Dominic
"I can't say I agree or disagree with you," I say to Vanessa. "You're the one who knows your father best. Do you really think he's hiding something?"
"Maybe I'm just thinking too much, she says dismissively, shifting in her seat. "It just felt like there's something he wanted to say but chose not to say it." "And what gave you that idea?"
"I know him."
"You know what I think? You're just thinking too much."
"Maybe you're right." She leans back in her seat, relaxing her shoulders.
"Are you absolutely certain that Shane won't try anything stupid?" I ask.
"To be honest, I've been a little worried, but the look on his face was clear enough that he wouldn't say anything that would get him in trouble."
"Good."
As the car falls silent, I find myself thinking about earlier when I arrived with her father and she was so happy that she kissed me. I've kissed her so many times now and it's more than I can count, yet during that single moment, my heart actually skipped a beat in surprise. I know she was acting, but it was just so sudden for me.
"Hey," she says, grabbing my attention again.
"What is it?"
"Tell me about your time spent at the orphanage and hospital."
I smile a little, always glad to know that she's interested to find out about the children even though she was there a few days ago.
As I tell her about my time there and how the children were asking about her, she faces my direction, brightly smiling at me.
The awkwardness between us naturally fades and it's like that moment in the study never even happened, but I'll never forget what it felt like when she rejected me.
Unlike the other time when we just came back from my parents' house after dinner, the car comes to a stop in the yard and we head inside together.
Just as we approach the elevator, she stops and says, "I was actually thinking about something."
"What is it?"
"It's something I want to add for the children at the orphanage in the courtyard but I don't know if you'll agree with it."
"Just tell me."
I get even closer to her, paying attention while she describes her idea to me. Impressed, my lips curve into a smile. "How did I never think of that?"
like it?" She chuckles, pressing
certain the children will love it, too." I lead the
I can already imagine their faces and their
you think I'll take it away from you?" I
I know you like to
"You're right about that."
and then the elevator falls silent again, but this time, it actually feels comfortable even though we say nothing
to our floor and I follow right behind her, trying not to look
I haven't yet told you," I say to her just as she gets to her
looks in my direction, raising
the call from the accident and that's when I remembered that I was supposed to do something today." Her eyes widen as she covers her mouth, figuring
that I think about it, what will you do
confident in my plan before I even
jaw drops and it takes her a moment to speak, making me wonder what she
ask, feeling
on her stomach, which seems like it
I don't
that's going to be your way
you have
"No, I don't."
this one. After this, they won't bother me at
even
when I excused myself while my
"Wow, that was st."
for Frank. After this,
giggles. "I can't wait to see this. When is
"Tomorrow at 2 p.m."
She frowns. "I won't be able to make it. I'll be at
could think of since I'm very busy all day and you
"Well, can you at least take a video or
thought of something." I
have these types of conversations with her without any awkward tension.
I look
She waves her hand dismissively, quickly
open my door as I wonder what she was about to say. With a shrug, I get inside, thinking about tomorrow's plan. It'll definitely turn
a little, thinking about how she
Vanessa
my way to the conference with my four bodyguards just in case
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