Chapter 56
Chapter56
Dominic
Putting aside what justhappenedin Vanessa’s bedroom with Carmella, Vanessa and I are currently in an awkward place,at least onmyend.
That’s why before I even got home, I had spoken to my babe so she couldmoveinand stay with me in this house for a few days. I felt that being alone with Vanessa wouldn’t be good for me
There wasthatmorning at the table when we had breakfast together for the first time while sitting far apart. I was still bothered by what had happened between us while on her bed.
Ihadactually made efforts to movepastit, but what made it difficult was when James showed me that sexy clip and asked if I was attracted to her.Icould’veeasily just said no to him, but I said nothing at all in response. That has made me hate myself a little.
I thought having Carmella stay here for a while would clear my mind. I could’ve easily just stayed with her at her apartment, or just avoided Vanessa as much aspossiblesince we rarely see each other while in the house. However, that’s not enough. Even while I was away from Vanessa for three days, it wasn’t enough. I don’t want to feel this wayabouther.
Carmella was also excited to come here and stay with me. She saw it as the perfect opportunity to remind Vanessa that I’m her man, which I’m looking forward to.
But all that drive I once had to see Vanessa miserableandin tears is really gone now. I still don’t mind making one or two harsh remarks, but I just don’t have it in me to be as I was before. Maybe it’s because of all she’s been doing for the children at the hospital, and all she’s yet to do. Maybe it’s also because of her ownsorrow, which I witnessed and comforted her. I don’t know.
Right now, Carmella’s still waiting for my response as to why I’m not who I was before,andit takesmea moment to come up with something.
“The fact that you can’t even answer me speaks volumes,” she says, tapping her foot with aglare.
“Speaks volumes of what?” I ask, finally snapping out of it..
“You’vereally gone soft.”
“Bullshit.”
Then how do you explainthesudden change?”
“Look, it’s not sudden. I just have more important things going on right now, okay? I don’t have time for anything I’d consider less important.”
“Less important?” Her eyes blaze with fury. “Is that what you call putting that b… that thing in her place! So what’s next, huh? Are you going to make me apologize to her for what I did?
“No.Sendingyou outside was enough for you to learn your lesson.”
“You’ve never done suchathing to me before.” She pouts.
“That’s because 1–didn’t have to. Don’t make me dothateveragain, alright?”
“Whatever.” She looksaway
*I’ll be right back. I need to speak to Vanessa
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Chapter 56
“Aboutwhat?”
“She’s supposed to go to the orphanagetoday.”
“About that…” She trails off, strongly shaking her head. “You mentioned it earlier and now morethanever, I refuse to go with her after she slapped me.”
“Don’t forget that you started it.”
“There you go again – taking her side.
Tim not taking her side. Besides, you two are supposed to act as friends and this will put you in good books with my parents. Isn’t that what we want?”
She smiles a little and wraps herarmsaround me. “I really want your family toloveme, but especially your parents.”
“And they will” I assure her with akissonthe lips. “Wait here-
Assoonas I close the bedroom door, I lean against it for a few seconds, wondering what I’m getting myself into. Carmella’s still under the impression that we’ll be getting married soon, and that’s why she wants to learn to bond with children or be affectionate.
I’ve wanted to tell her what the truth actually is, but I haven’t yet had the opportunity since I was away. I didn’t want to do it over the phone.
But even without my change in plans, I still want her to get to interact with the children and not to besocold.
Getting away from my bedroom door, I headovertoVanessa’sand knock on it
“Who is it?” she asks from inside.
“Who else would it be?” I glare like she can see me.
I already know what I’m here to say to her, butassoon as she opens the door, my mind goes blank for a few seconds. She’s in a bathrobe and her wet hair is framing her freshly washed face. Fuck.
“Need something?” she asks, stepping away from the door with raised eyebrows.
“There are a few things we need to discuss.” I stepinsideand close the door behind me. “First of all, Carmella’s staying here for a fewdaysand I expect you to be on your best behavior.
She scoffs, running her fingers through her wet hair. “You’re telling that to the wrong person. What’s the second thing?”
My gaze lingers on the way her hair clumps together while wet, just like that night when we were both drunk and I couldn’t stop touching her, but I soon snap out of it
“Youtwoaregoing to the orphanagetogether,” I say to her.
“No.”
“Don’t forget that you two are supposed to be friends. Besides, she wants to be around children.”
-She bursts into laughter. “And you believe that?”
“What the fuck are you trying tosayabout her?”
“Nothing.Idon’t mind if she’s coming, but she’s riding in her own car. Anything else?”
“She doesn’t yet know that you and I will be working on a baby soon, so keep your mouth shut until I tell her.”
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Chapter 56
“Why would I tell her? It’s not like there’s anything to brag about
I give a half smile as I face the floor. Vanessa obviously doesn’t know me. That’s why I’ve decided to not even bother telling her what I’m capable of
“Just don’t say anything.” I warn her.
“I won’t.”
Vanessa
I’m all ready toleavefor the orphanage, and feel like heading to the elevator right away, but I need totalkto Dominic first. I don’t know if he’s in his bedroom or not. 1 called his phone but I couldn’t seem to reach him
With no other choice, I knock on his bedroom door but he doesn’t respond.
“Dominic?Areyou there?”
In only a few seconds, the door opens and I’m looking right at Carmella. She’s already dressed up to leave.
“What are you doing here? Trying to o get my man’s attention? It’s not going towork. Just go.” She sneers at me
Holding my head high, I say, “I see you’ve lost my handprint on your cheek.”
She scowls. “You fur-”
“Nope, not in my house. Dominic warned you?
“What’s going on?” he asks, finally coming to the door and standing behind her.
“Hey, I need totalkto you before I leave, I say to him.
“If you want to talk to myman, do it right here.”
I ignore her and keep my eyes on him. “It’s about the orphanage
Thatinstantly grabs his attention and he walks past her and steps out of his bedroom.
“Are you fucking kiddingme?” She chuckles bitterly
“Get back inside and finish up. Can’t you see this is important?” he says to her.
“Ugh!” She storms off, leaving the door open.
“What is it?” he asks, turning his attention to me as heleansagainst the wall.
“I know all about the children at thehospital, but is there anything you can tell me about the ones at the orphanage?”
He chuckles and I can already see his eyes light up before heevenspeaks. The older ones are okayandwell behaved, but the little ones are clingy and highly energetic, and those are my favorite.”
“In that case, I’m up for it.” I smile with determination. “What if theyaskmeabout you?”
“Tell them I’llvisitanotherday.I actuallyhavesome paperwork rightnow.”
“I’ll do just that.”
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Chapter 36
a
I nod at him, telling myself to go, but I’m unable to do it as our eyes lock in what feels like a comfortable silence. I can even feel my heart race and don’t knowwhat’sgoing on with me.
“Babe,” Carmella says from inside the bedroom, breaking our eye contact. “I can’t find my thong. Where did you put it after you took it off?”
I instantly roll myeyesat her attempt to get Dominic’s attention I don’t evenwaitfor him to go back inside to her, because I know he will.
I head to my bedroom door, feeling my heartbeat return to normal. I don’t knowwhatthat was, but it didn’t feel awkward.
Right when I’m ready to leave and I’m on my way to the elevator, I hear loud heels clicking from behind me, and fast. I don’t even have to look back to know that it’s Carmella.
Before I can get close enough to the elevator, she spins me to face her by touching my shoulder.
“Why did you do that?” My tone is laced with irritation.
“You think you won justbecauseofthatstupid bear? Dominic told me what it means and I still don’t give a damn!”
I’m not even offended right now. It’s because I’m more surprisedthathe took the time to explain it to her, even though it was all for nothing.
“Are you done?” Iask, ready to turn around and leave,
She twists her face inanugly sneer, “No. It’s only my first day in this house and I’m about tomakesure you regret ever becoming this family’s daughter–in–law
“Last time I checked, Tm the lady of the house, not you. Watch the tone when you speak to me. Everyone here answers to
me
“Everyone except the one person you can’t have and that’s my man. He’ll never be yours in any way.”
If only she knew just whathashappened so far without her knowledge, andwhat’sabout to happen, she wouldn’t be standing here andtalkingto me like this. But I respect Dominic’s decision tosaynothing for now.
Ready to turn around and leave, I tilt my head and say, Tm already bored playing friends with you. There are other things, that are actually worth my time.”
She scowls, getting in my face and lowering her voice. “Before leave this house, I’ll have you on your fucking knees andbeggingfor mercy!”
Holding my head upright again, I boldly stare into her eyes and say, “I’d like to see you try, bitch.”
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