Around nine in the morning, Dominic approached me again as if nothing happened earlier in the kitchen. I was reading a book when he joined me in the living room. He was dressed nicely, so I assumed that he’s going out for a date.
“Let’s go shopping,” he announced.
“We?”
“Are you deaf?”
“I was only trying to confirm it! You didn’t have to insult me, Dominic.”
“Come on, Marian. You knew I was only kidding,” he reasoned out. “Go and change your clothes,” he ordered.
“I’m not in the mood to leave the house,” I refused to go with him. So anyway, I still have some of the clothes he bought online, even if they were so out of fashion.
“It’s an order,” he said.
I rolled my eyes at Dominic because he’s back to being bossy and an authoritative one. “Alright,” I replied.
As he was usually a fast driver, I expected him to drive like a maniac, but he was different. So finally, an hour later, we arrived at our destination. “Are you surprised to learn that there’s a department store in Firenze?”
“Sort of.” Initially, I assumed that he lived in a ghost town because I barely saw a person coming out of their house every day.
Dominic checked his watch, and then he narrowed his eyes towards a restaurant nearby. “Let’s eat first,” he announced.
“I am still full,” I complained.
“Shopping can make you hungry, and we don’t want to shop on an empty stomach,” he insisted.
From the outside, the restaurant appeared to be welcoming and well-kept. The majority of the building’s exterior frame was made of logs and soft wooden tree trunks.
The delighted sounds from inside could be heard through the small stained glass windows, which were difficult to see through. I snapped my brows together when I glanced at Dominic because I suspected it would be crowded inside the restaurant.
As soon as the door was opened, a smiling waited greeted us with a sense of comfort and happiness. Even though he was swamped, he managed to greet us with a wave.
It’s just as charming on the inside as it was outside. The upper floor was supported by hardwood columns, which were lit by candles. There were rows upon rows of drawn portraits adorning the walls. The waiter’s photo was included, so I immediately assumed that he was one of the founders.
The primary clientele here seemed to group belonging to some association, whether sport, music, or something else you’re not sure about, which could be interpreted as the best sign.
Several long tables were filled by different groups who, after a few drinks, seemed to be competing to see who was the fastest. The other, smaller tables were often dominated by people who were playing games and, based on their laughter, are either making jokes or telling fantastic, possibly embarrassing stories.
“I like this place. I hope that someone would be smart enough to build a hotel nearby,” I insinuated.
“I heard from Ethan that Richard Vera and his family are teaming up for a joint project, so maybe they were discussing expanding their business,” he mentioned.
“Or they could be discussing merger through marriage,” I commented.
“Oh well, it’s not bad at all, especially for Richard Vera, who was rumored to be from a slum,” he replied.
“What’s wrong with being from a slum? Isn’t it admirable to have someone rise to greatness? It’s like a fairytale!”
“Do you think so? Or that man could be involved with illegal activities,” he added.
“How can you say that?”
“Look, Marian. Richard Vera barely has anything while growing up. I’ve heard that he worked in construction before but ended up killing his boss and stole all his money,” he added more insults towards my father, and I was about to lose my temper.
“That’s a disgusting rumor! Richard Vera has a kind heart,” I said.
“How did you know that? Are you one of his mistresses?”
“What? Oh my God, I don’t think I can continue to listen to you spatting nonsense!”
“Wait, are you mad at me because of Richard Vera? How are you related to him? Ah, never mind. You must be one of those women who serviced men for money.”
I was seething with anger, but I couldn’t kill him in broad daylight with several witnesses watching us who could probably record the whole incident. So, no, I did but, not want to become an online sensation in a few hours. “I didn’t know you’re so insecure with someone like him. Did he steal one of your mistresses?”
“So, how did you know that guy?”
“It’s none of your business, Dominic.”
When the food he ordered arrived, I’ve already lost my appetite even if the steak was so inviting. How could I eat with gusto when the man beside me badmouthed my father?
“Stay away from Richard,” he said.
“Why should I?”
“Because you’re already mine,” he declared.
“You’re sick and pathetic,” I mouthed, but he just chuckled and continued eating as if nothing happened.
What a bastard!
After we leave the restaurant, I was no longer in the mood to shop. “Can we just go home?” I asked him.
He didn’t respond, but instead, he grabbed my hand and led me towards the section for women’s apparel. I felt odd inside as I stared at his hand holding mine, and I felt protected.
Was it natural for me to feel safe in his arms? I wasn’t supposed to feel that way! Was it natural for me to enjoy the feel of his strong hands on my skin? I had many questions in my head, but I didn’t have someone to talk to about them.
“Do you have to hold me, Dom?” I inquired when he refused to let go, even though we were already inside the shop.
“You’re new here, and I don’t want to waste time searching for you later if you get lost.”
My heart fluttered for unexplained reasons when he responded. Dominic seemed to be my prince charming, for whom I had waited a long time. I shook my head in denial at the irrational thoughts racing through my mind, and I reminded myself that my life would be easier if I didn’t get involved with him.
“I’m not a moron!” I yanked his hand away from me and hissed at him. So, he insisted that I go out and buy some stuff, and then I’d do exactly what he wanted.
I looked through their inventory and chose something that I thought would suit me, and when I was done, the clerk supported me in bringing the things to the cashier’s counter, where he was waiting to pay.
“Are you sure you have anything you’ll require?” He inquired.
“I’m not sure. Can we search the other stores?” I gave him some of the paper bags and skipped ahead of him like a spoiled brat throwing tantrums. I was so engrossed in the shopping spree that I completely forgot about our true relationship.
We were both tired from shopping all day long, but at least he has the initiative to buy our dinner from a take-out restaurant. When he sprawled on the sofa as soon, we got home, and I could tell that he was tired.
“Massage my legs,” he ordered.