POV: Victoria
Claire is in love with Dominic already, she has fallen deeply in love with him and I can’t even begin to imagine how she found herself in this situation, like, How does she fall for these dangerous guys so easily, what is it with her and guys that could hurt her and break her heart?
“It was love at first sight, Vee, he’s so special, so caring and understanding. I know everyone thinks he is a bad person because of his job, but he is not as mean as they make him out to be. He is so cute, so nice and loving.” She told me excitedly, a blush creeping up on her face.
“Remember when you stuck with Raphael and agreed to be with him despite the rumors flying around about him and his relationship with his family?
That is exactly how it is with Dominic and I. Everyone just looks for his flaws and not his good side. He is not as bad as they make him out to be, he is the best man I’ve ever met,” she confessed excitedly, making me laugh at her silly comparison.
Like, how does she come up with these comparisons even, does she even think this through before voicing it out?
First of all, my relationship with Raphael and her relationship with Dominic can never be the same except she signed an agreement with him to be in a fake relationship. Besides, how many guys has she been with that she could possibly compare Dominic with?
As far as I know, she has only been with one guy, Kyle. And he is not man enough to be used in comparison to real men out there. Her first man was a drug addict and a lunatic, so I don’t think she should use Kyle as the yardstick to measure the men in her life. That is exactly what she is doing right now and that is why the little acts of kindness from Dominic seem like something huge to her.
“I’m glad you like him, I hope he feels the same way for you. A man like him should have someone they love and care about. Are you sure he doesn’t have a girlfriend?
I would hate for you to get into a catfight with a girl you don’t even know,” I teased, earning a chuckle from her and Dominic too. I didn’t even know that the guys were listening to us until I heard him chuckle.
“I don’t have a wife if that is what you are implying. All thanks to your boyfriend, I lost my fiancee and our unborn child. Now I’m single and lonely,” he lets out angrily, his eyes fixed on Raphael as he glares dangerously at him. Raphael looked away from him, obviously ashamed of the role he played in the death of Dominic’s fiancee.
I turned away from them and fixed my eyes on Claire as we chatted excitedly about Dominic’s huge mansion and her position in his life. If you ask me, I think she is lucky to have him. He doesn’t have a girlfriend and he is not afraid to commit to a new relationship unlike Raphael that made me sign a fucking document. I’m glad that she is happy with him, and now I understand why she wouldn’t want to come back home anymore.
But that is not the only reason why I’m here. I’m here because she is being rude to Mom and I and it’s freaking Mom out and pushing her further into depression. I needed her to come home with me for just a few days and speak with Mom so she would stop fussing about her. I’ve tried bringing up the topic often, but she doesn’t want to hear me out.
She got mad the moment I mentioned our mom and she wouldn’t say anything about it to me again. I tried to find out why she suddenly turned on Mom but she won’t say. She kept looking toward Dominic and Raphael whenever I brought up the conversation about Mom. She looks hurt and she won’t tell me why.
“If you hate her that much, why don’t you tell her yourself?” I asked furiously when I saw that my words weren’t getting to her. She has made up her mind and nothing I say will make her change her mind and come back home. She suddenly hates Mom so much, she doesn’t even want me to say one word about her.
“Stop talking about her, stop calling her mom because she is not. She is a thief and a liar, she doesn’t love us, she never did.” She yelled at me, getting me so angry that I had to hit her hard across the face to shut her sharp mouth from running about like a tap.
“I don’t care what she did that makes you hate her so much, but she is still our mother and she deserves our respect. You can hate her all you want but you can never say such terrible words about her to my face. Don’t ever call her or speak to her so rudely ever again.” I warned her fiercely and stormed out of the house, leaving her to her hatred and anger.
I scoffed when I discovered that she wasn’t coming after me like she usually does when I’m this pissed off at her. She did not even flick at my reaction, she let me leave without a word and that made me even more furious at her. I turned back and glared at her, my eyes filled with tears,
“You are not the Claire I used to know, you are as hard-hearted as our father. I’m sure he is behind this your recent behaviors, he should be very proud of you for following in his footsteps. I just want you to know that you will not get away with this, you will regret it, that is a promise.” I told her sternly, walking towards the door.
“How stupid are you, Victoria!
Why are you so dumb and stupid?!” she yelled in anger.?”
“He keeps telling you that you are not his daughter, did you think that he was joking?
They are not your parents, Victoria, what would it take for you to understand that?!
Oh wait, are you being this calm because of the wealth mom promised us?
Oh please, Victoria!
Stop being sectional, Victoria. Dad is never going to let you take over the company, not when Aunt Vera is there to take her share of the family property. You are never getting that company, not even one percent of the shares will be given to you because you are not their family, you are just a…”
“Enough!” Dominic warned fiercely, making her shut her mouth immediately. I was so shocked to see the effect he had on her, she would do anything he said without question and yet she won’t listen to me.
“Why don’t you teach her to respect her family and stop making up stories to justify her actions and ease her conscience.” I told him sternly, making Claire so angry that she tried to respond to me in anger. But Dominic put up a hand to shush her, making me smirk evilly at her.
“As I told you earlier, Victoria, you need to take a step back and think about your background and your family. Claire may be right or wrong, but you’ll never know until you decide to find out the truth. You are more powerful than you realize, and only you can unlock your potential. Put sentiments aside and think straight.” Dominic told me firmly, leaving no room for arguments. It was as if they all connived against me.
Even Raphael refused to take my side this time. He nodded in understanding as Dominic and Claire spoke to me like a child and made me look stupid in his presence. I can’t believe that he would allow our little argument in the car to make him hate me. I can’t believe that he would side against his former best friend instead of his fiancee. I turned to him and glared at him in anger. But he couldn’t care less about my anger.
He looked away from me and returned his gaze back to Dominic who seemed to understand the unspoken language between us. There was tension between us and Dominic understood it too well and he tried to play the part of a middle man, but I wouldn’t give him that chance. I turned around and walked away. I need some time to clear my head, I’m so angry with everyone right now.