Chapter 19 - Coccette's POV
It was 7 p.m.
Betha and I were standing outside the famous pizzeria Krasiva (which means "beautiful" in Russian). It wasn't very big, but it had that perfect mix of cozy and elegant - even for a pizzeria.
Betha scoffed, "He's supposed to be Russian, but he chose to open an Italian restaurant. He was always unpredictable."
I laughed. "So in your logic, only Italians can open a pizzeria? Sure, pizza is from Italy, but if he likes making it - and makes a good one - then what's the problem?"
She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, he probably changed a lot this year. I bet he's ugly now. I'll just say hello, and you will do the talking. Got it?"
I nodded. "Sure. Let's go inside first."
I pushed the door open slowly.
In front of me was the restaurant's logo, the cashier on my right, and the dining area to my left. I looked around again. Usually you'd expect a pizzeria to be rustic or super cliché, but this one was different - stylish, but still very food-focused in its decoration.
"At least he improved his decoration level," Betha muttered.
Someone approached - a tall, handsome guy. When I say tall, I mean gigantic. Tattoos covered his arms, his hair was dark brown, and his eyes were warm chestnut.
He was-
"Hey Betha," the man said with a smirk. "You didn't change at all. Still the cute brunette I remember."
Betha leaned toward me and whispered, "I'm out. He's still too handsome. I can't handle this."
She tried to turn away, but I pulled her next to me, smiled at Alex, and whispered back, "You're going nowhere."
Out loud, I said, "Hey Alex. Long time no see. You've been working out, I guess."
I laughed to break the tension.
He laughed too, then looked at Betha.
"Bethany, how are you?"
"Fine," she answered coldly.
"That's great," he said. "So, Coccette told me you needed my help with canned food... or do you mean a frozen pizza?"
I nodded. "Exactly, Alex. We need your help."
"Follow me to the kitchen then."
We nodded. I went first, Betha behind me.
The kitchen was huge - even bigger than the dining area. There were stainless-steel counters, wooden pizza paddles, shelves filled with dough trays, fresh ingredients everywhere, and a big brick oven glowing in the back.
Betha spotted a Neapolitan pizza on the counter.
"Oh, this looks so yummy!" she said before literally jumping on it and taking a bite.
"Betha! At least ask first!" I scolded.
Alex smiled softly. "It's okay. I made it especially for Betha. I know it's her favorite."
Betha froze mid-bite and squeaked, "Really? For me?"
Then she cleared her throat and said, "I mean... it's for Coccette too. Come eat, it's not that bad."
"Not that bad? You almost finished it," I said.
She looked at the plate. "I was hungry."
I whispered, "You literally ate before we came here, Betha."
She gave me a guilty look.
Alex crossed his arms. "Anyway, do you think my 'not-that-bad' pizza is good enough to be the frozen pizza your company chooses for Foody?"
We answered at the same time:
Me: "Yes."
Betha: "No."
I smiled at her. She meant yes.
She shook her head again.
I nudged her. "You mean yes, Betha. We need him. We don't have time."
Betha groaned, "Do whatever you want. I'll wait outside."
She walked out, passing Alex without looking at him.
Then she came back.
"I'm taking the rest of this pizza. Not because it's good - don't misunderstand, Alex - just... I don't like wasting food."
And she left again.
Alex and I laughed at the same time.
"Yeah sure, that's why," I said. Then added, "So... to our collaboration?"
Alex smiled and nodded. "To our collaboration."
"I'll call you soon to discuss which flavors we'll choose. I think three types would be great."
"Sure. Whatever you want, Coccette."
I smiled. "See you soon, then."
"And tell Betha it was nice seeing her again," he added.
I nodded and left the kitchen.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw Betha spying on us.
"Betha, he said-"
"I heard it. Let's go," she cut me off.
I laughed at her stubbornness, and we walked out of the restaurant.
---
Frost's POV
I was sitting in Anika's apartment, waiting for her to arrive.
Her place was just like her - extravagant, loud, full of red and luxury everywhere. Pure chaos wrapped in expensive furniture.
The complete opposite of Coccette, who always preferred elegance and simplicity.
...Why was I even thinking about Coccette right now?
Maybe because she had changed a lot lately. And that change did something weird to me - something I couldn't explain.
Anika entered the living room, wearing almost nothing: a black lace dress, short, tight, and looking more like lingerie than clothing. Her family's influence was obvious - money, confidence, dominance. Maybe that's what I used to like about her. That fierce personality.
"So, you came to have fun, babe?" she asked, winking as she sat on my lap and kissed me.
Normally, that would've turned me on instantly.
But this time... nothing.
Something inside me felt off.
"I came because you told me to," I said.
She pouted dramatically. "Oh babe, you didn't miss me?"
She grabbed my hand and placed it on her lower back.
"I missed you, Anika. I'm just busy with work. And with Coccette... she's so weird these days."
Anika's expression darkened instantly.
"Don't bring her name into my house," she snapped.
Then she smiled - that cold, evil smile she mastered so well - and added, "Her father's company will be ours soon, babe. I'll make it happen for you. Even if I need to kill her..."
She smiled again and bit my neck.
I froze.
Wait-
Did she just say kill her?
"What did you say, Anika?" I asked.
She shrugged. "Her father's company. It'll be ours. Not divided like now."
"No. After that."
"Oh. Even if I need to kill her."
She said it like she was talking about the weather.
And I froze again.
Because I knew Anika.
She wasn't joking. She would do anything to win. Anything.
And for the first time... that terrified me.
Not for myself - but for Coccette.
While I was lost in my thoughts, Anika smirked and slid her dress off, letting it fall to the floor. She was now almost naked, wearing only a pair of black panties.
She straddled me again, tracing circles on my chest with her finger, kissing me slowly.
Normally I would've given in immediately.
But this time, for some reason even I couldn't understand... I just wanted to leave.
Her hand moved lower... and lower... until she opened my belt and pulled down my pants.
My "family jewels" were now out of their tavern.
She started touching me but-
I felt nothing.
No desire.
No attraction.
Just a strange, uncomfortable tension.
I stood up abruptly.
"Babe, I need to go. I forgot something important for work," I said quickly.
I kissed her cheek, pulled my clothes back on, and looked at her.
She was shocked - I had never stopped things with her before. We usually spent whole nights together.
But this time... I didn't want to.
"Okay, babe. Take care... see you soon," she said, her voice suddenly small and sad.
I nodded and practically ran out of her apartment like I was escaping a zombie attack.
Why did I do that?
Why did I stop?
Anika is supposed to be the woman I love.
...So why does it feel like I don't anymore?