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