Her Volkovs #Book 1

Belle's POV

Nothing feels like living alone and free! The thought that I can do whatever I want to do without seeking my father's approval every time, makes me the happiest.

My father is as stiff as a dead owl while my Ma is quite the opposite. My mother is very sweet, delicate and affectionate. She can always influence my pa. One caress from her, you can be sure as hell that the old man will fold. This is mainly the reason why I was able to break free and live here. It took some time and maybe tirades of convincing and caressing from my mother for my Pa to let go of her only child but eventually, Pa gave in. And so here I am, living the dream. Freedom!

Don't get me wrong, I love my parents. I would never be who I am today without them. It's just that this time I want to do things on my own. I want to make mistakes without the fear of my father's overbearing heart of steel. I want to meet people. I want to share the overflowing love in my heart. Life is too short to be enclosed in the protective shell that they made for me.

I cringe every time I remember what happened yesterday. It was so embarrassing. My gosh! Thank goodness all this cleaning up and unpacking will keep me occupied.

I collected my hair into a messy bun. I'm wearing short shorts and a white crop top with the British flag printed in front.

I grabbed a sandwich leftover from my bag, took a bite and started to move some stuff. The basement apartment is spacious. It has two bedrooms facing each other, one is bigger than the other. I'm gonna be sleeping in the bigger room. It has a bathroom and a study table on the left side of the double-sized bed. The kitchen is on the right side a few steps away from the main door and the living room is right across the kitchen. The couch is all worn out and I think it's time for it to retire. Down the hall are the wash area and another bathroom.

I finished unpacking and cleaning the whole apartment at about 5 pm. I'm already famished so I quickly dialed pizza. It is not to arrive until thirty minutes so I still have time to dispose of the garbage. I'm carrying two garbage bags and dumped them into the dumpster right across the street.

"Damn girl! You fine!" Someone called from not too far.

The voice was from a teenage boy. He's wearing a baseball cap, baggy pants, and a shirt. He's with five other boys with the same "swagger". One of them is holding a baseball bat. The other one has a glove on while holding the ball in his other hand. They are sitting on the front stairs of the next-door neighbor.

"Sup girl?" Said the one in the middle.

I leaned closer to the one who seems to be the leader of the pack. "What's your name kid?"

"Matty, and I'm not a kid! I can prove that to you muh." The other boys chuckled.

"So you boys play baseball huh.."

"Yeah a little... Do you want us to teach you how to play ball bae?" Matty replied all too arrogantly then giving the other boy a hi-five.

I hissed at them and acted arrogantly as well. "I bet you 50 bucks, I can beat your ass to the curve."

"Oooooooooohhhh..." The other boys said in unison.

He now looks at me intently like I just flicked his ego nerve. "So what's it gonna be kiddo?" I taunt him even more.

"Next Saturday 3 pm, on the field." Answered Matty.

"Tell you what, if you boys win I give you 100 bucks if I win all of you will become my friends. Yes?"

They looked at each other confusingly. "Yeh, I think so..." Said Matty with a puzzled look on his face.

"Nope, all of you have to agree of course."

They huddled for quite some time. I was was just there smiling in amusement. When they finished huddling they nodded at me one by one.

"Great! See you then future friends!"

"Huh, you wish!" One of the boys said.

"Well, I guess we'll see about that on Saturday. Ciao!"

~

Pizza arrived just on time and I finished dinner after a few slices. I feel sleepy and so tired of all the cleaning and unpacking. I looked around and I figured I needed to go shopping for a new couch, maybe a small TV and bedding tomorrow. Dylan, my best friend's half-brother, will collect me tomorrow for a job interview he got me at St. Mary's School for kids with special needs. Dylan knows someone from the school so he was able to hook me up for an interview. I am actually not that close to him, in fact, I haven't met the guy personally. I just knew him from pictures Amy, showed me. She said Dylan is a good guy. He's two years older than Amy and I and that he's a model slash MMA fighter slash mechanic. Cool huh?! And I must admit, he's an eye candy but Amy warned me that he's kind of a player with the girls so that's a huge turn-off.

~

I was awakened by my phone vibrating, "Hello" I answered, my voice still husky.

"Hey, Belle?"

"Yes, this is she."

"Hey, this is Dylan, Amy's brother."

"Hey Dylan, good morning!" I replied enthusiastically.

"Oh hey, good morning! I'll be there in an hour. Something came up so ill just drop you off at St. Mary's and pick you up after your interview if that's fine with you?"

"Oh, yes sure Dylan."

see you

"See you!"

Dylan. I'm wearing a printed yellow and black Sunday dress and wedge shoes. A guy in a black motorcycle pulled over in front of

"Hi, Belle?"

"Hi, Dylan?"

smile. Omg. Dylan is even hotter in person! Damn Amy! Why did you have to corrupt

manly. His brunette hair is a little wavy and looks like a mess but a hot kind of mess. He's wearing

extended his hand and I shook

you." I

damn, I'm

escaped my mouth in

sister exaggerates stories sometimes.

"I'm sure she did."

"So shall we?"

Sure." I replied

appropriate outfit. I stared at the bike as

and clutch your arms around my waist. You'll be safe. Trust me." Dylan said trying to make me

helmet on my head and locked it in place. He then taps

He would sometimes cut other drivers which made my heart

introduced me to the school director who happens to be his friend's father. Dr. Riley Thomas is a

my CV and after a few questions, he asked me if I can start next week. I graduated college with flying colors. After college, I took my masters degree in special education and shortly afterward I began my volunteer work at a public school for special children. I really love kids. I don't have siblings, maybe that's the reason why I really like being

me a tour. St. Mary's is a charitable and educational institution for children with special needs. It is located right inside the compound of St. Mary's Church. The pay for teachers is not the same as those in other schools but it would be enough for me. This is

in the cafeteria when I received a text from Dylan asking about my interview. I texted him back and said that he can collect me if he's done with his thing. It was almost lunch so I asked him to have lunch with me. I waited

Belle? Did you get

Dylan! Really,

I know."

same mother. When I'm with him

lunch. He agreed to help me go shopping for some stuff for my

So I would still have time for some other things. I'm thinking to enroll in culinary school. I want to be able to learn how to cook. Since I live on my own

sweets from home. Ma told me to give these to my future neighbors. I took three bags of assorted sweets and went first

"Hi", she smiled.

my name is Belle. I'm from

hello Belle,

went in and took my

gave me a sweet and sincere smile. She looks tired but still pleasant. Her eyes are like my mama. I already can

son Sawyer." Her phone vibrated while in the middle of our conversation,

Please don't mind me."

painted white and some shades of black and blue. Curtains hang on glass windows, a fireplace and a staircase

hear Loraine's voice from where I was

know that I would be needing you for a week. No one will take care of

said she has to go back home for a family emergency. Anyway, what can I do for you dear? Is there something that

some sweets from back home. I

Thank you very

be starting my teaching job at St. Mary's

sure? I mean, I would really

kids. In fact, I worked

Belle. Come

"Sawyer honey, can I talk to

I see a guy in a wheelchair. His brown hair is tousled. He's wearing a white

"Yes?" He replied.

Belle. Our new neighbor. She lives

me from head to

to meet you." Sawyer replied faintly. "Mum, may I be excused. I'm

Just call

gave us a faint smile and closed the

continue our conversation. She told me that Sawyer was a college football quarterback. He studies in Boston. He figured in an accident while driving his car. He was in the hospital for three months and he is now recovering but it would be a gradual process.

my time. You see I'm really not that good at saying no to people and besides, I would be needing the extra cash. So here I am, a sitter of a 20-year-old grown

next-door neighbors to my left and right but nobody seems to be at home. So I decided to go to Lariza's, one of my most favorite spot in the block, minus the face slamming

perhaps in his fifties. He is wearing a

"Hola!" He greeted gleefully.

was able to step closer, his lips parted while looking at me with a surprised expression. Oh my gosh, did he identify me from

"Hello." I replied coyly.

Gonzalo. I own this humble place." He said while