ILL-FATED JOURNEY™

Chapter 53

"Did she just curtsey?" The babysitter asked, pulling me out of my staring match with Vlad. It

was also a reminder that we had an audience.

"You let him in?" I asked, carefully.

"Not really, I heard the door opening thought it was you, but he walked in. Said he was Irena's 

father." She replied watching us strangely.

In the presence of Vlad, Nora had automatically gone into discrete maid mode. She hung her 

head and made herself small, staying as quiet as possible.

"You can go now," Vlad said, and Nora bowed again and headed into her room. The babysitter, 

however, didn't understand that she had been dismissed as well. She stood there with Irena in

hand. Vlad turned and gave her an imperial glare.

"What? You two want to talk or something?"

I hasten over, paid her, took Irena, and sent her on her way. Then Nora did her maid thing and

appeared from nowhere to take Irena from me. Once we were alone Vlad scrutinised me. "You 

look well. Your hair is different."

"Nora straightened it."

He nodded but I knew he didn't come all this way to discuss my hair. He paced for a while as he

got his thoughts together. "I've missed you...both." He whispered finally.

I didn't want to rush him, so I took off my jacket and heard him gasp. "Did you leave here like 

that?"

I looked down to see my traitorous nipples peeking through the dress. Vlad saw them too and

marched over and grabbed me by the arms. "Why are you dressed like this?"

"To go out with Nora," I explained but he was too busy sniffing me like an animal.

"Why do you smell like a man's cologne.?" He growled.

I pulled away from him and hissed, "Who I smell like is none of your business! I'm living my own

life! How I dress isn't your business either!"

"Has Nora been teaching you her tricks?" He growled. "Look at you! Dressed like a whore!"

I slapped him, and it felt good for about two seconds until he grabbed me.

Instead of the beating, I got kisses. Lots and lots of kisses. He picked me up, pushed up my dress

and cursed when he saw I was naked underneath. "You will never dress like this again! 

Understood?"