Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Vanessa

I don’t know who exactly I’m looking at right now, but I don’t care. He’s so handsome that he almost looks like a prince. He also has a similar build to Dominic

with some

“The name’s Shane. I hope you don’t mind if I join you.” He has the whitest smile I’ve ever seen, and he’s already dripping with arrogance. It’s nothing I can’t handle. I’ve had to deal with Dominic.

As I think about what to do for a few seconds, Dominic comes to mind. He’s free to do whatever he wants and so am I. Looking up at this charming guy, I think to myself, why not start now?

“I don’t mind at all.” I smile at him, my speech a little slow as I get more and more drunk.

“I must admit that I was holding my breath there for a moment,” he says, taking a seat beside me. “I didn’t want you to say you wouldn’t allow me to join you. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to find you all alone.”

“That makes

st makes it sound like you

were spying on me or something.” I scoff.

“Nope. I just couldn’t take my eyes off you. And where’s your husband?”

Though I know where he is, I shrug and say, “I don’t know,”

“Well, until he returns I have you all to myself.” He smirks at me as he strokes his chin. “I have to admit that I never thought I’d see the day when Dominic would turn into this romantic guy who would publicly talk about his love for his wife.”

“What makes you say that?” I’m already intrigued.

Pouring me a glass of wine, he says, “The Dominic I knew would’ve never done such a thing.”

“For how long have you two known each other?” I ask, bringing the glass to my lips.

“He and I go way back. He was so different back in highschool.”

“He was?”

“Yeah, dude was always focused on getting the best grades and winning first place in all the Math and Science competitions. The two of us might have been competitive as hell, but no one could match up to him. He was so freaking smart and wanted everything to be perfect. He was a genius. I think he still is.”

“it sounds like you have only high praises for my husband.”

“Heck no. I’m just saying he’s very competitive but you know what? I like a little competition.” His eyes drop to my collarbone, then back to my face. “Dominic is now the type of man to publicly show how much he cherishes his wife and to be honest, I can see why.” He’s obviously trying to flirt with me and so far, it’s something I can handle.

To keep the con

conversation going get

Die curious because I just can’t help it.

“So, tell me all about you and Dominic in high school.” I rest my elbows on the table, intertwining my fingers.

Shane takes out his phone, scrolls a few times, then hands me his phone. I closely look at the picture of the two of them together while in high school, but my focus is mainly on Dominic. Even back then, he was so handsome.

“There’s a funny story behind that picture,” he says with a look of amusement. “Actually, it happened after we took the picture. I got to find

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Chapter 41

out what his fear was, and he was so embarrassed.”

“Really? What was it?” I’m so curious that my eyes grow wide. “Do you want to know?”

“Yes, tell me.”

“Come closer.” He smirks again.

Dominic

号18%止

As soon as I step outside, I spot Carmella talking on the phone while pacing. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but she seems pretty upset. I can’t help p but wonder what’s been going on with her.

Curious, I begin to approach her while she faces the other side and just then, she turns around and sees me, making her instantly end the

She doesn’t even say anything to me and crosses her arms, pursing her lips with raised eyebrows.

“is everything okay?” I ask, getting closer, but not too close.

She looks away and shakes her head at me. “The nerve of you to follow me out here after what you just did with that bitch when you had her sitting in your lap.”

“I understand that it upset you, but you know I had to do it No big deal

“But you didn’t have to do that much.”

She’s right, I didn’t have to, but when I touched Vanessa, I just couldn’t stop. It had to be the alcohol.

Snapping me out of the sensation that came from touching and kissing Vanessa to remind all the men lusting over her that she’s Mrs Richards, Carmella harshly speaks with a glare

“And don’t even get me started on your fucking brother, treating me like shit. Who the fuck does he think he is? Little piece of ”

“Hey, hold it right there. You don’t talk about my brother like that.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine.”

“Now, who were you talking

talking to on the phone?” I ask, “You seemed pretty pissed.”

“I ordered some cosmetic products online but they weren’t delivered on time, and the packaging was all wrong”

“Which company was it? I’ll handle it.”

“Uhm. there’s no need. I take care of it.” She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

“It’ll be faster if I handle it. How dare they do that to you?”

“Babe, thanks for your help, but I’ll do it myself. Go back to your

your fucking wife.”

I know she’s upset about it, but it makes me chuckle. “She really got on your nerves, huh?”

“You should’ve seen the way the other girls were sucking up to her.”

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Chapter 43

“What were you girls even talking about?”

“it was about some conferences or some shit like that.”

“You don’t remember?”

“It obviously wasn’t important to me. That’s why I didn’t pay attention.” She shrugs.

I’m in pure disbelief

v.my y gaze shifts when one of the bod

Suddenly,

one of the bodyguards I left to guard Vanessa steps outside and that bothers me right away.

“What is it?” Carmella asks, noticing the difference in my expression.

“Just a moment.” I say to her.

I call the bodyguard over and he rushes over to me.

“What’s going on? Why aren’t you at your post? My tone’s authoritative.

“Your wife wanted to be alone, Sir,” he says to me, keeping his head low.

“And you fucking listened to her?”

“I’m sorry, Sir. But she’s not alone.”

“Is she with Jake?”

“No, Sir.”

“Frank?”

“No, Sir. I’m afraid I don’t know who the man is.”

“A man?” I instantly clench my jaw.

Vanessa

Maybe it’s because I’m drunk now, but the story about Shane discovering Dominic’s fear is so hilarious that I burst into laughter until my ribs

hurs

“That’s really my husband’s fear?” I ask, placing my hand on the side of my ribcage. “I had no idea.”

“Yup, try it any time and you’ll see it for yourself,” he says with a mischievous smirk.

Though I don’t plan to scare Dominic any time soon, I might try it if he behaves like an asshole toward me.

“All these lights make the diamond on your wedding ring really sparkle,” Shane says, catching my attention.

“Thank you.” I hold out my hand just to look at the ring, and it reminds me of how I wanted to run away right before i stood on that altar with Dominic on our wedding day.

But my thoughts about it don’t even lay at Shane does the unexpected. He holds onto my wrist while looking at the ring

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Chapter 43

1

“Just by looking at it, I can tell this diamond is real. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Dominic. Breathtaking ladies like you only deser

the best.”

1 feel a little uncomfortable that he’s holding onto my wrist. It doesn’t even matter to me that he’s a little drunk.

“I have something else to tell you. How about you come a little closer?” His gaze is suddenly so suggestive that I just want to pull my wrist away, especially when he licks his lips, but my reaction time is too slow as the wine hits me harder.

Suddenly, Dominic pushes Shane’s hand away, then towers over him, giving me the view of his back.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Dominic’s tone is already threatening.

“Chill, man.” Shane gets up while raising his hands to calm the situation. “It’s been a while. I was just try-”

“I don’t care about whatever it is you were trying to do. You don’t touch my wife!”