CHAPTER EIGHT

Sarah had been so proud to show off her new boyfriend but Kyril had convinced her to keep their relationship a secret. At first, she had been hesitant to the idea but had been bribed by soft kisses and pretty jewelry. But as the months wore on, she became more and more stubborn about them going public with their relationship. After all, what was the point of dating the hottest boy in school and not being able to kiss him in the hallways as others looked on jealously? Kyril begged and pleaded as he found that along the line, he had truly fallen for her and would do anything she asked. Anything but this.

But she failed to see the danger and refused to see the impending end of their first love. One day, as Kyril fell asleep on her laps on the roof on the school building, their special place, Sarah took a picture of them and posted it with the hashtag #cutestboyfriendever.

Under minutes, the photo had spread to both teachers and students alike. They left the roof and met the shocked stares of the whole school. The school idol had been stolen from right under their noses and they never even knew. Sarah smirked proudly and grabbed Kyril's arm. He looked down and jerked in shock.

"What are you doing, Sarah? There are people staring at us.", he said as he tried to remove his arm from her vice like grip. Sarah held on even tighter, "They're staring because I told them about us. Everyone knows we're dating. Now you don't have to hide anymore." She smiled happily at him, "You're welcome."

Kyril's face paled under his tan skin. "Y-you did what?" He slowly pulled away and began shaking. Sarah frowned and flipped her blond her over her shoulder. "I said I told everyone we were dating. I posted a picture, see?" The photo had gotten more than 2k likes and 1k retweets. "What did I do wrong? I've wanted to go public for months and I've been holding back for this long." She flipped her hair again and folded her hands over her arms, "You should be thanking me."

Kyril finally looked up from the floor and the icy glare he shot her way actually made her take a step back. "Yeah. You're right." His voice was colder then glaciers and made everyone move. Was this really the calm and cool school idol? "Thank you, Sarah."

Kyril turned and walked away out of the school only to the see his personal body guard already opening the door of the family car. He let out a loud sigh and rubbed a hand over his face. He squared his shoulders and entered the car. The entire car ride home was filled with thoughts running through his mind. The car stopped and the guard opened the door. His father's personal assistant Cecil was waiting in the foyer and Kyril felt his throat close up in fear. He took a deep breath and swallowed the fear before plastering a blank mask on his face.

The two walked silently side by side until they came to the big oak doors of his father's office. Cecil knocked thrice and a voice bid them entrance. His father barely looked up from the papers on his desk as he waved his hand. Cecil bowed and with a side glance at Kyril, left the room.

The office was filled with nothing but the shuffle of papers and the ticking of the clock. Kyril's legs were beginning to fall asleep but he dared not move from his position, his arms folded behind his back and his legs straight together.

Finally after about thirty minutes, his father placed the papers neatly by the side of the desk. He pulled the laptop closer, pressed a few buttons and turned it to face Kyril.

"What is this on the screen, Kyril?"

His voice caused Kyril's knees to knock together but he held himself as he stared directly in sharp gold eyes exactly like his. "It is a picture, Afentikó." His father nodded and leaned back in his chair. "Indeed. It is a picture. A picture of your head on the laps of a girl who is clearly not mafia."

"Father...", a sharp glare from his father made him correct himself, "...Afentikó, it was nothing. It just a photo. I will get her to take it down." His father shrugged his broad shoulders, "That will not be necessary. I have already taken care of it. Sarah has removed the photo and has moved. She is no longer in the country and she will not be returning."

Kyril felt his heart stop. "W-what? Father, NO!" A sharp glare again controlled his reaction and in that moment he hated himself even more than he hated his father. "Afentikó, you can't."

His father snorted and turned the laptop back to himself to resume his work, "I can and I have. My word is law. You will not disobey. I can't have the Chrysós Lýkos name be tarnished by an irresponsible heir."

Kyril shook as he stood there listening. Whether in anger or in fear. "Do you not care? About how I feel? About what I think? I may not have loved her father but I did care for her."

His father sent him a dull look, "And you will care for others but no this one. She is not good enough for our family." Kyril's anger ignited burning away the fear, "She was good enough for ME!"

His father paused in his typing and looked up, "That is because you are used to have second rate people in your life. Like that half bred you like to keep about. He will not be your second-in-command by the way. That particular individual has already been chosen."

Kyril straighten his back and looked his father right in the eyes as he replied, "If I have second rate people in my life, that keeps you below them."

He turned and walked away feeling his father's glare hot on his back. But he didn't stop. For every girlfriend he had, his father would either seduce them with money or sex. And they would leave. They always did. So he left as well, ignoring his mother's pleas. He will no longer be his father's puppet.

Kyril straighten from his position on the bed, anger evident in his tone. "I'm going to make you stay, Catherine. He won't take you away from me. Not ever again." He looked grimly at the dresser mirror reflecting his broken and angry gaze, determination shining in his eyes.

"I promise."