Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Vanessa

Having Dominic out of town has made it easier to be wherever want without feeling awkward because I don’t run into him,

I’ve already been to the hospital to deliver what I promised the children and I couldn’t wait so I did it earlier than I said I would. It warmed my heart seeing how happy they all were that they got the exact tou

they wanted.

It’s afternoon and I’m on my way to the women’s conference. Liz keeps texting me, wondering when I’m going to arrive. It almost seems like she’s a little impatient. I wonder what’s going on with her. I don’t think it matters when I’ll arrive as long as it’s before the event.

As the car pulls up to the event, reporters instantly swarm toward it. They know it’s me because of the custom made number plate.

I’m actually surprised. This isn’t what I was expecting.

With a smile, I step out of the car, my bodyguards trying to protect me as the cameras go off. Why didn’t Liz mention this part?

Though my goal is just to head inside the building, the reporters can’t seem to leave me alone, so I’m forced to say a few words to them.

Afterwards, I proceed to the entrance and the bodyguards keep everyone away from me. Even with all the frenzy, I still smile and wave at everyone who wants me to look over at their cameras

Just as I step inside, I spot Liz, standing on the stage. There are still a few minutes before the event begins and as soon as she sees me, she nervously rushes toward me.

“Welcome, Mrs Richards.”

“Thank you. I didn’t know you would have the reporters here.”

“I’m sorry about that. That’s why I wanted to know what time you would arrive, but I didn’t hear from you, I wanted to clear the area so you’re comfortable.”

“It’s alright,” I say to her as one of my bodyguards pulls out a chair for me among those in the back row.

“Oh, no. You have to sit in the front. I reserved a special seat for you, she says to me.

“There’s no need for that,” I say dismissively.

“Please, I insist.”

She’s so persuasive that I give in and follow her lead to the front There’s a chair at the end of the front row that looks different from the rest. I still don’t think there was a need for this. She’s doing a little bit too much, but I go with it anyway.

Once the place is fully packed, the event begins and she announces my presence. It makes me feel a little nervous and everyone gives me a round of applause. I really wasn’t expecting all this.

The event goes on until evening and I find it quite insightful and inspirational. I even get a few ideas of my own that I plan

to work on.

It’s 9 in the morning and I’m with my mother-in–law so we can have breakfast together at her restaurant,

Chapter 54

She’s so interested in the conference from yesterday that I have to explain each detail.

“Sounds like you really learned a lot,” she says to me. “That’s why your speech after the event is all over the news!”

“But it’s not like I did anything special

“Come on, don’t downgrade yourself, my dear. As Mrs Richards, your presence alone had such a huge impact on the coverage of that conference!”

I nod with a smile. I’m glad I attended the conference because now I have a few ideas of my own.”

“You do?”

“Yes, I want to establish certain business companies.”

She proudly nods. “I like the sound of that! And if you ever need help with that, the perfect person to assist you is Dominic. My son is excellent!”

As soon as she mentions him, my enthusiasm fades a little but surprisingly, that makes her giggle.

“I guess I shouldn’t have brought him up. Am I right?” she says.

“I don’t understand.”

“Oh, come on, my dear. I know you miss him so much. You two haven’t seen each other for three days and you’re still in your honeymoon phase.”

“Uhm…not at all. That’s not what I was thinking about”

“You don’t have to lie to me. I saw that clip of you two at the party” She chuckles.

She’s obviously talking about the moment I was in Dominic’s lap. I don’t even know what to say as I’m a little embarrassed.

“You know, I still wonder who took that clip of you two, She turns serious. “How dare they do that when you were having a private moment?”

“Now that I think about it, maybe we’re the ones who should’ve been careful because that was a public space.”

“It doesn’t matter. They weren’t supposed to do that. You know what? We need to find them!”

“Mom, it’s alright.” I assure her.

“You really don’t mind? Imagine that happens again and again.”

“We’ll just be careful and that’s never happening again.”

In my heart, I’m only talking about how I’ll never let myself get carried away again, but I don’t seem to believe it myself.

“I need to get back home now. I plan on going to the orphanage this afternoon.”

“It brings me great joy that you’ve already been to the hospital to deliver the toys”

The children were so happy.” I smile brightly.

“I can’t wait for you to be a mother. It’s the best feeling in the world!”

Her words make my smile fade because now that my period is over, I have to closely track when it’ll be the right time for Dominic to touch me. Thinking about it gives me an unexplainable feeling. A man I don’t love, will be my first and last. He’ll be on top of me, only because we have to do it. If only things were different between us,

After I get home. I find another car parked in the front yard and know that Dominic’s hack. He didn’t tell me anything about this. I know he usually doesn’t communicate with me, but didn’t think I would find him here until evening.

Not having him around for a few days has made me feel less awkward, so I head straight for the elevator.

But just as I step out after reaching my bedroom floor, I spot Carmella near Dominic’s bedroom door, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

She’s the last person I expected to see here, especially in one of the private areas of this mansion. She’s obviously here because of Dominic. I don’t even want to ask. I simply don’t care about her.

Just after I walk past her, she scoffs and says, “How rude! Is this bow you treat guests?”

I stop at my bedroom door, unlocking it without giving her a second of my attention.

“Always respond when I’m talking to you, bitch!”

I clutch my purse, trying to keep myself together. Where the hell is Dominic so he can get her away from me?

As soon

as Funlock the door and step inside, she pushes the door wider before I can close it, and that

pushes me to the floor.

“That’s what you fucking get for ignoring me.” She sneers as she walks in.

I don’t know how much more of this I can take, but I’m almost at my limits. Even my body temperature’s rising.

Before I get off the floor, Dominic shows up and stands right in the doorway, looking down at me with furrowed eyebrows.

“What’s going on here he asks.

“She fell. I’m not surprised that she’s clumsy as hell,” she nonchalantly says.

“Carmella pushed me, I finally say in response to his question.

“Are you listening to yourself?” She shakes her head at me.

I’m hoping Dominic will say something, but he just stands beside Carmella while still watching me.

I don’t even know why I expected anything from him. That’s why I’m not even disappointed.

After I get mirror.

off the floor, I head over to my dressing mirror and take off my earrings, looking at both of them through the

“Both of you, please leave my room.”

She bursts into laughter. “Stop thinking you’re in charge here or something, bitch!”

“Listen here, make that the last time you say that word here,” Dominic warns Carmella, his tone firm. “I don’t want the staff hearing that

“Well, I just couldn’t help it. She shrugs and walks toward me. “Look at her acting all high and mighty. You think you’re the best or something just because everyone seems to love you? You’re absolutely nothing!”

“That’s enough. He warns her again.

She huffs, then spots my pink bear on the bed and reaches for it I remember this shit from that clip that circulated online. Why the hell do you still have it? Just because my man put on a show by kissing you?”

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This is more than I can take and I won’t stand for anymore of thes

Turning around, I approach her while trying to reach for the bear, but she raises her arm toward the ceiling

“Oh, no! Looks like this shit really means something to you!” She laughs in my face.

“Give it back!” I grunt, my heart beginning to race even faster as feel like I’m about to explode.

“What the hell are you

goma do about it?

I’m clearly furious and Dominic knows what value I decided to place on this bear, but he just stands there while shaking his head, watching the two of us fight over it.

As her face twists in an ugly sneer, she hurls the bear outside my window and it lands in the backyard.

It takes me a few seconds as I process what she’s just done, and she has this evil look of satisfaction in her eyes, feeling

victorious.

Just as she’s about to say something to me, my rage consumes me so much that I slap her hard across the face.

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