Alexa lay sprawled across her bed, surrounded by the comforting chaos of her room. Books and notebooks were piled high on her desk, while the blank white ceiling became the perfect canvas for her wandering thoughts. She wrestled with herself, torn between the temptation to follow every move of Arkady’s game through the livestream and the urge to shut him out completely.
Yet, the excitement of the match unfolding on the other side of town seemed to electrify the air in Kharkov. True to her cautious nature, Alexa fought hard not to give in to the magnetic pull Arkady had over her, all too aware of the emotional sting he inflicted on her at school every day.
Meanwhile, Arkady shone on the ice rink, gliding with the grace and skill that earned him admiration from teammates and fans alike. Every precise stride, every swing of his stick to score a goal, drew roars of excitement from the crowd.
The game pressed on, inching closer to the end of the season’s opening championship. Arkady slid the puck with calculated precision, and the stadium erupted in cheers as it crossed the goal line. Victory was sealed, and Arkady lifted his helmet, soaking in the praise from his adoring fans.
Overwhelmed by a rush of emotions, Alexa finally gave in. She grabbed her phone, and as the screen lit up, Arkady’s face glowed with pride and joy. A bittersweet mix of sadness and admiration tugged at her heart as she watched the boy she couldn’t help but love, despite everything.
Alexa let out a sigh as her phone buzzed faintly in her hands. She’d fallen once again into the irresistible trap of tracking Arkady’s every move.
As the faint glow of her phone illuminated her room, she could almost feel the vibrant energy of the stadium, as if she were there among the cheering crowd.
Despite what Arkady represented in her world, she couldn’t help but smile as she watched his teammates hoist him up in triumph. His name echoed through the stadium, and each time she heard it, a storm of emotions churned inside her. There was something inexplicably captivating about his smile, about how he seemed to be the center of everyone’s attention.
Alexa found herself caught between the secret thrill of watching him shine and the lingering pain of knowing who he truly was beneath the surface.
As her fingers brushed the touchscreen, lingering on his image, her heart raced with intensity.
Arkady, helmet in hand, waved to the crowd with that signature blend of satisfaction and arrogance. It was time for the post-game interview, a ritual after every match. That was the moment Alexa switched off her phone, letting out a small huff of frustration as Arkady’s interview played on.
Her patience had reached its limit; the arrogance dripping from his every word was enough to give her a headache.
She got up from her bed, determined to shake off the unease that had settled in her chest.
Settling at her desk, surrounded by textbooks, she gazed out the window. Snow fell gently, blanketing the landscape in white.
“Always so full of himself,” she muttered under her breath, trying to redirect her thoughts to something more productive. She knew she needed to study for her exams, but focusing with Arkady still on her mind felt like an impossible battle.
“Such a jerk,” she added. “I hate you so much, Arkady. You have no idea how much I hate you. You’re the most infuriatingly handsome idiot I’ve ever met.”
She repeated the words as she scribbled in her notebook.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Arkady answered reporters’ questions with rehearsed smiles and carefully crafted responses.
“Knock knock,” Alexa looked up, her eyes fixing on the door as someone entered. It was her father, her loving and indulgent dad, carrying a glass of milk and some cookies.
“My princess, studying as always,” he said, setting the tray down on a nearby table before leaning over to kiss her forehead.
“Hey, Dad,” she replied with a faint smile.
“It’s freezing out there. Make sure you bundle up for school tomorrow,” he advised.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll be fine. You know I hate being cold.”
“That’s my girl. By the way, I wanted to let you know I’m heading to New York the day after tomorrow. Just for a few days, maybe a week.” Alexa pressed her lips together.
She knew her father held an important position with the oil company owned by the Goldsteins—none other than Arkady Goldstein’s family. Yes, her dad was the head of security for Goldstein & Co.
Dimitri Goldstein, Arkady’s father, valued him highly and took him everywhere. He wouldn’t take a step without his most trusted security chief by his side.
Alexa pressed her lips together again, a familiar habit.
“Work is work,” she said with a shrug. Alexa couldn’t complain. Her father, a retired military man, already earned a good living, and as the head of security for one of the most influential and powerful men in Ukraine, he made even more. Thanks to his job, Alexa lived a comfortable life. She had luxury cars, traveled abroad for vacations, and could even afford designer clothes if she wanted. But none of that mattered to her. She preferred a simple life, staying under the radar. The more invisible she could be to everyone, the better.
“Everything okay?” her father asked, pinching her chubby, rosy cheeks.
“Yes, sir,” she replied, smiling at him.
“Drink your milk and eat your cookies before bed.”
“Dad, if you keep bringing me cookies, I’ll be rolling down the stairs soon,” she teased.
“Nonsense, you’re beautiful, my girl. Don’t listen to anyone who says otherwise. You’re just as lovely as your mother was.”
Alexa pressed her lips together once more. Her father had no idea about the struggles she faced every day at school.