Chapter 18
Chapter18
Vanessa
When Dominic smirks at me. I hold my breath, wondering what’s going through hishead. I’m hoping he doesn’t point it outthatI was staring at his lips, because I definitely was.
For a few more seconds, he says nothing but only stares at me with the same smirk. It makes me so nervous that I can’t even look at him anymore.
But even after I look to the side, I can still feel his eyes on me. He’s doing this on purpose.
When I can’t take it anymore, I attempt to push him away since my body’s trapped by the palms of his hands resting on the
bed.
As soon as I hold onto his wrists, the palms of his hands slip on the silky sheets, making him fall right on top of me. The pressure of his body againstmineextends to my calf, which hits against the edge of the bed and I hiss loudly.
He instantly gets off and I groan
“It hurts,” I whimper.
“Try not to move,” he says firmly, crouching down right in front of me.
The moment I sit up and look down at him, he holds onto my leg and says, “Don’t do shit like that again”
“I didn’t do anything
“You were trying to push me away?”
“Yes, because you.
“Because I what? Go on! Say it” He’smockingme right now. It’s clear from his smirk.
Too embarrassed to even say it, I press my lips together and look away. ||
“I bettertakeyou back downstairs to your precious mother–in–law
He scoops me up bridal style again and takes me downstairs using the elevator.
With my hand resting on his chest for support, I feel his racing heart, which issimilarto mine.
I can’t believe he caught me staringathis lips. As much as I don’t want to think about it, that moment just sticks with me. I can’t wait to be out of this small space with him.
When we’re back downstairs, he places me next to my mother–in–law again and we instantly begin to chat about everything that I like about the house.
Dominic sits right next to me, firmly holding my hand like a supportive husband. He holds my hand for solongthatthisalmost feels genuine.
“Nowthat you’re back in town, I can give you my present.” My mother–in–law says. “I want you to come with me and see it with your own eyes.
Tru so curious that I lean toward herwithenthusiasm and say, “Then take me right now!
“Not in this condition, my child. You won’t be able to stomp your feet the way I’ve imagined you.”
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Chapter 18
“Do Igeta wedding gift too? Dominicchimesin.
“You, my son, get nothing. This is only for my daughter–in–law. She’s special”
He scoffs but shetakesno offense. It’s because she assumes he’s just being playful with it, but I know he meant that scoff.
“Why didn’t you ever go into photography, my son? The pictures were amazing! We would’ve gotten more of these had you still been on thatIsland. You two look so good together.
After she takes out her phone and starts scrolling, I can’t help but feel nervous and still embarrassed. I even feel my cheeks burn, especially when I think about what happened upstairs
Once she starts going through the pictures she liked the most, including some clips, I can’t look away when it’s the one of Dominic and I kissing passionately. The taste of his lips is still so fresh in my mind. I didn’t expect to feel that way, but I did and now it seems like Lean’t forget.
When I look up at him, I hold my breath when I realize he’s been staring down at me.
Quickly, I clear my throat as I look away from him, paying attention only to my mother–in–law.
“You know what?” She turns more enthusiastic as she puts her phone away. “There are so many more vacations to come. You should actually make plans with Sophie.”
Dominic’s younger sister and I have rarely spent time together. She has a busy life in the beauty industry. A vacation would definitely give us time to bond even more.
Since my mother–in–law’s only urgently needed for a women’s conferenceinthe evening, she decides to spend most of her day with us.
As the hours go by, Dominic keeps acting like a loving and caring husband. He’s rarely left my side, which I know annoys him.
He’s also been frequently checking his phone and I’m sure it’s because of Carmella. He tries to hide how pissed he is but I can see it. Maybe he hasn’t heard from her since the time he spoke to herwhileI was on the bed.
Finally, his phone rings and I see the relief in his face as he excuses himself.
My mother–in–lawhas no problem with him leaving because for the most part, he’s been by my side.
While I wish he believed that it wasn’t my intention to keep him away from Carmella,I hope he doesn’t do anything to get back at me, because I won’t just let it happen.
Dominic
As soon as I’m right outside,Ipick up Carmella’s call
“Babe, you finally called me back.” My eyesareglued to the entrance in case my mother follows me. “Everything okay!”
“What do you think? Isn’t it obvious? I’ve been ignoring your calls since you stood me up today”
I shake my head withasigh. “Are you home?”
“I arrived several hoursago.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
*I didn’t feel like talking to you.”
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Chapter 18
“I guess you feel like talking to me now.” I chuckle. “Hey, I’ll make it up to you as soon as my mother leaves.
“Why the hell is she still there? Does she have nothing else to do with her life!”
“Hey, watch the tone and the way youspeakabout my mother.” I warn her.
“Oh, come on,I was just saying-”
“It doesn’t matter. Not my mother.”
“Fine. What time do you think she’ll leave!”
Probably within the next thirty minutes since it’s already evening. And then I can come over there and make it up to you.”
She chuckles flirtatiously. Tll be waiting for you. Don’t stand me up again.”
After talking for a few more seconds, the call ends and I lick my lipsasIthink about her. This is it. I can finally be with her.
It’s all Vanessa’sfault thatwe’ve been apart all day.
Ithinkshe needs to say something to my mother so she can leave much sooner. Quickly, I send her a message of something she should say to my mother in a few minutes.
Once the message is sent. I head back inside and sit next to Vanessa again.
The moment she looks at me, I give her a light nod to do it.
She reaches for mymother’shand and says, “Thanks for spending so much timewithme. I feel so much better now.”
“Are you sure, mydear!”
Vanessanods with a smile.
When it seems that my mother is about to reach for her leg. I panic because if Vanessa screams, my mother might evenleavetomorrow,
Ill be fine. It’s alright,
mother.”
At Vanessa’s quick assurance, my mother sits up again and nods,
“I guess I’ll check on you tomorrow. I do have matters to attend to after all and I should be on my way now.”
Just hearing her say that brings me so much relief andIcan’t wait for her toleave.
With my hand over her shoulder. I walk her outside to one of my cars which will take her home.
While the car door iskeptopen for her by a bodyguard, she gently reaches for my hand.
“Please take good care of my dear Vanessa, just like you have done today”
“You know,
you’ve made that request several times but remember that she’s my wife. Of course I’ll take careofher.”
She giggles. “I know
ay to Cannella.
Once she leaves, it’s time for me to be on my way
As soon as return inside the house. I don’t even look at Vanessa
1 headupstairs, change my clothes and reach for a specific set of car keys amongmany. This time, I’mdrivingmyself
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Chapter 18
I still need to wait a few more minutes before I canleave. The last thing I want is my mother spotting my familiar car.
In those few minutes of waiting, I return downstairs and sit on the other couch to speak to Vanessa.
The next time you’re injured, make sure I’m not around.Thatway,whenyou call my parents, I don’thaveto be stuck with you”
“You make it sound like there’s going to be anexttime for this to happen to me.”
“There might be. 111 be leaving soon so again, choose your bedroom, except the master bedroom. That one’s mine.”
Sheraisesher eyebrows at me. “I already know that so there’s no need to remind me.”
There she goes again, giving me that attitude after everything I’ve done for her today, despitehavingto pretend for the most
part.
Haveyou
“Not yet”
heard anything about Penelope? Her voice and expression soften.
“I can’t help but worry.Shouldn’tshe be awake by now?”
“Maybe she just needs more time.”
Just then, I receive a message from my father–in–law, asking how Vanessa’s doing
It seems he’s only going to trust me and everything I say.
As I reply to him. I find myself glancingather, wondering just how much she usually hides her pain from people.
But o
it once again, I remind myself that it’s n
it’s none of my business, I shouldn’t even care. In fact, I don’t.
What are you lookingat? She narrows her eyes at me.
“Definitelynotyou.”
She scoffs. Tm starving.”
“And what should I do about it?”
“Nothing, I’m justsaying. I don’t expect you to do anything for me now.
“Good”
After she calls one of the butlers and begins making an order for what she wants to eat, it makes me wish that it was Carmella. She’s the one who should be giving orders as the lady of the house, not Vanessa. One thing’s for sure, that time
will come.
When I feel that I’ve waited long enough, I rise to my feet so I can leave, but not without certain instructions for Vanessa so she doesn’t mess things up for me.
“If my parents call you, don’t pick up. That way,they’llend up calling me and I’ll just tell them you’re already asleep. Don’t you dare do the opposite and fuckthingsup”
She dismissively nods and I shake my head at her audacity.
Now’s not the time to stay here and waste my energy on her, so begin to head out but just when I’m almost at the door, Istopin my tracks when I realize something. Vanessa will have to be carried up to her bedroom and I can’t let anyone else lift
her.
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Chapter 18
I’ll onlytakea minute, so I turn around and approach her.
“I was going to leave youonthiscouch, but on second thought, I’mtakingyou upstairs. Whatever you need will be brought to you.”
“You don’thaveto take me
“Yes, I do, so just shut up.”
I scoop her up bridal style, thenheadto the elevator.
Even though I don’t look down at her face, I feel her eyes on me and it makes me slightly raise the corner of my mouth.
I caught her earlier staring at my lips. She never forgot the way kissed her passionately. I could bring it up right now, I’ve chosen not to do so.
but
When I bring her to the bedroom of her choice, I gently place her on the bed, my hand coming in contact with herbarethigh and her breath hitches a little. It makes me wonder just how sensitive she is.
As I head to the door, I stop in my tracks when she speaks.
“Wait, thank you.”
That’s the last thing I expected to hear from her. At least she’s grateful
Looking ahead without saying anything back to her, I head to the elevator and call Carmella. She sounds so excited to see me in about twenty minutes. That’s how long it’ll take for me to get to the apartment I bought for her.
Only a few seconds after I drive out of the gate, I receive a phone call from the orphanage. It makes me wonder what’s going
on over there.
“Hello?” My eyes are on the road.
“Good evening. Mr Richards. There’s an obvious panic in her voce. “Am I disturbing anything important?”
“Not at the moment. Is there a problem?” I can’t help but worry
“One of the children here had a terrible accident and has just been admitted to Little Warriors Hospital”
As soon as she says that to me, my heart sinks and I tighten the grip on the steering wheel.
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