On the following day, Dominic and Mike sat outside the house in the garden discussing the present condition of things. On the balcony, Andra was busy with her nails.“I honestly regret hiding my identity from the onset.” Dominic confided in Mike.Mike was taken aback by his concern. “I can’t believe you’re brooding over that. I mean, your major concern should be about your dad disowning you.”“Listen, I am worried. But let’s look at this scenario. What if this was a real thing and maybe we end up falling in love? Will he disown me for that?”“That scenario would have worked best if she had a good name. But no, she has a bad reputation. And that is why like every concerned person, your father is against it. If you ask me, what your actions portrayed to the public is that your family applauds or supports such immoral behavior.”“I think the public is always quick to judge, anyway.”A moment passed, allowing them to ponder the situation. Mike sighed heavily.“I warned you about this.” He
There was a moment of silence and Andra heard her stepmother’s heavy sigh.“Swallow your pride, Andra.” She advised. “And with whatever cash you have in hand, open a new bank account and send me the details. Then I will send you something basic that you can start surviving with.”“I will pay you back,” Andra vowed, refusing to let go of her pride.“Oh, please. Just get the account. I’ will be waiting.”After the call ended, Andra realized the seriousness of her situation. She called Molly to complain about the matter.“I’m so sorry about all this, but your stepmother is right,” Molly said. “Open the account. I will also send something but it is not going to be too good. You know I have my money in fixed deposit as I’m trying to save up for my studio.”“I know.”“Now, you see why I work, right?”“Your job is demeaning.”“It is not demeaning. Making beats for musicians is not a useless job. It will help me when I eventually get my studio.”Andra sighed with frustration. “Whatever, Molly
Dominic saw the busted look on her face. He saw the look of worry and embarrassment that entered her eyes. It pleased him to see that. It meant she had some conscience. Also, she should learn not to assume that people could not understand her language. “My mother is a native of Emupo.” He informed her. “If you insult me again, you will not like my reaction.” Andra snapped out of her embarrassment. She was offended by what she considered his high-handedness. “Let me go.” She demanded. “Apologize.” He said firmly. Her eyes shone with defiance. “I will do no such…” He didn’t let her finish. “I said, apologize.” He ordered his dark and forbidden military voice, surfacing. He hadn’t meant to use that tone because it scared people, but it often surfaced when he was getting impatient or angry. Fear clouded her eyes immediately and she took a step back. “Right now.” He pressed, maintaining the forbidden tone, his eyes narrowed at her. Her frightened eyes shifted from his and landed o
That night, Andra got prepared for her night out. She had no concerns as she dressed up. Dominic’s threat of interference did not bother her. He would not dare stick his nose where it did not belong. She checked her time on the wall and saw that it was almost 9:00 pm. The party would begin thirty minutes later. She was running out of time. She grabbed her purse and headed out. Upon reaching the living room, Dominic was not there. She was relieved at his absence because she dreaded a confrontation with him deep down. She didn’t need any. She needed her peace. Andra walked out to her car and noticed that Dominic’s car was not there. She felt relieved again. He was out. Perhaps, he was busy with taxi work. Well, good for him. Andra entered her car and let herself out. She was starting to feel the inconvenience of not having a gateman. At her father’s place, there was a gateman available to open and close the gate. She missed that. The thought was on her mind as she went ahead to open
Jack’s comment had doused the tension and he extended his hand for a handshake.“Hi, Milady.” He greeted. “I am Jack and it is my pleasure to finally meet you.”Andra was instantly taken by his gentlemanly manners. She smiled at him again and they shook hands. He was right. She thought. Who said an engaged person could not have friends?“Pleased to meet you.” She said, realizing that she genuinely wanted to get to know him better. And that contract fiancé of hers could just mind his business or go to hell for all she cared.Moments later, Andra was laughing her head off with Jack as they sat at the bar slightly away from the party spot.There was an assortment of food on a large table where any interested person could just take what they wanted. The party was in full swing.Andra and Jack had drinks before them and Andra was tipsy already, her body movements, irregular and somewhat dazed.She knew she was drunk but she was aware of a level of control she still had over herself. Jack w
Dominic ignored Andra and kept his focus on the man. Jack’s gaze was cautious upon Dominic as he politely introduced himself.“I’m Jack, her friend. I’m just…”“Friend?” Dominic questioned disbelievingly, causing the man to pause with a guilty expression on his face.“A friend that lets a friend get drunk, especially to this extent, is not a friend,” Dominic concluded brusquely.Both men stared at each other in the tense silence that followed. Dominic’s gaze was unfriendly while Jack’s was wary.“Look, I’m just helping.” He explained defensively.“Leave my…my friend alone.” Andra drawled, managing to lift a pair of drowsy-looking eyes on Dominic. “Leave…leave him alone. We don’t want any…any trouble.”“You had better just shut your drunken mouth,” Dominic ordered, freezing her even in her drunken state.Jack, as if realizing he was at a crossfire, decided to flee the scene. After all, this was between an engaged couple. A wise man should not stand between a couple.“I think I better g
Andra was about to retort that he was not her father but she recalled his answer to that sometime in the past. He had said he was her fiancé as though that gave him the right to boss over her.Dominic ran warm water into the bathtub. As the water poured into the tub, he returned to his position behind her, rubbing her back soothingly.Another retch racked her body and she doubled over again with a puke. Dominic continued rubbing her back supportively and she realized that his attentions were helping. For that reason, she decided to do as he had said and focus on getting better.“Let it all out.” He encouraged soothingly.Andra had a couple of upchucks that had her eyes watering but she was starting to feel like she would not puke again. That part was over.Her vision was blurry as she met his gaze in the mirror, so she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, clearing her sight. “I think it’s…it’s no longer coming but my head…my head hurts.”Without responding, Dominic flushed the s
Ten minutes later, Dominic who had been waiting inside the living room, looked up from his phone as Andra stormed in from her bedroom. She wore a casual mid-thigh dress and looked like a nice next-door girl, but he didn’t let that fool him. He knew the brat she was. He observed the brooding look on her face as she glowered at him. “Why can’t you just let me rest?” she demanded. “No, don’t do that.” He responded firmly with a warning tone. “Don’t do what you’re doing, because I know exactly what it is that you’re doing right now and it won’t work with me. You should know that by now.” “What am I doing?” she asked, the brooding look gradually being replaced with a wary expression. “What am I doing?” she repeated. “Playing a game.” He replied. “And like I said, such games don’t work with me. I assure you.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “You don’t?” he asked disbelievingly. “Who are you trying to fool? You storm out here looking all angry. So what will happen? I would t