DOMINIC’S POV.
“When are you coming back?” I asked Saraya.
I heard her chuckled. “Don’t be dramatic, Dominic, I just left.”
“But it feels like forever.” I told her. “Saraya,” I called her name softly. “I really mean it when I said I’ve fallen for you and you’re the one I’ve been waiting for. Do the honour of being my woman and I promise never to let you let down.”
“Dominic,” she said, her voice low and hesitant. “You barely know me. What if I’m not what you think I am? What if this-” she paused, as though she was searching for the right word to use. “What if we’re moving too fast?”
I leaned against the swirling chair, gripping the phone tighter. “Saraya, I know what I feel. I’m not some impulsive guy who throws words around without meaning them. I’ve waited for someone like you for so long, and now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting fear or doubt take this away from us.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, long enough for my heart to start racing. I held my breath, waiting for her response.
“You’re relentless, aren’t you?” she asked when she finally broke the silence.
“When it comes to you? Absolutely,” I admitted.
Her tone softened. “I don’t deserve you, Dominic. I like being friends with you and that is all to it.”
“Is it because of Arlan?” I asked.
I could hear the rhythm of her breathing changed. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about, Saraya. I saw the way he looked at you back at Brisbane. Isn’t it suspicious that you would resign and leave Sydney even though your father is on the sick bed?”
“You know nothing Dominic.” She said angrily and I could tell I have touched a nerve.
“So tell me, haven’t you for once thought of using me as an excuse or least a rebound?” I asked her. “Be honest, Saraya.”
“Don’t tell me you pity me?” She asked.
I shook my head, “no, I don’t. I’m just being realistic. I love you to the point that I would willingly be used by you.”
“You won’t regret it, Saraya,” I promised. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she said.
“Have a little faith in me,” I replied. “And in us.”
“I don’t know what to say but if you can be patient with me, Dominic. Let’s enjoy what we have for now which is our friendship.”
“I can do patience,” I assured her. “As long as it’s with you. Just think about it and give me a chance to prove myself to you.”
There was a moment of silence, and I could hear her exhale softly, as if she was trying to process everything. I wanted to say more, to convince her that I was serious but I held back. She needed time, and I wasn’t going to push her any further.
“Dominic,” she said after a while. “I have to go now.”
I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden shift. “Oh… okay,” I said, trying to mask my disappointment. “Will you call me later?”
“Of course,” She replied. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Always,” I said quickly. “And you too, Saraya. Remember, I’m just a call away if you need anything.”
“I know,” she said softly. “Bye, Dominic.”
“Bye, Saraya,” I replied.
The call ended, and I found myself staring at the blank screen of my phone, the silence in my office suddenly felt louder. I set the phone down and leaned back in the chair, running a hand through my hair thinking about everything.
One moment, it felt like we were on the brink of something real, and the next, it was as if she was pulling away again.
“You’re mine, princess.” I said aloud. “And I will wait for you to come around even if it means waiting forever. You’re so worth it, I can’t let you go.”
**
SARAYA’S POV
“Who were you talking to?” Gabby asked as she sneaked on me, startling me a bit.
“Can you make some sounds when approaching me?” I asked. “You almost made me jump out of my skin.” I added.
“Says the one person that was so engrossed in her phone she didn’t noticed me walked in.” She said.
“Touche.” I said.
“So who were you talking to?” She repeated.
Knowing how persistent she could be, I decided to be open. “It’s Dominic, he is so fun to speak with.” I replied.
Gabby took a seat beside me, looking at me suspiciously. “Are you falling for him already?”
“No,” the words came out of my mouth before I could stop myself. I adjusted myself on my seat. “I like him so much but I honestly do not see him in that light.”
“Is it because of Arlan?” Gabby pressed further.
I set my phone aside, pretending to be thinking. “Do you want me to be honest?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
I pretend to be lost in thoughts. “I think even if Arlan wasn’t in the picture, I still wouldn’t have seen Dominic in that light.” I revealed.
“Then don’t lead him on.” Gabby cautioned.
I sighed and leaned back in my seat, staring at the ceiling as Gabby’s words sank in. She wasn’t wrong, and I knew it. The last thing I wanted was to hurt Dominic, but how could I make him understand without completely pushing him away?
“I’m not trying to lead him on,” I said, my voice softer now. “It’s just… Dominic is kind. He’s caring, thoughtful, and easy to talk to. I enjoy his company, Gabby, but each time he talks about his feelings for me, it’s like a burden that settles on my chest. I don’t want to be the reason his heart gets broken but I don’t want to lose his friendship either.”
Gabby studied me for a moment. “You’re not responsible for how he feels, Saraya. But you are responsible for being honest with him. If you don’t see him that way, he deserves to know.”
I nodded slowly. “I tried telling him earlier, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’s so convinced that we’re meant to be, and a part of me wonders if I should give him a chance.”
“Do you want to give him a chance?” Gabby asked pointedly.
I hesitated, the question striking a chord deep inside me. Did I want to? Or was I just trying to avoid the inevitable confrontation?
“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Sometimes I think it would be easier to say yes, to just… see how things goes. But then I honestly think it would be unfair to giving Dominic a body without a heart.”
Gabby nodded thoughtfully, her eyes fixed on me. “You’re right, it would be unfair. And it wouldn’t just hurt Dominic; it would hurt you too. You deserve to be with someone you’re completely sure about, Saraya, not someone you’re settling for because it’s easier.”
Her words struck a nerve, but I knew she’s right. I’d been wrestling with this for weeks now, torn between wanting to protect Dominic’s feelings and staying true to my own.
“I just wish things were simpler,” I said, rubbing my temples. “Why does love have to be so complicated?”
“Because it’s love,” Gabby replied with a small smile. “It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes, it doesn’t make any sense. But that’s what makes it so worth it when you find the right person.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “And what if I never find the right person? What if I keep screwing things up like this?”
Gabby reached out and squeezed my hand. “You won’t. You’ll figure it out, Saraya. You just have to trust yourself and your instincts. If Dominic isn’t the one, then you owe it to both of you stuck your foot to the ground and not do anything to lead him on. And if Arlan… well, if Arlan is still lingering in your mind, maybe you need to figure out that too.”
I froze at her words, my heart skipping a beat. Was Arlan still lingering in my mind? Of course, he was. He always had been, no matter how much I tried to push him out.
But that wasn’t fair to Dominic. And it wasn’t fair to me either.
“You’re right,” I finally said, my voice steady. “I need to have that conversation with Dominic. He deserves to know where I stand, even if it hurts.”
Gabby smiled at me. “That’s the Saraya I know. You’ve got this.” She stood up. “I’ll leave you to it.”
I watched Gabby walk out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I stared at my phone, Dominic’s name still at the top of the screen from our last conversation.
My fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating. I couldn’t shake the image of his disappointed face when I tell him my mind is made up and I have to reject his proposal.
The thought of Arlan crept into my mind again, uninvited and unwelcome. His face, his voice, his laugh, his kiss, his touch. All of it came rushing back. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push it away. This wasn’t about him.
This was about me and Dominic.
I grabbed my phone, opened our chat and typed out a message.
“Dominic, can we talk? There’s something important I need to tell you.”
I hit send before I could second-guess myself. A minute later, the typing indicator appeared on the screen, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Of course. What’s up?” he replied almost instantly.
I hesitated for a moment, then typed back.
“Not over text. Can I call you?”
He didn’t respond right away this time, but when his reply came, it was simple.
“Sure. Call me whenever you’re ready.”
I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over the call button. My chest felt tight, and my stomach was in knots.
Taking a deep breath, I pressed the button and brought the phone to my ear.
It was time to tell him the truth and squash his feelings even if it means straining our friendship a bit.