25. Candlenight dinner
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Nicole's POV
Yeah, he was clearly avoiding me. Dominic was avoiding me; not that I expected he would acknowledge my presence after that outburst on Friday night, two weeks ago. I don’t know what came over me that night and made talk like that to him. The worst part was that I had no idea why I was even bothered by his silence. I had never cared for his attention before. So why the hell was I spending the days and nights trying to figure out how to get his attention? At first, I had appreciated the silence and breathing space. Heck, I had even been able to put down a few potential ideas for a romance novel but as time went by and he barely came home, I began getting worried much to my dismay.
"Come on, you are ruining the mood with your sulky face, “Jade complained for the umpteenth time since we got to the mall. I did not even want to be here but I knew I could use all the distractions I could get.
"I’m sorry," I apologized, smiling sheepishly.
"Okay, what is wrong?" She questioned while running her newly French manicured fingernails on the material of a blue satin dinner dress. She really had quite the eye for anything catchy and the only person I could ever trust with my wardrobe.
"Nothing, I’m fine," I plastered a bright smile to hide just how bothered I really was.
"Do I look stupid to you?" She gestured at herself.
"Dominic has been ignoring me for the past two weeks now," I sighed in frustration.
"Why? Did you two have a fight?" she watched my face with keen interest.
"It was more like a verbal fight and I think in my rage I might have said something that pissed him off," I admitted in defeat.
"Then make him dinner. Trust me when I say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, “she advised.
"Do you think it would work?" I think I was sick to actually be considering that.
"Of course and make sure you wear something sexy. He won't be able to resist that," she added, winking mischievously.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," I smiled appreciatively as her.
"I’m flattered enough already. Come on, let’s go check out some lingerie, “she egged me on, grabbing my right hand.
"Lingerie? I thought I was helping you pick a dress for a dinner date?" I asked surprised.
"Not for me dummy," she laughed airily, throwing her head back.
"Then for wh-oh, no. I’m not going to wear that," I muttered in realization. It was much easier when I was making my novel heroines wear lingerie but me wearing it would another whole lot of disaster.
"Oh yes, you are. We are on mission winning Dominic back remember?"
"There is no way out of this one, is there?" I groaned as we stopped in front of a stack of expensive, sexy lingerie.
"No," she confirmed, shaking her head.
Thirty minutes later I had not one or two but three shopping bags, all thanks to Jade who was gracefully balancing six of her own shopping bags as we walked to her car. Who said spending weekends shopping with Jade would be fun? To some extent it was fun but since realizing that Dominic was barely acknowledging my presence, I lost interest.
"And you drifted yet again," I heard Jade complain as she sped the Rolls Royce away from the mall.
"I can't help it," I frowned at that thought. Why was I thinking about that man lately so much and why was I letting everything he did affect me?
"Has he not like even talked to you or something?" she inquired.
"Nope. No words exchanged between us since that Friday and even in the office, he doesn't acknowledge my presence. I mean, what kind of a man does that?" I ranted.
"You know Dominic is a very impulsive and sensitive person. So whatever you said to him, must have touched his very last nerve," she explained.
"But aren't the Mafias supposed to tough or something?" I questioned, stealing a glance Jade.
"That was some sort of phrase or joke right? No? Wait, you think Dominic is in the Mafia? Please tell me you have never said that on his face?" She had to stop the car, just to try controlling her laughter.
"Not really," I answered confused. Everyone New York knew about the rumors that Dominic Valiente was some Mafia king or something.
"Why would you think that?" she asked once she sobered up.
"Because that's what everyone says, “I shrugged.
"Jesus, you are not everyone Nicole. You are his wife. You should know him better than anyone else,"
"Yeah, I know," I grunted pressing my face against the window gazing at the passing lavish streets.
Jade must have taken that as cue because she kept quiet after that. After dropping me off at home, she left.
"Martha what's for lunch?" I stated the moment I walked into the well-stocked kitchen.
"Spaghetti with beef stew," she smiled, her white teeth appearing in my view.
"My favorite. So what do you think about a break? You know, a holiday for a week or two to visit your family in Italy?" I dropped the bomb.
"Seriously?" she mumbled after a minute or two.
"Yes. You could leave today or tomorrow. It's up to you,"
"But what about Dominic?" the smile died on her face.
"Don't worry about him. Plus I kind of need some alone time with him, you know," I explained.
"Okay sure. If I can actually leave today then that's perfect,"
Well, that was more than perfect. Later in the evening after she was gone I set myself into motion. I had never done anything like this before so I was really nervous. For some reason, I just wanted to make tonight special.