i v a n a
Yesterday was nice. We drank tea and ate cookies. Everyone praised me.
A big smile spread across my face as I remembered how my brothers took their first bites out of my cookies, a nervous flutter danced in my stomach. I was concerned.
For some reason, I wanted them to like them.
Their faces lit up with delight and they showered me with praises for the whole evening, a wave of warmth washed over me.
Even Gray told me that he liked them.
In that moment, I felt a sense of pride within me.
Well, that's how I felt yesterday.
Today I woke up and remembered that it was my first day back at school.
Standing in front of my closet, I rummaged through the piles of clothes until my fingers brushed against the fabric of a backpack tucked in the corner. Matthew was right. There really was one.
It was medium-sized, grey and sturdy enough to carry my stuff for the day ahead.
Choosing an outfit was the real problem. I wanted to make a good impression, to blend in seamlessly with the others, but every choice seemed to highlight another insecurity instead.
Finally settling on a simple yet comfortable outfit, I hoped it would be enough to make me invisible.
With shaky hands, I applied a light layer of makeup. Each stroke of mascara, each swipe of lip balm felt like a mask against the judgment I feared would await me.
What if it would be the same as before? What if I didn't fit in? What if I ended up alone, like I did so many times before?
The fear of being cast out again hung heavy in my heart, threatening my small confidence burst from yesterday.
Taking a deep breath, I hoisted the backpack onto my shoulders. I took one last glance in the mirror.
I look dumb.
"Ivana, come down. You have to eat something and meet-. Ugh." Matthew knocked on my door.
"Meet my bodyguard?" I opened the door and looked straight into Matthew's annoyed expression.
"Yes, your bodyguard." He said through gritted teeth.
"You met him already?" I asked confused.
"Yup, interesting fella."
"Is he nice?" I asked, while we made our way to the kitchen.
"Too nice." He answered. Matthew seemed pretty annoyed today.
My movements froze, my eyes drawn to the man standing near Gray. It was him – the new bodyguard my father had hired.
Tall and imposing, he exuded an air of quiet confidence, his sharp features and dark eyes, framed by a furrowed brow, scanning me with a vigilant intensity, taking in every detail with a watchful gaze.
I felt naked. He looked me up and down and didn't seem to mind that all my brothers watched him.
I couldn't help but notice his rugged good looks – chiseled jawline, tousled hair that hinted at a life spent outdoors and strong arms. Despite the seriousness etched into his expression, there was an undeniable allure about him, a magnetic presence that drew my attention like a moth to a flame.
YOU ARE READING
after they met her
Teen Fiction|ongoing| Ivana grew up alone. She was alone since the day she was born and she was sure she would also die alone. Without anyone by her side she struggled to make a living, till one day two men stood infront of her door, claiming to be her brothers...
