Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Vanessa

When Dominic smirks at me. I hold my breath, wondering what’s going through his head. I’m hoping he doesn’t point it out that I 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 against mine extends 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’s mocking me right now. It’s clear from his smirk.

Too embarrassed to even say it, I press my lips together and look away. ||

“I better take you 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 is similar to mine.

I can’t believe he caught me staring at his 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 so long that this almost feels genuine.

“Now that 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 her with enthusiasm 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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“Do I get a wedding gift too? Dominic chimes in.

“You, my son, get nothing. This is only for my daughter–in–law. She’s special”

He scoffs but she takes no 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 that Island. 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 conference in the 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 her while I was on the bed.

Finally, his phone rings and I see the relief in his face as he excuses himself.

My mother–in–law has 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, I pick up Carmella’s call

“Babe, you finally called me back.” My eyes are glued 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 with a sigh. “Are you home?”

“I arrived several hours ago.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

*I didn’t feel like talking to you.”

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“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 you speak about 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 lips as I think about her. This is it. I can finally be with her.

It’s all Vanessa’s fault that we’ve been apart all day.

I think she 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 my mother’s hand and says, “Thanks for spending so much time with me. I feel so much better now.”

“Are you sure, my dear!”

Vanessa nods 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 even leave tomorrow,

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 and I can’t wait for her to leave.

With my hand over her shoulder. I walk her outside to one of my cars which will take her home.

While the car door is kept open 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 care of her.”

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 head upstairs, change my clothes and reach for a specific set of car keys among many. This time, I’m driving myself

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Chapter 18

I still need to wait a few more minutes before I can leave. 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. That way, when you call my parents, I don’t have to be stuck with you”

“You make it sound like there’s going to be a next time 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.”

She raises her 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, despite having to pretend for the most

part.

Have you

“Not yet”

heard anything about Penelope? Her voice and expression soften.

“I can’t help but worry. Shouldn’t she 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 glancing at her, 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 looking at? She narrows her eyes at me.

“Definitely not you.”

She scoffs. Tm starving.”

“And what should I do about it?”

“Nothing, I’m just saying. 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’ll end up calling me and I’ll just tell them you’re already asleep. Don’t you dare do the opposite and fuck things up”

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, I stop in 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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I’ll only take a minute, so I turn around and approach her.

“I was going to leave you on this couch, but on second thought, I’m taking you upstairs. Whatever you need will be brought to you.”

“You don’t have to take me

“Yes, I do, so just shut up.”

I scoop her up bridal style, then head to 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 her bare thigh 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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