Chapter 60

Dominique.

I allowed my fingers the privilege of dancing along the white sheet of paper in front of me. They'd been moving for a while and if I was being honest, I couldn't wait to see the outcome. It wasn't a lot if I was being honest. I had nothing to do so I decided to paint, or more accurately sketch out a new design for one of the pots I wanted to make.

Yes, I usually made my creations freehand, but this, this was a special occasion and the occasion wasn't related to something. It had something to do with a someone.

Florence.

I wanted to make something special for her, something deliberate and thoughtful for her and with only her in mind.

After we'd waltzed at the dance hall thr other day, it was all I could think of. How her hand fit perfectly into mine and how my hand clasped around her waist so well. I had always heard laughter and happiness was contagious, but I got to experience it with Florence. Seeing her happy made me happy. She got a good number of the steps wrong, but she didn't care. She was focused on being happy and enjoying the moment and that was all I wanted. Of I had known she would have loved it so much, I would have organized it earlier.

Or maybe I should organize another one? No. Taking her to another dance hall eouldnr ne original. What if I changed the venue and the type of dance…..

“Sir?” Three knocks at me door brought me out of my monologue. I wasn't sure I heard well, so I paused, as I allowed some more time to pass. A couple of minutes later, another round of knocks followed. “ Sir, are you in there?”

“What is it?” I snapped angrily. “ Come back later.”

“I'm afraid I can't, sir” I groaned at that response. The sole reason I'd decided not to go to work today was because I needed a break, some rest from the hustle and bustle of the everyday office life. But apparently, a millionaire's work was never done. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if I found myself working in the afterlife, wherever it was I ended up anyway. “ It's urgent.”

“What is it?” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “ What could you all possibly want from me now?”

“You have a visitor, sir.” The voice from the other side of the door called. “ A rather persistent and stubborn one.”

“Who is it?” Somehow, I could already anticipate who it was and of my guess was correct, then, well, I had no idea what I would do. “ Who's it?”

“Mr Delacroix, sir.” I muttered underneath my breath. What exactly did he want from me? Why couldn't he just let me be? “ He's been out here for an hour now and he's been causing a ruckus. We've tried everything to stop him and get him to leave but he's adamant. He's also been throwing around some threats to the company and….”

“Send him in.” I cut him off immediately. “Send him in here.”

“Into your bedroom, sir?” The confusion wlas clear in his voice. “ Are you sure you want him to…”

“Tell him to come in.” I made sure I enunciated each word as slowly as I could. Maybe that way, he would understand better. “ Don't make me repeat myself.”

“Okay, sir.”

Not long after I'd given the instructions, I heard a loud thud rake through my door, right before it slammed open just to reveal a very furious Delacroix.

“Dominique!” He seethed as he walked further into my bedroom. I was at my table in nothing but a t-shirt and shorts and trust me when I said I couldn't care any more less. “ What is the meaning of this?”

“It's called a lazy day.” I let out slowly as I took him in. If I was being honest, he looked this close to blowing up, with his red face and swollen cheeks. “ You would have heard about it if you actually cared about yourself.”

“Stop playing dumb with me.” He stormed deeper into my room. All it took him was a stride and he was standing in front of me. “ It's becoming infuriating at this point.”

“No, it's becoming tiring.” I fake yawned. “ Are you not tired? Aren't you tired of running around? If you keep up with this I can guarantee you, your liver will fail.”

“ I think you should leave my liver to me and focus on my daughter!” He spat. “ Who just happens to be your girlfriend!”

“Ex.” I mouthed.” She's my ex. That title should stick.”

“Why won't you take her back?” He was close to whining at this point. “Why can't you just take her back?”

“Because she's a cheating piece of shit, no offense.” I shrugged. “ You really should teach her to act better. She's a lady for God's sake and it'll definitely stain her image once word goes around that she allowed her ex boyfriend's enemy fuck her senseless and ultimately, that would be bad for business too.”

“You little brat.” He looked close to strangling me, really close. “ If you don't take that back and call up Eloise right now I'll….”

“You'll what?” I cut him off. “ What will you do? Threaten to take out all your shares from the company? Then do it. Fucking do it.”

“You don't mean that. Do you?”

“ I do.” I let out slowly. “ Do what you want. Fucking do what you want. I don't care.”

“You'll regret this.” Mr Delacroix pointed a shaky finger at me. “ I'll make sure you do.”

“Me? Never.” I shrugged, with a smirk on my lips. “ You? I think you already are, that's why you're so adamant and fidgety. “

“You'll see.” Mr Delacroix swore as he stormed out of my room an angry mess.

“Stupid piece of shit.” I muttered as I turned to the other side of the room. I'd barely gotten another word out when another knock came in. “Who the fuck is it this time?!”

“Sorry.” I froze immediately at the sound of the calm voice that followed. “ I just heard some noise down here and I wanted to check in on you. If it's not a good time, I could leave and come back later….’

“No, no.” I jerked up on my feet immediately. “ I had no idea it was you. You can come in.”

“Who was that?” She asked as she cautiously stepped into the room. “ I think I've seen him somewhere. From work maybe?”

“It's okay, it's not important.” I signed. “ He's Eloise's father and he wants me to get back together with her or he'll take out his shares. It's not a big deal.”

“Oh, I'm sorry. I…”

The rest of her words died on her lips as I pulled gwe flush towards me. She collided with me with a small oof, but all it took was one smile to get the awkwardness away.

Without any more delay, I leaned in for a kiss, one she didn't deny me. My shoulders relaxed as I locked lips with her. Even though I was so enraptured by her, it didn't mean her emotions didn't go unnoticed. For example, I definitely didn't miss the doubt that shond in her eyes before I'd leaned in.

She was worried, about us no doubt, but there was no time to think about that now. Right now, all that mattered, were her lips and her lips only.