4

My workday goes by quickly. I write reports and fill out an absurd amount of paperwork. It's glorious that lunchtime has already arrived; I have calluses on my fingers.

Someone knocks twice on the door.

-"Come in," I say absently. The door opens, revealing Lough with a bag from a Thai restaurant.

-"Your lunch, Mrs. Donneli" he says lifting the bag.

-"Thank you. Leave it on the table," I reply. As he makes his way to the table, I'm curious about the dog. Did he eat it? It would be a plus if he were alive. With the cold, I don't think he'll survive much longer.

-"Lough, about the dog... did he eat?" I ask. He sets the bag down on the table and looks directly at me, perhaps intrigued by my concern for the dog.

-"Yes, ma'am," he answers. I nod and he leaves the room.

I can't deny that I really want to take the dog with me, but I need to consult with the manager. In any case, I'm more courageous when it comes to email or text messages.

I pick up the BlackBerry that's on the table, I was using it a few minutes ago, so it's within easy reach.

DO YOU LIKE ANIMALS?

I click on the 'send' button. It doesn't take long and the response is already received.

WHY NOW?

Not quite the answer I wanted, but it doesn't make for an unpleasant start.

CURIOSITY.

I respond indifferently.

I DON'T HATE THEM.

Your message tells me that he has already been warned about the dog. Shitty security guards who don't know how to let a trivial matter go! They are more like a dog than a quadruped animal.

IT'S A GOOD THING THAT YOU DON'T HATE THEM

I pretend to be indifferent to the matter.

DO YOU WANT THE DOG?

As soon as I finish reading the message, my suspicions are confirmed. I, frankly, have reason to hate personal security.

I could say 'no' and try to convince him at home, but the dog won't survive until Ethan's good will. It's not like the answer means my doom, but I want the dog and I want Ethan to want it.

YES.

I type a quick reply.

MY ANSWER IS NO.

The message arrives almost immediately, it's as if he had already typed it and was waiting for my response to send it. Bastard!

What does he think he's doing? He doesn't live alone and therefore doesn't decide things like this unilaterally.

Here's your answer, Donneli.

I grab my BlackBerry and look up Taylor's number in my address book. When I find it, I hit "call."

-"Mrs. Donneli" he greets.

-"Taylor, I have a terrible headache and I would like to go to Escala," I say quickly. I like Taylor for the same reason as Ethan, he is not surprised by requests and does not ask questions.

-"Yes, ma'am. I'll be ten or fifteen minutes," he murmurs.

-"Okay, thanks," I say and hang up.

I grab my purse and lunch bag and leave the room. Outside, Lough is standing by the door.

I wouldn't need a dog if I were a guard dog, I already have two unbearable closets accompanying me!

-"Mrs. Donneli, is something wrong?" Lough asks.

Fuck. I don't like him, and even less now!

-"Well, is the dog you bought food for still outside?" I ignore her previous question and am direct in my questioning.

-"I believe so, ma'am," he replies. We don't have any kind of intimacy, but there's no need to add "ma'am" to the end of every sentence.

-"Wrap him in my coat, we'll take him with us," I say firmly and unmistakably, it's an order. Lough doesn't deny it, but his eyes carry a certain hesitation. He wants to say something, but his instructions don't say to contradict me, and he shouldn't.

-"yes" he answers. I take a thin coat from my bag and hand it to Lough, who takes it.

My BlackBerry buzzes in my purse. It's definitely Ethan, and I don't want to answer his call.

Well, he doesn't know about my adoption, and when he does, he'll be pissed. It won't be one-sided, because I'm also fucking pissed.

I completely ignore his call and head to the elevator.

●●

I make my way to the kitchen. In my arms I carry Alff, that's what I've chosen as my name. He's not very scented and clean, so I'll have to ask Gail to give him a bath.

Mrs. Jones is wiping down the kitchen counter, which holds a dirty wine glass.

Holy shit! He's home. Who else could have used the glass?

I sigh and continue walking the dog toward Gail.

-"Hello," I say quietly so as not to scare her, since she is distracted. Mrs. Jones looks up, and wisely says nothing about the puppy I have in my hands.

-"Angelic," he murmurs. His voice is an octave higher. His system must have been shaken by a fifty-something.

-"Hmm... could you put some water and food for this dog? The food is with Lough. And if you're not too busy, give him a bath too. If you can, of course, and please" I say everything at once. Gail looks at Alff and smiles weakly.

-"Yes, I can do all that" she says understandingly.

-"Thank you very much," I say.

I return with Alff to the room and upon entering the room, I am faced with the vision that has been frightening me for minutes.

Ethan!

**

Holy crap!

Ethan is pissed at me, and I feel so guilty. And once again, the sexy megalomaniac sir makes me feel like a child without saying a single word.

Ethan looks at me and I can feel his anger.

-"So I say no and you do the opposite?" he mutters emphatically.

-"I felt so sorry for him, and I didn't mean to upset you, Ethan. I... I feel lonely sometimes, like something's missing, like I need more." I lie. In reality, I meant to upset him, but now that fact can be changed.

-"And your guy is a dog?" He says ironically in a low tone, but I know the true fury behind this iceberg.

-"You are my favorite" I whisper. An easy and affectionate approach can make him change his mind about the dog.

-"Me? I'm yours too? And that's why you decide to go against me?" Ethan asks, his tone is now higher, nothing that a stranger would notice, but I know him well.

By God! We don't need an argument over this. It's just a dog, and we have plenty of room here.

-"Don't make all this speech for a little dog. If you're mad, fuck it, hit me or stop me, but don't take it out on him, understand? I want him to stay, and for his own good, it's better that he stays!" I say it more firmly than he, or even I, would think to say. I hate playing the submissive role outside the bedroom. Fuck his "no", no one marries a controlling megalomaniac to obey faithfully.

He stops for a moment and analyzes my words, to make sure he heard me correctly.

-"For my own good?" Ethan asks amused.

-"for your sexual well-being," I clarify. It's not like I'm going on a sex strike or anything, but he might think so.

-"you can't deny me what's mine" his menacingly low and sexy voice makes me want to squirm.

-"Leave it, Ethan. Let him stay," I beg. Ethan walks towards me, closing the space between us.

-"I definitely can't deny you anything," he murmurs. When he's close enough, he takes a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear.

-"Then don't deny it," I say softly. He tilts his face towards me and seals my lips, then nibbles the corner of my lower lip. I let out an involuntary moan, feeling the effect of his action between my legs.

-"Shall we go to the bedroom?" Ethan asks. I didn't expect another request, it's always like that. Fights work as foreplay for sex.

-"I want to have you in the red room" I murmur. He looks at me with a satisfied smile.

-"Mrs. Donneli, I think you're acting like a hardcore sex freak," he comments. Before I can formulate a response, Ethan bends his knees and grabs my thighs. He lifts me onto my heels, placing me on his right shoulder.

-"I think you made me this way. I'm how you want me to be," I say breathlessly. I can't get rid of the schoolgirl smile that fills my face.

-"Yes, naughty, but you're exactly what I want," he says. Even though he's with me on his shoulders, he doesn't seem out of breath. I admire his physical strength, it looks very hot to me.

Ethan walks to the stairs and starts climbing. I see the entire room upside down getting further and further away.

Cross my heart, hope to die

To my lover, I'd never lie

He said: Be true -, I swear: I'll try

In the end, it's him and I

He's out his head, I'm out my mind

We got that love, the crazy kind

I am his, and he is mine

(I swear on my death

To my lover, I would never lie

He said: Be true - I swore: I'll try

In the end, it's him and me

He's out of his mind, I'm going crazy

We got that love, the kind crazy

I am his and he is mine)

As we reach the top of the stairs, Ethan pulls me back onto my heels.

-"The bedroom door is open. Come in, and when I get there I want you naked on the bed." He orders.

-"yes" I agree.

I turn to face the hallway towards the bedroom. When my back is to him, I receive a medium slap on the ass.

-"ah" I scream in surprise, but I don't turn to him again. Even with my back turned, I can feel his wicked smile. Bastard, beautiful!

I walk to the room and at the same time I hear the sound of his footsteps coming down the stairs. I stop in front of the door and sigh.

Damn! I never came in here alone. I mean, not on your orders.

I turn the doorknob gently. The creak of the door is heard and soon the aroma of polished wood and citrus is felt by me.

I enter the room. The heel of my boot makes a noise that echoes throughout the room.

I do as my Fifty told me and start to say goodbye. I take off my scarf and throw it somewhere in the room. I reach behind my back for the zipper of my dress and pull it down.

The dress falls to my feet and I step out of it, careful not to step on the fabric.