Page 137 of You + Me – Against the World

Another call. I hit the red button on my screen.

[Stay away from me,

Arcadi. Far away.]

My cell stops vibrating.

Time continues to pass, indifferent to me. With my feet up against the wall, I stare at my string lights until I start seeing spots.

I feel empty. Completely empty.

Just when I thought all the drama was over, my phone starts to go crazy again.

[I’m outside your place, Princess.]

[Either you slip out quietly and we can talk,

or I jump the gate and break a window,

which will be much less discreet. Your choice…]

Let him break whatever he wants. It’s not my problem anymore. The alarm will go off loudly enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, and my father will be there to greet him while we wait for the cops to arrive. Vadim will just have to face the consequences.

I want him to pay.

To suffer.

[Alma, don’t force me to do something stupid.

Because you know I’ll do it.

Even if it lands me in jail.]

I’m too much of a coward to let that happen. So, I answer him, hating myself for being so weak. Hating myself for loving him so much.

[Don’t break anything. I’m coming down.]

Right before I sneak out of my room, I take a picture of the computer screen. So I can show him, if words fail me.

I don’t run into anyone on my way down. After opening and closing the heavy door as silently as possible, I take a little detour to avoid triggering the automatic light on the driveway leading to the gate. I find Vadim sitting on the sidewalk, dressed all in black, a large stone in his clenched fist.

“Were you planning to use that to break a window? My house is built like a bunker.” I hope it’s clear that I’m aiming for a contemptuous tone.

His eyes narrow in frustration. “You can make fun of me as much as you like, Alma, but please talk to me.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you, but I’ve got something to show you. Here.” I hand him my phone, then turn my head away.

“Who sent you this? Another anonymous email?” he hisses through clenched teeth.

“The problem isn’t who sent it, Vadim. The problem is what it shows!”

“Listen to me without interrupting, please.” His husky voice reaches depths I never knew existed. “After you’ve heard me out, you can decide whether to believe me or not.”

A traitorous tear rolls down my cheek. He tries to take me in his arms, but I push him away.

“Alma, I know what this photo looks like, but nothing happened. Nothing has ever happened between her and me.”

“Don’t treat me like an idiot. You’re going to tell me it’s AI, is that it?”