Dominic
“Why did we leave so early?”
Anastasia sits in the car and takes the seat opposite mine in the limo. Then she leans heavily back with a pout.
“We can leave, Massimo, thank you. “ I instruct and ignore her question.
“Yes, Sir. “The driver starts the car and the car quickly slips back to the busy streets of London.
“So?”
she asks, crossing her arms.
“I didn’t feel like staying. “
I was hoping she forgot the question but here we are.
“You haven’t been home in so long and you say “you didn’t feel like staying?”
she exclaims.
“That’s right. “
Anastasia gives me a pointed look but doesn’t continue asking.
“I think your family is really cool, “
She keeps trying to start a conversation.
“You don't know them. “
Despite my answer, she goes on.
“And Conor seems like a real gentleman. His wife looked like a total bitch, thought.”
That catches my attention and I look away from the window and the bright lights of the city ahead.
“What did you say?”
I try to keep my tone even.
“Wow, this is the first time I see a reaction from you tonight, “
she rolls her eyes and shifts in her seat.
“I was just saying she looks like …. you know.” Anastasia searches for words. “ One of those women who think they are very smart or something. “
“Violet is very smart. “
I say, pointedly.
“You said you didn’t know her!?”
“I don’t. “
I lie. When I don’t continue, she just mutters.
“Whatever, “
Then Anastasia smiles and unfolds her arms “Who needs to be THAT smart, that only brings sadness.”
“Sadness.”
I snort and prop my elbow on the window.
Anastasia and I met recently. The reason why she came all the way here with me is because she had a photoshoot in London and it was a coincidence that we had to be in the city together. If the dates were different, I would have never agreed to take her with me here.
“You look way too serious tonight. “
She says and my eyes flicker to her. Anastasia is one of the most popular models in the whole world right now. She recently signed a contract with a big fashion brand.
Real, stunning beauty. She is also always in a good mood, ready for a party. The perfect distraction from a long, hard day. She knows NOTHING about politics or business.
And yet I am here, my mind elsewhere.
“I’m just tired because of the flight. “
I say.
“I think I know a great way to help you wake up?”
Anastasia crosses her legs and the dress opens to reveal long, perfectly- shaped limbs, smooth skin and legs that all men want wrapping around their shoulders.
“What do you offer?”
I ask and lean back too. Anastasia lifts her arms and slowly pulls the string tied at her neck that holds the dress she is wearing.
The silk slides down and the cloth drops heavily, gathering in her lap. She doesn’t wear any underwear.
“Do you want me to take off my dress?”
I force myself to nod.
She glances at the front part of the limo.
“What about the driver?”
Anastasia looks like she remembered where we are just now.
“Ignore him. Besides, he can’t hear you.”
Anastasia smiles and gets up. She lifts her dress and sits on my lap. I place my hands on her waist and she tosses her head backwards, her breasts are at full display in my face.
When I don’t move, she sits straighter in my lap.
“Maybe you can help me? “
Anastasia offers and takes my hands in hers. She places them on her belly, then moves them further up on her breasts.
My mind drifts and my hands stop. Anastasia doesn’t notice my distraction right away and moans as my fingers close around her nipples.
Her long nails dig into my shoulders as my hands move from her breasts down to the inside of her tights. I slide my hand underneath the dress and find her most sensitive spot.
She makes a loud sound as my fingers start moving faster.
“Dominic, I’m…”
She buries her face in my neck, as I begin moving even faster. Anastasia comes shortly after, relaxing heavily against me.
“Dominic,”
She breathes against my skin. “That was…”
“Yeah, “ I say. I am not even hard.
Anastasia pulls away and tries to kiss me, but I avoid it. She frowns and then places her palm on my crotch.
Then I guide her to sit next to me.
“What was that?”
Anastasia asks, tying her dress back around her neck.
“Are you refusing me?!”
I have two options- to tell her the truth that my mind is entirely elsewhere, or just tell her that “ No, I don’t but I am tired. “
I choose the latter and she scoffs but doesn’t argue. She isn’t that mad, because she enjoyed the short pseudo-fuck we had just now.
“I will drop you off at the hotel. “
I tell Anastasia and this time she explodes.
“Drop me off at my hotel?” She yells. Now she is pissed. ” What? I thought we were staying together here!”
“I need to finish something.”
“Now!?”
“Yes.”
I say, evenly.
I am out of reasons and I should have thought of something better and more excusable, but it’s too late. I just don’t want her around tonight. True to herself and her nature, though, Anastasia doesn’t argue and simply pouts.
“You and your business.”
“Yeah.”
I say and the car keeps moving. The driver drops her in front of the expensive hotel and I tell him that he’s free for the night. I head to one of the private parking lots and find my car. I get in the Aston Martin, take my coat off and remove my tie. I roll my sleeves up and drive outside the city.
My mind is blank. All I see is the empty road ahead. By the time I get to my old apartment, it’s four am.
The maid has cleaned, even though I wasn’t sure I would be getting back here tonight. It was definitely a last-minute kind of decision.
Once I am in, I turn the light on and notice the newspapers and magazines placed on the coffee table in the living room.
Most of the covers are about my father’s empire, and some are about my new startup. There are a few about grandfather’s birthday and the gala.
Then there are the business-related ones- the only articles I can stand. Relatively.
“Dominic Hale- the most influential name in the business world.”
“Why is the new company expected to generate the highest revenue we’ve predicted and who stands behind this success?”
”Invest or regress?”
My eyes land on another headline. It’s from a tabloid or something.
“Billionaires we’ve got the hots for? Who is the most wanted bachelor? Hint: It’s NOT Dominic Hale.”
Below the title I see a picture of Max and I snort. Then I remember I forgot to call him.
“Damn it,” I curse.
I check the time and if he still is in California, he should be able to pick up. He does after a few rings.
“Dom, what’s up!”
Max exclaims and I hear the loud music coming from where he is.
“I just got home.”
I say.
“Now?” He makes a “woohoo”
sound. Max sounds way too excited and I'm guessing he’s at one of his weird parties.
“What’s that “woohoo” supposed to mean?”
I protest and he laughs.
“You never go to parties, that’s all.”
“This wasn’t a party.”
“Oh, right. How was the family gathering, by the way?”
“You mean the one you never came to?”
“Come on, Dom,” he says, “they hate me, you know that. I mean, I wasn’t made for this business shit.”
I close my eyes briefly.
“Still…”
I say.
“Are you coming back next week?”
Max asks, still yelling above the loud music.
“I might have to stay here longer .”
“What!? Why?”
“The old man is not too well.”
“Yeah, well… he’s old,”
he says casually.
“Max…”
I begin, and he quickly says
“Yeah, yeah. I guess- fine. Good luck. But isn’t Conor taking care of things over there ?”
“Dad asked me to stay. “
I say eventually.
“Right. Anyway, how’s Conor’s wife? You said he was married? “
No….
“I mean, apparently no one gives a fuck about my opinion and all that shit, but he could have at least mentioned it?”
Of all the things Max could have asked, it had to be that.
I clench my teeth.
“There wasn’t a press release,” I say through my still-gritted teeth.
“Yeah, as if Conor would let any journalists close to him.”
I rub my forehead expecting Max’s next question. It comes right away.
“What was her name again?”
“Violet.”
“Nice. Is she cool?
“She’s…”
My mind wanders again, just like it kept wandering all night.
“I don’t really know her.”
“Wait, did you say Violet?”
My brother exclaims
Max knows
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
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