“Yes,” she confirmed.“A service you just joined?” Dominic was trying to wrap his head around what she was saying.“It wasn’t my fault.” Andra defended.She proceeded to rant indignantly about the situation and how it had happened. She began from the first client to the last one.Andra deliberately skipped Fred the businessman all through her report. She didn’t deem him worth mentioning since he gave her five stars and would probably be giving her a job. He was alright in the end, she believed.“The last woman was the worst.” She said bitterly. “You need to see how she insulted me, calling me all sorts of names. She even said I’m lucky I’m married to you. She said I’m useless and rude.”Dominic was initially taken aback by her experience but he remembered who she was and was no longer surprised. The Andra he knew was rebellious and even arrogant. To be honest with himself, he didn’t believe she would succeed in the job with her attitude. And now it had played out.Yet, here she was pl
“I’m sorry.” she said, “I’ll change.”Dominic had never thought he would hear those words from her. He was pleased to hear it.“It’s Okay, Andra. It’s okay.” He consoled. “It pleases me to hear that.” He consoled, encouraging her.Her crying finally came to an end and she reluctantly disengaged from him. Her eyes met his, laced with embarrassment, then dropped. He gently lifted her chin so she could meet his gaze again. He gave her an encouraging smile.“I’m sorry I messed up your shirt.”“It’s fine.” He assured her. He didn’t care that her tears had wet his shirt. He could always wear a new one. He was just glad that she was willing to change her attitude.She smiled at him a little, her face, flushed. “I’m willing to take small steps.” She said to him.“I am glad to hear that.”“I will cut my nails tomorrow.”His eyes dropped to her long nails. “I can help you with that.”“Really?”“Sure. Why not?”She thanked him and he acknowledged it with a nod.“I am also willing to renegotiate
Andra’s phone rang with Molly’s call. She promptly accepted the call. Then she lowered the music.“Hello.”“Tell me you’re not going ahead with this Friday night out of yours.”“Of course, I am. I am dressed as we speak.”“Andra, don’t do it.”“Why waste a free chance?”“He will be mad if he finds out.”“He is not my father. Besides, he is out of town.”“Andra, things have been going well to a large extent. Don’t do this.”“Goodnight, Sis. Talk later.” Andra said dismissively and ended the call. “Kill joy.” She murmured. Then she killed the music, adjusted her hair, hung her bag, and exited the bedroom.There, she met Dominic entering the house in a business suit, a portable traveling backpack on one hand.At the sight of him, Andra’s heart thundered with disappointment.She was not expecting him to be home until the following day. Gosh. What was happening?His eyes swept over her outfit and rested on her eyes. She looked a bit nervous but he could see her regaining her composure, rea
Andra did not particularly like the idea of him being there. She wanted to be free. She opened her mouth to protest but second thoughts hit her, so she clamped her mouth shut.If that was the only condition, he was offering her, then her refusal will leave her where she was.“Do you have a problem with my offer?” he asked.“No. But why must you come with me?”“Because I need to keep an eye on you.”She considered his obvious reason for a moment. “Don’t you trust me?” she asked finally.“Frankly, I don’t,” he answered. “The fact that you tried to sneak out to a party because I wasn’t around is reason enough.”Her gaze dropped to her lap as she listened to him go on.“So, if you must go, then I have to come with you.”Andra looked at him and tried to dissuade him. “Are you not tired from your journey?” she asked.“I will be fine.” He replied. “So how badly do you want to go?”“I’m hundred percent ready to go.” She answered.“Then give me a few minutes to get ready. Is that okay?”She no
Upon reaching them, Andra was surprised as Dominic reached for her arm and pulled her off her dancing partner.She was caught off balance because of his sudden move but he steadied her by pulling her against his chest.Her gaze met his livid ones as she breathed unevenly with anxiety that steadily began to rise. She didn’t think he would make a scene. And now he was doing just that.She was aware of people seemingly minding their business, nevertheless, more eyes were now directed at them.“Hey” her dance partner addressed Dominic in a challenging tone. He was shorter than Dominic but was not intimidated.Dominic directed a fierce gaze at him. “Stay away from my wife.” He half growled bitingly, freezing the man.He looked from a flushed-faced Andra to a furious Dominic and threw his hands up in surrender. “Oh, sorry.” He said apologetically and immediately stepped away, finding a new female dance partner.The brief attention on them ended and everyone went about their business.Domini
“Really?” she asked.“Yeah.” He responded.Andra was surprised at his taste in women. She was sophisticated.“Wow. She is classy.”Dominic was bemused by her comment. “You know, that’s funny.”“Why? She is so classy looking like all these magazine ladies.”“Yeah. Now you know my taste.”Andra didn’t know why she was jealous. She examined her feelings and decided she was not jealous. She was just offended that she was not his type. But then she remembered that he had said he liked her. He had said that more than twice if she recalled correctly.“I remember you said you liked me.” She said.Dominic was bemused again and smirked at her. “I guess tastes can change.” He responded, causing her to smile.Then she noticed his countenance change to a solemn expression. His eyes were fixated on the road. She could tell it had to do with his ex.“I don’t understand how your ex is here.” She said. “Because you don’t even live here. I’m guessing you were both staying abroad.”“Your guess is correc
“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
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