10. Joe Biden.

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Vasilisa Smirnov

It didn't take long before we walked out of the hostel, Alexei behind me carrying two large bags and an extra carton of what I thought I would need immediately, My necessities.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, alerting me that someone sent a message. I flipped the phone open, my eyes searching for the name ID immediately.

Massim had texted me, he was just a few blocks away. I sighed in relief, I needed some normalcy in my life. This situation wasn't just it.

Alexei hardly acknowledged my presence despite the fact that were were stuck to eachother like glue, almost conjoined at the hips. I tried my best not to stare, but the sunlight reflected against his hair, making it shine a golden brown. His skin was tan and flawless.

I needed to know his skincare routine, though I wouldn't be surprised if he said he drank Ox blood and ate goat livers every morning.., he looked like the type—The type that chewed drugs. Shivers racked through my body at the thought. Yuck.

While Alexei loaded the bags into the trunk, I scanned around for Massim whose blonde hair could be seen from miles away. I waved frantically, indicating to him that I could see him . He moved quickly, clad in nothing but shorts and a wife beater.

He smiled brightly, his hair bouncing with each step he took like a halo. The car trunk slammed shut and Alexei emerged from behind it, scanning the area suspiciously.

Just as Massim was about to reach me, I heard him call out, grabbing my wrist in the process. "Get in the car, Vasilisa".

I shot him a dirty look, attempting to pull away but his grip was iron."I want to meet up with a friend, As you can see he is on his way".

I pointed to Massim, indicating how close he was to where we stood. Alexei's hold tightened gravely, pulling me closer to the passenger seat. I gushed out in surprise, pushing at his arms to let me go.

"What are you doing" I asked in disbelief, trying to pry his fingers away from my wrist. " I want to meet up with a friend.

"I don't care if you want to see Joe Biden" he snarled, pulling the car door open."Get into the fucking car, Vasilisa".

For the second time today, he pushed me into the car like some piece of cargo, my attempts to fight and to argue are met with the cold slam of the car door to my face. I tugged at the handle frantically attempting to open it. But a resolute and resounding click echoed through the car.

This bastard had me on child lock again. For fucks sake.

I could see Massim from the tinted window, he looked alarmed as he rushed towards the me. Alexei stood before the car with a scrutinizing gaze as if trying assess him.

A certain fear settled in the deep pit of my stomach when anger crossed Massim's eyes, he looked like he was ready to pounce on Alexei and for fucks sake, I hoped he thought it through, he really should consider the size difference between the both of them.

"Let her go" He shouted angrily, trying to push past Alexei who didn't budge. I tried my best to shout through the tinted windows that I would call him, that I was fine.

But it seemed he couldn't hear me. I sighed in frustration, settling back unto my seat.

What the fuck is wrong with him, I mean even a blind man could see that Massim meant no harm, he could see that we really wanted to speak to each other, what then did he want from him?

Did everyone who wanted to speak to me have to submit a fucking application letter and a criminal record detailing every single crime they've done in their lives before Alexei would allow them to see me?

He seemed to be trying to bargain with Alexei who paid no heed to his words, instead he turned towards the driver's seat, attempting to open the door.

Massim reached out for his arm, pulling him away from the door. I dreaded the fact that Alexei was dangerously calm and I could see the inevitable unfolding before my eyes.

Massim didn't realize the gravity of what he was doing. He was stepping into a lion's den without a clue. 'Let her out!" He demanded again, his voice growing louder. He tugged at Alexei's arm once more, his frustration palpable.

Without warning, Alexei spun around. His eyes flashed with a concealed anger, a look that sent a shiver down my spine even from inside the car. He was like a predator assessing his prey, but he still didn't move an inch.

"Step away, Boy," Alexei said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Now."

But Massim was either too angry or too stubborn to back down. His fists balled at his sides, and I

could see the tension building in him, a storm ready to break. "She's not some damn prisoner, For fucks sake!" he shouted. "I'm not leaving without her."

The next moment happened in a blur. I barely had time to register it. Alexei's fist came up in one swift motion, connecting squarely with Massim's jaw. The sound was sickening, a dull thud that made my heart leap into my throat.

Massim staggered back, clutching his face, his eyes wide in shock and pain. Blood dripped from his lip, staining the white of his wife-beater. He looked dazed, like he hadn't expected Alexei to actually hit him.

I screamed inside the car, banging my fists against the window, but no sound escaped beyond the thick glass. I could only watch in horror as Alexei stepped closer to Massim towering over him like a shadow of doom.

"Do not touch me, ever again" Alexei growled, his voice low but deadly. "Stay the fuck away, or next time, it won't just be a punch."

Massim, still reeling, wiped the blood from his mouth and glared up at Alexei with a mixture of anger and hurt. He didn't say anything else, instead, he stumbled back, retreating, but not

without giving Alexei one final look that promised this wasn't over.

Alexei turned his back on him, as if the whole thing hadn't rattled him in the slightest. He opened the driver's door and got in, the engine roaring to life.

I couldn't contain it anymore. "What the hell was that?" I screamed as soon as he was seated at the driver's seat.

"You punched him! My best friend!"

'He touched me," Alexei said coolly, putting the car in gear and pulling away from the curb as if nothing had happened. "He's lucky that's all I did."

'He was worried about me!" I shot back, anger bubbling in my chest. "You didn't have to-"

'He was in the way," Alexei interrupted, his tone sharp. "He didn't listen. I gave him a chance to

back off, and he didn't take it. Now shut up, Vasilisa. You're testing my patience"

Wait till we got out of this car, i wouldn't let a mere bodyguard disrespect my best friend and get away with it. My chest heaved in anger but I reigned it in.