| 8 | A Good Reason To Lie

[ S E R A P H I N E ]

My nap is cut short when my phone buzzes between my thighs. I sit up and hastily fix my hair, the grogginess replacing the dizziness I've been ignoring all day. I sigh at the useless notification on my screen.

Just another spammy email. "Ugh." I unbuckle my seat belt and stretch my back.

The rain has stopped, and we're finally somewhere familiar. We're here in the spacious parking lot of my workplace. Dominico steps out of the car after parking the Maserati in the dimmer corner, just across the lobby.

When I step outside, the evening air nips at my bare skin, and the place looks quiet. Typical on weeknights. There are several vehicles around us, but I think they're mostly my coworkers'.

Dominico leans against the driver's window and doesn't look up from his phone even after I step in front of him. “Good nap?”

I put on a smile despite the soreness in my legs and feet. My entire back needs a good crack, but I don't really have the time or money for regular appointments at the chiropractor's. “Thanks for the ride.”

Dominico gives me a nod and nothing more, apparently busy with something. Must be a work email. Or a text from his girlfriend.

Is he seeing anyone? Another famous model or actress? Maybe an Italian celebrity this time?

I think I need to stalk him online again. I don't wanna ask him about his dating life. It's obvious he thinks I'm too nosey for my own good. “I can fix something up in the kitchen if you're hungry.”

“Can't stay. I'm meeting someone.”

Of course. A busy corporate executive like him doesn't have much free time on a work night. “Right. Go. And buy a new ice pack for your nose.”

“I think this is yours,” he mumbles before grabbing something from the rear seat.

“What?” I nearly gasp when he hands me my trench coat. It's folded neatly, and it still smells like my perfume. Perfect for tonight's chilly weather. “Thank you.” A giggle escapes me. “This was sitting right behind me the whole time?”

Dominico didn't mention anything during the drive. With a blank face, he grabs my bag to hold it for me so I can put on my coat.

My face warms up. I smile at him, not expecting the gesture at all. I know he's just being the gentleman he is, but it almost feels like he's being extra friendly to a stranger he just met. “Thanks. Again.”

“Forgot to tell you,” he mutters while sliding his phone into his jeans pocket. “Found it hanging in the closet.”

“I completely forgot about it.” I fake a little laugh and shake my head.

“You barely slept and you worked your ass off all day. I'm surprised you're still conscious.”

“Me too, actually.”

“Go straight home. Get some sleep.”

“D'you, um...” I itch my forehead and glance down at his buzzing phone. “You still need my number?”

“I might.” Dominico grins, his tone almost teasing. “If you don't text me first, I won't answer your call.”

Right. Of course.

He doesn't take calls from unknown numbers, because he doesn't give his personal number to just anyone.

So... Does that mean I'm no longer a stranger?

We stare at each other for what feels like a whole minute, standing under the yellowish lamplight, but the silence isn't too awkward anymore. I look away first. I tie my coat's belt around my waist, pushing down the urge to give him a quick hug.

Crap. I'm deliriously tired. I better find a bed in five minutes.

I take a few steps backwards and feign another smile. Barely three feet of damp pavement separates us, and if I get any closer to him, he might think I'm onto something. “I'll message you first,” I say with a nod, faking a casual tone while my coat covers up my bare midsection.

“Talk to your supervisor.” Dominico flings a glance towards the brightly lit entrance to the quiet lobby.

“I will.”

“Make sure you still got a job.”

“Yeah.” I hold in a sigh. I don't wanna look or sound too defeated by the possibility. In fact I'm still hoping his father isn't the vindictive asshole Dominico says he is every time something doesn't go his way.

“Need anything, just text or call,” Dominico says in a no-nonsense tone. A gust ruffles his wavy jaw-length hair. The sincerity in his watchful eyes clashes with the unsettling reality of the position I'm in.

But I don't wanna dwell on negative things. I need proper rest. I won't get enough sleep if I don't force a better grip on my thoughts right now. “Why're you being so nice?” I hug myself.

“I don't look like a nice guy?” he retorts with a slight grin, his gaze unwavering.

Like my cheeks, my throat warms up at his real smile. It's weird how I wasn't fond of dimples on a guy until I saw his up-close. I muffle a breathy laugh with my fist, my heart already pounding in my chest. But I'm chalking it up to the exhaustion and lack of sleep. “You know that's not what I meant.”

The faint grin on his angular, stubbled face disappears when he steps closer to me with his fingers in his pockets. “I can't be nice to someone who works for my family?”

“No. I... You... That's not what I...”

As if to break the awkward moment, Dominico chuckles and resumes texting on his phone.

I take tentative steps closer to him when the swollen, pinkish skin on his nose triggers another concerning thought. “Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Dom,” I say louder when he doesn't look up from his phone. “Can I touch your face?”

A look of confusion and surprise crosses his squinting eyes. “Why?” He stares back at me.

“Tsk. I told you to keep icing it.” Without waiting for him to answer my question, I get close enough to smell his breath and tilt his head, my palms gently touching his jaw. I lean in.

My heart starts beating louder at his questioning look. Using my phone's flashlight, I check the inside of his nose.

No visible blood clot. No nasal valve collapse. For now. But his airways still appear a bit narrower than how they're supposed to look. Or is it just the angle?

“I'm fine.”

“Use a small icepack.”

“I will,” he murmurs with a grin, his dark stubble scratching my palms. Dominico steps away from me after I turn off the flashlight.

“Or just drop by a clinic if the swelling doesn't go down.”

“Yep.”

I make a face when he continues texting. “I'm serious, Dom.”

“Yeah. I know,” he mumbles with a quick nod.

“It doesn't look any better.”

“You like to worry, don't you?” His brows wrinkle. “Relax. I'm not gonna die from a nosebleed.”

I scoff and roll my eyes. “A nose injury is still an injury.”

He leans against the driver's window, his phone gripping his attention. “I've slept through worse, Seraphine.”

What's that supposed to mean?

“Anyway, if anyone asks, tell 'em we're seeing each other.”

What? Seeing each other? As in... We're dating? “I don't... Sorry. What?” I say louder while my gut clenches.

“Just so he hears about it from other people.”

Is he joking? “Hold up. Who exactly are we talking about?” Is he talking about his dad?

Dominico keeps up a straight face and merely glances at me. “My father.”

I almost laugh at his serious tone. “You want me to, er, tell everyone we're...”

He nods slowly before staring at his phone again, shrugging faintly as his fingers get busy. “Sure. For the meantime.”

What the heck?

He can't be serious...

The moment my parents hear about it, my mom will either have a heart attack or throw a huge party. "You want me to tell them I'm your girlfriend?" Am I dreaming? Or hallucinating?

"Make up some story about how we met if anyone asks. Just be consistent."

Oh no. He's actually serious. I cover my mouth and try not to gawk at him, my chest growing tighter at his deadpan tone. I want to laugh out loud, but he might find it insulting.

Dominico turns to his right and stares at the entrance to the lobby, doing a quick wave with his hand as if to tell me it's time to say goodbye. "Gimme a call after you talk to your boss."

"Why?" If I get sacked tomorrow, is he gonna offer me a new job?

Leaning against the Maserati, Dominico chuckles while the door to the driver's seat opens. "Anyone ever tell you you ask a lot of questions?"

"Wait. What did you mean?"

"I gotta go."

"Why d'you want me to call you?" I scoff when he only gives me a mischievous grin while sitting behind the wheel.

"Get some rest." The door shuts with a soft click. After he revs the engine, the guy drives off without another word.

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