Judge Me Not ...

Chapter 20

June froze. Dmitri was staring at her with a real piercing stare. She quickly gained her composure and left the stage. She needed to leave as soon as it was possible. She had not seen or heard from him ever since Zack was born. He had just disappeared. She wondered why he had left without a goodbye but she knew that he probably felt like an outsider.

She was blindly walking away from where she had seen Dmitri when she collided with a hard chest. She stumbled back but strong arms supported her. She steadied herself on her stiletto heels.

'I'm so sorry.' she mumbled fixing her dress she looked at her rescuer and remained speechless it was 

Dmitri, he gazed at her blandly, 'You need to be more careful June.'

He was even more handsome. He had grown a beard which suited him and made him look even more dashing. his tuxedo fitted him to perfection.

'The convention centre is well done.' Dmitri remarked.

She forced a smile, 'Just doing my job but thanks."

June was suffocating in his presence. She was lost being around him. he looked so dashing and guilt riddled her as well over Zack's paternity.

'I'm surprised you made the trip knowing your circumstances.' he drawled.

"It is business and sometimes it has to be done." she responded hoping to escape him.

"Ah Kanaredes, so pleased to have you here." Mr Elberg joined in shaking Dmitri's hand.

"You know he introduced me to your company and I'm pleased that it worked out." He turned to June smiling.

"Really?" June was shocked; Dmitri had actually looked for additional business for them.

"Indeed, I trust his business decisions greatly, we have had many successful partnerships over the years and this one is the latest in a long line of alliances." Elberg was revealing a lot. June was a bit stumped at Dmitri's power and business expertise.

"Oh wow that is wonderful." June stated watching Dmitri who was very quiet.

"So June, have you and Dmitri had a good catch up?" Mr Elberg looked back and forth between the two of them. He appeared to be reading something.

"June and I were just reacquainting ourselves. I have not seen her in almost a year." Dmitri supplied.

"Splendid, she is a real worker this one here and all the while, doing it as a single mother." June stilled at Elberg's revelation. She quickly glanced at Dmitri to see his reaction. Dmitri looked at her firmly his eyes widening slightly at Elberg's admission.

"Really? Your relationship with your child's father did not work out?" Dmitri said surprised. "What was his name again Fred?"

June did not know what to say she was caught out and also annoyed at Dmitri's tone when he mentioned Gared's name.

"Gared and I decided to remain as friends." She inserted hoping to move on and leave this horrible conversation. Dmitri stared at her; his brain appeared to be thinking about something.

Did Dmitri look smug? A glimmer of a smile played on his face but it was so quick she may have missed it.

"Oh my June, you are raising your son alone? I guess your choice was the wrong one." June wanted to scream. Dmitri was relishing this even if it was only partially the truth.

"Ah Kanaredes when will you settle down, have a bambino or two?" William patted him on the back. Dmitri smiled roughly.

"I guess when I find the right woman, a trustworthy and loyal one is hard to find." Dmitri had aimed straight for her heart and he had got his target.