Chapter 6ixty 5

Chapter 6ixty 5

Eva's POV

I thought today would be like the last, a blur of wedding planning and silent tension. But I was wrong.

It started with Dominic knocking on my bedroom door. Not his usual firm knock, but lighter, almost hesitant.

“Yes?” I called, already halfway into my robe.

“Be ready in twenty minutes,” he said through the door. “We’re going out.”

I blinked at the door. “Out where?”

“Just be ready.”

And then he was gone.

Exactly twenty minutes later, I stepped out in jeans and a light blouse, unsure what “going out” meant in his world. He was waiting near the elevator, dressed in black slacks and a grey sweater. Casual, but elegant—typical Dominic.

“Is this okay?” I asked, gesturing at my outfit.

He gave me a once-over, his expression unreadable. “You’ll do.”

Not exactly a compliment, but from Dominic? I’d take it.

The elevator ride down was awkwardly quiet, and for a second, I debated whether to ask him anything. But he beat me to it.

“You’ve done a lot this week,” he said as the doors slid open. “I figured you could use a break.”

I looked at him, surprised. “You planned something… for me?”

He gave a half-shrug. “It’s not a date if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Didn’t say it was.”

We both fell silent again as the driver opened the car door. I climbed in, trying not to let my curiosity bubble too high.

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at a small, secluded place I never knew existed—a little lake just on the outskirts of the city. There were no crowds, no cameras, no overly dressed assistants. Just trees, water, and the peaceful hum of nature.

I turned to him, raising a brow. “This… isn’t what I expected.”

He smirked. “Good.”

We walked in silence at first, the gravel crunching under our shoes. A few birds flitted across the water. It was beautiful and oddly calming. I kept sneaking glances at Dominic, wondering what he was really thinking.

“You know,” I finally said, “I can’t believe Hector actually agreed.”

Dominic let out a breath, the kind that sounded like a mix of relief and exhaustion. “Neither can I. ”

We sat on a bench near the lake. For a long time, we just listened—to the birds, the breeze, the occasional splash of fish in the water. It was the first time I’d felt… calm. Since the engagement. Since everything.

“Did you always know you’d end up like this?” I asked.

He chuckled low. “You mean, this?"

I laughed softly. “Yes, exactly that.”

“No,” he said. “I always thought I’d run away from it all. Do my own thing. But when Hector puts pressure on you, there’s no room to breathe.”

I nodded. “Trust me, I get it.”

He didn’t respond. But the silence between us was different now. Not cold. Just quiet understanding.

When we got back to the penthouse later that afternoon, Giselle was waiting for us at the door, flustered and almost breathless.

“Mr. Dominic,” she said, “The designer for your tuxedo is here. Also, the media team just sent a new draft for the official wedding statement. They want you to approve the press photos.”

Dominic groaned under his breath. “Let me breathe, Giselle.”

“I’m just doing my job,” she replied, trying not to sound too defensive.

He waved her off, then looked at me. “Go take a nap or something. You’ve earned it.”

I didn’t argue. My head was starting to spin with everything again.

Back in my room, I changed into a comfortable robe and laid down on the bed. But sleep didn’t come. My mind was too noisy.

So I grabbed my sketchbook the one thing I hadn’t touched in weeks. I used to draw whenever life got too loud. Little pieces of peace trapped in pencil lines.

I started with a rough sketch of the lake. Then my hand moved on its own, tracing the side of Dominic’s face—sharp jaw, serious eyes, slightly furrowed brows. I paused, surprised at how natural it felt to draw him. When did he become so… familiar?

I closed the book quickly and set it aside.

Later that evening, Dominic came to my room again. “We’re having dinner outside tonight,” he said. “On the balcony. Thought it’d be quieter.”

I blinked. “Okay…”

When I stepped out, a small round table was set with candles and plates of food. Nothing too fancy, but it looked thoughtful. The city lights sparkled far below us. The air was cool, fresh.

The conversation was easier than usual. We talked about random things—his travels, my favorite books, the time I accidentally dyed my hair orange in high school.

“I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in months,” I admitted, smiling.

“Me either,” he said, eyes soft.

For a moment, I let myself pretend.

Pretend that this wasn’t fake. That maybe, just maybe, there was something real growing in the cracks.

Later, after the dishes were cleared and the night had gone still, I stood by the balcony railing, letting the breeze wash over me.

Dominic stepped beside me. “You’ll be alright, you know.”

I looked at him. “You think?”

“I know,” he said. “You’re tougher than you look.”

I laughed. Was that a new way of flirtingor what?. “You’re not too bad yourself.”