Page 148 of Fervency Love

For a moment I wonder what his response will be.

“Stay with me.”

We pull up to the Den. The guys are sitting on benches in front of the entrance. We get out, and everyone falls silent for a moment. Then, one by one, comments come:

“You let a woman drive you, Ve?”

“You should see how this woman drives. You have nothing on her,” he replies, pulling me towards him and kissing me.

“Hey, Abigail, are you coming with us to Edge Vibe tonight?”

I look at Ve, wondering what he thinks about it. I never make decisions for someone else.

“I don’t know, what’s happening today?”

“Nothing, just a regular party.”

“No, we have other plans,” Ve interrupts.

“Ve, since we’re already here, I’ll go to the store,” I suggest. “I’ll get us something for dinner. Want something specific?”

“No, I trust you,” he says, kissing me on the cheek.

In the store, I wonder what I feel like. I settle on fries. I also grab some wine, just in case. When I return, Ve is already saying goodbye to the guys. I throw him the keys. He proudly gets behind the wheel. Is there a hint of gratitude in his eyes?

Chapter 74

Abby

The holidays are over, and I have my studies sorted, starting in October. I’m even a bit excited. My parents were hoping I would attend full-time and move in with them. That would make no sense. I don’t want to waste half my life on school. I want to gain experience and have my own money. It’s about time. Part-time studies allow me to do that. I have no clue where they got such a dumb idea. It was obvious that either I would stay here or move but to a bigger city, and only if Ve goes with me. I have a well-defined plan for myself, and nothing can disrupt it.

Today, I had a conversation with my father. He’s irritated that I didn’t choose full-time and as a result won’t move to the countryside with them. I thought we were past this, really. After all, they gave me the car. He’s bothered that with each passing day he’s losing control over me, which he has been trying to maintain throughout my life. Or maybe he just wants to show off that I studied full-time. Ugh! He has resorted to manipulation and extortion—not for the first time. It’s a bit surprising that he still hasn’t learned that those tricks don’t work on me. I’m not susceptible to such attempts. I immediately sense them and know how to defend myself effectively. Say what you will, butyou can’t deny that I’m sharp, have incredible intuition, and the ability to quickly, almost flawlessly, connect and relate facts. It has always allowed me to be a few steps ahead of others. I even wondered once if I should work in a profession where people and situations are analyzed. I like mysteries and puzzles.

I also don’t understand my mom’s behavior. She can’t stand up to him. My father forbade her from contributing to my studies just because I’m ambitious and self-sufficient. He did it just to spite me. I told him I’d manage, and to my mom I said she had to lend me money for the first semester. I’ll repay her.

Today, his words keep resonating in my head.

“If you don’t find a job, I’ll sell the apartment, and you’ll move in with us.”

No fucking way!I thought. He still thinks he can tell me what to do. But that won’t happen. I’ve got my own plan for myself and fully intend to go through with it, but in the circumstances I find myself in, I’m forced to accelerate certain steps, like looking for a job.

So, I go to the mall. To my delight, there’s an announcement on a newly opened clothing store that they’re looking for a salesperson. Without much thought, I knock on the door. A worker comes out. I ask him who I can contact about the job, and he provides me with the details. When I get home, I call the specified number. A man answers.

“Good afternoon, I noticed that you are looking for an employee for the newly opened store. What should I do to apply for this job?”

“Good afternoon. Please send your CV. Can you note down the email?”

I do so and hang up. I immediately sit at the computer to finish my CV. When it’s ready, I send the application.

A few days pass, but no one contacts me. It’s getting annoying. After all, my ambition is to take my dad down a peg, so I haveto get this job, and quickly. And I happen to know this clothing brand well, so it should work out. I just need a chance to present myself, maybe during an interview.

“What’s wrong, kitty cat?” Ve asks, clearly sensing my mood.

“Oh, nothing. Still waiting for them to call.”

“They will. I’m sure.”

He gives me a quick kiss and—late as always—rushes off to work, which he found after a brief search. We created his CV together, and he went to distribute it to a few places.

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