CHAPTER 13

“This song is for my ex-husband, who thought he could hurt me with his slaps. But what really hurt me was his lack of words. Because a man who lies should go straight to jail!”, Lolla Grace announces into the microphone, her voice firm but full of anger, “And do you know what you need to deal with a situation like this? A good lawyer, like mine. Efficient and... hot. If I'm here today, it's thanks to him. I love you, Maurice!”

The box is located above the main concert area. It has large glass windows overlooking the stage. The soft velvet armchairs are arranged in tiers, ensuring that everyone has a clear view, and there are low tables serving drinks and appetizers.  An uncomfortable silence hangs over the venue with the words Lolla. Even Jolie, who is standing next to me, looks at her father in complete indignation. Maurice takes a step back, trying to hide, as if he could escape the hurricane that Lolla has just created.

“Are you having an affair with Lolla Grace?”, Jolie asks, perplexed, staring at her father as if he had betrayed something more than just trust.

“All she said was that she wanted you in her bed!”, Blanca teases, with that acid tone she loves to use when the tension rises.

“Are you fucking crazy?”, Maurice replies, his anger evident, “You talk that shit in front of my daughter!”

“And you think I thought of something else when I heard that, Dad?”, Jolie retorts, stepping forward with her eyes shining in disgust.

“You see why I can't stand these pop sluts?”, Maurice explodes, visibly irritated, trying to regain control of the situation, “They're all bastards, one worse than the other! And I have to swallow this shit. Fuck you, all of you!”

“Ungrateful son of a bitch! If he went to her bed, it was because of me!”, Dominique's voice cuts through the air.

Maurice's gaze turns into a blaze of pure fury. He takes a step towards Dominique, his blood boiling in his veins.

“Fuck you, Dominique! Next time you'll sort it out, you bastard.”

I take a sip of the champagne in my glass, not paying attention to Maurice and Dominique's escalating argument. I'm the only one watching the show. Jolie has joined in their discussion, Blanca is silent. Lolla Grace, who is visibly drunk on stage, picks up a red machine gun and starts throwing bows at the audience, who start a push-pull to see who can catch the bows. I nod my head in disbelief. The two of them stop arguing with the shower of bows and seem to be in despair about the way the show is going. The songs are cheerful, but they make you want to jump off a twenty-floor building, without any support underneath the lyrics. Blanca signals with her thumb for me to follow her to the bathroom and I nod in agreement. I put the cup on the table and get up, tripping over the carpet, falling straight into Dominique's lap. I stare at him closely as his arms hold me with a gentle firmness. His gaze scans me from head to toe and I notice a subtle concern there.

“Are you all right, dolly?”, he whispers.

My heart is racing, almost as if it's going to burst, but I ignore it. I jump to my feet, bewildered and with an explosive mixture of hatred, desire, agony, fear and horniness, all together and messed up. I look away from him, but his hand grabs my wrist, preventing me from leaving.

“Where are you going?”, Dominique asks.

“To the bathroom. Can I or can't I?”, I answer, dryly.

“No”, he says, without blinking.

I set my wrist free.

“It's up to me, not you.”

Dominique gets up, indifferent to Lolla Grace's screams, which echo in the background. I breathe angrily and stomp my way to the ladies' room. I go in and slam the door shut. Blanca is there, applying red lipstick, looking at herself in the mirror. Her face isn't the best.

“Are you all right?”, I ask, a little suspicious.

“It's all shit. This woman sucks, and her live shows are even worse.”

At this point, even Blanca seems different. As far as I know, she loves Lolla Grace.

“Put some lipstick on”, she says, analyzing me, “You look pale.”

I take the lipstick from her hand and apply it to my lips, trying to pull myself together. The bathroom door suddenly opens, and Dominique appears. His gaze immediately meets mine. I put my hand on his waist, giving him a glare, but he doesn't even flinch. He just watches the room with that sudden vigilance, closing the door as he leaves. I sigh tiredly, handing the lipstick back to Blanca, who puts it in her handbag.

The show lasted more than long enough, and now I understand why it was called "Self-Explosive". Lolla Grace literally exploded at the end, turning into a million black and white pieces of paper. Her fans went wild. We left the theater, which is on the first floor, with an entrance and exit isolated from the rest of the casino. We followed the restricted access, which leads to the dressing room and the executive lounge reserved for guests. This casino is huge, and just when I think I've seen it all, I discover there's always more.

Blanca and I walk down the aisle arm in arm, while Dominique and Maurice follow close behind with Jolie. The two of them haven't stopped criticizing the show since they left the VIP area. Jolie is stuck to Maurice and won't let go. The corridor is long, and the Lolla Grace production team begins to appear here and there. Out of nowhere, Dominique comments:

“What an incredible show! Excellent production.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth”, completes Maurice.

The production greets Dominique with respect and enthusiasm. He handles the environment very well, he’s professional, polite and cordial. He opens the door for us to pass through and doesn't even cast a look of superiority as we enter. Dominique CEO is very different from the Dominique I live with. I wouldn't be able to live with this "nice guy" who doesn't say what he really thinks. That says more about me than it does him, I admit. Blanca is chewing gum when we enter the lounge, and I immediately see Lolla Grace with a turquoise drink in her hand. Her dress is short and eye-catching, with a scandalous neckline that reaches down to her navel, and a skirt made of vulture feathers. Her long, blue-black hair is tied up in a white bow. Her make-up is light, and her nails are stiletto style. The girl is very different, but that's okay. Everyone has their own style. As soon as she sees us, Lolla lets out a hysterical shriek and comes towards us but walks straight past Blanca and me. We turn around just in time to see her hanging onto Dominique.

“The master of the house! Thank you, my love, for the welcome. I've never been treated so well. I loved the Norwegian lobsters, and the extra pillows and Egyptian sheets definitely saved the night. I just didn't like the perfection of this place, I prefer a bit of chaos and mess. Oh, I asked for the water in the rooftop pool to be dyed pink and they didn't do it. I was disappointed. I almost canceled the show, but you did so much for me and this wonderful team made up for it!”

“I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. And don't worry, when you come up, the water will be pink. Your show was impeccable, and the doors will always be open to you”, Dominique replies, politely.

“And the doors of my apartment in New York will always be open to you.”

She adds, before kissing Dominique on the mouth. Then she grabs hold of Maurice and, amazingly, kisses Dom on the mouth again, leaving me completely stunned. I widen my eyes in shock.

“Thank you”, he says, forcing a smile.

Dominique subtly pushes her away, but I stand there, seized by an uncontrollable rage. The urge to drag Lolla by her hair through the streets of Monaco, smash her face into the ground and shoot her in the middle of the forehead is almost concrete. And then I realize that I'm completely paralyzed, swallowing hard as my throat closes, trying to process the wave of feelings that seems to convulse inside me. How the fuck she kissed Dom?

Lolla Grace continues to insinuate herself to Maurice, oblivious to the fact that his daughter is right next door. Jolie, with her lips parted, has an expression of boredom mixed with shock. I could just run out of here, but I'm not going to make a dramatic scene. What am I going to charge? Nothing. There's nothing to be charged for. I swallow again, trying to understand what's happening to me. Lolla turns to me and Blanca, finally noticing us.

“You must be my fans!”, she hugs us, first me, then Blanca, “I love your outfits! You look wonderful. Please bring us each a glass”, she says excitedly, calling her team.

I'm going to need a lot more than one glass to swallow this woman. She's annoying, she's a slut full of unfunny jokes. Maurice won't even open his mouth, and rightly so. If he did, it would be to tell Lolla Grace to fuck off. So it's left to Dominique to keep up the good guy act... which doesn't suit him at all.

Dominique is talking to the team near us. I'm standing by the window, holding an empty glass, while Blanca, next to me, finishes turning her drink.

“I'm sleeping with you tonight”, she says, not wanting to prolong the conversation.

“Blanca, what's going on? You were excited to see Lolla. You haven't stopped talking about this show... you even made a deal with Dominique for it.”

“The biggest mistake. You're the best part of this deal”, she rests her head on my shoulder”, I've won my best friend.

I do the same, resting my head on hers.

“ I want to leave, Kiki.”

“So let's go…”

I say as we get ready, place the glasses on the nearby table and link arms. We walk through the hall together. I don't talk to Dominique, because I'm tired, irritable and need some time to digest everything that's been happening. When I reach the door and open it, I see Vlad outside, accompanied by the security team. He frowns.

“Where is Mr. Le Blanc?”

“He’s with Lolla Grace, I'll get back to you.”

“I'm sorry, Kiki, but you can't leave without him.”

I roll my eyes, impatient.

“Vlad, please... we just want to go home.”

“I'm following orders, Kiki, and this time I can't help you. He's worried about your safety.”

Blanca makes a disgruntled pout.

“No, Vlad! I don't want to stay!”

Just then, the door opens and Dominique walks in, watching us.

“What's going on?”

“You've forbidden Vlad to take me home? That's absurd!”

“If you want to go home, we'll go”, he replies with a calm I've never seen before.

“Thank God!”, Blanca celebrates.

Dominique and I exchange a brief glance. I feel completely broken, but I hide it. I just turn on my heels, pulling Blanca along and moving on.

We arrived home, the journey tense and uncomfortable. Dominique didn't like the idea of Blanca staying, and didn't even need to say anything, his face already made it clear. When we arrived, we went straight to my room. She was visibly exhausted, turned off her cell phone and threw herself on the bed. I took a quick shower to remove my makeup and put on a short white nightgown. As soon as I lay down and started to doze off, Blanca woke me up with a scandal: "fuck, Kiki, you look like a soccer player! You kicked my ass!". After a brief argument with her, I went downstairs to get some water, taking my book with me. Sleep has disappeared, and my head is on the verge of collapse. Who knew that amnesia would be the least of my problems?

I got out of the elevator, walked through the house and when I got to the kitchen, I put the book on the worktop. I grabbed a bottle of sparkling water and a jar of hazelnut cream. I sat down to read a thriller. In the story, Vivian was shivering in her living room as the winds howled outside, the windows banging hard during the storm. Suddenly, the lights went out and she screamed in fright. The front door burst open and a grotesque figure with horns and an axe gleaming in the lightning emerged. I'm so immersed in suspense that when the kitchen door slams hard, I almost faint with fright. I turn quickly and find Dominique standing there with a towel wrapped around his hips and his drenched hair thrown back, indicating that he has just come out of the sauna. The memory of the sauna... I took a deep breath. Feelings I'd rather have avoided came flooding back, making me hot.

He smiles mischievously.

“Are you reading a dirty book again?”

I run a hand through my hair in an attempt to disguise my nervousness.

“You don't care.”

“Uh-huh.”

He comes closer, and I try with all my might to ignore his well-defined muscles and those gray eyes that make me lose focus. He leans his body over me, touching his nose to my neck, while one of his hands holds my waist firmly, but not aggressively. My heart skips a beat and I take a deep breath, smelling him so close to me, driving me crazy, trying to control my breathing

“Just because your little friend is here doesn’t mean you won't sleep with me.”

I felt my body hesitate for a second, but I pulled away, holding his gaze.

“I'm sure Lolla is waiting for you. Take her to your bed, asshole. But I don't know, Dominique. If you can't, spend the night trying to redecorate your art gallery, it's a bit empty after your outburst of anger”, I say, unable to bear to keep so many things to myself anymore.

I get off the stool, pick up my book and, in an impulsive gesture, hit him in the stomach. I leave the kitchen, not wanting to know his reaction, without looking back.

“Kiara!”, his voice is strong.

“Don’t you talk to me!”, I shout.

Friday, March 22, 6:30 a.m.

I'm back in the kitchen with Blanca and Dominique, who say at the top of his voice that there's no option for me not to go to the casino with him. That's non-negotiable. He looks at me with a palpable nervousness, hating to be contradicted. What a shame.

I'm dressed in a black miniskirt and a white shirt under a black sweater, which goes perfectly with my dark Chanel boots and the charm of my slightly exposed white socks. The heel isn't too high or thick. I let my hair loose. Since I didn't sleep a wink tonight, I decided to create some combinations. Better than falling headlong into my thoughts, which are one step away from driving me crazy. Blanca is next to me, enjoying her breakfast and watching the debate between Dominique and me.

“I'm not proposing anything. You go and it's fucking over, Kiara!”, says Dominique.

“I'm not going!”

Dominique looks at his watch, snorting, and stares at me with a look that almost sparks, the gray turning into a hurricane. He holds my wrist tightly, but I just stare at him. He means I'm the problem? That I'm being nice, giving in too much and he's making my life a living hell? That's interesting. If, to get what I want, I have to go beyond his limits and out of his control, I'm happy to do it.

Just then, Simon walks into the kitchen, wearing a polo shirt and casual jeans, popping a confetti cone as he shouts:

“Your birthday is on Sunday, it's not going to go unnoticed, and it's going to be a fucking blast, brother!”

“What's up?” Dominique lets go of my arm, “Do you think I have time to celebrate this year?”, he replies, angrily.

I look at Dominique, even more disappointed. Dominique is having a birthday and he hasn't even bothered to tell me? Louis appears next, with impeccable brown hair, wearing linen shorts and an oversized shirt.

“Come on, my brother, there's no time. We've taken care of everything, the manager will be dealing with the casino this weekend. Maurice is in the country house waiting for us. The rest of us are downstairs, ready to race.”

“What race?”, I ask.

“Whoever arrives first wins a great prize…”

I don't even wait for the end of the explanation. I jump off the high stool before Dominique ruins my fun, pulling Blanca, who still has her toast in her mouth, and we take off without a trace.

“Kiara!”, I hear Dominique's voice, but I don't stop.

I get into the elevator, press the garage button and look at Blanca, who is incredulous.

“Do you know where Maurice's house is?”, I ask bluntly.

“No. But just... call him?”

“Great idea. Do you have the contact details?”

Blanca denies it.

“Why do you think I would?”

“You needed a lawyer, you know.”

Blanca rolls her eyes.

“Maurice? He'd be last on my list.”

The elevator door opens, and I see Thierry and Pierre standing there. They look at me and I look back, puzzled. Thierry is on his cell phone, on a call with someone. I don't think twice, I just grab the phone out of his hand.

“It's already started!”, I shout, sprinting towards the parked cars.

I see Vlad getting out of the black Cadillac convertible. I head straight towards him, pulling Blanca by the arm as I hear Pierre and Thierry shouting and running to get into their cars.

“Fucking go!”

Blanca throws herself into the back seat of the Cadillac, while I quickly turn around. I approach Vlad and give him a poke that makes him jump in fright. I take advantage of the distraction, grab the key and I'm in the car. I hear the man shout:

“Kiki, no!”

And Dominique's voice in the background:

“Vlad, don't fucking let her!”

But it's too late. I press down hard on the accelerator and the engine rumbles loudly as I charge forward, leaving everyone behind. I give a wave and raise my middle finger, feeling the adrenaline rise as the speed increases and the tires sing on the asphalt. I'm in first place. Blanca jumps into the front seat, trying to balance herself as the race has barely begun.

“Call Maurice before he blocks the screen”, I say, handing her Thierry's cell phone.

Blanca picks up the device, but before turning it on, she just smiles and says:

“Have a nice day.”

And he hangs up on Thierry. The wind whips against the Cadillac as I speed up even more, feeling my heart race.

“Which way?”, I ask, with my eyes fixed on the road.

“Just keep going straight and I'll call you”, Blanca replies, elated.

Through the rearview mirror, I see a line of imported cars. Behind is Thierry, with his head out of the window, shouting:

“Kiara, I need my cell phone!”

Behind, accelerating and closing fast, is Dominique, trying to overtake Thierry in Monaco's narrow, steep corners. The most challenging corner lies ahead, a tight elbow where the car seems to lean too much. Thierry holds on tight, trying to stay ahead, but Dominique doesn't give up. He accelerates hard, the car's body almost scraping the side of the road as he forces his way through. Thierry snorts with rage, blasting the horn non-stop, giving no room. Meanwhile, Blanca slides her finger across the screen of her cell phone, bringing it to her ear.

“It's Blanca. Where is this country house?”, the way she speaks to Maurice is dry and direct, “Yeah, I know where it is. Send the location to Thierry's cell phone.”

She quickly hangs up.

“It's not far, it's in Tourrette-Levens. Just keep going straight and I'll let you know when to turn. In the meantime, I'll keep poking around on Thierry's cell phone”, Blanca says with a mischievous smile, full of evil intent.

I look in the rearview mirror and see Dominique finally overtaking Thierry, cutting in front of him aggressively. He waves at me, telling me to pull over, but I floor the accelerator even harder, the engine roaring loudly as the speedometer climbs to three hundred an hour.

Dominique, out of patience, isn't playing around. He starts closing in on me from all sides, throwing his car into mine, trying to force me to stop. With each attempt, I'm forced to move the Cadillac further to the right, almost going off the road, but not soon. The narrow, dangerous bends in the road become a real battleground. Dominique comes too close, practically sticking to the back, trying to push me off the track.

The way to the destination is a constant contest between Dominique and me, with him doing everything he can to overtake me. I can't tell if it's because he wants me to stop or if he's taking part in the race. Whatever the reason, I'm not willing to give up. I accelerate hard, the wind cutting across my face as the tires sing at every corner. Blanca is completely nauseous, saying she's feeling sick, begging me to stop. But I won't, not now that I'm winning.

Tourrette Levens

Maurice's property is on the hills, offering a spectacular view of the mountains. A dense canopy of diverse trees surrounds the site and from several points you can see the valley below. The streets, lined with stone houses and old buildings, reflect the traditional architecture of the region. The Mediterranean climate is evident, and the atmosphere is relaxing. I don't know who came up with the idea, but it was exactly what I needed! Such an adrenaline rush in the morning... it's been a long time since I've felt that!

At the top of the hill, the view opens, revealing an imposing mansion covering more than 20 hectares. Blanca, next to me, takes off the sunglasses she found in the glove compartment in surprise. The tall, golden, iron gates open, revealing a vast, tree-lined garden. I accelerate without hesitation, not giving myself the slightest chance of being overtaken on this final lap. High, imposing stone walls surround the place. The garden is extensive, with lush, well-kept vegetation. The road to the house is long, but the panoramic view of the city and the valley makes the approach even more incredible.

The mansion features classic architecture. The exterior walls are made of natural stone, and the roof is in the French style. The large glass windows allow a glimpse of the sophisticated and elegant interior. I stop the Cadillac convertible in front of the house and Dominique soon arrives behind me. He gets out of the car angrily and slams the door. I take a deep breath as Blanca, already out of the car, crosses her arms and closes her eyes.

“Get the fuck down or I'll rip your hair out, Kiara!”, he shouts, his voice loud and firm.

“I'm not going out! You can get your bat then then!”, I retort, defiantly.

Dominique leans over the convertible, wraps his arms around my waist and easily lifts me over the side of the car, without even opening the door. My balance falters, but he sets me firmly on my feet, his piercing, crushing eyes fixed on me.

“What's on your mind? How can you take this car without knowing where you're going? Running like that, without safety, putting yourself in danger! Crazy, irresponsible!”, he explodes.

“You're not in charge of me or what I do! I want to have fun, I want to enjoy life. If you don't want to, fuck you. Just leave me! You only know how to dictate. You're so out of your mind that you didn't even bother to tell me that Sunday is your birthday!” I say, irritated

“So what? What does this have to do with anything, Kiara?”, Dominique holds my arms tightly, his warm fingers squeezing my skin.

And as angry as I am, I keep thinking that he's the only one I allow to get close to me like this. He has a fucking power over me that perplexes me, making my breath go haywire.

“Fuck you, Dominique! It's always me who's wrong, never you. If only you had the capacity to fulfill the cohabitation contract that YOU yourself made, I wouldn't have to go through this!”, I scream, exhausted.

“This what? The best of the best? Protection wherever you go? The security you disdain? Come on, Kiara! How hard it is to go through all that, isn't it? It's easier to act like a crazy fuck and still think you're right.”

“You do the same thing, Dominique. It's so hypocritical of you to say that you think it's right. You don't realize how much you're hurting me!”, I start in a low tone, but end up shouting, “I shouldn't have come back!”

“You shouldn't have left my side, and now you'll be within my sight. Don't try to do otherwise”, he holds me back, “Do you understand, Kiara?”

I squirm, pulling my arms down in anger, disbelieving that he won't listen to me for a second.

“I hate you!”, I scream, letting go of him.

“I don't care”, Dominique's breathing is heavy, “And as you said yourself, it's all the way I want it, the way I want it.”, he's so cold it makes me shiver.

He ruffles his hair angrily and goes back to his car, slamming the door hard as he gets in, speeding off leaving tire tracks on the ground. I look around and see all the parked cars, but there's no one out here. Not even Blanca. I take a deep breath, feeling the tightness in my chest before entering the mansion.

Later, around lunchtime, I'm sitting in the spacious living room, furnished with two gray velvet sofas, in front of the automatic fireplace. Works of art are scattered across the walls and the large automatic glass doors offer an incredible view of the leisure area, the garden and the mountains. The curtains, which go all the way to the floor, are open. I don't know where Dominique is and I don't even want to think about it. He hasn't come back yet.

I'm on a video call with Berta, Vlad has returned to Monaco to collect his suitcases and she's in my room, showing me my options, taking the pieces I ask for and putting them in my luggage. Who would have thought that Berta and I would be like this? I call it progress.

“Berta, please go to my suite, open the cupboard next to the worktop and carefully put all the creams in the bag. Then go to the safe and get the briefcase. Don't open it!”

Berta, with all the patience in the world, picks up everything I need, between grumbles.

“It looks like you're staying for a week. It's only three days! Are you done?”, she asks.

“There's one thing missing”, I look around, seeing the empty room, “I need the lingerie.”

“Two a day, okay?”, she says, opening the drawer and sighing, but then I hear a ‘lord have mercy’.

“Berta, don't judge…”

“Never, but don't tell me that's different from being naked.”

“Are you going to tell me you don't wear anything like that? It's probably even worse. You look like such a naughty girl, and you're pretending to be polite, chaste…”

“You respect me, Kiara! I didn't give you that intimacy.”

“Not least because I'm trying to win you over, right? Maybe soon you'll be telling me more about your platonic passion for Vlad…”

“Kiki, shut up! Don't ever say that again”, she says, outraged.

“But it's true.”

“Shhhhh! Clueless girl.”

“Changing the subject, Blanca asked Gabrielle to pack her bags too. Can you ask Vlad to come by?”

“Of course. Have you got everything you need?”

“Did you get the jars of hazelnut cream?”, I whisper.

“I got it, Kiki.”

“That's great. I can't thank you enough. Thank you so much for looking after me.”

“I'm just doing my job, without sentimentality. If you left today, I wouldn't miss you, understand?”, she says in his usual sour tone, but her gaze says otherwise.

“And who said I'd miss you? Don't forget to feed Bia.”

“Bye, Kiki!”

I end the call and see Dominique entering the room. He gives me an indifferent look, as if I'm not here, and that makes me sad. He's drifting further and further away, and this time I'm to blame too. I can't deal with it, the tightness in my chest is growing and it's everything I didn't want to feel. I watch him walk away to the outside area, past the automatic doors that open. Blanca comes down the stairs, excited:

“Kiki!”, she shouts my name.

“What's wrong?”

“My room will be next to yours, they're the last two at the end of the corridor on the second floor. I've already chosen. The view from this house is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. I'd live here.”

“God forbid I share a house with you”, says Jolie, coming down the stairs with a messy bun.

Blanca looks back:

“What's the matter, girl? Didn't your father educate you?”

“Certainly more than yours”, Jolie replies, venomously.

Blanca stops, visibly annoyed:

“You have no idea the education I've had!”

“I already know enough: poor, self-interested, married with a toothless old man just to get rid of her mediocre life in a gas station and can't even speak English.”

I've just paid to see it...

Blanca comes into the room, looking at me in despair.

“Jolie... don't talk like that. It's wrong”, I say, trying to intervene.

“There is no right or wrong. There are smart people and dumb people, and Blanca is dumb. She can't even walk and breathe at the same time.”

Blanca turns to the girl, defiant:

“What?!”

“Apart from all, she's deaf?”

“Look here, little girl!”

“Wait a minute, you two!”

I get up from the sofa, thinking that Blanca is going to slap Jolie in the face. The automatic door opens, and Blanca approaches the girl, saying:

“Your mother should have swallowed you!”

I put my hand to my face in shock. She couldn't have said that to an eleven-year-old girl. But an eleven-year-old girl shouldn't have said all that nastiness to someone she barely knows either. Both wrong. When I look around, I see Dominique and Maurice watching the scene with judgmental looks on their faces.

“You're fucking crazy!”, Maurice says to Blanca, “Look what you're saying to a child.”

“She started it! Why don't you repeat to your father what you just told me?”

“Say what? You want me to humiliate you again? Was it too little? I'm just saying what was in his notes”, Jolie replies, affronted.

“Jolie!”, Maurice raises his voice, “I told you not to read my stuff!”

“So next time, don't leave it lying around the house.”

“Good to know, I'm going to start exterminating all your things that you leave lying around. Starting with this cell phone. If you're not using it to learn, you won't be using it for anything else.”

He confiscates the device on the coffee table and slips it into his pocket. Jolie clenches her lips, taking a deep breath, her trembling fingers coming to her lips.

“Why don't you put me up for adoption once and for all, since you don't have the patience to be a father?”, Jolie challenges.

“Jolie…”, Dominique says, “Take it easy…”

“Everyone pats him on the back, but he took my mother away from me!”

Maurice doesn't even flinch:

“What is the purpose of this sentence? Move me? Shake me up? Try again, girl. Go upstairs and I want a text on the difference between slander, libel and defamation by six in the evening. I don't care if it comes out with or without tears.”

Jolie snorts in annoyance and walks up the steps, stomping her feet. Maurice exchanges a glance with Dominique, who then goes after the girl. Blanca and I look at each other, still in shock. What a nice day...

“And you, off to the garden.”

Maurice says to Blanca, in a commanding tone, as if she were a teenager. She tries to disagree, but gives up, sighs deeply and leaves the room. Maurice follows and I'm left alone in the room again, curious to know why he has so many rude words for Blanca. Not that it's surprising, because I expect anything from him, but if he has all that from her, imagine what he doesn't have from me? And since I have nothing to do at the moment, I decide I'm going to watch from above as he tries to close in on my friend, just in case I have to defend her. I climb the stairs, the steps wide and imposing. The iron railings form elegant arabesques that decorate the path. When I reach the top, a slight curve marks the transition between floors. In the long, spacious corridor, several wooden doors indicate the rooms. I mention entering the first one, the door is ajar, but I stop when I hear Jolie crying from the next room. I look around and see only the works of art decorating the white walls. I approach in silent steps.

I see Dominique crouching next to Jolie, whose cheeks are red and the tip of her nose is flushed. Her gaze is filled with anxiety and worry.

“Jolie…”, Dominique says, in a soft but firm voice.

“Did my father tell you?”, she asks, her voice choked with pain.

“He did”, Dominique replies

“It was his fault!”, she says angrily, “She left me, she went away. She told my father she's never coming back.”

Dominique moves closer, holding Jolie's shoulders with a gentleness that contrasts with the way she normally behaves.

“Look at me, little one”, he asks, trying to hold her gaze, “Let's agree that it's never been easy with your mother and none of her actions have anything to do with you. Nothing you could do or say would change that.”

Jolie looks away, fighting back tears.

“My father doesn't like me! He didn't want me, my mother said so.”

“That's not true, Jolie”, Dominique says with a serious look on her face, “We both know this isn't easy. But putting pressure on your father and blaming him isn't going to ease what you're feeling or bring your mother back.”

Jolie lets out a sniffle, her voice still choked.

“Why can you do what you want and I can't?”

“‘Can do’ is a very strong term. And it's not because we do it that you have to copy it. It doesn't have to be like that. I know what you're feeling. But you're not alone, I'm here, your father is here, for whatever you need. No one will abandon you, princess.”

“Do you promise?”, Jolie asks.

“Obviously. You have a family here and you always will.”

Jolie hugs him tightly and he comforts her by rubbing her hair. I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't watching. I close my eyes for a moment. Dom loves children and knows how to handle them! He's not like the Dominique I know and this discovery only makes me feel worse. I blew up at him... Not that he hasn't given me a thousand reasons over the last few days. Not that he's changed anything, but... I sigh in frustration, no longer knowing what to do, how to do it. I don't stay for the end of the conversation, I just walk away, heading for the last room. I don't really understand the concept of family, not least because I don't remember mine, but seeing Dominique like this, in familiar surroundings, so at ease, is different. If before I thought the boys were his family, now I'm sure. Whatever happened at his house, it was serious, because the difference in treatment is huge, with the exception of his nephews, who clearly have nothing to do with it.

The room is spacious, with windows that let in natural light. The curtains are made of a fine white fabric, which floats gently in the breeze. The king size bed dominates the room, with a high gray velvet headboard that exudes sophistication. On either side of the bed, there are elegant bedside tables and the finest sheets cover the bed impeccably. The closet, although spacious, is nowhere near the size of mine. The walls are light, highlighting the stone fireplace opposite to the bed, on which rests an oil painting of a serene landscape depicting a peaceful countryside. Next to it, a comfortable armchair in the same shade as the headboard is positioned next to a side table, decorated with a crystal vase full of purple flowers.

Vlad enters the room carrying my suitcases and I follow him, picking up some luggage. When he looks at me puzzled, I look away, opening one of the suitcases to take out a pot of hair cream. Just then, Blanca suddenly enters the room, giving me an incredulous look.

“Are you having lunch like this? Put on something cooler.”

“Do you need anything else, Kiki?”, Vlad asks.

“No, Vlad, thank you. I'm not going, Blanca”, I say, looking at her.

Vlad nods and leaves the room, while Blanca shakes her head in disbelief.

“Are you staying here alone? Everyone is going”, she insists, “You'll have fun, see some castles, enjoy yourself.”

“I'm going to moisturize my hair, maybe go for a walk around the estate.”

Blanca frowns, turning away.

“Close my dress, please”, she asks.

I zip her dress, smiling.

“I'd better wear sneakers, right?”, she asks, hesitantly.

“It’s best. The streets here aren't made for our heels.”

She kisses my cheek lightly.

“Call me if you need anything.”

I nod, and Blanca closes the door on her way out. I throw the creams on the bed and lie down next to her, settling on my stomach and closing my eyes briefly. When I wake up, I rub my face and yawn. This country atmosphere just makes me want to sleep, everything is so quiet and pleasant.

I get out of bed and grab a can of risotto that I'd kept in one of the jars of hair cream, just in case. I take a spoon that I always leave in my bag and leave my room, taking advantage of the fact that everyone else has left, to explore the place on my own. It's the first time I've been left without the hordes of security guards watching me every step of the way. As I descend the stairs, I walk towards the living room, crossing its length and passing through the automatic glass doors, facing the vast outdoor area.

The infinity pool merges with the horizon, revealing a perfect view of the valley below. Comfortable seating is scattered strategically around it, and at the edge, an aqua bar brings a relaxed and luxurious air. The living area is integrated into the pool, large and with cozy sofas. I go over to one of them, sit down and open the can with the opener, settling into the soft cushions. I stick my spoon in the bottom of the can, ready to eat the risotto, when I feel a hard slap that sends it flying.

“Holy shit! I stopped going to the restaurant to try your food and you're eating a can?”, Dominique says in a harsh, cutting voice.

I'm startled, holding on to the sofa and looking back. He stares at me with a grayish look, full of fury.

“I'm not a child!”

“Then stop acting like one”, he says, seething with hatred.

I stand up, clenching my eyes shut, and he walks around the sofa towards me.

“I didn't even know you were here! In fact, I don't know anything anymore. I thought I didn't know who I was, but now I don't know who you are, Dominique.”

“What's it like?”, Dominique says, exalted.

“I had a life before Lohan, and you take me further and further away from it by treating me like this. It's not you.”

“Don't you like it when I protect and pamper you? Because that's all I've been doing.”

“You haven't protected me, only yourself. From what, I have no idea. But the result is that you suffocate me and push me away. And I'm full of it!”

“And you think I'm not?”, Dominique grits his teeth, “That son of a bitch touched you without your permission.”

“Is that why you don't want me anymore? Is that why I'm not yours anymore?”, I scream.

Dominique pulls my hair tightly, wrapping it around his hand, leaning over and bringing his face close to mine. I smell his perfume as my heart races.

“The shit I'm going through is mine, it has nothing to do with you. Are you going to tell me that what Lohan did has erased all traces of you being mine?”, he circles my face with his other hand, his tone serious, sure of what he's saying. And I melt into his touch, “You're mine, Kiki. Nothing and no one will to fucking change that.”

I bring my hand up to his face, feeling his warm skin. His gray eyes hold me.

“Tell me what's happening to you, Dom.”

Dominique releases me abruptly.

“You're really willing to spoil my birthday, aren't you?”

“I just want to understand what's going on…”

“There's nothing to understand, Kiara.”

“Oh, no? I want an explanation for all your behavior.”

He runs a hand through his blond hair, huffing, clearly annoyed.

“I had an affair in the past. My family got involved, fucked things up and I should have done more, but I didn't”, he speaks seriously, seeming to remember something.

This explains the bad family relationship and knowing Dominique, he won't say anything more than that.

“And what's it got to do with me? That doesn't justify the fact that you're treating me like this! As if I were going to break down at any moment, depriving me of everything, even you. Punishing me all the time, keeping so close but distant”, I spit the words out at once.

“I'm not going to fail your safety again, for fuck's sake! Fuck your opinion”, Dominique shouts, overlapping my voice.

“You're not even willing to tell me everything! But listen here, I'm not going to let you put me in a bubble, because I'm not going to stay. I don't want you like this”, I say furiously, closing my fists and clenching them.

I turn with heavy steps through the living area, but he pulls me by the arm, preventing me from continuing. In one swift movement, he turns me towards him. My breath is out of control and my blood is boiling with anger. Our gazes meet, a collision of emotions. Frustration, desire, unspoken things. It's all chaos, but the desire there is undeniable.

Without warning, his mouth takes mine. Fierce, sucking my lips into his. The intensity makes me reciprocate immediately, our tongues dueling, fighting for control. My hands slide into his hair, pulling him closer, as if the anger were turning into something more. His hands grip my ass hard, almost brutally, and finally a sigh of delight escapes my mouth.

I feel him pull me up, lifting my body with ease and my legs instinctively wrap around his waist. His hands invade under my skirt, his fingers firm against my bare skin, awakening a wave of desperate heat. Our panting and our bodies close together were all I needed.

Dominique carries me into the house, crossing the room without hesitation, his strong arms pressing me against him. My body brushes against his in search of more contact and I start kissing his neck, smelling his scent as he climbs the steps firmly. His hand slips through the fabric of my panties, making my body shudder at the touch. With one swift movement, he pushes the fabric aside and slips a finger inside me, probing, teasing. I arch up against him, my nails digging into the back of his neck as I gasp for air, a low moan escaping my lips.

The door opens behind me, and Dom kicks it shut, locking us in the room. He kisses me again, his tongue sliding into my mouth, and I suck it, teasingly, my nose brushing against his. When he reaches the edge of the bed, he throws me onto it firmly and my body sinks into the soft mattress. Quickly, I remove my boots and socks, throwing them to one side, my gaze fixed on him, and sit down on the bed. Dominique is standing in front of me, slowly unbuttoning each button of his shirt, his gaze locked on me with an almost suffocating intensity. He watches me like a predator, savoring my every move, and that only makes the desire grow even more. I slowly take off my sweater, throwing it in his direction. He gets rid of his shirt and throws it away, revealing his well-defined, muscular torso. I slowly open my shirt, focusing only on him. Every line of his body exudes strength and control. His broad chest, thick arms and abdominal muscles contract with every movement. My gaze follows his forms, leaving me with a mouth-watering, almost uncontrollable urge to bite every inch of his skin. He pulls down his jeans at once, leaving only his boxers on and I find a hard bulge inside them, desperately wanting him inside me. I crawl onto the mattress, keeping my gaze on him, moistening my lips in pure provocation. I sit on my legs, pulling the fabric of his boxers down, without looking away from him. I hold his cock, jerking it and slipping it into my mouth in a slow, sensual movement. My tongue slides along the base, following the entire length, feeling the smooth, warm texture and the veins popping out in contact with my tongue. The warmth of my mouth contrasts with Dominique's salty taste and I swallow it all, while listening to him grunt with arousal. I press lightly with my tongue, gently circling the tip before sliding back down, leaving a wet trail on the glans. His hands clench in my hair, fucking my mouth harder again. I relax my throat, feeling his cock pulse on my tongue and I feel my hair being pulled back and I grunt in protest.

“I'm going to fuck you in every corner of this room and you'll only come when I let you”, that's what he says, pushing me backwards, my back hitting the mattress.

My breathing quickens, my whole body yearning for Dominique, for his touch on my skin in a way that only he can do. I spread my legs, and his hands quickly remove my skirt and panties, sliding the fabric down my legs. He sticks his head between them, bending down and sucking me deliciously. I squirm with the movement of his agile tongue, which circles around my sex, pulling me off the shaft, digging my nails into the comforter and pulling it up, taking all the pleasure that is coursing through me. I try to roll over and Dominique holds my ankles tightly, preventing me from moving. I grunt in protest, calling his name as he continues to rub his tongue mercilessly over my clit. I feel a pang of pleasure making my stomach freeze, my fingers clench, my breathing quicken at an uncontrollable pace, making me lose consciousness. The heat bursting from the inside out and the need to cum becoming impossible to hold back, my arousal only increasing, feeling soaked, one step away from collapsing under his tongue. I realize my body is trembling and I can't stay still, arching my back, about to roll my eyes and get what I want most. Dominique stops... and I protest:

“Dom!”

I raise my head, meeting a mischievous smile.

“It's my time, not yours”, he says, getting up from the floor, “Kneel down.”

And I shiver all over, obeying his commands. I gasp at the heat that invades my skin, burning, begging for his touch. Dom moves behind me and sits on the bed, so close that his nose brushes my neck. His hands, firm on either side of my hips, move up slowly, his fingers gliding like a spark over my skin, making me shiver with a slight jolt of sensitivity. He takes hold of my hair, rolls it up and tosses it to one side, our breathing heavy and rhythmic. With a slow, firm movement, he opens my bra, which slides down my arms and Dom pulls it off at once.

“Arms back”, his hoarse voice demands.

I obey, bringing my wrists together behind me, my body surrendered, every cell on alert. He holds my arms tightly, wrapping the fabric in strong knots, one on top of the other, leaving me immobile. I try to move my arms, but I can't. My breathing becomes more anxious, the room shrinks with the tension that passes from me to him. Dom turns me face down on the bed, my face sunk into the comforter, and then he puts a pillow under my belly, raising my hips. I swallow, eager for what's to come, sweaty, hot and horny. His fingers gently caress my ass before my body feels the impact of the first hard, stinging spank. The pain spreads across my skin, making me close my eyes and gasp. I let out a sigh of relief, knowing that my Dom is back. All I wanted was to be touched by him. On the second, heavier slap, I feel him invade me hard, drawing a moan of satisfaction from me. My wet insides expand with each rough and precise, delicious thrust, my body contracting, wanting everything from him, desperate to touch him. My hair is pulled back at once, and I feel my scalp burn as he fucks me hard, drawing a scream from me. I squeeze him inside me, bucking back, rolling over, feeling him press me against him, his fingers digging into my ass, squeezing and slapping. My arms are numb, the pain is delicious to feel. He pulls out of me, and I cry out in protest at once again being deprived. It's frustrating! His hands grab my waist, and he pulls me back, my back hitting his hard chest. Dom shoves his cock inside me again, growling low with lust in my ear. He squeezes my breasts, playing with the piercing, his fingers lightly fingering my body, moving down as he moves under me. He moans with me, making me feel a wonderful pressure growing inside me. I squeeze him tightly, circling my hips, while his hand goes to my sex, rubbing my clit with two fingers. The pleasure is intense and intoxicating. His strong arm wraps around me, taking my breath away, my heart racing. The stimulation comes from all sides, in an animalistic way. My numb arms are begging for freedom, but I can't stop any of it. It's splendid and I want it even more. I want him to fuck me forever. He bites my neck, sucking, leaving his marks on me again.

“Come for me, dolly…”, he says, authoritatively and hoarsely.

My whole body reacts to him, begging for Dom with every thrust. My body shows that I'm completely Dominique's and that's exactly what I need to feel. I bite my lips in desire, my whole body synchronized, wet. His big hands squeeze my skin, my sex throbs, and without my being able to control it, I come desperately. My whole body convulses with pleasure. I moan and scream, and he doesn't stop for a second, intensifying my orgasm. I feel my body faint, falling limp in his arms, as my sex pulses against his hand.

I feel his tongue round the corner of my face from bottom to top as he pulls my hair, taking advantage of my last spasms. His hands slide down my arms, reaching my wrists and undoing the knots, freeing me. I rub the skin on my wrists, noticing the marks he has left. Dominique lifts me up, pulling away from me, and I turn around, finding the hard-on in his gray eyes. I grab him, wrapping my arms around his neck, kissing his mouth with desire. His tongue sucks mine, our mouths devour each other and I scratch his back. Dom holds me by the ass, laying me on the bed, covering my body with his, without interrupting the kiss. My legs wrap around his waist like magnets. I feel his cock fill me again, and he growls loudly against my mouth, thrusting deep inside me. I grip his strong, defined shoulders, feeling his scent mingle with my skin. He pulls away just enough to look at me and we lose ourselves in that instant. Dom brushes his mouth against mine, nibbling on my lower lip, while his thrusts become slower and surer. There's something different about that look of pure arousal, something I can't identify, but it shines with an enveloping intensity. I feel devoured by him, not just physically, but completely. My heart skips a beat, wanting more. I move my hips in sync with his, our breaths panting. He closes his eyes briefly and when he looks at me again, he thrusts harder, making me roll my eyes. The pressure inside me reaches its limit and without any control, I start to tremble. His gaze is fixed on me, pure ecstasy. Horniness consumes me as I have a second orgasm and Dom clamps his hands on my ass, cumming inside me. Filling me with his cum, he contracts along with me, both of us losing our rhythm, breathing irregularly, while I feel him pulsing inside me. His body collapses onto mine and he rests his head between my shoulder and neck for a moment, before throwing himself down beside me on the bed, still panting.

I woke up very hungry and went to take a shower, while Dominique went downstairs to see what was in the kitchen. I'm disappointed. The cupboards here are empty of any treat, there's no such thing as sugar. The cook prepares calorie-laden fitness meals, all bland and unsalted. I prefer my cans. Dominique, on the other hand, is in heaven and still wants me to eat this low carb swill. Jeez!

As I rinse my hair, I feel Dom's heavy hands embrace me from behind, pressing my body against the wall. I feel arousal coursing through me, his lips slide down my neck and my heart bursts into a fast beat. He turns me around and I see Lohan instead. My body freezes. I try to pull away, but his hands hold me firmly, pushing me against the wall. He squeezes my neck, and I scream, but my voice doesn't come out. I struggle helplessly as Lohan's smile grows. My body doesn't respond. The feeling of suffocation and lack of control takes over, my heart races, and...

I wake up with a jolt, and stand up, panting. I'm faced with Dom, his gaze wide as he holds me. His hair is drenched, his torso bare, just a towel around his hips. He's sitting next to me on the bed, a brief look of concern in his eyes. When I see him, I calm down, but my heart is still pounding. I put my hand to my chest, looking around, trying to understand where I am.

“What is it, dolly? Another nightmare?”, he asks, his voice soft.

“Uh-huh... Were you taking a shower without me?”, I answer, trying to disguise my shock.

Dominique smiles, grabs my thighs and pulls me onto his lap, lifting me up as he kisses me passionately. He leads us into the suite, his body next to mine, his hands firmly holding my ass in a perfect fit. I sink my hands into his wet hair, feeling the euphoria of having him all to myself, so close.

We fucked all over the room after the shower, it's like an addiction, I can't stop. Dom called Vlad, ordering a pizza and a soft drink, which soon arrived. We had to shower again after so much fucking, this time separately, because together it wouldn't work, we had to have dinner. It's 1am and we head down to the gourmet kitchen, fully equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, marble worktops and a spacious central island. The open design connects the kitchen to a formal dining room. I'm sitting on one of the high stools at the island, with a slice of Neapolitan pizza in my hand.

“This house is so beautiful and cozy, isn't it? Great for the weekend, relaxing... don't you think?”

Dom takes a bite of his pizza, looks at me, picks up his cell phone and starts typing something.

“ What are we going to do tomorrow? Since you don't want to parachute, how about we do something nice around here?”

“Of course”, he replies, still focused on the display, “We can go hiking. You'll like it. And it's not that I don't want to parachute, I just don't want to put you in danger. Not anymore.”

Before I can retort, Dom turns his cell phone towards me.

“The mansion next door. It's yours.”

The pizza I'm chewing goes in the wrong place, making me choke with shock. I take a sip of soda to relieve it.

“Are you crazy?”

He looks at me as if he hadn't just bought the house next door.

“Don't worry, we'll make it the same as this.”

“Dominique! I only said that the house is beautiful, not that I wanted one…”

“What's the difference?”

“All of it!”

“I told you, whatever you want, you've got it, dolly. And what's more, consider this week's fine, we know it's going to be pretty steep”, Dom winks.

I blink several times in disbelief, unable to believe what I'm hearing.

“We're not talking about a toy house, Dom. It's a mansion in Tourette…”

Blanca walks into the kitchen and glares at the bottle of cola.

“Can you imagine if I'd gone with heels? Girl, I would have come back barefoot. Look, the palace was a ruin. It was falling apart. I should have stayed here. If Simon didn't hold me, I'd fall”, Blanca says, looking at us, “Are you eating pizza? Oh my God! I should have stayed.”

“It's 1:30 in the morning. Where were you?”, I ask.

Blanca goes around the counter, picking up the pizza box and opening the lid.

“It depends on what time we're talking about. It all started with the palace and then the precarious, low carb lunch”, she says, munching on a piece of pizza, “Then, the "mini darling" wanted to go to Le Parc des Loups. She wanted to go because she wanted to see wolves. And I saw several. It took an hour and a half to get there and back. Then we stopped for dinner. So many veggies... my body has never felt so healthy, and I've never felt so dead. Louis decided he wanted to go to the beach, and everyone went. We've just got back, everyone is very drunk, except for Jolie, Maurice and, unfortunately, me, who had to drive. And you know how I hate that.”

“Wow, what a sad day. I'm glad I stayed”, Dominique comments, crossing his arms, “Anyone who knows the family knows where they're going, right? What did you think, Blanca? An eleven-year-old together, what did you think? That they'd go to a whorehouse and take you?”, Dom asks.

“A place with fewer bushes? Maybe a nightclub?”

“With a child?”, It's my turn to ask an incredulous question.

“We'd ask her for Lolla Grace, I'm sure she'd like that unqualified woman. The only thing I can tell you is that Simon said he has a surprise for the family tomorrow.”

The three of us look at each other puzzled. Blanca picks up the pizza box and the bottle of soda.

“Excuse me, I'm going to have a moment of happiness.”

Blanca walks away, leaving me with only my piece of pizza on my plate.

“Little does she know that tomorrow we're going hiking. She's going to love it”, I say.

“She'd love to throw you off”, says Dominique, taking his piece of pizza and putting it on my plate.

“Not if I throw her first”, I direct a bite.

I finish dinner quietly, we've had a great time today. Who knows when we'll have another moment like this? With Dom's routine, it's impossible, even if he's around, that doesn't mean we can travel all the time. I wish we could. As I look at Dominique, I realize that her attention is already on me. I hold myself there, and that visible predator's gaze makes me soften.

“Dominique!”, Maurice's deep voice echoes and soon his figure enters the kitchen, staring at us, “Louis drank his ass off and now he's feeling sick, help me get that asshole upstairs.”

Dom snorts impatiently.

“That's fucked up, isn't it? And where are the others?”

“They're trying to get out of the car.”

Dom stands up and Maurice looks at us suspiciously.

“Did you shower together?”

“Of course not!”, I answer with false shock, not least because the last bath wasn't together, “There's a bath time at home. When he does, I do, because then we have dinner.”

“Kiki, you don't have to explain anything. He's an eternal asshole”, says Dom, bored.

“And you, an eternal fuck it, that's why they match”, I provoke.

“Women and cooking also go together and I don't keep throwing that in your face”, Maurice retorts, acidly.

“Enough”, Dom laughs, pulling him away.

“If you go to the circus, you become an attraction, a clown”, I say out loud.

.