Chapter 16
1025 Words
I think my family thought that Czar was my boyfriend because of how everyone, of course excluding Leonardo, immediately got excited and happy. And the scary part of it is, I didn't even correct their assumptions or say anything. If anything, it was like Czar and I were an actual couple.
There was no physical touching but we were sitting next to each other, randomly smiling at the other and making eye contact every few seconds. I was avoiding Leonardo's eyes because I knew this would be a major argument and I was afraid about what my parents would say if they found out Czar was Leonardo's boss.
"So, Czar, I hear the very thick Russian accent," one of older my brothers, Xavier said as he looked at Czar with an intimidating expression but even his look couldn't compare to Czar's intensity, "are you from Russia?" they asked him.
He'd been here for over an hour and the questions didn't stop coming. They were really grilling him but he was so relaxed and he answered them swiftly and eloquently.
"Yes, in fact I flew all the way to be here with Dr," he said as he nodded his head in my direction and I looked down at my plate of seafood.
"So how long have you two been together?" Ivy innocently asked as she smiled at Czar and I and Czar and I looked at each other, almost asking to see what we would say.
I wanted to see if he'd be the one to burst their bubble or if it would be me. He shook his head and I knew that he wouldn't answer so I faced Ivy again, letting out a gentle smile.
"We're not dating," I finally admitted and then watched everyone's surprised faces.
"You're not?" my mother asked as she looked at me with surprise and I nodded. "Oh wow, could've fooled me," my mother placed her hand over her heart, laughing, "I apologize, Czar."
"Please don't apologize, Mrs England," I could feel his eyes on me as I avoided his stare, "it would be an absolute honour to date your daughter."
I heard Charlotte gasp out an "aww" at that and I saw her look at her husband, talking about how cute Czar was.
"I've had a lovely time," Czar spoke up, "and I hate to rudely interrupt such a wonderful family dinner, but I am jet lagged and exhausted from the long flight. I was hoping to cut this short and call it a night."
"Oh sure, we've got spare bedrooms," Charlotte suggested, "or you could share a room with my sister, that's ok too."
"Charlotte!" half of the table gasped.
He chuckled, "no, I think I'll sleep at the hotel. Thank you for the food and your hospitality."
He started to stand as everyone bid him a farewell and half of the table went back to their own conversations. So I stood up as well, as we both made our way out of the dining room and walked together towards the front door.
"Are you sure you want to go to a hotel?" I asked him, "my parents have plenty of bedrooms."
"I'd rather stay at a hotel," he answered me as we neared the front door.
"Why? My family home isn't up to par with your billion dollar homes?" I said jokingly and laughing.
He chuckled, "no, it's not that. I'm just afraid about what I'd do if I was under the same roof as you."
His words were as clear as day and I didn't know what to say so I pretended like I didn't hear him. Now the butler was by the door and he effortlessly pushed the door open and Czar and I stopped, looking at each other.
"You looked really handsome tonight," I complimented him and he smirked.
"Thank you," he said with a shy smile and I think he was blushing but I wouldn't say anything.
"So, we have breakfast around 7 am on Christmas morning, so you will be here for that, right?"
He raised an eyebrow, "are you inviting me to spend the day with your family?"
"Oh, I-I-I thought that you were going to be here. I had no idea-"
"Yes, I'll be here by 7 am," he said as he walked up to me, and it looked like he wanted to hug me but I was nervous so I kept my arms to my side. Not wanting us to touch.
His hand lightly caressed the side of my face before he stepped back from me, and I watched him walk away.
"Really?" I turned around to see Leonardo.
"Leonardo, it's not what it looks like," I began nervously as I walked towards him.
"Then what is it, Sabrina? I thought I told you to stay away from him and what do you do? You invite him to come spend Christmas with the family," Leonardo shook his head in disappointment at me.
"Leonardo, that's not it at all."
"Then talk, Sabrina, because you say one thing but him being here says another."
"I told him that I don't want anything to happen between us-"
"I knew it," he scoffed and rolled his eyes, "I told you to stay away from him but you thought you were so strong."
"He's just here for Christmas, Leonardo, it's nothing more."
Leonardo stepped up to me, putting his hands together to try and get his point across to me, "Sabrina, I don't know where you've been living but when a man or a woman decides to spend Christmas with another person's family, it usually means, oh I don't know, that they like them."
"I didn't invite him, Leonardo."
"Yeah, but you let him in."
"Leonardo this is unfair. You can't make me feel bad for this."
"I'm not making you feel anything," he stepped back and put his hands up, "that's all on you. You better figure out a way to end whatever this is between you two because I'll never accept it. Not with him, Sabrina, not with Czar Hutcherson."
I watched Leonardo walk away, and I sighed, frustrated beyond words.
~~~
- Writer
