"You can't just break things off." Zakhar followed Aleksei around the house while he was preparing to meet Tai.

"I have to. I had deluded myself into thinking I can just not tell Tai and date her in peace, but now that Kasimir saw her...What if I keep dating her and then he tells her about my past. I can't risk it."

"Are you going to make up an excuse as to why you can't see her then?" Zakhar blocked his path.

Aleksei stopped moving. "No. That will hurt her and I promised that if anything I would never deliberately hurt her. I will honestly talk to her without telling her why I have to break up with her."

"I still don't get it why you have to do what your brother tells you. You never listen to anyone. You barely listen to me."

"I have to listen to him. I owe him that."

"Why do you owe him, I don't understand what it is you did that was so horrible, you do everything he asks of you."

Aleksei tried to break through the path, but Zakhar was not moving from the door frame. "It's bad okay. I deserve all that he does. It's fine."

"Just tell me."

"You 'll see me differently."

"Just tell me so I can understand why I should support you in this decision when I know how happy you are with Tai."

Aleksei took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. I'll tell you what happened."

After hearing the story Zakhar rubbed his face nervously and then looked at Aleksei. "That is beyond fucked up."

"Yeah."

"I speak from experience Aleksei. Some things you just cannot go through alone. Lev and I can only go so far."

"You already did plenty for me. If it wasn't for you I would still be in the dark mental space right now."

"So trust me one more time. This is only going to hurt both of you. You already made the decision to date her and now you can't just cut things off. Talk to Tai. Tell her what's bothering you and..."

"I can't ask her to understand me, which I know she will when even I hate myself for it. So let it go Zakhar and don't mention it ever again."

"Fine. It's your call." Zakhar looked at the time and realized he couldn't hold up Aleksei anymore. "I just hope you won't regret this."

***

The joy on his face when he met her, erased any worries Tai had before the date. Aleksei seemed in good spirits.

He made jokes, complimented her carefully chosen outfit, and took her hand as they entered the botanic garden.

The botanic garden at sunset was like a dreamland for fantasy lovers. It was as if every carefully grown leaf and petal was home to a fairy, or carrying some magical powers that enchanted visitors. The road that carried them around the garden was covered with iron bars and roses wrapped around the bars, over their heads. It was the most perfect place for lovers.

The firefly-like lights lit up the garden as the sun was slowly dying down. The garden was becoming engulfed in the last golden sunrays and the shadows of the night sky. The dark hues of the sky were creating a mysterious aura around the already exotic flowers. The silence was present between them since the moment they started their tour.

Aleksei warmed her hand in his as he took Tai to sit down on a bench, so they could be alone.

Hidden away from the other visitors, he could finally embrace the one who was so precious to him. No one had made his heart skip like her and all she had to do was look at him like she was doing now.

He raised his hand, brushing the back of his fingers over her beautiful face.

"I love when your eyes are on me." He took her chin, running his thumb over her lower lip. His eyes danced at the traces of her face. "I want to see you like this every day."

Tai tilted her head, kissed the palm of his hand and smiled. "You can start from today. Take your time."

His fingers glided over her skin, her nose, her lips, chin, and neck. Leaning over he brushed his nose over hers and followed down in the same order until his lips were gently caressing the most sensitive parts on her throat.

She could feel his warm breath over her skin. The anticipation of a kiss was bigger than ever. She enjoyed the teasing even though like this, she was at his will.

Tai carefully wrapped her arms around him and in one swift motion, she was on his lap.

"Someone will see us." Aleksei smirked under his breath as he fiddled with a button on her shirt.

"We might get in trouble." She confirmed while running her hands through his hair. She leaned over to whisper. "Maybe it's good you brought me here after sunset."

Chuckling he pulled away and took her hand kissing her inner wrist. "Did you have fun today?"

"I did." She smiled.

"Did you enjoy everything about this?"

"I did too."

"And was this everything you imagined and more?" He locked eyes with her.

It was the first time she noticed he was fishing an answer out of her.

"It was the best date I've ever been on." She raised her hand and hooked a finger under his chain necklace, pulling him closer. "It was unforgettable."

He smiled in relief and cupped her neck to pull her in for a kiss. The moment they touched, they drowned out of the world. He was moving slowly, lingering the kiss over her lower lip, tilting his head as his tongue traced the tip of her mouth.

Hearing someone in the back, he pinned her to his body and slid to the other side of the bench where they were completely hidden behind the flowers.

The botanic garden was now a land of subtle lights and romance.

But a memory of today's meeting with his brother crossed through Aleksei's mind. He had to tell her eventually. He pulled away bracing himself to tell her.

The jolt that something wasn't right, happened in the same second she saw the look in his eyes. He was worried. His playfulness was gone.

"Is something worrying you?" She caressed his cheek.

Taking her hand down slowly, he brought it closer to his chest. "I have something serious to talk to you about."

"Oh-oh."

Scooting off his lap onto the bench, Tai tried to encourage herself not to jump to conclusions.

"This is my last night in the school. I'm leaving in the morning." He gripped her hand. "I have to leave before everyone else."

She kept looking at each one of his eyes for traces of jokes. "Why? We should still have a week."

"I was asked to leave by someone whose orders I absolutely cannot refuse."

"I see.." Her hands started trembling. There was a knot in the pit of her stomach. "But we'll see each other this summer, right?"

Aleksei looked away, taking a shaky breath.

"You don't want to see me this summer?" She tilted her head trying to get him to look at her. "This wasn't anything special to you then.."

His eyes instantly locked on her. "It was every bit special. It was more special to me than you, alright?" He shook her hand. "There is no way I'd ever let you go thinking otherwise."

"Then why?" She tried to pull her hand away but he didn't let her. "I came on this date, thinking you wanted this to be something more."

She was overwhelmed with emotions. She wanted to scream at him, cry or beg for answers. She wanted to just shut out and say alright. Yet she couldn't even choose what to do because her heart was still clenching in pain.

"The reason is..." He exhaled. "The reason is.." It was more difficult with every breath. "Look, whatever I tell you, it will sound ridiculous because I cannot tell you the truth without the whole story, but..but.." He was getting lost. "I just have to end this tonight, properly. Without regrets. Before leaving."

"But I don't under..."

He cut her off. "Don't ask me to explain please." He brushed his thumb over her cheek. "I can't ask you to understand with so little details, but I promise you this isn't because I don't lo...because I don't like you. It's nothing to do with that so please forgive me and let me end this."

Seeing him so distressed was more than she could handle. So putting the anger, sadness and confusion aside she wrapped her arms around him. "Alright. I'll let you go. We can end this today and I won't ask why you have to leave."

He nodded. "It's nothing that you said or did or didn't do. In fact, everything about you is perfect. There is not an inch of you that I don't like. Trust me. Please trust me on that. I know what I'm doing right now is so unreal and hurtful, but I just need you to know that."

Her eyes filled with tears. "And I need you to know that I've enjoyed every second I've spent with you. And I have no regrets. Not the conversations we had or the games we played. I enjoyed every kiss, every look I received from you and every feeling you shook out of me. I loved every second of laughter and late-night fantasies I had about us. I will remember all our moments and think of them from time to time with fondness. You weren't just a fleeting moment in my life."

He gave her a sad smile and a slight nod before leaning over to kiss her. "Please close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you."

Tai closed her eyes as his lips lightly touched hers. She felt his trembling eyelashes over her skin and a wet drop falling over her cheek. His lips glided over hers and his hand had pulled her closer with desperation not to let her go.

When his lips unglued from hers, she kept her eyes closed for a few more moments.

"You can open them now." He spoke with a hoarse voice and cleared his throat soon after.

When she looked at him again, his eyes were dry.

He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "Even if every memory with you is like an open wound I'd never forget you."

She kissed him again. This time she kissed him, carefully, unrelenting and with the last drop of tenderness she had in her. He replied slowly, with a mutually warm goodbye.

They kissed in the empty botanic garden for what seemed like hours, completely shut out from time and space until the people working there had to close.

Heading towards the car, Aleksei held her hand. He was too preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't even notice when they had reached the car.

Seeing her eyes watering again he hugged her, rubbing her back. "Come on. I'll take you back to the villa. Just please don't cry in front of me."

Pulling herself together, she shook her head in agreement and forced a smile on herself. "We better play something fun on the radio or I'll sob all the way home."

"I'll only play happy sing-alongs."

****

The room was dark with only the paled lights, coming from outside.

His soul was wrenched in painful flames with every taken breath. Aleksei slammed the door behind himself and locked it. His legs gave out and his whole body dropped to his knees.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He reached over his chest trying to breathe.

There weren't words that would have fixed what he asked out of her and out himself.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." His voice gave out.

He was selfish. He was pitiful. He couldn't even turn back. The heavy burden of his words, always came back to haunt him.

He closed his eyes and covered his face with his hand.

Her face when he told her he wanted to end everything ripped a hole he was afraid it would be impossible to stitch.

Tears were burning his eyes as he desperately tried to keep them in. But it hurt more to hold them in. To deny how much this hurt him.

The silence in the room did nothing for the noise in his head. Letting go of someone for the greater good sure didn't feel fair nor good.

It was torture.

Before the sobs became unbearable he got himself up and headed for the bathroom running cold water over his head.

If he was to die from it, so be it. But he couldn't spare one more second thinking about what he had done.

***

The next morning

Nikita's back was leaned on Lev's chest, cooped up in his hug, while Lev was gaming. He was staring at the screen absentmindedly, watching Lev play the game and as little interest he had in the game, being wrapped in Lev's arms was so soothing he didn't mind it at all.

Winning the game, Lev put the console down on the couch and squeezed Nikita in a hug, planting a kiss on his neck.

"Bored?" Lev asked.

"Mm not really." Nikita tilted his head back over Lev's shoulder. "You can keep playing."

Lev intertwined their fingers together. "You didn't even eat this morning. Aren't you hungry?"

"I'm fine."

"I can make you something." Lev offered.

Chuckling to himself Nikita shook his head. "Nope. I'm going to pass."

The first time Lev had offered to cook for him, Nikita jumped at the occasion. It was an interesting sight, watching him cook an omelet and he was happy. The second time he had an omelet again. The third time it was already clear to Nikita, Lev couldn't cook anything else, and he had enough omelets for the week.

"Hey Lev.." Nikita said,

"Mmm?"

"About the living together thing.."

Lev cleared his throat. "If it was too pushy forget about it.."

"No, I was going to say I want to try it. Staying with you this summer. I want to do it."

Without any excess words, Lev squeezed Nikita in a together hug. "Okay."

That one happy exclaim okay, was enough to make Nikita content with his decision.

Aleksei came down the stairs with his last suitcase and dropped it in front of the door.

"Well, the car is going to be here any minute."

Lev and Nikita stood up to go and greet him. Zakhar came through the door breathless. "Oh good, I didn't miss you."

"I'm waiting for the car." Aleksei replied.

"Call me when you get suited at home. I'll meet you next week."

"They might ship me off to my grandpa's place after a week so you might have to visit me there."

"We'll try to come as well." Lev said

"Together?" Aleksei smirked at Nikita.

"He'll stay with me this summer." Lev answered.

"I see.." Aleksei snickered seeing Nikita embarrassed. "I'd be surprised if you guys actually leave the apartment the first few weeks."

"Shut up." Nikita exploded making Aleksei laugh. Nikita grabbed a suitcase taking it outside before he got teased more.

"Best of luck with your brother." Lev said.

"You'll do fine." Zakhar tapped his back.

"Thanks. I will need luck."

After Aleksei left, the boys went back inside the villa. Lev sighed disappointed. "He didn't look too happy. I'm sure Tai is not taking this well too considering she didn't come to say her final goodbye."

Nikita turned towards Lev confused. "Zakhar didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Lev turned towards Zakhar.

Zakhar chuckled. "Sorry, Nikita. I had to check this morning to be certain."

"I have no idea what you two are talking about."

Nikita pushed Lev to sit down. "See Tai is.."

***

The chaos raged on, in the third villa on the north side of campus as the never-ending drama in the household included Tai and her three roommates Hada, Diana and Mei.

The girls were slowly packing their stuff and shipping their things back home, and with the recent drama with Cora Jensen who turned out to be the blackmailer the shipping of goods, that was taken care of, now turned into every student's worse nightmare as they all struggled to get their things sent back home before the last day.

"I'll give you this because you kept wearing it anyway." Diana cried while hugging Mei.

"It's already last season but I will keep it as a memory." Mei hugged Diana back.

"It's not like we're not going to see each other anymore." Hada said and gave a box present to Diana. "This is for you."

Diana took the gift and opened the box. "A new pair of my favorite slippers?" She turned on the waterworks again. "I'm going to miss you."

"Enough with the crying. You'll get dehydrated in this heat." Tai brought them bubble tea and ice creams.

They all went silent after receiving food.

"I'm surprised to see you in a good mood after the mess you came back in yesterday." Hada licked the spoon of her ice cream. "Are you sure you'll be alright? You can tell us, you don't have to keep it in."

"I'm great." Tai smiled. "I was just overwhelmed yesterday but how beautiful the breakup was. He went out of his way to make it so movie-like."

"So you're not sad about it?" Diana asked.

Thinking about all the things he said, Tai snuggled on the couch with a bashful smile on her face. "That man is so in love with me. If I had any doubts about how much he liked me, yesterday was clear as day. He is crazy about me."

Tai hugged the soft pink pillow on the couch. "But yesterday he was distressed about something and there was no talking to him. He was dedicated to breaking up with me. He wasn't going to hear me out no matter what I said, So I just went along with it. I'll give him some time to calm down and miss me. I'll go back home in a week, see my parents and then I'm going to see him. He should be regretting his decisions by then."

"Is that why Zakhar was here this morning?" Hada asked. "To check on you?"

"Yes. I told Nikita about this, but I guess Zakhar wanted to confirm it. He said he and Arya will help me out when I'll go there to meet Aleksei. He also told me that Aleksei was troubled by his past so I shouldn't expect it to be easy to change his mind." Tai took a sip from her bubble tea. "But I already like him too much so I can't give him up."

Tai placed the pillow away and got on her feet. She should start packing. "Mark my word girls. A few weeks from now I'll send you all a photo with him to prove it. If I fail, I'm buying you all drinks and taking you to Greece."

"Done." Mei yelled out.

"Done." Diana joined.

"Done." Hada sealed the deal.

A/N

I cried my eyes off breaking them up. so emotional lately :')