Chapter14

Vanessa

As Dominic extends his hand so 1 can bring my leg forward, I sit still and shake my head.

Just leave it.” I look outside the window as the limousine drives gif. “As long as I don’t move, I’ll be fine.”

Isaidlet me see that”

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Ihisswhen he reaches for my leg and places it right on his thigh making me jerk my head in his directionwithsurprise.

“What are you doing?” I furrow my eyebrows.

“Just sit still.” He doesn’t even look at me. Hiseyesare focused on my leg.

When his large hands wrap around my calf and massage with precision, I’m at a lot for words as I watch him. Is he only doing this because he might be a little tipsy?

The momentheraises my leg a little higher, my breath hitches because I fear that my underwear might be exposed to him even if my dress is long. But because I don’twantthat to happen 1 try to pull my leg back. That action only makes me hissagainas it causes me more pain.

“I told you to sit still.” He grunts

And I don’t want you touching me.”

He

scoffs and doesn’t even look at me. I’m not doing this for you. It’s for my parents and your father”

Unable to come up with anything to say back to him, I look on as he massages my calf. The sensation is so calming that I rest my head against the seat.

While he works on it, my eyes barely look at what he’s doing. I only stare at the side profile of his face. He’s so focused that he might not evenhaverealized he’s clenched his jaw.

As much as I don’t want to admit it, seeing him from this angle is justasequally attractive as any other angle I’ve seen him from. Despite his arrogance,he’s extremely handsome and that’s something I just have to admit to myself.

When he suddenly lifts his head to look at me, I look away and face outside.

“That should be better.” He sighs.

Flustered, I tuck my hair behind my ear as my heart races a little, “We can’t tell if it’s better until I stand on my own two f

and try to walk.

“After what I just did for you, a simple thank you‘ wouldbenice.

“Not until I’m certain I’m alright. I cross my arms, mygazestill fixed on thewindow.

He scoffs. “Whatever.”

His response is followed by a silence that I find awkward and for me,that’snew. The two of us have traveled together in silence before but this is just different and I keep asking myself why – becauseofasimple gesture tomassagemy calf and not even because of me but our parents? I hope not.

When I sense his movements from the corner of my eye, I look over and he moves to the other side andtakesa seat in the corner. Now he’s facing me.

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I don’t know what’s better–having him sit close to me so it’s easier for me to not look at him sinceIcan just look outside the window, or having him sit on the other side, where he’s not close to me but it’s more difficult to avoid looking at him.

As he reaches for a glass, I’m in disbelief when I assume he’s about to pour himself some more whiskey. The side of the limousine where he’s seated has a whole compartment of assorted drinks.

He looks up from his glass andsays, “If this is thepartwhere you tell me not to drink w-”

“I wasn’t going to say anything I cut him off as I shrug.

“Good. Besides, I’m only taking someorangejuice this time.Wantsome!”

I tilt

my head with narrowed eyes. I can’t believe he’s actually offering me a drink. Though there was so much to eat and drink on the private jet, I didn’t feel like it. But now might be a good time to have something.

Keeping myeyeson him as he pours himself a glass,Igive him a nod and what I’m about to say even feels awkward.

“Yes, I’d like some

“That’sgood toknow.” He leans back, crosses his legs and drinks from his glass.

I can’t believe he messed with me like that. Asshole.

With a ruff, I look outside my window, the various buildings coming into view as we move along the road.

1 even spot some billboards of Dominic.Mostof them are about already established businesses, but there’s one in particular about men’s cologne which is yet to be launched. He’s the face of the brand and as that billboard passes by, I can’t help but turn my head to keep looking at it.

On the billboard, he’s in a graysuitwith no shirt underneath, leaving his skin a little exposed since the top buttons are loose. With the billboard having a warm tone, it gives offasensual vibe

It’s even been confirmed that the cologne itself once launched, willhavesome sensuality to it.

He already smells so good with all the colognes he has butnoneof them have that sensual quality to make me immerse myself in the scent. I can’t help but wonder if this one will live up to the standard it seems to portray.

Once the sexy billboard is out of my view, I look at the surrounding buildings that come into focus. It’s only then that I realize I stared too much and he might’ve seen me.

Holding my breath, I look over at him and he’s focused on his phone, giving me some relief.

It doesn’t matter if he saw melookingor not. I’m just glad he didn’t mention it. But no definitely mentioned it had he caught me staring.

that I think about it, he would’ve

Yesterday, he said it in my face that I was a hypocrite for acting like I didn’t want him yet I cried for him at night, which was absolutely incorrect. But in this case, he wouldn’t waste an opportunity like this to get back at me andmakeme feel embarrassed. I guess I got away with it.

The limousine pulls up toagiganticblack gate withthesun reflecting off of it

Though Dominic’s been here before, it’s my first time. Our new home is in the richest neighborhood in California.

Frankdoesn’tlive too far from this neighborhood.

After the gate opensandwe go inside, the green grassonboth sides of the road is so neat that it looks like a green carpet.

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orthe bouse to come into view as we drive for about a minute, an assortment of trees scattered over

the beautiful landscape.

When the house finally comes into view, I’m in awe at how it seems to be so tall it could actually reach for the sky. I’ve seen similar houses before but nothing like this

The house’s off white color stands out from all the shades of green coming from the grass and trees

When the limousine drives through the roundabout which has a fountain rightatits center, I brace myself for what’s coming next. It’ll belikea moment of truth when I stand on my own two feet.

A few cars with the bodyguards have accompanied us to our new home, so we wait until they surround the us before we can step outside.

Once they’re in position, the door is opened for us and Dominic steps out with ease.

It takesmeawhile as I don’t want to feel that pain in my calf.

“Are you getting out or what?” He crosses his arms, his tone a little impatient.

At this point, he can just go inside. He doesn’t have to wait for me.ButI’m guessing it’s because he want handle myself in this situation.

to see how 111

Slowly, I scoot to the other side until I’m close to the door, being mindful not to add any pressure on my other foot with the pulled muscle in my calf.

Now’s the time tofindoutif his massage really made a difference.

For a start. 1 step my good foot on the ground, then slowly follow suit with the other one.

Everything seems fine, until I push myself off my seatandstand up. The pain is so unbearable that I fall. But before I drop totheground, he rushes to me and urgently wraps his arms around my waist.

oan loudly.

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