Fifteen

 MY LITTLE SECRET. 

SIENNA'S POV. 

Since the night Dominic stepped in, I never laid my eyes on Julian. He never came home except on nights and that baffled me just because he would always come home drunk. 

I couldn't approach Dominic because of our encounter, but tonight, while I paced the room, I made up my mind to meet up with him. After all, Julian was my husband and it never mattered the circumstances. 

“Huh.. I'm sorry to bother you. Is anything going on at work? My husband hasn't been taking my calls and when he comes home I don't even see him till dawn after he comes back late at night.“ I muttered in a soft, breaking tone. I was about to tear up but I guided it as it was all the pregnancy emotions and hormones that portrayed me this week. 

Dominic burst into a rail of dry laughter, I could hear it — scornful, I could feel it, hysteric and sarcastic. He teared off in laughter again. 

“Husband?“ This wasn't a question but a tease that struck my nerves ; even hard. 

I ignored his sarcasm and still stared ahead.  

“We lost a deal with the real investors as they claimed no accountability to investment in the company and that we acted out of too much desire that we failed to gain their trust. The shareholders too late are threatening to pull out.“

I nodded my head, I could see it all now. It was just a lot and for a second, I felt pity for him. 

The way he walked inside the house in a drunken state even when he hadn't found out, there were just some problems one couldn't say and I wondered why he lashed at me at every single moment? 

“Thank you.“ I said, standing up from his office so I headed out. I had walked to the doorstep with my hands already reaching the door knob when his cold and taunting voice was the only thing that reigned in the office. 

Embarrassment washed over my face making it burn out, I turned to meet his gaze just after he said; 

“You're really not going to tell him you're pregnant?“

“How.. how did you .. know?“ I stammered as I staggered backwards trying to hold my balance. 

“Walls have ears and I have men too.“ His cold voice pierced again. My fist unclenched, lips trembled and eyes widened. 

“So, who owns the child? I'm sure it's not me, I never released inside of you.“ I clenched my fist as his face washed with great disgust. I frowned. 

“Wouldn't talk shit with you.“ I said walking away until his voice pulled me out of the silent courage I was already forming inside of me, shattering it and making it seem as if there was no hope of any sort. 

“How does it feel? I mean… how interesting does this marriage get when your husband, my darling brother finds out you're pregnant out of promiscuity and not only that but his wife had sexed with his brother?“ His voice hinted at scorn as he raised his eyebrow and stated his words clear enough that they pierced me. 

My chest clenched, breathing hitched that it got almost hard to swallow. I let out a dark chuckle trying not to show the fear that stayed in my stomach. 

“Dominic.“ I tried to speak but words cut in my mind and he — was just on his phone as if purposely ignoring me when suddenly, he turned the phone's screen to me, its brightness lighting up to my phone and the image..  

I formed a fist, my chest tightened making it difficult to breath easily as I tried to decipher what was happening…

“What .. how??..“ I stuttered battling with what I just saw and to trace..

“Oh shoot!…” That was my nude, the night with Dominic. 

I staggered backwards, my hands trembling with the phone in my hands as I fought to keep my feet balanced and firm unto the ground. 

He chuckled. “You're scared now, huh? Where was that brave little wife that pushed her husband down the stairs?“ 

I raised my head up to see his blonde hair waving to a part of his face and once we locked eyes, his blue striking eyes were undoubtedly daring and trouble on its own. 

He walked towards me, I kept on moving back until my back hit against the officer's cold wall and it was just us both. I, leaning against the wall and him trapping me with both hands over the wall. 

“It's just easy, wife.“ He smirked before pulling away from me. 

“You need to keep this a secret and I… I just need to get this god-damned company — all to myself.“ he emphasized with his brow furrowed at me. I trembled, I knew just exactly what he was doing. 

A grin spread wide across his face and that was it. A taste of manipulation. He was going to use me to get the company and I was left with no choice if I needed to protect my child from Julian. 

“Just two hours to decide, dearest ma'am. You can leave now.“ His voice cut through my thoughts, leaving them shattered for who to piece them back together. Slowly, I clutched my handbag tightly and left the office. 

Outside, the cold breeze bit so hard into my skin that I couldn't help but rub my temples with my hands. But as I boarded the taxi, the thought was there, not leaving. 

I had to choose between helping him out to take over his brother's company or Julian finding out about the pregnancy and it goes on the news and even affects the company. 

Dominic's smirk replayed in my head again, the image intact even though I tried to wave it all. It was the kind of smirk that told you that no matter what you did, it would always get back at you and that it trailed after you, gaining into your freedom and manipulating. 

My body went numb as I laid my head over the cab's passenger seat and closed my eyes mumbling; 

“I just had to choose, there was no other way.“

I took out my phone and typed him. 

“I would do it, what's the first step?“

There, my mind clenched, breathing hitched as I awaited my first mission in manipulation.