Destined

Dimitri

  Paris, July 2019

We've decided to meet up in one of the lesser known clubs in the city. The more popular ones are usually too full to find a good mark.

"They're late again," Silvia says, looking at her watch. She's clad in a shimmering, silver dress that shows off all her curves, this will surely catch people's attention.

"Aren't they always?" Heather hums, not even looking up from her phone. Her rainbow pants suit gives off a clear signal as to what she's looking for tonight. "They'll be here, just like every other time we've done this."

I sigh, shaking my head. "Those guys are getting sloppy. They both know that we need these seven days, all of them. Getting people to fall in love isn't easy, not in so few days."

"That might be true for you, but not for someone who looks like me," Grant says as he and Hugo come walking over to us. Hugo is in a pair of neat grey pants and a soft black sweater which gives the impression of a teddy bear. In complete contrast, Grant is wearing a half-open shirt, leaving most of his chest bare. Combined with a pair of ripped jeans that are more hole than jeans, he looks like a typical bad boy.

"Good of you to show up after all," I say, crossing my arms at them. "Now, let's go. We've wasted enough time already."

Turning around, I lead the others inside, my eyes immediately scanning the room in search of a good mark. I've learned long ago that I'm only going to survive these weeks by turning off my feelings.

There's quite a crowd of people tonight, enough potential to find someone for all of us.

Suddenly, my eyes fall on a guy standing in the corner of the room, looking absent-minded as he's stirring his drink. He wears shorts that hug his lower body just the right amount with above that a simple white T-shirt. Nothing about him screams 'potential lover' but something inside of me is screaming at me to go to him. To choose him this year.

Looking at him, something strange happens. I start feeling sick. My heart is hammering in my chest and I'm feeling hot, like the air conditioning has been cut off all of a sudden.

"Him, I choose him," I say, not wanting to risk anyone else marking him first. Even I can hear the slight growl in my voice. I have to have him. I'm sure of it.

"He doesn't really seem in the mood for love, though," Silvia says, following my line of sight back to the boy.

I just shake my head, never once tearing my eyes away from him, almost in fear of losing him. "I feel like a challenge," I mutter as I walk away, heading straight for this guy.

He doesn't even look up as I come closer, just keeps staring at his drink. For some reason, that sad look on his face is annoying me. He should only ever be smiling. That frown has no right being on his face.

"What brings such a handsome guy as you such sorrow?" I ask, sending him my brightest smile. "Are you here alone, handsome?"

He looks up at me, getting out of his daydream before shaking his head. "I'm sorry. I'm flattered, but whatever you're thinking, I'm not interested. I'm just here with some friends to have fun."

I have to do a double take as he doesn't react at all to my advancements. That's never happened before. "And I am a lot of fun," I say, trying to recover from this shock. "I actually came here with some friends as well. We just arrived and we're looking for some new friends. Maybe it's fun if our two groups get together, at least for tonight."

The guy is looking pensive, I'm almost starting to wonder whether I've taken too big a challenge this year. Just when I'm about to take back what I said, a pretty redhead wearing a short, black dress comes walking toward us. "Sky, what are you doing here? Come on, we've been looking for you."

I clear my throat, catching her attention for the first time. "Well, hello there. Don't mind me. I get why you were distracted," the girl says, clearly checking me out. I smile at her, suddenly feeling much more at ease.

"I was just suggesting that both our friend groups should get together for the night. We're always up for making more friends," I say, winking at her.

"If your friends are as hot as you, please do," she says, turning to the dance floor to wave at three other individuals. A group of five then. Seems like fate.

I look back at my own group, whistling to get their attention. "I'm sorry," I say, turning back to the guy I was talking to first, holding out my hand to him. "I believe I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Dimitri. Dimitri Sullivan."

"Skyler Barnes," he says timidly as he shakes my hand. The moment our hands touch, it's like an electric shock travels through my veins, leaving me winded. What kind of magic is this?

"Weren't you going to introduce us? Or are you just going to keep staring at each other?" Grant huffs, pulling me out of my own mind.

"Right," I say, mentally shaking myself before turning to the new arrivals. Skyler seems to have quite a few good-looking friends, but none so handsome as he. "Nice to meet you. I'm Dimitri and these are my friends Grant, Hugo, Silvia, and Heather."

The girl from before steps forward, apparently the most social of the group. "I'm Carly," she introduces herself before pointing at another redhead who greatly resembles her. "This is my twin Tony," she motions to the only other girl in their group. "She's Abigail."

"You can call me Abby," the girl immediately tells us, though her eyes are locked on Heather. Good.

"This handsome devil here is Darius," Carly continues, patting a tall, dark-skinned guy on the shoulder.

"Nice to meet you all," he says, nodding at us one at a time.

"That little bundle of sadness is Skyler," Carly says lastly, nodding at the guy who huffs at her introduction.

"I'm not that little," he mutters and I have to suppress a smile. The way he reacts reminds me of a hissing kitten. Instead of intimidating, he only comes off as incredibly cute.

Grant claps his hands as I stay silent, smiling his most devious smile. "Well, let's make this a night to remember, shall we?"