Page 14 of Wrapped in Perfection

He groans. "I don't have time for this. You hired her, you better make sure you keep your eye on her at all times."

Oh, don't worry, big brother. I have every intention of keep my eyes on her as much as possible.

"Done." I hang up and go inside the building. I sit in the lobby, in a chair facing the elevator so I can see her when she gets off.

There is only one question I try to figure out while I wait for her.How do I convince her to break up with her douchebag boyfriend?

3

Anna

Vivian is rushingout the door when I arrive.

"Do you always introduce people like that?" I accuse.

She winces. "Sorry. I'm running late. Did you get the job?"

My butterflies take off. "Ummm... I think so. He's waiting for me downstairs. He wants to take me to the building then his place to review blueprints, then dinner."

Vivian smirks. "His place? Dinner?"

"Now you're making me nervous. I was going to ask if he's a psycho I need to be worried about."

A crazy man who's sexy and totally out of my league.

"Not at all. Dmitri is an excellent catch. Women are always going after him. He's hot and successful. Plus, he has the sexy Russian accent thing going on."

I groan. "I'm not looking for a new boyfriend." I don't even know if Mitch and I are technically broken up. I've spoken to him a few times. He keeps apologizing and says he wants me back. I asked him to put the money back in my accounts, and he said he would when I come back.

The more time that passes, the more I realize I need to stay away. If I go back, he'll suck me back in. But I hate throwing away five years of my life. And no matter what he did to me, I still love him.

I wish I didn't. It would make it easier, especially when I try to sleep at night. But I do.

Vivian made an appointment for me to see her friend, who's a counselor. She works with women who have experienced domestic abuse. At first, I told Vivian that wasn't me, but over the last few weeks, I realize it is me. I am a victim.

And I hate it.

I originally went to the counselor to appease Vivian, but it was different than I thought it would be. I liked her friend, Paula, and have gone three times now. Vivian has been great, and Harper stayed in Chicago with Steven, so she is here, too. But Paula seems to understand how I feel, differently than my family or friends can. And I still can't discuss anything with Chase without him going berserk.

"Oh, and it sounds like it's a problem I'm not Russian?" I say.

Vivian shrugs. "I'll explain the dynamics to you later. He and his brothers are just trying to help out their people."

I already understand it and don't need Vivian to explain it. I have friends from many cultures, and I experienced similar things in New York. "He's going to be my boss."

"Mmm...not really. He's hiring you. It's not like you're his employee."

"Not technically, but still..."

Vivian puts her coat on. "If I were you, I'd wear jeans for the walk-through, then take several outfits to change, depending on where you're going to dinner."

"Seriously? I'm about to break out in hives now."

She snorts. "Don't forget shoes. Those black stilettos you just bought are good ones. Oh, you should take your new red dress!"

"Vivian—"

"Gotta go. Bye! Text me how it's going!"

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