The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical

Dominic

It's been seven weeks since I brought Vanessa to the orphanage so she could speak to management about her idea and it's finally the day of the launch.

My parents, siblings, father-in-law, Frank and a few other people are all here at the orphanage to witness the launch.

Though Frank suggested that we should have the press, I instantly turned down the suggestion as I don't like to publicize everything that I do for the children. Given the honor of cutting the ribbon is Penelope, who is finally out of the hospital. Just as she cuts the ribbon, we all give a round while standing behind her.

Before I can say a word, the children excitedly run towards their extended and improved playground by stepping on the ribbon, making me look over Vanessa, who stands right next to me and she chuckles. Even with all the children screaming, I feel like speaking to her right now, so I lean toward her.

"You did it," I proudly say to her.

She nods, her lips curved into a smile. "Yes, but you also had a role to play."

"I know I did, but that was the small part of it. Since you were able to handle this, you'll definitely be ready for your hair care line."

Her smile fades as she looks away. "We'll talk about that later."

I straighten up with a sigh, already understanding that she has something to say about the team that I came up with.

Just as we both watch the children play around, I sense her from the corner of my eye looking down and when I look over, she's on her phone.

"Do you think this is the time for that?" I ask

"I'm just texting Mia about the time we're meeting up today."

"Oh, it's Mia?"

"It's not always Patrick. Give it a rest." She rolls her eyes.

I clear my throat, a little embarrassed. "How can you blame me when he calls you more frequently now that he's busy with work and you seem to be the one person he constantly wants to talk to?" She scoffs. "Don't even go there."

"I just don't understand why-"

"Shh! Here they come!"

She gestures behind us using her eyes and I figure out that everyone's getting closer to our spot.

Putting aside what I have to say to her, we turn around together and approach everyone so we can meet halfway.

My mom instantly embraces Vanessa and says, "Congratulations, my daughter. Once again, I have no doubt in my mind that when it's your turn to become parents, you'll be amazing!"

Though everyone chuckles with amusement, Vanessa's eyes widen a little as she glances at me with a fake smile.

I look over at Frank and he just subtly shrugs at me.

Until now, Vanessa's not yet pregnant and hearing everyone share the same sentiment right after my mom, makes it a little awkward for Vanessa and me. We've never spoken about it ever since we fucked at the hotel that night, which was over seven weeks ago.

Though I haven't touched her intimately in such a long time, seeing her whenever I'm back home from my business trips always feels like a new experience. She's been changing up her style and I like everything I see. Everything always looks good on her no matter what it is.

Before, all I did was lust after her but seeing how far we've come, I've come to appreciate more than just her voluptuous figure.

Since our parents have other engagements to attend to, they leave right away, my father-in-law delaying by a few minutes just so he can have a word with me regarding the investor.

After he also leaves, Vanessa, Frank, Jake, Sophie and I take over in the cafeteria, serving the children's meals while they wait in line for their turn.

Though I interact with them as I put lots of vegetables on their plates, something that's been on my mind becomes too difficult to keep to myself, so I whisper to Vanessa since she's right next to me at the end of the serving line.

"I'm still thinking about that comment about the children," I whisper to her.

She sighs, whispering back. "Yeah and I have to admit that it feels like a lot of pressure."

"I know but when do you think it's going to happen?"

She looks at me in disbelief. "You too?"

"Come on. How could I not ask when I'm also curious?"

"When it happens, you'll be the first to know."

"I better be."

"You two should be glad I'm the one next to you because I can hear you!" Frank chimes in.

Vanessa and I realize we weren't as quiet as we thought we were and we chuckle at the same time, glad we weren't busted. There was a time when I thought she'd never completely warm up to me again but here we are now. It took a while, but I'm glad we're friends again.

Right after we finish serving the children, I have a tray with me meant for Vanessa as she waits at our table, engaged in conversation with my siblings.

It takes me a while to get to them as Frank walks beside me.

"You know, I could get used to coming here every day," he says. "The food is always so tasty!"

"It's for the children, not you. You're only having it because you helped out," I playfully say to him.

"Then I guess I should come here everyday just before lunchtime!"

Just as we playfully banter, the phone in the pocket of my apron rings, so I take it out with enthusiasm but it instantly fades.

"It's Shane," I say to Frank, forcing myself to smile while I look around at the children enjoying their meals.

"Right, I forgot that you're supposed to pay him for the third time today since we still haven't come up with anything to get him off your back."

"Don't even remind me." I tighten the grip on my tray after holding onto the sides.

"Will you meet him?"

"I have no other choice, but no matter what happens, I'll make sure I find a solution to this. I can't keep giving that piece of shit money all the time." "Hey! Language!" he whispers.

I smack my lips, realizing it was wrong of me to say that in the presence of the children.

"You know, it's funny to now see Vanessa without so many bodyguards and only a few when it's absolutely necessary. I still can't get used to it."

I sigh. "The only reason they were constantly present in the first place was because of Carmella but up until now, she's nowhere to be found in this town.

"Imagine she's back but just hiding."

"No way. She would definitely tell me."

"Why would she tell you when you want nothing to do with her?"

"She believes that we'll be together. That's what she always says when she texts me on random numbers I've even lost count of how many times I've blocked her. At this point, it's clear she'll text me forever but it doesn't matter. It's taken some time, I feel it fading away."

"What are you talking about?"

"Whatever it is I felt for her."

"Of course it's fading, considering how you don't see her anymore and you and Vanessa are closer than ever."

"We're just friends."

"Of course you are."Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"I mentioned the management team for the hair care line and she didn't want to talk about it."

He sighs. "I knew this would happen. Well, that's for you to figure out."

Right after leaving the orphanage, I head straight to the park and Shane is already there, trying to look as cocky as he can but I'm not intimidated.

As I get closer, I look around before I make my move and with no one else in sight, I smirk at him.

Knowing what I'm about to do, he says. "Don't you fucking dare."

"Too late," I nonchalantly say to him, tossing the money at his feet. "There it is. Pick it up."

With a glare, he crouches down. "Fuck you."

I sneer. "That's what you get for still wanting to do this in person. And I'll never let it go how you tried to get more money Vanessa."

He grits his teeth as he rises to his feet. "I'll see you next month, fucking asshole."

He arrogantly storms off and I have

the urge to tell him there won't be a

next time because I'll definitely put a stop to this, but I choose not to say it, just in case he uses the

opportunity to make more money by finally going to the press.

On my way back to the car, I call Vanessa and she picks up so quickly that I chuckle at her curiosity.

"Hey, how did it go?" she asks from the other end of the line.

"It went just as expected. I have him off my back for the next month. Are you already with Mia?"

"Yeah, until 6 p.m."

"No, until 5 p.m.," I correct her. "You need to be ready for the dinner we're having this evening with Mr and Mrs Johnson."

"You know I've gotten better at not spending too much time getting ready."

"There's barely any difference."

She gasps in disbelief and I'm certain her jaw has dropped.

She's absolutely wrong for thinking she's better now, but if I'm being honest, I'm now used to it.

Vanessa

It's 6:30 p.m. and it's only now that

I'm on my way back home. The ride feels long and the silence only amplifies my racing heart. I also can't seem to keep my eyes in their

normal state as I'm unable to stop

raising my eyebrows.

I constantly rock back and forth, thinking about how the events of the day unfolded.

While I still think about it all, I begin to wonder why Dominic hasn't yet called to find out why I'm so late. In my restless state, I give him a call but his phone doesn't even ring.

I get home twenty minutes later and find out he's not yet back home from work, making me wonder what's going on.

I sit down on my bed, my heart still racing just as fast as an hour ago.

Not even taking a shower can help calm me down.

At the sound of tires screeching outside, I rush to the window and see him step out in a hurry to get inside.

I wait for a few minutes while placing a hand on my chest but strangely enough, I don't hear his footsteps in the hallway.

Eager to speak to him, I head downstairs and find out he rushed to the study, making me wonder what's up with him.

I head over there right away and find him rummaging through the drawers while dropping documents all over the table and he actually looks stressed.

"Hey," I say to him. "Shouldn't we be getting ready for dinner?"

"I canceled it."

"Why?"

"I'm busy."

"But you didn't tell me."

"I thought I did. Where's that document? Fuck!"

"Is everything okay?"

"I'm already late for my flight since I had to come back for a certain document."

"What flight?"

"It was short notice, but I have to be in Italy."

He looks so frustrated that I can see his forehead begin to look a bit shiny from his sweat.

"Since you're leaving this evening, when are you coming back?" I ask.

"I don't know, okay? It could be in two or three days."

He looks so stressed by all this that I feel like this isn't the right time for me to even be talking to him.

"Where the fuck is that document?" He breathes hard, pausing for a moment, then proceeding to rummage through the drawers.

"Dominic-"

"Not now," he cuts me off.

"Can you please just give me a few seconds?"

"I said not now."

His tone is a little harsh, but I don't want this to wait, so I give it just a few more seconds.

"Hey, listen." My voice is gentle.

"What?" He yells.

"I'm pregnant."