The Beast

Chapter Twenty
Going Backwards

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HANNAH

   Stepping out the elevator, I warily glanced toward the archway to make sure there weren't any men in suits. Just to be safe, I shouted, "I'm here!"

   Despite being met with silence, I smiled before striding further away from the elevator. My eyes instantly found Lev standing by the window, overlooking the city.

   "The guys did well," I said, acknowledging the thick concrete wall that now separated the kitchen from the rest of the space. "Do you like what they did to the bedrooms?"

   For the last few weeks, our contractors got to work, removing or adding walls. For two out of the four extra rooms, the closets were demolished. The new chandeliers also arrived last week. But before we could get to decorating—my favourite part—the next step was to paint. Something I know Lev was looking forward to.

   My heart raced, remembering the conversation we had after having sex. Midst catching my breath, he asked when I could paint over the horrendous white walls. Those exact words.

   I burst out laughing, not expecting that question. But I proceeded to promise to come sometime the following week with paint samples.

   Lev didn't reply, but he did face me. His amber eyes appeared especially bright today, but still cold as ever.

   My skin tingled as I treaded closer to the couch. I placed the plastic bag on the coffee table while taking a sip of my energy drink, needing to do distract myself from his watchful gaze.

   My spine zapped straight when Lev immediately came toward me. No—he came to my drink.

   "Lev—hey!" I shouted, frowning when he stole the can, easily dodging my attempts to get it back. "You can't keep doing this."

   "This is your third one," he stated coolly, and I gaped. "It's not healthy."

   "How do you even know..." I shook my head, not wanting to ask how he knew that. Ignorance was bliss. "I know it's unhealthy, but as long as I stay under four hundred milligrams, I'm good. And it's my body, so..." I tried to snatch the can again. Key word, tried.

   I groaned pleadingly. "Lev, please. If you want me to stay awake, I need this."

   His eyes twitched. "Are you not sleeping?"

   "It's not that." Feeling an ache in my shoulder, I dropped my arm with a sigh. "I just need energy. I'm addicted."

   "Water helps. Or tea. Smoothies."

   He said the suggestions impassively, as if he knew this all along, but...

   "Why are you only saying this now?" Lev narrowed his eyes at my accusing tone, but I didn't cower. "I mean, I know those are healthier alternatives because I searched them up before..."

   The rest of my sentence drained away when I saw Lev's fingers jerk. He stiffened, and understanding dawned on my features before a humorous grin widened my face.

   "Lev Somov. Did you do research on my behalf?"

   His silence only confirmed my suspicions, and for some reason, I grinned wider. I wasn't sure why, but the thought of Lev typing furiously away on his phone, trying to find ways to get rid of my bad habits, did something to my heart.

   "No," he said, his voice lowering enough that could have anyone stepping away. For some reason, I stayed put.

   "Oh, so you won't mind if I just..." I threw myself forward, nearly a centimetre away from grabbing the drink. He pushed his hand back swiftly. "I hate you."