36 - exposed

Amina

<>

Who knew that dating Dominic would feel like walking on air? He was kind, caring, and hot as hell!

He was perfect.

Things had been going great following our date,

but as I edged closer to the end of the week I knew Mr. Taylor was waiting for an answer from me. I hadn't brought up the situation to Dominic, out of fear he would stress and back out again. It was an irrational fear but not completely out of character for Dominic despite our conversation the other night.

I was trying my best not to think that way though, and keeping up a positive mindset. The photos had been blocked from being posted and things were going to be fine.

I needed to stop avoiding Mr. Taylor and let him know face-to-face that my answer was no.

Today was Thursday and although I didn't have work at Acme this week, I was heading over there to give Mr. Taylor my final answer. I entered the elevator confidently, ready to face the beast head-on.

"Amina, I wasn't expecting to see you today." Mr. Taylor says as Veronica lets me into his office.

"Yes, I'm here about what we discussed."

He smiles, "So you've changed your mind? The Forum will be a wonderful experience for the both of you-"

"Actually sir, I'm here to decline."

He pauses, looking up at me in surprise. "Oh?"

"Yes, like I explained before, I can't be getting in between your family affairs. Respectfully of course."

He chuckles, "Ami don't think of it that way. This is an experience for you as well. Don't let a boy keep you from success."

"If that's the case just send me. Why do I need to ask Dominic?"

He looked up at me, but in his eyes, something dark had appeared. Like I was a child who had just spoken out of term. "My son is priority."

"Then you can ask him." I reply simply.

His eyes lower into a glare but he catches himself. "I have to say I'm disappointed Amina. But if this is your final answer then so be it."

"Thank you sir. Am I excused?"

"You are."

I exited his office confidently to hide the fear that had been instilled in me. Despite being excused, I could sense that the conversation was far from over.

-

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing aggressively with several notifications Friday morning.

"What the hell?" I mumble to myself as I pick the phone off of the bedside table. I had over 1000 notifications on Twitter as well as several text messages.

Caleb: 🙄 I still don't like him http://the-rumor-radar.com.com/AcmeHeirsOfficialGirlfriend

Isaiah: Ami! did you see this?? http://the-rumor-radar.com.com/AcmeHeirsOfficialGirlfriend

Hannah from business com 101: are you actually dating that billionaire guy? Does he have any cute friends?

Halle: this is so cute!! Love this for you <3 http://the-rumor-radar.com.com/AcmeHeirsOfficialGirlfriend

Tyla: WHAT?? http://the-rumor-radar.com.com/AcmeHeirsOfficialGirlfriend

Mother: I thought you said he wasn't your boyfriend? Call me.

Sean: glad to see a guy treating you right, I approve

Kendra: omggg, girl get online.

Isaac: this isn't that idiot that touched you right? http://the-rumor-radar.com.com/AcmeHeirsOfficialGirlfriend

Will: never knew he was such a softie, love to see it gang

http://the-rumor-radar.com.com/AcmeHeirsOfficialGirlfriend

Uncle John: Glad to see you are enjoying university. Cannot wait for the wedding. God bless you both.

My eyes widen in horror as I click the link everyone has been sending me. The photos Mr. Taylor claimed were blocked were now posted all over the internet for the world to see.

"Oh my God." I mumble analyzing the article. The headline read:

Acme Corporation Heir with Mystery Girl on Valentine's Day!

I read further to see if any information had been written about me and unfortunately it had.

Inside reports reveal that the mystery girl from this photo is the same girl spotted with the heir at a hotel in San Diego. Amina Bassey is a college student and classmate of Taylor, interning at Acme Corp.

"What the hell!" I exclaim loudly.

I get out of bed frantically, throwing a hoodie on top of my shorts before going to angrily brush my teeth. Then I make my way out of the apartment to knock on Dominic's door.

After a few minutes, he responds tiredly, answering the door with sleep still prominent in his eyes. "Hey babe." He greets tiredly.

I hold up the phone to show him, not having any words to say myself. He squints his eyes as he reads what's on the phone. His eyes widen as he sees the pictures. With a loud exhale of frustration, he opens the door further to let me in.

"It was your father." Is the first thing I say as I take a seat on his couch.

"What?"

I nod, "He showed me this exact article last week, photos and all. The only difference was it was going to be published by the Gossip Gazette. He claimed to pull the plug on it before it could be released."

"Wait what? You spoke to my father about this last week?"

I sigh, "Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me? What did he want?" He asked hesitantly.

"He wanted another favor for me." I admit, making Dominic look up at me in surprise. "I told him no and I think this is my punishment."

Dominic lets out a sigh before taking a seat beside me. "What did my father want you to do?"

I sigh, "Convince you to come to the World Business Forum in New York. He gave me until the end of the week to give him an answer."

"Son of a bitch." Dominic mumbles. "Why didn't you tell me before?" He asks again.

"What would be the point of telling you? So you can feel obligated to do it? No."

"It wasn't only your decision to make. Amina, we're in this together whether you like it or not. We need to figure these things out together." He emphasizes, making me frown, avoiding his gaze. "Look at me." I sigh before looking up at him. "Stop trying to carry everything alone."

"Okay."

"You promise?"

I sigh, "Fine, I promise."

"Good." He says kissing me on the forehead.

"What do we do now? Everyone knows about us."

"I mean it's not such a bad thing. I like everyone knowing you're off limits." He says with a chuckle.

"Oh, am I?" I smirk.

He raises his brow, "You better be."

"You are too."

"I know I am. I'm all yours baby." He says making me giggle. He leans in putting his lips to mine as he pulls me in for a kiss. I never get tired of his lips on mine as I smile into the kiss. "Going to New York together would've been fun." He comments.

"Yeah but at what expense? Who knows what he would've done to you next."

Dominic shrugs, "What else can he do? It seems like either way now he has the upper hand. He's exposed our relationship, he's exposed me, and we still don't know what his end goal is." He sighs, "Sounds like a no-win situation."

"There's gotta be something?"

"Well, he thinks he can use you to get to me. We should use that to our benefit."

I shake my head in disagreement, "We shouldn't play his little game at all."

He sighs, "Just get back in his good graces so he thinks you're on his side. I don't want him making work difficult for you."

"You'll still have to do what he wants." I remind him.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there." He says with a shrug.

I frown, "It sounds to me like you're trying to throw yourself under the bus for my benefit."

He sighs, "I don't want to find out what else he could do to you. It's better this way."

"No, it's not Dominic. I'm not letting him get his way! Especially not at your expense."

"I don't want you saving me at your own expense. Just play along until your internship is over at least. Okay?"

"Dominic..."

"Okay?" He repeats. I frown but nod as he gives me another kiss on the forehead. "Glad we've settled that." He picks up his phone and frowns. "People are so annoying." He mumbles setting his phone down beside him.

"What happened?"

"My phone has been blowing up because of the article, mainly from Andre."

I chuckle, "What did he say?"

"Just being annoyingly happy."

"I've gotten messages from everyone I can think of, even my distant uncle."

Dominic laughs, "You know now our relationship isn't a secret anymore. Whether we confirm or deny those photos are very telling."

I sigh, "Yeah I guess the cat's out of the bag."

"What did your cousins say?"

"Caleb said he still doesn't like you, and I haven't spoken to Isaiah yet but he sent me the link."

He chuckles, "He'll never like me will he?"

"Nope." I reply with a small laugh, "What about you? Has Abuela seen the pictures?"

"You don't have to worry about Abuela. I already know she'll love you."

"You think?"

"I know. One of these days I'll take you to meet her."

I smile, "Okay, I'd like that."

I ended up spending most of the day at Dominic's place, hiding out from everyone as news continued to spread about our relationship. Given today was my day off it was the perfect place to unwind and relax as the world around us continued to blow up.

We got settled, shutting the curtains and ordering food as we snuggled on the couch to watch movies together.

-

"We are not officially together, despite what the tabloids are saying." I announced to the girls when I entered the living room that evening.

"What? So he bought you gifts on Valentine's Day as a friend?" Kendra asks skeptically.

I sigh, "Yes and no."

Bianca frowns, "Are you together or not?"

"We're dating, but we were trying to keep it low-key. That's out the window now."

Kendra shrieks, "So you took my advice! You're giving him a chance." She gushes happily making Bianca raise a brow.

"Why would you want to keep it a secret? Isn't this what you've wanted since the second you met him?" Bianca asks.

"Okay, not the second I met him." I point out giving her a side-eye. "But yes I've wanted this. Although I've had my reservations. A lot has happened you know? But we both agreed it was difficult to be friends, so we're taking it slow." I sighed taking a seat on the couch, "I wanted to do it privately to reduce any pressure that may come with it but that didn't happen."

"Well good. I'm happy you guys are progressing." Kendra smiles. "Do you like him now?" Kendra asks Bianca.

Bianca shrugs, "My opinion of him hasn't changed."

She groans, "What is your deal? Didn't you see the photos? That man is obsessed with her."

I bite back my smile, "You really think so?"

"Anyone with eyes can see that." Kendra assured me, before darting her eyes at Bianca.

"It just still seems like a lot to manage. Not to mention how it might alter your plans."

I frown, "What do you mean?"

"I mean heir to a major company like that? What kind of lifestyle are you entering?"

I scoff, "We're just dating, not getting married."

"So you wouldn't marry him if he asked?" Bianca questions.

My eyes widen, "What? I've never thought-"

Suddenly the doorbell rings, giving me a chance to exit the conversation. "I'll get it." I mutter before getting up from my seat. I open the door reluctantly as Caleb, Noah, and Isaiah enter our apartment. "What are you guys doing here?" I ask as they walk past me.

"You young lady have not answered any of our calls." Isaiah scolds, taking a seat beside Kendra on the carpet.

"So you're officially dating?" Caleb asks, taking a seat on the couch near Bianca.

I sigh, "You guys came over here for that? I thought you already knew we were together."

"We knew that you ran off with him to some hotel and that he's rich. You never confirmed you were dating." Isaiah says.

I groan, "Does it matter?"

Caleb nods, "It does. We need to assess him, make sure he's good enough for you."

"What happened to not being so overprotective?"

"This isn't overprotective, this is just regular protective." Isaiah comments.

"So when is he coming over?" Caleb asks.

My eyes widen, "What? He's not coming over. I didn't even know you were coming over."

"Then how are we going to assess him?" Isaiah whines.

"You're not! Besides you've all already met him I don't know what the big deal is."

"That was before we knew his real identity." Noah comments.

I groan, "We can all hang out one day, but that day is not today."

The guys mutter their dissatisfaction aloud as the doorbell suddenly rings again. I sigh, turning around to open it. My eyes widened once again at Dominic who stood at my door. "Hey babe, you got a minute?" He asks.

I quickly shut the door behind me to prevent the others from seeing him. "You need to go back inside." I reply in a hushed tone.

He raises a brow in confusion, "What?"

"I'll explain later just-" Suddenly the door behind me swung up, with Noah and Isaiah now standing behind me.

"Dominic! What a pleasant surprise!" Noah cheers.

"Hey, sorry I didn't know Amina had guests. I should be going."

Isaiah shakes his head, "You should join us. We're just hanging out."

Dominic looks at the both of them reluctantly, "I don't know-"

Noah and Isaiah shake their heads before pulling Dominic into the apartment. I bite my lip nervously as I follow, shutting the front door behind me.

"Hey everyone." Dominic waves awkwardly as they wave back to him muttering hellos. He took a seat on one of the bar stools by the kitchen counter and I sat beside him, feeling bad that he was pushed into this situation.

"Are you going to take over your father's company?" Kendra asks out of nowhere, breaking the temporary silence that had emerged.

Dominic's eyes widen slightly, thrown off by the sudden question. "I don't know." He answers honestly.

"Do you want to?" Bianca asks.

"No."

"Then what do you want to do?" Caleb asks.

"Okay guys it's not interrogate Dominic day. Lay off." I interrupt, feeling rather irritated.

Dominic shakes his head, "It's okay. I was thinking about going into finance, not sure though." He turns to Caleb, "What do you want to do?"

Caleb looks up at him, surprised by the counter-question. "Finance." He mumbles.

"Finance sounds like a nightmare, too many numbers." Kendra groans.

"Do you have commitment issues?" Bianca asks suddenly.

My eyes widen just as Dominic's do. "What? Um-"

"Bianca that's rude." I glare at her.

Caleb raises a brow at Dominic, "It's a fair question. You guys have known each other long enough, why is he so apprehensive to make it official?" He questions.

My eyes widen as Dominic opens his mouth to respond but I beat him to it, "Caleb that's an insane question."

Caleb frowns, slightly sitting up from his position on the couch. "Is it? If he's not dating you to eventually make you his girlfriend then why are you guys dating?"

My eyes dart to Dominic whose eyes widen in surprise at the questions being thrown at him. This was a conversation we had already had and I didn't think our plans needed to be shared with external parties. "We're dating because we like each other, we don't need to explain anything to you." I quipped back, hoping to end this dreaded conversation.

Caleb scoffs, "And you're answering all the questions for him."

I glare at him, "You can be such a dick sometimes Caleb."

"I do not have commitment issues." Dominic says suddenly, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. My eyes widen in shock at him. "I know Amina doesn't trust me completely just yet so we're working through that right now. But eventually, yeah I'd like to make her my girlfriend. If she'd have me of course." He says with a small smile looking over at me.

My cheeks felt flushed as I smiled back at him. It was a simple yet completely true answer. We're just taking it slow. After everything I've been through you'd think everyone would lay off.

"You happy with that answer Caleb?" Isaiah asks.

Caleb shrugs, leaning against his seat again.

The rest of the evening was calm, with random conversation and snacks as we decided to put on a movie. Dominic had stayed after the awkward grilling of questions from Caleb. The atmosphere felt a lot less tense after that and felt more like a normal hangout.

After everyone had left I walked Dominic out to his door. "I'm sorry about Caleb." I say as soon as the door shuts behind me.

He shakes his head, "I get it, he will just never be a fan."

"Well I'm a fan so who needs him?"

He chuckles pulling me to him, "And that's all that matters."

I smile giving him a peck on the lips. "Also, about what he asked. I-"

He shakes his head, stopping me from speaking. "That's not something we need to talk about again. Baby steps yeah?"

I smile at him, "Thank you."

He kisses my forehead, "Goodnight Amina."

"Goodnight Dominic."

———

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- AuggiePooh_