DON'T BLAME ME | CAESAR X ZHENYA

CHAPTER 04

“Aren’t you worried about what they’ll say about you after this? If it shows up in the papers—these people are only here to talk about others” I said.. “Believe me, your reputation won’t improve after tonight.”

“Honestly, I don’t care what anyone says about me.”

“But your father does.”

“I don’t care what my father thinks of me either.”

«Oh God, how can he be so…?»

The music ended and he finally stepped away from me, though not as much as I would’ve liked at that moment, since he kept staring into my eyes. He smiled again, and I could only avoid his gaze. I didn’t know what was wrong with him today; ever since he invited me to this damn improvised party as his companion, he’d been acting strange. I still wonder if he’s upset about that conversation in the office three days ago, though I don’t think he’d be so petty as to stay mad at me for following one of his father’s orders.

Still, here we were, the two of us under the watchful eyes of many who saw us as the feast for their gossip. I can already guess what will happen in the coming days: rumors about my boss will spread throughout the city and maybe even reach his father’s ears. I just hope none of this affects me.

“Caesar!” greeted a blond boy cheerfully, somewhat short with long hair. He seemed far too excited to be just an acquaintance or friend of Caesar’s.

“You were here too, Leonid?”

“Of course, a party is a party. Besides, your cousin invited me” Caesar looked puzzled at his words. “Yes, I know it sounds unbelievable, but that’s how it was. I don’t know what got into him, but he decided to invite me as his date. Do you know if he’s okay in the head lately? Just two days ago he was making war with me over everything, and now suddenly he shows up inviting me.”

The man talked and talked without stopping.

“No idea” Caesar replied.

“And… who’s your companion tonight? I don’t think I’ve seen him before. Or maybe I have?” he asked, staring at me.

“This is Zhenya” he paused and set his gaze on me before sliding his hand around my waist, which surprised me. I frowned at him, but he gave me a knowing smile I didn’t know how to interpret before turning back to the man,  “My partner.”

«What the hell?»

“What?” said Leonid, surprised, just as I was.  “Partner?”

“Of course, my dance partner. Nothing strange about that, right?”

“Oh, that’s what you meant. I thought you meant…”

“My romantic partner?”

Caesar laughed with amusement.

“Yes, yes, that’s what I thought.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be so bad or who knows, maybe it is that way” said Caesar before taking my hand and leading me away. I simply followed, staring at his back.

“What exactly just happened, sir?” I asked, seeking a clear and coherent answer to his words and that declaration, which, even though he disguised it as a joke, rang too seriously in my ears, stirring my concern.

“Silence. We’ll talk later; right now anyone could overhear us.” I chose silence while we walked to his car.

I had even left the office unprepared, though he already had a change of clothes ready for the dance, the reason for which I still didn’t understand. It seemed these people had far more free time than I did to work.