The Daring Billionaire’s Wife

Dominic

I'm only on my second glass of whiskey, unlike Frank, who's on his fourth to celebrate this victory with me. I should be just as enthusiastic as he is, but I can't bring myself to do it.

"Dude, you don't have to worry about Shane anymore," he chuckles. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

I lean back in my seat, blankly staring at my glass. "It's definitely what I wanted but that's what bothers me because of what is to come."

"You mean letting Vanessa decide if she wants to be with Patrick or not? Wait, are you scared?" He mocks me as he rests his elbows on the table. "Piss off."

He chuckles. "Okay...okay... damn. I won't laugh anymore. He clears his throat and turns serious. Talk to me."

"Patrick seemed so confident that Vanessa's still in love with him since they share a long history together."

"Do you think that's true when you look at her?"

"Honestly, I don't know what to think. There are times when I've made myself believe she feels something for me but I soon dismiss that possibility."

Raising his eyebrows, he says, "Imagine this - she stands between the two of you and then boom! She actually wants to be in a relationship with Patrick!"

I clench my jaw, trying so hard not to smack him across the face. "You really don't make this easier."

"And why should I? You know, I still can't believe you like Vanessa."

My lips naturally curve into a smile but it soon fades. "Not a word about this to Mia. I know she's part of us now, but when it comes to certain things, you better keep your mouth shut. Some secrets are just for the two of us." "Trust me on this one. My lips are sealed."

I empty my glass all at once, then rise to my feet.

"Wait, where are you going?" he asks.

"I need to talk to Vanessa. She's over at her dad's house. I don't think I can wait until later for this shit with Patrick. I want it out of the way as soon as possible so I can be at peace and know how she truly feels about it."

He sighs. "I guess you can't wait to get your heart broken."

"Shut up."

I tighten the grip on my steering wheel, determined to speak to her in person before she can make her decision. Though she mentioned in the past that her feelings for Patrick changed, that doesn't make me less nervous as I fear it's not entirely true. I drive

that this treatment is a success. Even though I want to take her up to her bedroom so we can speak in private immediately, I have to wait for the right moment. The moment finally presents itself and I hold

and tilted her

dying of curiosity about how it went with Patrick," she says. "It didn't help that you told me nothing

of all..." I trail off as I get closer. "Shane is no longer a

"What? How come?"

I explain to her the relationship between Patrick and Shane, her eyes

crazy," she says

get rid of whatever little

"Exactly."

relief but it soon fades. "Wait, there's no way Patrick did this

He has a condition.

"Huh?"

to make that decision on your behalf but he said it has to be you. He wants to know how you feel and that's why he wants to meet again. Next time, you're coming with me." She goes silent with a blank expression and I can't tell if this is good news to her or not, but I don't want to

"Hey, whatever it is you're

if this doesn't go the way I want, I'm actually going to lose her right when I've just started realizing my feelings

if you don't want to," I repeat

actually shatters my heart a little and I loosen the grip

lips as I look

regret that I confessed to him how I feel about her. No matter

-

up openly showing my irritation for everyone

other side and open the door for Vanessa, holding out my hand for her. She looks at me with a half smile of gratitude and the pain in my heart won't go away as I'm getting closer to finding out

hand in mine and I hold it tightly as I don't want to

doing this doesn't put any stress on you,"

this out of the way. It's

"Then let's go."