9

"I know that Vasko is very devoted. I'm sure that his thoughts about my looks are less than deserved. I'm definitely far from being the most beautiful woman in the world. I apologize if I am a lot less than you were hoping." Yuliya tried to speak to soak up the silence. "I'm sorry if this conversation is making you uncomfortable. You don't have to comment, if you don't agree and you're angry."

Afuru's eyes raked over her as he listened to her speak. There was a slight look of distaste on his eyes which faded. He was blanked out as if he had been looking at tv static for a period of time before she had interrupted him.

"She's waiting for you to respond, bro." Vasko whispered with a look that was borderline disgust. "This is why you're single as hell. Women need to have encouragement and treated gently, you know like an iPhone."

"iPhone, oh come on Mario. Don't compare me to that warehouse of identical objects that you call a collection. It's all the same. But, I'd love to hear another view. Mr. Afuru, are you also one who has a refined taste for the latest electrical gadgets?" Yuliya felt uncomfortable still speaking to him, but she felt a restlessness as she wanted to hear what this mysterious person had to say . . . what was his mind like?

"I have seen Vasko's vast collection and often purchased from him some items that need refurbishing."

"You know Afuru is known even at Christie's as someone who can appraise just about anything." Vasko said this with great reluctance as if he hoped maybe someone would want to say the same thing about him someday.

Yuliya tilted her head at the guest. "Is that true? I know Mario often overestimates his guests abilities."

Instead of humbling himself down to satisfy her fiance, Afuru just crossed his arms and his eyes lazily met hers for a moment. "Of course. I do go to Christie's when they have an item of my interest. I know what I want so obviously I do know a lot about it. I try to keep fakes off the market so they don't undervalue what there is on the auction table."

His aura of confidence in what he wanted was something that Yuliya found drew her closer to him. She wanted to know why she wanted him to speak to her more than she wanted Vasko to. Maybe it was just the novelty of having a new person without the stability. Yuliya was acutely aware that he was sitting with his leg lightly brushing against hers, she could smell the wood of his cologne, as well as her fiancee looking at her with a strange expression.

Why did she like this? A lady should not associate with men who were unfamiliar to then, her mother's church voice thundered through her head as she thought about the hussies in her small town whom had given in to these types of temptations. It would mean that she would be abandoned alone somewhere she didn't want to be. The danger could be felt in every nerve ending as it lighted up as his hand brushed against hers lightly, his gaze resting on her breasts, but in a way that made it up to her. Did she feel jealous that he was so attractive that he was probably attached to someone more pretty than she was? Or were his intentions something nefarious?