Page 67 of The Bittersweet Bond

Evin grinned, letting his direct comment hang in the air without responding right away. Her thoughts faltered for a moment as she realized how effortlessly Sergej pulled her into conversations she would normally avoid. She liked how little he seemed to care about superficialities.

“You’re the kind of person who likes to be direct.” It wasn’t a question, more an observation.

Sergej shrugged as they continued walking side by side. “Being direct saves time. I’m not one for games.”

“And this isn’t a game?” Evin looked at him with a tilted smile, as if daring him to respond.

He paused briefly, glancing at her sideways. “Maybe. But I think you’re enjoying this game.”

She laughed softly, almost as if he’d caught her. “Maybe.”

She looked straight ahead as they walked along the empty sidewalk. The streetlights cast long shadows, their flickering glow giving the atmosphere an almost surreal quality.

“But honestly,” she said after a moment, “you seem so... unaffected. Is there anything you actually care about? Or do you just play along with everything?”

Sergej gave her a scrutinizing look before answering. “I don’t play along. I just see things as they are. Most people like to overcomplicate everything. It’s easier when you’re honest.”

Evin felt a weight in his words, yet she was also struck by how effortlessly sincere he seemed. It wasn’t often she met someone so direct, yet so at ease.

“Sometimes it’s easier not to show too much,” she said quietly, her eyes on the pavement in front of her.

“That’s true. But eventually, everything shows—whether you want it to or not.” Sergej’s voice was calm but resolute.

They talked the rest of the way home about life and a few trivial things, their conversation flowing naturally.

Evin stopped abruptly. “Here we are.”

Sergej looked up, analyzing the building. Time had flown by, and though the evening had started simply, it now felt as if it carried a certain weight.

She turned to him, a faint smile on her lips but a small trace of uncertainty in her eyes. “Thanks for the unexpectedly nice evening.” Her voice was soft.

“My pleasure.”

Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a pen and a napkin from the pizzeria, scribbling something quickly. He held it out to her, his gaze steady. “Let me know when you’re ready for the next round.”

Evin glanced down at the napkin, smirking as she raised an eyebrow slightly. “The next round? And what exactly should I expect?”

Sergej grinned as he began to walk away. “Let’s keep a surprise. You'll see.”

Chapter 18

Blurring The Lines

Evin

Evin closed the door behind her with a quiet click, tossed her backpack into the corner, and took a deep breath.

The house was silent, but her mind was a storm.

Sergej was the reason.

He was different—completely unlike anyone she’d ever met. Direct, unrelenting, and brutally honest. It was both intimidating and fascinating how easily he had seen right through her.

But what did she even want from him? Was it just the way he looked at her, like she was the only one in the room? Or was there something more?

Part of her liked it—his candor.

No hesitation. No pretense.

---