky white wardrobe. I flipped through the hangers, looking for something to wear. My hands were shaking for no reason. I always got nervous before seeing this man. He scared me. He embarrassed me just by being there. His masculine, powerful presence completely overwhelmed me. Of course, it hurt that Vladimir blamed me for all of Lenka's problems. But I could not expose my friend. If he found out she was the one behind everything, things would go badly for her. So I kept my mouth shut. He could not punish me anyway. At least, I hoped so. I slipped out of my dress and, left in nothing but my underwear, reached for a black hoodie and matching black sweatpants. I did not make it. The door to Lenka's room flew open, and I froze. The air got stuck in my throat. My mouth went dry. Because I saw him. He was handsome, not pretty but truly masculine, with short dark blond hair touched with gray, heavy brows, sharp cheekbones, serious green eyes, well-defined lips, and a light stubble. Why was I standing there staring instead of covering myself? He was a nightmare. He was going to kill me with his gaze. "And why am I not surprised?" the man asked grimly, rubbing his strong chin with his thumb and forefinger as his thoughtful stare moved over me. "I do not understand," I mumbled, breathing fast. Vladimir walked toward me slowly. His steps were smooth and confident, like a predator's. His heavy gaze never left my eyes. Goosebumps ran across my skin, and my heart felt ready to leap out of my chest. I should have covered myself, but I could not move. All I could do was watch him. "You are standing in my daughter's room wearing nothing but underwear," he said, stopping so close that I had to tilt my head back to meet his merciless eyes. He hooked a finger under the strap of my bra that had slipped down and pulled it back onto my shoulder. "Were you waiting for some i***t to take you right here in my daughter's room?" "What are you talking about?" I protested weakly, licking my dry lips. "At parties like this, you all drink like crazy," he continued calmly, "and sleep around like rabbits." "Vladimir Sergeyevich," I tried to reason with him, but he suddenly grabbed my neck and leaned in so close that I could see light brown flecks in his irises. "Listen carefully, girl," he said, his lips almost brushing my ear as he held me firmly in place. "If you want to ruin yourself, go ahead. That is your choice. But do not drag my daughter into this filth." "I was just changing," I whispered hoarsely. "Do not pretend to be an innocent lamb," Vladimir said, clearly not believing me. Why did that bother me so much? Why did I want him to think better of me? Why did I want him to see me as a normal, decent girl? "A month ago I had to pull my daughter out of the police station. Two weeks ago I caught her driving drunk. Today she threw a party and turned the house into a dump. And do you know what is strange?" His fingers tightened around my neck, pulling my hair down. I could only blink, the sound of my heartbeat ringing in my ears. "At moments like these, you always seem to be there," Vladimir concluded. "I do not like this kind of friendship." "It was a coincidence," I whispered. "Let go." And he did. He stepped back and said tiredly, "Get dressed. If I see you near Lenka again, you will regret it." "Please, don't," I begged. "Nothing like this will happen again." "Exactly," Vladimir nodded, casting a dark glance over my chest and legs before lifting his eyes to mine again. "Because you will not come near her anymore. Disobey me and I will make trouble for you." I did not want to lose Lenka. She was my closest friend, reckless and wild at times, but dear to me. We had been together since our first year of university. Sometimes it felt like I had known her forever. "Why are you just standing there?" Vladimir's voice cut through the silence again. "Get dressed and get out. I do not want to see you again." Taking a deep breath so I would not burst into tears from his sharp words, I clutched Lenka's tracksuit to my chest and rushed past him like a storm. I got dressed on the move, ran to the door, put on my shoes, and left the house. "Jerk," I muttered through my tears. He had thrown me out like some mangy stray. He humiliated me for nothing and forbade me from seeing my best friend. But the worst part was that none of this was my fault. I was punished for nothing.