Chapter 118
Vanessa
It was only last evening that Dominic and I were at my father's house, making the announcement about the pregnancy and yet, he called me a few minutes after Dominic left my bedroom, saying he wanted to see both of us today.
Though it's already 1 p.m., I can't stop thinking about the tone of his voice when he said that. It almost sounded urgent and serious. He didn't even give me a single clue about what he wanted to talk about and it only makes me anticipate this evening so I can go over and find out.
Patrick and I have just ordered lunch and this time, it's a different restaurant.
"I really hope you like this place," he says, sitting across the table from me.
"I like the ambience." I smile at him.
"I really wanted to bring you to something better than all the other places we've been to, because I can afford it now."
"Come on. You should never talk like that."
"But it's the truth." He smiles at me. "I'm doing so much better now. Just look at me. Even you can see it."
I nod, as if trying to be dismissive.
"You don't have to hide it." His smile fades. "I know I looked awful before, but look at me now."
"To be honest, I just didn't want to say it, but you're right. You only get better and handsome. I bet you don't even notice the girls swooning over you."
Though I expect him to say something to that in agreement, he just stares at me with a half smile and the silence only makes me feel a little awkward, so I look away.
"So, are you ready for your match with Dominic?" I ask, glancing at him as I try to ignore the awkwardness.
"I wouldn't call it a match. He's only teaching me how to play."
"If that's what you're expecting, then you're wrong. My husband loves to be competitive, so I'm certain that as soon as you get the hang of it, he's actually going to challenge you to a match right there." "You think so?" He raises an eyebrow.
I chuckle. "Wait and see. Just be ready for that."
Our food arrives only a few minutes later and it all looks so delicious that we both enjoy it.
After the meal, we head over to his apartment and just from the yard, it's better than I expected.
He leads me inside, the bodyguards following right behind us and he keeps looking back at them, as if he has something to say but ends up not saying it.
When I feel like he's bothered by them, I tell them to stay back, then continue moving through the apartment with him to look around.
Despite the bodyguards not present anymore, it still feels like he has something to get off his chest.
As we walk up the stairs, I say, "You know, if you have something to say, just let it out."
With a heavy sigh, he stops in his tracks, holding onto the railing. "For the past few weeks, you haven't had the bodyguards with you and it's the most comfortable I've ever been, so why are they back?" The reason behind it puts a smile on my face. "Dominic insists that I should always have bodyguards now."
"I thought it's up to you to decide when you get to have these bodyguards." He furrows his eyebrows.
"That's true, but things are different now because it's for my own safety."
"Safety?"
"I'm pregnant."
His eyes widen a little and he suddenly steps forward and hugs me.
"Congratulations," he says.
"Thanks," I say to him, unable to hug him back as I'm uncomfortable.
When he senses me trying to pull out of his hold around me, he drops his arms and I take a step back. I would've never thought that something like this would be happening again, but here we are. Walking down the stairs with my heart racing, I say, "You have a lovely home. I think I should go now."
"But why so soon? Can't you stay a bit longer?" He follows behind me.
"I can't. I have other things to do."
Just as I get to the last step, he holds onto my wrist.
"Wait." His voice is gentle.
I turn around, glancing at his hand on my wrist then up at his face.
He sighs, then takes a step forward to get closer.
"I'm happy for you and if there's anything you need, anything at all, I'm here for you." He gives a half smile.
I force myself to smile as I pull away from his grip and instantly walk away. "Thanks. I should go now."
"I'll walk you to the door," he says from behind me.
"Yeah...sure." I don't even bother looking back as I can feel my heart racing.
Had this been so many years ago, I would've been flattered by all this, but it's no longer the case. I thought we were past this, but I guess not.
Dominic only arrives home around 6 p.m. so he freshens up quickly and we head to my father's house thirty minutes later.
On the way there, I can't stop
thinking about what happened with
Patrick and last time, I had said to myself that if he would ever try anything like that, I would actually tell him that I didn't like it, yet
couldn't bring myself to do it as I was caught off guard.
"How did it go with Patrick?" Dominic asks.
"It was great. His apartment is quite lovely."
"I see."
"Yeah."
I clench my fist, deciding not to tell him about everything else that happened with Patrick.
"How long do you think we'll stay over for dinner?" he asks.
"Maybe two hours."
"Good, because I have to meet someone extremely important at 9 p.m. and he's a potential investor who wants to meet over some drinks."
"I'm sure this shouldn't take too long. I still wonder why my dad wants us for dinner."
"Me too. I still keep thinking about how serious he sounded. Whatever it is, we're about to find out."
Thinking about it makes me anxious since I still have no idea what this could be about.
"While on my way back from work, I was thinking about names," Dominic says.
"Names?" I look over at him. "For my hair care line? I thought I already came up with that."
"That's not what I'm talking about." He shakes his head.
"Then what is it?"
"I'm talking about the baby."
My lips curve into a smile. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's hear them." I shift in my seat so I can face him more.
He leans back, stroking his chin. "If it's a girl, I was thinking of Alicia or Makayla and if it's a boy, I was thinking of Trent or Kent."
"Nope," I firmly say to him.
He scoffs. "You make it sound like those are horrible names."
"Wait until you hear mine." I grin with excitement. "If it's a girl, Allison or Riley and if it's a boy, Ethan or Liam."
"Nope. My suggestions sound way better than yours." He shakes his head.
My jaw drops. "I was just about to say that." I cross my arms and face the other side.
"If you don't want any of mine and I don't want any of yours, let's try this again some other time," he suggests.
Liking the idea, I nod lightly. "Cool."
We arrive at my father's house after fifteen minutes and he treats us to a lovely dinner. It's almost as grand as the previous evening when everyone was present.
Though it's just the three of us, I find myself treasuring this moment and
my heart breaks a little, wonder and
what it would've been like had my mother been sitting here as well. en.swhovels.net
After dinner, my father gets up from his seat and says, "Please join me in the living room so we can talk."
He smiles but I see some pain in his eyes. I look over at Dominic and it seems he sees it, too, but he only shrugs.
Wondering what this is about, we
come to the living room and Dominic and I sit together. He looks down at his watch, counting down the minutes to when he can leave to have some drinks with the potential investor he can't miss out on.Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
My father sits alone on the other couch with a dreadful sigh and hearing it worries me, especially with the way he presses his lips together.
"I didn't want to say this right away. That's why I thought we could first have a lovely meal together." His voice suddenly trembles a little.
"Dad, what's going on?"
He sighs heavily. "I don't think there's a better way of saying this." With a sad expression, he says, "I'm not well."