Page 117 of The Cute Psycho

I'm barely aware of what's happening as he shoves his hands in his pockets, removing a small box and thrusting it in my face.

"What's this?" I ask, taking it in my hand.

"Your present," he says, suddenly not meeting my gaze.

Curious, and a little surprised he'd gotten me something, I open the box to find a necklace with my name, diamonds encrusted in the letters.

"For me?" I stare at the beautiful object, unable to believe he'd gotten it for me.

"Let me," he says, taking it out of the box and placing it around my neck.

"Beautiful jewelry for a beautiful lady," he remarks, and as I look into the mirror, feeling the cold metal against my skin, I can't help but sigh in satisfaction.

"Thank you." I tug him closer, giving him a resounding kiss. "It's amazing."

For the first time, I see a genuine smile on his face as he nuzzles his cheek into the crook of my neck.

Finishing up in the bathroom, we return to the table.

Marcello looks between the two of us suspiciously.

"Took you long enough," he mutters.

"I didn't know he was afraid of water," I shrug, taking a seat.

"I am not!" Vlad protests, grabbing the chair next to me. With Claudia and Venezia seated next to Lina, he can finally sit closer to me.

"Sure." I shrug, amused. "That's why he kept saying he was going to melt if water touched his skin."

"What can I say," he bats his eyes innocently at everyone, "it's not my fault I'm related to the wicked witch. We can't choose our parents," he says, turning his attention to Marcello, "you of all people should know."

Marcello doesn't reply, but the tension in his jaw tells me the jab is personal.

"Anyone want cake?" I ask out loud, already tired of playing pacifier.

"Yes!" Claudia replies.

"Me too," Venezia responds.

Cake is served, and for the first time, no one wants to kill anyone. And to reward Vlad for his behavior, I grab his hand under the table.

He looks mildly surprised, but he squeezes my hand, holding tight.

I guess this is what it feels like to have a family...

26

SISI

Getting out of bed, I walk sleepily to the bathroom, quickly taking a shower and brushing my teeth. I'm still so tired I can barely see straight.

Wrapping a towel around my body, I head back to bed. Checking my phone, though, I realize what time it is.

Fuck!

"Wake up!" I push at Vlad's shoulders, trying to shake him awake. "It's late, you need to leave," I tell him, but he doesn't seem to hear anything as he mumbles something in his sleep.

"Vlad!" I continue shaking him. Out of nowhere, his eyes snap open, and he's staring intently at me. "You need to leave before the guards do their rounds." I soften my voice.

---