Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Zenovia

But of course, before I could even answer Maksimillian’s invite to have a date with him, my phone rang. I pushed him to get it, although I wondered who was calling at this time, after dinner. I ignored his groan of complaint when I shoved him aside. I did feel hollow inside when his manhood was pulled out of me. He stayed in the couch as I hunted for my phone, which was among our clothes on the floor, in my purse.

I frowned when I saw the name on the screen.

Mihai.

‘Why is he calling me now?’

I glanced at Maksimillian, still thinking whether or not I’d answer the phone. His eyes were questioning me who it was, and he gestured for me to answer it. After all, I pushed him away to check who was calling.

I swiped the screen and placed the phone against my ear. “Yes? Why are you calling me, Mihai?” I asked in rapid Romanian.

“Can’t your brother call you up now?” his answer.

I rolled my eyes. “Half-brother! Remember we have different mothers?” I shot back.

“We have the same father, so it’s the same. I’m still your brother,” he countered in a hoarse voice.

“Why are you calling?” I asked in irritation, resulting to the creasing of my forehead.

Maksimillian looked concerned and came up to me, hugging me from behind and kissing the side of my neck and cheek.

It was really good to have him back.

When I saw the news today, all things had crashed into my mind. What if he had died? Would I be happy I’d not be entangled with him any longer? Although I did tell him that, I didn’t mean it, because I still wanted him… wanted to be with him… wanted to be kissed and held by him. And it was the first time I realised that I wouldn’t want any man to father my baby but him. I didn’t want to analyse why, but it was just it. I couldn’t imagine myself being with someone else. It didn’t feel right either. For some reason.

“Who is it?” he whispered. His hot breath tickled my ear.

“My brother,” I whispered back.

“Who are you talking to?” Mihai asked. “I can hear you whisper there. Is it Antonia?”

“No! It’s not her. And I wasn’t whispering,” I lied.

“I heard you. I have good ears. I can hear well!” My brother was such a nitpick. I hated him. “I heard you took a leave from work at the hotel. I called you there because you won’t pick any of my calls,” he continued to grumble.

I raised an eyebrow. “You what? You called at my workplace? What’s wrong with you?” I reprimanded him.

“Why are you always angry with me? There’s nothing wrong with me. I just want to get close to my sister. Is there something wrong with it?”

I sighed and didn’t answer him. There was no use telling him about my anger. He had no idea. Maybe it was wrong to just be so angry with him, too… when it wasn’t his fault to be born by a different mother… that it was our father’s fault. It was just that I really hated… everything… everything that happened in my life.

Bottom line, I loathed my father to death! And all men…

No, not all men. I had no hate for Maksimillian. It was even the opposite. I wanted him. I couldn’t hate someone I wanted, could I?

“Tati said we’re going to Iași tomorrow,” I heard Mihai continue to speak. “I was thinking if we could hang out! Maybe watch a movie or have some ice cream the day after tomorrow? You love Double Dutch! My treat, I promise.”

What if I gave him a chance to be close to me? But then again, I’d see our father if I’d let him. And I didn’t want to.

I ground my teeth. I hated to be in such a dilemma. “I’m not in Iași, so I’m having a rain check.”

“What?” he sounded disappointed. “Where are you then?”

“I-I am on vacation, all right? You can’t just tell me to hang out with you.”

“You’re not lying to me, are you? Because I can call Antonia anytime and ask her,” he threatened.

I chuckled but without merriment. “You have Antonia’s number?”

“Yes! We’re even friends on social media!”

“What?” I absolutely had no idea about this. Well, I wasn’t fond of social media. Maybe that was why. But him having my best friend’s number? She didn’t even tell me about this. I wondered what they also talk about behind my back.

“So, where are you?” my brother asked while Maksimillian licked my earlobe and sucked it gently.

I tried to suppress a moan despite the sensation it sent throughout my system. I turned my face to give him a warning glare. But the gorgeous imp just smirked and continued to run his tongue on the side of my neck and nipped it gently, making me shiver.

“Ohh…” A moan escaped from me, forgetting I was still talking with my brother. So I cleared my throat while feeling Maksimillian’s smile against my skin. “I-I’m in… Ahh!” Crap! I just moaned with my brother still on the phone! Doamne! Maksimillian just won’t stop kissing me, and now, his palms rolled my two peaks and kneaded my flesh. The tips instantly hardened from his touch, and I cussed, realising belatedly that my brother heard it.

“Are you upset with me again, Zen?” My brother’s voice dropped.

“I’m in Brașov, okay? So, I can’t see you or meet you if you go to Iași with him.” I couldn’t say the word that I call my father. Never would I ever again in this lifetime! I so hated him with all the fiber of my being that my heart was so heavy, my chest went tight and my eyes began to water.

I hanged up and sobbed, dropping the phone. It created a soft thud as it landed on Maksimillian’s pants on the floor. That was when Maksimillian stopped kissing and caressing me, frozen. He moved from behind to face me.

“Hey, hey. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head as plump tears ran down my cheeks. I looked at him, who appeared blurry in my vision.

“No, no. It’s not you,” I whispered, shaking my head. My hands grabbed his forearms as I broke down.

“What did your brother want?”

“H-he wants to see me. But I don’t think I can. I hate him, too!” My voice cracked while Maksimillian looked at me with confusion.

He held my chin up gently by his fingers to make me look into his eyes. “Why? Tell me everything, Zenovia.”