33. Strip Club

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

THREE YEARS LATER

Dominic's POV

I leaned against the wall of what used to be Nicole's office with my empty bottle of vodka in one hand. Regret and pain coursed through each of my veins, reminding me I had become the very monster she had said I was. She may have hurt me by carrying a baby that was obviously my brother’s but I should never have outed her like that. For three fucking years, the pain that I had seen her eyes that night, kept haunting me over and over again.

"So much for moving on," I heard Andre sighing behind me.

"Morning to you too buddy," I slurred a little while grinning sheepishly.

"You promised Dominic. Why are you still drinking over her? It's been three years dude and your engagement party is in two weeks. Do you think Anna would be happy to know her future husband is still longing for his ex-wife who if I may mention never loved him and worse still cheated on him," Andre reminded me, his voice bearing the sterness I was beginning to get used to.

"You think I don't know that Andre? Every single night I have to deal with the fucking pain of her rejection and cheating. But you know what, you are right. I can't spend any more time-wasting myself over someone who is already enjoying herself. Plus the only reason I agreed to come back to the company was that I needed to fucking forger her. Look, I did not even want Anna in the first place but my parents would not take no for an answer and now I’m stuck with a woman who loves me but I don’t even feel an inkling of love for her. Fuck! Can’t my life just get fucking simple for once? “I threw the empty bottle against her office table watching in satisfaction as the broken pieces littered the floor.

"Jesus Dominic!" Andre gasped grabbing my shoulders, “What the hell is wrong with you? Can't you just act rational for once?" He continued while shaking me.

"You are probably right. After all, I’m marrying Anna Hemsworth, the daughter of the president. I mean who would have thought that right? “I stumbled away from Andre while laughing sarcastically to myself.

I must have dozed off for a really long time on my office desk because the next thing I heard was someone roughly shaking my shoulder. With a fazed stare I looked up, seeing Anna looking down at me.

"Anna," I attempted a small smile on my face.

"Did you sleep in the office again?" She sighed softly.

"I had some things to do," I lied smoothly.

It's never great to tell your fiancée that you were actually drinking the entire night because you couldn't stop thinking about your ex-wife, constantly switching between regret and rage. One moment I’d be regretting the way I handled things and the next moment I’d be raging over how she betrayed me.

"Dominic you promised not to do that again. I know you really want to impress my father but this too much. Beside, Dianah is already impressed enough and you have no idea just how much my younger sister’s opinion matters to me," If only she knew that sleeping over at my office had nothing to do with impressing her father.

"You have a meeting with - my apologies Miss Hemsworth," Andre stated once his eyes landed on the beauty who was now patched up on my lap.

"Please, Andre. Just because my father is now president, it doesn't mean you have to act all formal around me. I’m still the same Anna you played dodge ball with in gym class back in high school," A deep smile etched her lips.

"Yes, Andre. She is the same Anna we both went to high school with," I added laughing lightly at Andre's flustered expression.

"Excuse me if I find it hard to speak to you informally. I mean you are the president's daughter and adding to that you are dating recently listed Forbes magazine's richest man under forty," He grinned.

"Stop it Andre, “Anna and I shouted at the same time.

"I still can't get how you two are so in love. The Anna and Dominic I knew in high school couldn't stand each other. You guys hated each other so much even though I really never understood why," He looked from Anna to me. He shouldn’t bring that up now. He would never understand why Anna hated me, nobody ever will. That was far much deeper than anyone could possibly ever understand.

"That may be so but remember there is a thin line between love and hate,” Anna elaborated, grinning. I admired just how she always managed to smile despite what she had been through. Fuck! That woman had endured worse than anyone could possibly imagine.

"Yeah, there is indeed," Andre agreed.

"I’m sorry to disrupt your session but Dominic you need to get your ass in the conference room right now. The Hartford's are already in," He clapped his trice on my face.

"Sure,” I responded as Anna stepped off me.

I pecked her on the lips.

"I'll see you later babe, “I promised.

The look of appreciation on her face for some reason warmed my heart. If only Nicole had been able to appreciate me just half that much.

After she was gone I stepped into the conference room my business face immediately taking over. The rest of the day was pretty much spent going about my meetings.

"So are you on for drinks tonight?" Andre questioned from the door as I picked my suitcase.

"I don't know Andre. I don't want to get drunk and wallow over Nicole again," I stated as a matter of factly.

"I know but there is this new club in town that has got everything filthy rich man talking. I heard only the rich men are allowed in. They have the best strippers, Pole dancers too and I don't want to miss that," He pouted while pocketing.

I locked up my office as we headed for the elevator.

"There are strippers, huh? I’m definitely not going to a strip club, Andre. I’m an almost engaged man Andre. I do not think I have to remind you that," I stated with finality as the elevator began descending.

"Anna will never find out. The identity of their customers is highly privatized. Please, just this once,"

"Fine. Just this once," I agreed against my better judgment.

I was so going to regret this.

"Did I ever tell you that you are the brother I never had?" He grinned boyishly.

"Yeah, every time I end up paying for your drinks and food, and driving your drunk ass home," I smiled getting into my car.

I drove off but somehow I got caught up in a traffic jam. Through my rearview mirror, I could make out my three bodyguard cars. After half an hour, the traffic began moving. My joy was however short-lived when a shiny white Maserati maneuvered right in front of me. Right then the traffic stopped again making me bump into the Maserati. Much to my annoyance, the Maserati bumped right back into my car intentionally twice. Finally having enough of it I stepped out of my car before walking over to the car in front of me. Knocking angrily at the window the owner rolled it down.

"Are you out of your fucking mind? “I shouted.

"You are the one out of your mind sir. Why the hell are you even shouting at me?" The lady questioned.

"You bumped into my car and you are not even going to apologize? “Jesus! People were so unbelievable.

"I’m sorry about that. I'll pay for the damages then," she said reaching out for her purse.

"Just forget it," I walked back to my car.