33

"You know I haven't been paying attention to the time that has passed while you kindly brought me in here to recover from my faint. I should have been home a while back. I should have been home already." Yuliya tried to stand up, but Kai's hand was hard on hers as that was something he did not want.

"No. I don't want you to go home with Vasko."

"What? Oh my goodness. Honestly I would be happy if I stopped hearing from him completely. I wish I could just ghost him like he was an awry blind date."

Candida burst out laughing. "You're dumb as a trash can, but you're starting to smarten up. Alright then, Kai. Why don't you drive her home in my car?"

"Oh my goodness, I'm sure it's as showstopping as you are. I do feel a bit nauseous though." Yuliya admitted unsteadily. "I think I'd be more comfortable in an UBER or a LYFT as I can just pay the driver to get me a barf bag. Sometimes the more expensive ones even have them handy. There's no need, I have the app on my phone."

Kai vehemently shook his head. "If you're feeling sick and an unfamiliar person is taking you home, you're vulnerable."

"Everyone has a camera on their smartphone. It would be a simple thing for someone to zoom in from one of the ramps to the bleachers below and get a snap of us all climbing into a car together. Unless Candida comes with us people will make making a lot of assumptions. It would hit the blogs and tabloids immediately. Forget that you are single and sought after with a damned princess. Both of you have legions of fan who will eat me alive and never leave me alone."

Kai cocked his head as if this was not really something that he ever thought about. To have his own social media to be used as a weapon against him was strange. How could he have not thought of it?

Candida finally caved and snorted out a laugh as she blew out another smog of vape. "You know you're a trip. I think you'd be fun to save you from your situation. Kai, her point about discretion is valid. You can borrow my car and driver if you want. It should work if we utilize a good blanket. I have no idea where he is but it's my fault for keeping a college kid who would rather party than stay with me. It's going to be a long time before I get the rowdy out of him."

Kai was hesitant at allowing her to leave his sight, Yuliya could see the gears turning behind his eyes. The way his hands were on her as he was looking to touch her—it was primal and per her enjoyment—it was so unlike Mario when he ignored her while gaming on whatever game had caught his attention. He was being extremely attentive to her which was something she found very alluring.