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
“Let me go,” Andra repeated with failed gusto. “Let you go?” “Please. Please let me go.” At this point, Andra had let go of her pride. She just wanted to be free from the position she was currently in. “Let you go where?” he taunted. “Where exactly should I let you go to?” “Please. Please just let me go.” She pleaded. Her heartbeat was pumping furiously with fear and uncertainty. She never thought he would have the guts to handle her like that. She, Andra Anderson, is a princess in her own right. If not for her father’s selfishness, she was practically a queen. Now here she was, reduced to a position of submissiveness before Dominic. But she was ready to do anything so he would let go of her, even if it meant begging. After all, what was it that people said; you live to fight another day. “Please. Just let me go.” His palm dropped to her waist, spanning over the area, warm and firm atop her, still looming with a threat. “Rule number one. You do not ever walk out on me again. Do
Dominic let his eyes travel to Andra, meeting her wary gaze. She had been sitting there, observing him quietly with some awe.“Congratulations.” He said. “I have barely finished talking to you and you’ve finally done it again.”A frown marked her smooth brow as confusion and uncertainty hit her. “Done what?” she asked.He flashed his phone screen at her. “Why don’t you come over here and find out?” his voice was rough with impatience.Curious and overcome with worry, she rose and crossed over to the couch he was occupying across her. He patted the space beside him and she sat down there, her heartbeat pumping faster with anxiety.He handed the phone over to her and she saw what he had seen that had him visibly upset. Her face fell as she read the threat that followed.“That party had no paparazzi.” She explained in her defense. “My friend said everyone was screened.”“A fine screening, they did.” He said, taking the phone from her hands.“I am tired of them always targeting me.” She c
“So, who is she?” asked Dominic.“That’s Angie. She’s, my friend. She’s the one that hosted the party.”“Hmm. A fine friend you have there.” He said, his voice heavy with sarcasm.“What do you mean?”“Look, she could very well be the blackmailer.”“No, how can that be?”“Come with me.” He said and led her to his bedroom. There, he showed her the screen of his laptop where he still had Angie’s photo and SIM card registration details. Dominic patiently explained what she was seeing and Andra was distraught at the information. Still, she was doubtful.“Okay, but that’s not her phone number.” Angie pointed out. “The one on my phone ends with different digits from the one here. I’ll get it.”He waited as Angie left the room and quickly returned with her phone. He confirmed the difference but didn’t bother shifting his suspicions.“She should have another number.” He told her. “I mean, people have more than one number, right?”Andra saw his point. Maybe she just didn’t have the particular
Back in the house, Andra kept up with the friendship act for a few more days. During the start of the weekend, she could not take it anymore and fell into depression. Home alone, she didn't want to go out and cause any trouble. She didn't want to ask Dominic if she could go either. She just stayed in the living room sad. Dominic emerged from his room, dressed casually and looking sharp like he was about to enjoy a night out. She was watching the TV morosely without really paying attention to the movie playing on the screen. She wished she could go out. She was bored and alone. She looked at Dominic, her eyes melancholy. He folded his arms and smiled at her. "Andra." "Yes." she answered dully. "It's Friday night and you know what?" "What?" she asked, her mind curious, the dullness still paramount. "I'm taking you out." he said. "We are going partying." A smile brightened up her face. "Really?" she could not believe it. "Yes. Really." Andra leaped off the chair and rushed
Andra felt her body go cold with dissapointment. She knew she had fallen head over heels in love with Dominic, hence his words hurt her. So, he would be leaving? To him, it was a mere contract and it would soon be over, just like that. "What about the company?" she asked."I already have interested investors who want to buy it."Andra felt her heart breaking. But she tried to control her emotions."So, you will just leave and go back to your life?"He nodded. "I see no other choice."“And us?” she asked.He glanced at her. “Us was a contract, right? I am sure you cannot wait to be rid of my rules.”Andra believed he was wrong but she did not want to push it. She smiled wanly and the ride became silent. She felt like crying. Still, she pretended that everything was okay. But deep down, her heart was shattering to a thousand pieces.Later, the following day, she was sad as she walked beside Molly at the park they last hung out at."You can tell me what's wrong." Molly encouraged "I I c
"I should not have slapped you. I pushed you and I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for...for bringing a man to the house." Dominic turned away from her. "Just go," he said dismissively and to his surprise, she threw herself inside the room.As he turned to face her, she was standing right before him, contrite. "I'm sorry."His demeanor was unshaken."Are you really sorry or you're just fooling around because I don't have time for games.""I'm sorry, please.""How long was he here?""We barely just came in."Dominic's demeanor was starting to soften as he realized that the silent treatment, he gave her was for too long."Hmm. That's okay. And look I'm sorry too. I should not have left you alone like that. You were apologizing and I took too long to give you some attention. I realize that wasn't very nice, okay?"She nodded, relieved to hear that."Still, that doesn't give you the right to go man-hunting.""I know. I'm sorry.""I still feel angry. All this tells me is that once you can't get at
The couple heard Dominic's footsteps as he approached the door. And then he was knocking. "Andra, answer me, damn it. I know you're in there. And I want to see you now." Andra knew she could not hide anymore. She quickly advised her partner to seek refuge in her closet. Dominic would not enter the room, she assured him as she dove for a quick change of clothes, ditching the skimpy clothing for pajamas. "And why are you guys staying in separate rooms?" the guy whispered. "This is the guest room." she lied and he quickly disappeared into the walk-in closet. "Andra, I swear, if you don't open this door right now..." In a moment of courage, Andra opened the door and stepped outside to confront her fears. She shut the door behind her protectively and watched Dominic's hands gripping her partner's tie as his hazel eyes burned with fury. This was not how she had expected his return to be but she could not turn back the hands of time. Dominic perused her outfit. It didn't look like s
Seeing Andra’s devastation, Molly decided to be supportive. "Don't worry, he will talk to you once he is calm enough." "Thank you." Andra decided to try and control herself before she started looking like a love sick puppy. It wasn't as if she was in a relationship with a guy and they were having problems. Strengthening herself she looked at Molly, remembering her pressing need. "Molly, I need some cash. He left me with no upkeep. I guess because he is angry." At her request, Molly became infuriated. She rose with indignation. "I see why you're worried about not reaching him. The money is all you need. I knew you will never change." Andra stared at Molly, shocked. "Is that how low you think of me?" she slowly rose, pained by Molly's assertion. "Forget I asked," she said and started heading for the bedroom in frustration. Molly realized she was wrong to quickly judge her. "Wait, I'm sorry." Andra disappeared inside the room and slammed the door shut, leaving Molly alone, perple
Dominic folded his arms and glared at her. He was somewhat relieved by her surrender. He didn't want to have to physically hurt her. He didn't like hurting anyone, especially if he could avoid it, but she was driving him up the wall. His eyes swept over her like a scanner. "You left this house in different clothes, and now you're here with different ones. That alone is a giveaway. I knew you were up to something. But I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt. Still, you just could not disappoint me." Andra wobbled a bit, which pissed him off further."Look at you. You can't even stand properly. You're drunk. You should be ashamed of yourself." "I am not drunk, I swear. I'm just... yes, I drank, but I did it responsibly. I stopped as soon as I reached my limit. I swear, there was no scene. I assure you, there will be no news." "There had better be no news about your stupid outing," he barked, unable to control his anger. "You left this house yesterday with a pack of lies, an
The sky was dark and only illuminated by sparse and distant stars. Dominic was out on the front porch of the house, gazing at the night sky.His eyes traveled to the spot where Andra’s car was supposed to be parked. It was not there.Dominic recalled her backpack. He remembered asking her what was in there because he was uncomfortable with it. She said it was for the laundry. Now, he could almost swear that her disappearance had to do with that backpack. She carried clothes. Now if something happened to her wherever she was, he would be blamed. After all, she was his wife. That was the portrayal. Dominic was trying to control his anger. If she agreed to the deal, the least she could do was follow the rules. He was pissed off as he checked his wristwatch. It was already past 12:00 pm. Where could she be? The first place he could check was any club, but he already knew that was a lost cause with all the clubs in town.If she dared showed up any moment from now, he would not be able to
Dominic stood there for a few seconds, listening to her cry. As usual, she was affected.“I can’t wait for this deal to be over.” She cried regretfully.He drew close to the door and gave it a gentle knock. In response, she shouted, telling him to just go away and leave her alone in her misery. He didn’t relent and knocked on the door again. This time, she said nothing but was sniffling tearfully. He could tell that she was listening.“Andra, I am disappointed in you, but I’m willing to accompany you. That’s the only thing I can do for you right now.”In response to his scolding and offer, she once again told him to go away and leave her alone. Then she added that she was not interested in his offer. “I must go alone or nothing.” She declared.He shrugged, resolutely sticking with his decision.“Well, do not say that I didn’t try.” He said and walked away, leaving her crying inside.Andra heard his footsteps leaving and made a desperate attempt to persuade him to let her go. She rush
“Back to sender,” Dominic responded.“God forbid that.” She retorted and was surprised at his amused chuckle.“He was that bad?” he asked and she found she was no longer as offended as she had been a few moments ago.“He was a gigolo.” She said solemnly.Dominic looked at her, still amused but at her sad countenance, his expression lost its light look and closely mirrored hers.“I am so sorry about that.” He said.Andra was surprised at his show of concern.“I wasn’t expecting you to be sympathetic.” She admitted.Dominic was surprised at her response. He asked what her expectation was and she responded that she thought he was going to mock or tease her.“Well, as you can see, I am not that bad.” He remarked.She agreed with a nod. “Yeah, you’re alright.”“I will be traveling for days tomorrow.” He informed her. “It’s for business. I want to meet with some investors.”Andra admired his tenacity in following his dreams.“Okay. That’s cool.” She said. “It’s very cool that you’re pursuin