Chapter 55

Chapter 14

Chapter 55

Vanessa

Right after I slap Carmella, the palm of my hand stings but right now, I just don’t care.

My eyes are blazing with anger and fixed on her as she touches her cheek while facing the other side. At this moment, I have no regrets.

In only a few seconds, Dominic rushes between us but faces me, clenching his jaw hard as he looks down at me. I don’t even want to look at him after how far he let her go with this when he could’ve said something earlier. As I try to regulate my heavy and rushed breathing. I look to the side.

1 know he’s fuming and has only stepped in to comfort her and lash out at me because I’m nothing to him. That’s why I’m so prepared for it that it won’t bother me at all when it happens.

“Babe,” he says to her while still facing me.”

“Y–yeah?” she says, her tone a little shaky.

“Go outside and pick up that bear.”

I instantly look back at him, my eyes widening a little at his instruction for her. I even hold my breath, wondering if I’ve just heard him correctly.

What? Why the hell should I do that?”

“Who threw it outside?” He looks over his shoulder.

“I did.”

“Then why should anyone else pick it up?”

“Because that shit doesn’t belong to me.”

“But who threw it outside?”

“Me

“Then go outside and pick it up.”

“But-”

“Babe, I’m not going to repeat myself. Once you have it, bring it back here.”

“This is bullshit! She fucking slapped me and you’ll just let it go?

“I’ll handle that, too. Now, hurry up. I’ll be watching you through the window.”

With a frustrated grunt, she storms out and slams the door.”

Even after it’s just the two of us and he looks back at me, I’m still so shocked that I can’t speak. It feels like he’s about to lash out, but I don’t care. I was certain he wouldn’t give a damn in any way about what just happened and would only take Carmella’s side. But he stood up for me and did it because he knew the value I placed on that bear.

My heart’s still racing just as fast as it did when I furiously slapped her, but it’s no longer the only reason. I’m so touched that even as his blank expression turns into a glare, I’m barely affected by it.

Chapter 55

“Thank you,” I finally say to him.

‘I’m not doing this for you. I’m trying to respect your mother’s memory.”

Though he sounds harsh, I’m more grateful than I am offended by it.

“Make that the last time you ever slap my girlfriend.” His tone is low and threatening.

“As long as she doesn’t touch what’s important to me, then I’ll keep my hands to myself.” I try to sound harsh as I say it, but I can’t. I’m deeply affected by the realization that he acknowledged the significance of the bear to me.

As the seconds go by. I can already feel myself calming down. His glare doesn’t seem to go away, but not even that can ruin the way I feel right now

While our eyes lock in a long silence, I notice his eyes soften just for a split second, then he looks away to the window.

and

gets even closer

Though I don’t move from my spot, I face his direction, staring at the view of his side profile as I gain an appreciation for him. This time, he really surprised me..

Right from where I stand, I hear Carmella speak to him from outside.

“Why can’t I just throw this crap up there through the window?”

“No, it should be in your hand when you come back inside.”

–“But-

“I said no.” He walks away from the window and heads out of my room.

www

Alone, I stand by the window and look outside, my lips curving into a small smile as I completely calm my nerves. This makes him way less of an asshole… for now.

In the hallway, I hear Carmella whispering aggressively to Dominic, as if trying to talk her way out of what’s expected of her, but it seems he’s not changing his mind.

It takes only a few seconds for her to barge into my room, and when she does, she hurls the bear at me. Even though it hits my face, I’m not offended by it and just smirk at her.

Her face twists in anger as she keeps her eyes on me, slamming the door shut

I hear Dominic calling out to her in the hallway, but it sounds like it’s not working out. Well, that’s not my problem.

I sit down on the bed as I look down at the bear, glad that it came back to me the way it did.

Dominic

It doesn’t matter how many times I call out to Carmella. She walks away from me faster so she can get to the elevator. I only want to talk to her about this, but she’s too stubborn to listen and I fucking hate it.

But enough of the attitude she’s portraying right now. Without a second thought, I grab onto her wrist, then pull her along to my bedroom.

het me fucking go!” She grunts, frantically trying to get out of my grip.

I ignore her until I have her inside my bedroom, then lock the door behind me.

2/4

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Just as I face her so I can talk to her, she pushes me aggressively and my back hits the door. I almost lose my balance, but manage to stand on both feet.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?” I ask, towering over her.

“I should be asking you that question!” she yells, poking my chest with her finger.

“Keep your voice down. I don’t want the staff to hear you.”

“You think I give a damn right now? How dare you humiliate me in front of that bitch?”

“If you’re not going to keep your voice down, I’ll change my mind about having you stay here for a few days. That means I’m sending you home right now.”

I step away from her to take off my jacket and cool down, but she rushes behind me and holds onto my waist from the back.

“I…I don’t want to leave, she says, her voice a little low. “But how could you do that to me?*

Hoping to make her understand, I turn around to face her and explain all about Vanessa’s mother.

To my disappointment, she only scoffs.

“Fine, her mom died a long time ago. So what? And why must she keep something like that crappy bear?”

Though it’s clear that all my efforts were for nothing. I expected her to be a little more understanding.

Shaking my head at her, I say, “Did you listen to a word I just said?”

“Yeah, I heard everything and I don’t see the fucking point. I didn’t care what that bear meant to her before I threw it out and I don’t care right now.”

“Regardless of how you feel, you’re never going to do that again. Why did you even do it?”

She

purses her lips. “Because I just wanted to get on her nerves.”

I glance at the handprint on her cheek. “You obviously managed to do that. Make that the last time you ever do such a thing.”

“I never thought I’d see the day you’d take her side.” She chuckles bitterly.

“Im just telling you to do what’s right. Even if you don’t care, you know that what you did to her was wrong.

“There was nothing wrong with what I did. I was only putting that bitch in her place.”

“Hey, while you’re here, don’t ever call Vanessa that ‘B‘ word. I already spoke to you about this. She’s the lady of the house and it needs to stay that way. And about putting her in her place, there are so many other ways you could’ve done that.”

“What’s gotten into you when it comes to her!” She raises her eyebrows at me.

“What are you talking about?” I shrug.

1

“You always cheered me on to give her nothing but misery, we both did. But why do I feel like I’m now alone in this?”