Chapter 8

Josephine Dominico is yet to say a word to me. Ever since he stomped off to the cabin, I was greeted with total silence. The occupied himself with his laptop when he returned, not acknowledging my presence beside him. When the plane landed, he placed his hand on my waist and guided me to the car, he held the door for me as I got in, rounded the and got in and when he pulled out his phone, I knew he was back to ignoring me. Focusing my gaze on the tall buildings, I wondered what crawled up his ass and died. “Did I do something wrong?” Ignoring his scrutiny, I awaited his response, but was greeted with a familiar silence. Taking my eyes away from the view outside the window, I admired his masculinity. His curly hair and blue eyes can coax a lady to do anything he desires, but I doubt he needs those anyways, his self-confidence and domineering behaviour is a trait most women desire in a man. “Is this about my living situation?” He stopped typing, his fingers hovering around the keys. His clenched jaw proved that my question is indeed the reason for his anger but his ego got the best of him. He resumed typing, pretending as if he didn’t hear me speak. Aggravated by his silence, I returned my view to the window. An hour later, the driver turned to an unfamiliar road. I double blinked at the unfamiliar route. “This isn’t the route to Jayden’s apartment.” He frowned. “You honestly think I’m going to let you stay in that rat hole?” I sneered at him. “Stop looking at me like that Josephine, that place is too small for a pregnant woman.” “It’s a two bedroom apartment.” I corrected him. “There is nothing too small about it.” The car stopped outside an iron gate. “This is so uncalled for. What exactly are we doing here?” He finally put his phone away. He focused on me with a cold, aloof stare. “You do realise that all these would have played out in a very different manner,” I tried to escape the heated intensity of his stare, but the cold blue eyes locked me in. “I would have dragged you down here, force you to get married to me, take your company away and send you away to one of my homes to have my baby, but here I am, trying to make a difference,” The car pulled to a stop and he ordered the driver to get out. “I did something I’ve never done, abandoning my business. I left it all in ever hands of my hotheaded brother who can crash it with just one word, all because of you. You told me you didn’t want to get married to me immediately, that you needed me to court you, I agreed to that, you told me you wanted your company under your control, I granted you that, you told me you didn’t want to live with me, that you preferred the company of another man to mine, I granted that, despite how stupid it makes me look.” “Dom_” “You will keep calm and let me speak.” He hissed, his dark squinted eyes narrowing further. “If you really want to live with Jayden, it will be on my terms.” Why do I feel this isn’t going to end well? “What are your terms Dom?” “You will live here with him, you won’t be seen in public with him, I do not want people thinking he fathered my child, you will under no circumstance sleep him on the same bed.” He’s just being unnecessarily overbearing. “I think this is just your jealously speaking Dominico. People will have to see us in public, he’s going to accompany me to my doctor’s visit.” I can’t possibly do that alone. “You will not be seen in public with him under compromising situations such as doctor’s visit.” He emphasised on the doctor’s visit. “I’ll go with you for your doctor’s visit, you do not need him.” Didn’t he say his enemies will be after me, whatever the f**k that means. “But _” “No but’s Josephine, this matter is settled. It’s either you agree to this terms, or I’ll drive you to my house. your choice.” Heaving out a sigh, I wondered what Jayden is going to say about this. Leaving in Dominico’s house is going to be a big blow to him. “These men in suit lurking around, are they going to be here all the time?” He looked out through the tinted window, staring at the men in question. “They are here for your security, their presence are non-negotiable, you’ll have to learn to deal with them.” “Jayden isn’t going to like this.” He clenched his fists and I immediately realised my mistake. “I’m sorry about that. You’re right, you’ve compromised a lot in this, I think it’s time I do the same too.” Smiling tightly at me, he knocked on the door twice and it opened. I got down from the car and my eyes sought Jayden immediately, and when it found his, he mouthed the same question that I asked Dominico when we entered this route. I reassured him with a smile that everything is fine. Dominico stopped at the porch, he took hold of my waist. “Hugo will give you a tour to the house, I wish I could do that, but I have a meeting in the next twenty minutes.” He leaned down to kiss my lips, but I gave him my cheek instead. Clearing his throat, he masked disappointment. “Get ready by six, I’ll be picking you up for dinner.” “My clothes are not here yet.” He thumbed my cheek, caressing it. “I’ll send something across to you, and your clothes should be here by then, just in case you want to wear something familiar.” He wanted to say more, but he held back. “I’ll see you later.” I watched him get into the car with the huge man that kept following him around. One of the men watching guard picked up our suitcase and carried it inside. Jay walked over to me and grabbed my hand. “What’s going on? What are we doing here?” “Welcome Ma’am, I’m Hugo. I was instructed to give you a tour round the house.” “Thanks.” Jayden remarked, “I’m sure we can find our way around.” Hugo ignored him, waiting for my response and I gave him a small nod, indicating that I agree with him, although I’m sure we’ll regret this decision later. Jayden grabbed my hand and dragged me to the corner, away from listening ears. “What’s going on? I thought we are staying at my place, what are we doing here?” “Dominico wants us to stay here.” He opened his mouth to argue, but I quickly shut him up. “There is nothing wrong with staying here Jay, it’s bigger and has enough space for everybody.” He frowned. “Who is everybody?” I inwardly rolled my eyes at his question. “You already know the answer to that question Jay.” Running my hands through my hair, I tried to reason with him. “Dominico is trying his best to make this work Jay, not every man will concur to the idea of his fiancée staying with another man.” Washed with the feeling of forlornness, I took a deep breath. “Help me make this work too. Stop antagonising him, stop making it seem as if he has a selfish motive for everything he does.” He felt my pain, my feeling of helplessness. I’m tried of fighting and I’m sure he can see it through my glassy eyes. He grabbed my hand and massaged my pulse. “I’ll try. For your sake, I’ll be nice.” The suffocating pain gnawed me into being suspicious. He chuckled. “I’m serious Josie, I’ll try for you. Who knows, I might even take up his Vogue offer.” Relieved, I smiled at him. He pulled me into a hug and whispered kisses on my forehead. “I love you Jay. Thank you for everything.” “I love you more Josie.” He kissed my cheek, pulled me closer to his chest again and closed his eyes. “It’s you who do not know to what extent.” Our emotional moment was cut short by a young lady who seem to be impatient. “Sorry you disturb you,” I pulled away from Jay to look at the young lady who just offered a fake apology. “but Mr. Lopez insisted I show you to your room.” I gave her a curt nod and gestured for her to lead the way. “Are you really going to take his offer on the Vogue magazine job?” He nodded, although his thought a little bit distant. “I think it’s time I get my life into shape.” We climbed up the stairs. “I think this is the break through I need for my career.” The young lady stopped at a white door. “This is your room ma’am.” “Thank you _?” “My name is Hewlett.” She filled in. “Mr. Jonas, your room is at the other wing, if you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your room,” “My room is in the other wing?” Jay armed with a bewildered expression. “Why?” “I do not have the answer to that question sir, I’m simply following instructions.” Jay glared at me, clearly understanding what’s going on. “Do you want something? Perhaps brunch?” Hewlett asked, directing the question to me. I waved off her offer. “Just show Jay to his room, I’m sure he needs to refreshen up.” Jay although upset with the arrangement Let things go. He gave me a hug before following her out. ★★★★★★ Jay watched me straighten my hair with an amused smile. “I don’t think all these are necessary Josie, you look beautiful without all this hassle.” He stood up and collected the hair straightener from me. “I love your wild curls by the way.” I flashed him a bright smile. “Thanks Jay, but I’m still having the hair straightened out.” He chuckled at my stubbornness. “I’m looking forward to dinner with him.” He paused and locked eyes with me through the mirror. “Why? Are you falling for him already?” “I’m looking forward to know him, that real him, not what the tabloids has to say about him.” He nodded his head, offered me a tight smile and resumed straightening my hair. “You look good with that.” I teased, “maybe you should consider hairdressing.” He chortled in laughter. “You’re crazy,” He whizzed out, trying to control his laughter. “Just because I’m straightening your hair, you think I’m going to make a good hairdresser? Have you seen me with my camera?” “Yes, you look hot with your camera.” I affirmed, feeding his ego which made him laugh even harder. We were still laughing over something that shouldn’t even be considered funny when the door opened. I blinked through glassy eyes, surprised to see Dominico. It isn’t six o’clock yet. “You’re early.” “Hmm.” He walked into the room, his hand buried in his pocket. “Do you care to share the joke? I wouldn’t mind a light joke after a stressful day.” “It isn’t something you’d consider funny.” Jay deadpanned. “I’ll see you when you get back Josie.” He ambled out of the room. Dominico stared at me through the mirror, his eyes exploring my body. “You look beautiful.” Bashful, I avoided his gaze. “Thank you.” I clipped my earring. “I’m almost done; you’re home earlier than usual.” “Yeah, I finished my work early, so I decided to come home and see you.” His blue eyes held my brown ones. “I missed you.” I blushed harder which seems to amuse him. “I’ll wait for you downstairs, I need to address the staffs here.” He walked over and kissed my temple before walking out of my room. ************** Thirty minutes later, I glided down the stairs, feeling more like myself, like the Josephine Eluta that I used to know. Being in the fashion world means being able to grace it at all times, and I had no problem doing that in the past, neither do I have a problem doing that now too. Dominico who was having a heated conversation with Hugo in a hushed tone stopped when he felt my presence or perhaps heard my footsteps. He dismissed Hugo and turned to me. His cold calculative eyes raked my body, starting from my exposed thigh. He explored it, his eyes trailing the my long legs evident through the slit until it disappeared into the red poly material. His lips lifted with a small smile as he stared at my bump. He minced towards me. “You look beautiful love.” That word hitched my breath, it reminds me of our night together. Her palmed my cheek, drew in and laid a delicate kiss on my neck. “I’m so damn proud to have you as mine.” He whispered. Inhaling my scent, he stepped away. “Come on, we have a reservation. I’m sure you don’t want to be late.” Smiling warmly at him, I allowed him lead me away to the car. ************* It took us over thirty minutes to get to the city. I wonder why he chose a house in the middle of nowhere. “Why do I stay far away from civilisation? It will be difficult to go to work everyday from there.” His hand which is on my thigh stopped drawing imaginary images. “You’ll appreciate the location when you spend all your day in the city, only to return to calm and serenity later in the night.” He winked at me. “You’ll love it there, I promise.” I hope so too. I’ve always been more of a city girl all my life. “So where are you taking me?” He intertwined our fingers together, lifted it and brushed a light kiss on my knuckles. “It’s a surprise, I’m sure you’ll love it.” I didn’t get the time to respond when the car halted suddenly, jerking me forward. Luckily, I was held back by the seatbelt. “What the f**k Hide?” Dominico hissed at the driver who has resumed driving, his speed ten times faster than before. “It’s a black Volvo boss.” Dominico looked behind us and cursed under his breath. “How long have they been following us?” We’re being followed? My heart thrashed against my ribcage. “Who is following us? The cops?” Nobody acknowledged my question. “The moment we entered the city boss.” “f*****g assholes!” He immediately bent down, reached under his seat and pulled out a gun. My eyes widened at the sight of it, an aching antagonising knot cramped on my windpipe. “What are you doing with a gun Dom?” His frantic eyes met mine and my fears softened the coldness in his eyes. With the gun still in his hand, he palmed my cheek. “I need you to get down for me love, do not lift your head until I say so.” “I don’t think they’re going to shoot at us on a busy road.” Hide’s words are yet to cool down when loud sounds filled the air, and then the bullets came flying.