Chapter 5

Dominico I was expecting her to run away, but somehow, I hoped she wouldn’t be so cruel enough to take my child away from me again; guess I was wrong. Exhaling m*******a smoke, I turned around and stared at her through the glass door. The doctor confirmed that she’s fine, but he beckoned me to avoid anything that will stress her due to her high blood pressure. I’m not trying to stress her or anything, but I’m not letting her keep my child away from me. The unsmoked blunt found it’s self in the ash tray, I stepped into the room, covered her properly with the duvet before stepping out to face my annoying guest. It pains me that I cannot hurt him considering the fact that Josephine has this annoying connection with him. I walked into the living room, and the agitated man stopped pacing. His worried eyes searched mine for answers, and when he couldn’t find that which he seeks, he became more worried. “What is wrong with Josie? The doctor won’t tell me anything.” “That’s because it’s none of your business.” I fixed myself a drink. “You have to stop worrying about Josephine, she’s my responsibility now.” I won’t have him spitting in my face with his constant worry over Josephine. “Josie is my friend and I’ll always worry about her.” He dipped his hands into his pocket and puffed his chest out. “I’ve been the one taking care of her these past few months, you don’t expect me to stop all of a sudden just because your jealous ass can’t take it.” Unfazed by his insult, I blinked slowly at him. “Jealously isn’t the right word Jayden, I think the word you were looking for is selfish and possessive.” He scoffed, not seeing the difference. “I’m selfish and possessive towards what I consider mine, so I do not appreciate you pretending to be my wife’s friend.” “I’m not pretending to be her friend.” He hissed. “Besides, she’s not your wife yet.” I ignored his last statement. There is no need arguing that fact; definitely, Josephine will be my wife. “Will you swear to me that you’ve never dreamt about taking her to your bed?” “You’re crazy.” “That’s not denial.” I gulped down my whiskey, slammed the cup on the bar counter then slowly approached him. The circus clown tried not to be affected by my domineering aura. “You’re going to give Josephine the distance she needs from you.” “I can sense the underlying threat in your words, but I want you to know that I’m not afraid of you.” He chuckled humorlessly. “You can’t kill me Lopez, not if you want to stand a chance with Josie.” “What makes you think I’m capable of murder?” I queried him calmly, far too calmly for his liking. “What?” He scoffed. “Are you seriously asking me that?” I shrugged. “Everybody in New York knows about the evil your family is capable of, the evil that the authorities has turned blind eyes on because of millions of dollars.” “You give us too much credit.” I mocked. “Not everyone in the authority is under our payroll.” Scowling, his eyes darted to the closed door leading to my bedroom. “I do not know whether to call you brave or stupid. You know what I’m capable of, yet you push me to the wall.” “Like I said, you won’t kill me.” He stated with certainty. “Why?” My eyes twinkled just by the thought of ending his pathetic life. “Because of Josephine? There are more than a thousand ways to kill you without affecting my relationship with Josephine.” He glared at me, not expecting my response. “You step out everyday Jayden, and people meet their untimely death out there everyday. Do not fall a victim.” “Your words do not scare me.” He lied. “That wasn’t my intention.” I answered nonchalantly. “If I wanted to scare you, I’ll be pointing my gun at you, or probably blowing out your kneecaps.” I stared him straight in the eyes. “I’m only giving you a fair warning.” He stared at me unblinkingly, trying to figure out what to do next. The conflict in his eyes made me realize something; this man isn’t going anywhere. He’s maddeningly in love with my wife, and is willing to take a bullet for her than to be separated from her. “What exactly do you want from Josephine?” I do not care about him, and in that case I do not owe him any explanation. Silence at this point is the best response to his question. “I know you’re after something.” He sagged onto the white sofa and cradled his head. “Is this about her father’s company? Are you getting married to her just to get your hands on that company?” I have more money than sense, and I have more than enough shares in her father’s company. “That was an insult Jayden, consider your words next time.” “Then what is it?” He scratched his neck, pondering on how to figure out what I want from Josephine. “I know you’re up to something, and I won’t rest until I figure it out.” Good luck with that. “The doctor advised against anything that will stress her, her blood pressure is f****d up as it is, I’m sure you do not want to mess it up the more by whispering words in her ears.” “Are you scared I’ll make her take a decision that doesn’t involve you?” His cocky behavior reminds me of Zadok. He acts and talks recklessly without thinking things through. “I do not want to force her to make decisions that doesn’t include you.” I corrected. “You’re stupid to think Josephine will be able to leave me or run away from me.” “So what?” He huffed “You’re going to force her down the isle?” “And I’ll make you watch us as we exchange our vows.” I clicked my finger and Hide approached us, ready to escort him out of my penthouse. “I am a man who knows what he wants,” I leaned forward. “I want Josephine, and I’m going to have her. God help you if you decide to stand in my way.” He opened his mouth but no words came out. “Have a good evening Mr. Jonas.” His fist clenched with anger. He looked too angry to consider my dismissal, but Hide grabbed his forearm. “I’ll let you know when she wakes up.” Defeated, he released a sigh. “You promise?” “I don’t owe you shit.” I ordered Hide to lead him away which he did. Suddenly feeling tired, I retired to the guest room. ★★★★★★★ I’ve always been an early riser, but being in the kitchen, fixing breakfast isn’t an everyday sight. Hide was shocked when he saw me fixing breakfast, but he kept his thoughts to himself; Zadok on the other hand, the bastard isn’t letting me hear the end of it. “Let me get this straight, you aren’t in the next available flight back home with your pregnant fiancée, e rather, you’re in your penthouse cooking for her. Who are you and what have you done to my brother?” “f**k off.” I rebuked him. “I called you for updates, not for you to taunt me.” I lowered the fire and watched the vegetables steam. “Any news from Santiago?” “Last I heard, he’s still in Miami.” Even the idea sounded ridiculous to him. “I hear he’s taking a break from work, although I believe there is something going on over. I can make a quick stop over there and find out what he’s up to.” He offered. Zadok is too reckless, he doesn’t understand that whatever decision he takes has it’s repercussion. “He isn’t in our territory, stay out of it. Let him do whatever the f**k he’s doing over there.” Zadok isn’t convinced. “Are you sure about that? He may be forming alliances, ready to take a action on you.” “Leave him be.” I reprimanded him with a stern voice that I know he can’t help but obey. “Do not give out any order without my approval.” “Aye boss.” I smiled at his teasing voice. “When are you returning? Father complained that you aren’t picking his calls and he has been disturbing my ass, demanding to know when you’re returning with Josephine.” I heard soft approaching footsteps. Josephine is awake. “Who told him that I traveled to get him?” He kept mute. “Have you been running your mouth again Zadok?” I hissed and he sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I had to tell him something to get him off my back.” Zadok seldom apologizes which is why I know he’s genuine anytime he offers one. “I’m sorry man.” When my silence persisted, he huffed. “Fine! I take my apology back. When are you returning?” “I don’t know.” I ought to have a long chat with Josephine. Who knows, I might get married to her here before returning home. “I’ll talk to you later Zadok.” “What am I doing here?” Josephine asked in a clipped voice. Turning around, I smiled warmly at her. “Good morning to you.” I dropped breakfast on the table. “You looked peaceful while sleeping hence the reason I didn’t wake you. Did you sleep well?” She crossed her arm. “That isn’t the answer to my question Mr. Lopez.” She licked her lips, trying to rein in her anger. “I ask again, what am I doing here?” I gestured towards the food on the table. “How about we discuss that over breakfast?” She eyed the table reluctantly. “Please…and call me Dominico.” I pulled out the seat for, beckoning her to sit. Her stubbornness only lasted few seconds before she reluctantly sat down. I sat down next to her and watched her consume the rice before her. Smiling at how hungry she looks, I filled her glass with fruit juice. “I’m sorry about how we started off.” She paused with her spoon mid-way, shocked by my apology. “The one night stand, showing up suddenly and demanding you leave with me…everything…I’m sorry.” She double blinked. “I believe we started off with the wrong foot, hopefully we can start afresh.” “I’m pregnant with your child.” She deadpanned. “I think that only means we cannot start afresh.” She resumed eating. “Besides, I like my life here.” “As a waitress?” I mocked. “Your facade doesn’t fool me Josephine, you miss designing.” She washed down her food with fruit juice. “Your love is in New York, not here.” “And you think I want to spend it with you?” I closed my eyes, biting back a wince at the venom in her voice. “Is this your plan?” My eyes snapped open. “You want to lure me to New York, make me get married to you, then turn me into a pathetic housewife whose job is to make babies.” “I care about your dream.” My brows pinched into a frown. Why would she think otherwise. “I’ve never given you a reason to think I don’t.” Josephine is a very beautiful lady, and I find it annoying that she doesn’t seem to believe any word that comes out of my mouth. “You care about my future?” She questioned sarcastically. “Is that the reason why you’re taking over my father’s company?” “Is that what this is about?” I’m struggling to understand this woman. “Did you run away from home because you thought I’ll turn you into a house wife? Because you think I’m taking over your father’s company?” “He told me so.” She muttered. “I do not know s**t about putting together fabrics. Do I own a lot of shares in your father’s company? Yes. Did I buy those shares to take over? No. I only bought those shares because the business happens to yield enough money for me.” “So you never planned on taking the company from me?” “I was going to let you handle it then take my dividends.” I felt her walls crumble. “Just what exactly do you take me for?” She rolled her eyes at me. “Do not blame me for judging you. I just returned home to the news that I’m getting married to someone I know nothing about and that the company I’ve worked my ass off for is being handed off to him. What did you expect me to do?” “Come to me and talk s**t out, not f**k a random guy at the club.” My eyes narrowed at her. “I hope that isn’t a habit of yours. f*****g a random guy whenever you’re upset isn’t something I’m going to condole.” “f**k you!” She jumped to her feet and jabbed angry finger at me. “You also f****d a random lady at the club, who are to judge me?” “I’m not judging you, I’m only stating facts.” “Well I’m stating facts too. If I’m not going to f**k random men, then you aren’t f*****g random women either.” I smiled at her apparent jealously. “What’s so funny?!” She hissed. “I love the fact that you’re possessive of me.” She rolled her eyes. I stood up, rounded the table and approached her. “Ever since I met you that night, I’ve been crazy for you.” She avoided my eyes. “I was crazy enough to consider canceling my wedding.” I placed my hand on her jaw, lifted her head and held her gaze. “What do you really want from me Dominico?” “You.” She doubts me. “Is that so difficult to believe?” I got no response from her. Trying my luck, I dipped my head and kissed her softly. “I want you Josephine, your love,” My palm covered her bump. “And possibly more babies.” She chuckled nervously. “It won’t be a bad idea to give this little one a family of his own.” “It could be a girl.” She pointed out with a teasing smile. My smile mirrored hers. “I don’t care either ways, I just hope for a healthy baby.” I kissed her again briefly before letting her go. “We should start planning the wedding soonest.” “What?” She drew back. “Who said anything about getting married to you now?” What the hell is her deal? “What do you mean by that? I have a business which demands my presence back in New York, I do not have the time to play Romeo with you here.” She walked past me, opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. “I’ll be returning to New York with you, but I won’t be getting married to you immediately.” “And Why is that?” I asked, trying so hard not to snap at her. “You said you want me,” ever since I laid my damn eyes on you. “Make me want you too.” That’s quite simple. “You said you wanted my love, earn it.” Chuckling as realization set in, I grabbed her hand and drew her in. “You want me to woo you?” She gave me a shy smile. “Get ready to fall in love with me Josephine.”