Dominic
“Yes, that’s right. “
I tell Max.
“Is this the same Violet Conor was in love with since high school?”
“I... I have no idea. Maybe? Same name, I guess it’s the same woman.”
I start glancing around the room for my cigarettes. I haven’t smoked for the entire evening, but I decide “fuck it,”
“It must be her. But isn’t this the same one you dated?”
Max goes on. “I mean, you went out with her a few times, but then Conor said he was in love with her so you dropped the whole thing. “
“We never dated. We just went out a few times. But yeah, maybe. “
“You don’t remember?”
Max laughs, “Bro, you don’t just randomly date anyone. I am excluding the models like Anastasia you sleep with for a week or two. And you’re saying you don’t remember if that's the same, Violet?”
“Maybe. “
I say and finally, spot my box of cigarettes. I pick up one and light it. I take a very deep inhale and Max argues.
“What do you mean maybe?!”
“All I am saying is this is in the past. She is married to Conor now. “
“Yeah, it would be really shitty if you were both in love with the same woman, wouldn’t it?”
My brother says.
“Yeah,...”
Imagine that.
I think bitterly.
“MAX!”
A girl yells over the phone, “We are waiting for you, come on!”
“Coming!”
My brother yells.
“Sorry about this, “
he says, “So, how long did you say you were staying for?”
“I spoke to Father and he said they are starting to work on something new. It’s very promising and he needs my input. “
“What about your company here?”Max asks.
“I can delegate my work for now. And I am sure the business here won't take that long. A month or two tops. “
“Two months!?”“It’s only until everything is set up here. “
“What about Conor? Can’t he do it?”
“Father thinks it would be better if I take upon this. “
“Cool, “
Max says “Where are you staying?”
“For now at my old apartment. But to be honest I haven’t really thought of what would be for the best. “
The main issue I have is that I don’t want to be back in the family house, but I also can’t tell Max that.
“Anyway, how are things where you are?” I ask, “In fact, where exactly are you?”
“MAX!”
Someone calls him again.
“Gotta go, bro. “
He says, avoiding my question.“You haven’t been arrested again recently, have you?”
I ask.
“Bye, Dom. Talk to you tomorrow. Say hi to Val from me. “
Aaaand he hangs up.
“Val?”
I say, taking another drag from my cigarette, staring at the now dark screen of the phone. I finish my cigarette and head to the shower.
I run the warm water and rest my head against the tiles.
Violet is married to my own brother. My Violet.
“Damn it,” I snarl. My hand closes in a fist and lands on the tiled wall, the water still running down my back.
***
Violet
Gareth opens the door of the car for me and smiles.
“Good morning, Miss Violet, “
He says, “You look great today. “
“Thank you. I have an important meeting this afternoon. Can we stop for a coffee on the way to the office?”
“Of course, “
he says and gets in. My phone rings and I expect Evie. It’s my assistant.
“Miss Violet,”
He greets, “I am so sorry for the last-minute change. “
“What is it, Kyle?”
“Mister Hale called and asked to meet him in the office. “
“My husband?”
My heart sinks at the prospect of meeting Conor. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see him today.
“Oh, no.” my assistant says, “Philip Hale. “
I exhale relieved and relax against the seat.
“Thank you, Kyle. No worries, I am on my way but I will ask the driver to change the direction. Please cancel my meeting in our office then. “
“Right away. “
We soon reach the office building where the headquarters of one of the companies that belong to the Hale empire is.
I tell Gareth he’s free for the day because if Philip asks me to be present at a meeting, they usually last for the entire day. I enter and the employees greet me. His assistant takes me to Philip’s office and I get in.
“Violet, “
Philip and I exchange a kiss once it’s the two of us, “You look great. Please take a seat. “
I take the sat offered opposite him.
“ And I am sorry we couldn’t really talk much last night at the gathering, “ My father- in-law says.
“Oh, no, “
I wave a hand, “It was expected. “
“Is… is everything between you and Conor okay?”
He asks, frowning. I am tempted to tell him what his son did, but then I remember what Conor said and decide against it.
“It’s… it's as usual. “
I say eventually and that's partly true. They don’t know about my hopes for a divorce, but I am also hoping they will soon have no choice but to accept it. Once I have the money, it’s over.
“ And thank you for coming on such short notice.”
Philip says,
“No problem, “ I smile, “I just don’t know why I am here. “
“You will soon find out. “
Philip checks his watch.
“He should be here any minute now.”
“Who?”
I ask confused when the door opens and I turn around.
“Dominic!”
Philip exclaims and gets up.
Dominic comes in. He is wearing a black suit with a black shirt and tie.
Even through the fabric, I can see the outlines of his sculptured forearms and back. Dominic has always been great at sports, but now that he is slightly older he looks so much stronger and manly.
Very hot, too.
What am I thinking?
“Father, “
he greets in a low, deep voice. Then he turns to me.
My heart is hammering but I find it in me to get up as well. Why is he here….
Cold dark eyes pierce mine as he takes my hand in his. He holds my eyes and my mind is suddenly filled with the image of him, kissing me.
“Hello, Violet“
he says.
I blink a few times, trying to focus on the now, and not thinking of him, burying his hands in my hair and kissing me.
“I… yes. Hi. “
I manage and pull my hand instantly.
“It was a pleasure to meet you last night. “ he says, “I am Dominic. “
“I don’t forget so easily. “
I say evenly. Something passes his face and I realize what I just said. I pull away instantly from him, and he pulls away as well.
Philip doesn’t notice the exchange and moves to sit behind his desk. We take the seats opposite him.
Dominic is sitting less than a meter away from me and I catch the scent of his perfume. I sit straighter in my seat, trying to think of everything else but Dominic.
He leans back in the chair and drapes a hand over the armrest. He is irresistibly hot and he knows it.
My eyes flicker to him when Philip rests his elbows on the desk and clasps his palms.
“Right. “ he grins, “I called you today because I need both of you for something. “
you can't say no to Father P.
Violet I have a bad feeling about this. Contrary to my horror, most likely written on my face, Philip is smiling widely. Dominic - well, he is unreadable as always. “As you two know I am starting something new. “ Philip continues, “I’ve been planning for this for a while. “Philip turns to his son. “I asked you to come back home not just because of Grandfather. But also because I will need your help.” Then he turns to me. “And yours.”Dominic and I exchange a confused look. “I don’t…”I begin but Philip quickly says. “I am starting a new company. Dominic has proven to be capable of turning a small company into a huge, successful empire. On the other hand- you Violet have been doing a great job with your father’s smaller business... I know you're trying to make the company work. ““I…Yes, “I nod. “Great, “Philip opens his arms, “It’s decided. ““What do you mean it’s decided?”Dominic argues, “We haven’t decided anything. You said you’d needed me for a month or two. ““It… it
DominicShe is hesitating. I should not be doing this. I managed to spend the entire day not talking to her about anything that was not work-related. Violet should say no. “Okay, “She says, “I let the driver go for the night, and I don’t want to make him come all the way here. But only if I am not causing you trouble, or... “I get up and pick up my jacket. “Let’s go. “We are silent as we walk towards the elevator. I don't say anything, even though all I want is to press her towards the wall and kiss her. taste her. Feel her underneath me. I shake my head. Violet is married to my own brother. My hand closes in a fist in the pocket of my coat, instead of around her. We get in the car and I catch the faint scent of her perfume as she settles in the passenger seat. Violet is as pretty as I remember her, if not more. She has this natural, casual beauty that I’ve always liked. It was messy before. Untamed. She was more unaware of it. Now, she has learned how to carry herself, and
Violet I get in and pause before turning on the lights. Something’s off. I can’t say what, but I know it’s there. Then I notice the outline of his figure, sitting in the armchair, the window behind him. I instantly find the switch. Conor is sitting a few feet away from me, drinking. “Where were you?” He asks and I close the door carefully behind me - to give myself time to think of an answer. “Out. “ I say. “Out?” He growls the words. “With who?” “Since when is this sudden interest in how I spend my free time?” “Since you have become my wife. “ “ Oh, come on, Conor…” I let out a quiet protest slip my mouth. He grabs the glass and throws it. I almost jump in my spot. The crystal shatters and the hundreds of pieces fly with a clatter to the floor. My heart is picking up its pace, but I am not going to show him that I am scared. “I will give you one more chance to explain to me where you were. “ Conor says. “I went out after work. Why are you here?” “I have
Violet Dominic’s and my eyes meet. Then they travel to Anastasia, who is a pretty jewel, standing on his right side. All the men are looking at her. You see, there’s a difference between having me there, and her. Despite how I look, they will always see me as a competition. As someone, they have to outwork or outsmart. They will feel obliged to show me who has the upper hand, who is the dominant sex in the words of politics and economics. While Anastasia… Well, she is a beautiful creature they want to look at. I am sure they don’t even attempt to talk to her. Not so much because they can’t think of what to tell her - those men are some of the smartest people in the world, I am sure they can strike up a simple conversation with anyone, but there’s something else. The reason why they don’t talk to her is because they see no point in it. Because they have one aim - to sleep with her. Sex doesn’t involve too much talking. It often doesn’t even require you to respect the intelli
Violet“You kept staring at her!” Anastasia yells. I approach carefully and pause behind the corner. “What the hell are you talking about?”Dominic asks, voice even, which seems to drive her crazy. “You did! You kept looking at her! Do you think I didn’t notice? Everyone did. ““You are exaggerating. ““ ME? EXAGGERATING? And what was all this talking about art and shit? ““What?” “You heard me, “ she keeps yelling, “Since when do you care about this stuff?”“Always, “he says, his voice is still well-controlled. “I was just never able to talk to you about this. “AAA GGGHH!”Anastasia exclaims, then continues complaining. “What the hell is up to you?” she goes on , “It’s like you are an entirely different person since we came to this stupid place!”“I never asked you to come with me . “He says, lightly and - I assume- she kicks something. “I want to leave!”Anastasia yells “I don’t want to be here! I HATE this fuckign place. I HAVE everyone here, and their…. everything, I hat
Violet “No, no, “ I say, “We aren’t …” “Miss Hale is my brother’s wife, “ Dominic explains, “Hence, the names. “ “Oh…” The receptionist nods, “Nevertheless, the suite is spacious enough for more than four people, even. “ ‘Isn't there anything else we can do?” I ask and the receptionist continues looking at me in the same perplexed way. “Anything else as in…?” “Maybe I could take another room? “ I ask, hopeful. “Uh… “ she stutters, “Let me see what I can find. “ The woman checks and after a few seconds, she shakes her head. “I am afraid we are fully booked. “ Then she looks up from the screen. “At this time of the year, we are always …” “Of course,” Dominica says, then turns to me,” We can figure it out, though, right? ” “Okay, “ I agree and we heed to the room. We get in the elevator and the bellhop gets on with us. Dominic and I are at the back and I close my eyes briefly. I am going to spend the next few days with Dominic. That might turn out to be harder than
Violet“I’m serious, yes, “ I tell my sister. “Unfortunately. ““Damn, Val, “She says, “This sucks. Way more than the situation I am in. ““Nothing is going to happen. I mean it. ““Keep telling yourself that. You are literally in the most romantic city in the whole world. And you are telling me nothing is going to happen?““Yes.”“Right.”She snorts. “Come on, it’s unthinkable. ““But you are thinking about this!” Evie argues. I cover my eyes with my palm. “I have to go.”“I am sure you do. ““Evie!” I protest but she answers with a smile in her voice. “I love you, sis. “she says, “I will call you back again when we decide to come back. ““Okay. I love you too. Have fun. ““You too. “We hang up and I take a look around the spacious bedroom, looking for my bag. The room is huge - a giant bed, a table with armchairs around it. A huge bathroom with a bathtub and big mirrors. The receptionist didn’t exaggerate- the place is enough for more than four people, even.“Stop overthink
VioletAfter less than two hours I am looking at one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. The wind is warm, dancing on the surface of the crystal blue water. The beach is only a few feet away from us and I can’t wait to feel the sand underneath my feet. “It’s… I never knew places like this exist. “I say, unable to look away from the view. “It’s one of my favourite places. ““What is it called?”I glance at him. Dominic is standing next to me, the wind dancing in his hair. “The area is called Deauville. It’s almost 2,5 hours from Paris. “He says and I frown.“But we came much faster ““I am a good driver, “he winks at me. “This is a very small private beach, “ he goes on, “I like coming here. “I glance around and notice there are scarcely any people around. The place is tucked neatly between two cliffs and this beach looks like a small, private paradise. “Is this where you bring all your dates? “I joke, but he replies seriously. “I’ve never seen anyone here before.