A Broken Vow to Forever

Sacred Secret

PAULEEN

"Why aren't you eating? Are you feeling unwell, Pauleen?" asked Yaya Helen as she served me food.

It’s just Dino and me at the table. Mom and Dad are out of town for a conference, and I think they’ll be back in two days.

Dino looked over at me from across the table. He was eating but stopped when Yaya Helen asked me.

"Are you sick?" he asked coldly.

I shook my head and forced a smile at Yaya Helen. "I'm fine. I just don’t feel like eating."

"Try to eat anyway. You also skipped lunch earlier," he interrupted Yaya Helen once again.

I glared at him, finding him so annoying. After all these years, now he suddenly talks to me? Just because Colt left for college, does he think he can replace Colt as my big brother and start controlling what I do, in and out of school? Hell no.

"I said I’m fine. I just don’t feel like eating," I replied irritably.

Yaya Helen poured water into my glass. "Pauleen, I’m sure Dino is just worried about you. You don’t have to be angry or annoyed with him."

I could see the smug smirk on his face. This Dino Astor in front of me? Worried? No. I’m sure he’s just messing with me.

"Should I call Mom and Dad?" He continued eating without even looking at me.

To avoid having him call Mom and Dad back home just because of me, I forced myself to eat.

I swear I heard him scoff under his breath, but I chose not to pay too much attention to it.

"I’ll be leaving in an hour," he said again.

"Why should I care if you’re leaving? You never tell me when you’re going out, so why now?" I replied, pretending that eating was more interesting than talking to him.

"My instruction to you is that you’re not leaving this house or going to that party," he said coldly.

This time, I looked at him. "What gave you the right, Dino?"

He smirked, and I could see the thrill in his dark brown eyes. "Darling, I’ve had every right over you since the day you were born. I hold every right over you."

I cringed. "What’s that even supposed to mean?" I sighed. "Whatever. I don’t care. And, by the way, don’t worry about me. Worry about your girlfriend, Julia Abernathy."

His smirk grew wider, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "So is that why you’re extra sour toward me today? Because of Julia?"

Oh my god, this arrogant jerk.

"No," I squeaked, then cleared my throat. "I don’t even care, Dino."

He smiled, genuinely this time. "Is that so? I can smell jealousy here, Pauleen."

Good thing Yaya Helen had already left; otherwise, she’d be hearing our bantering.

"Jealous? Of you and Julia?" Then I got an idea. I smiled slyly, confidently crossing my arms over my chest to match his stance. "Did you actually expect me to be jealous of you and Julia? Why, Dino? What would you gain if I got jealous? Are we catching feelings here?"

Then he smiled, stood up from his seat, and walked over behind my chair. I felt him lean down close to my ear. "The only feelings I’ll ever have for you are annoyance. Anything else is just in your dreams."

His words left me frozen. Dino had never been vocal about any anger or irritation toward me before. Hearing him confirm that he finds me annoying felt like a stab straight to my chest and gut.

I couldn’t respond. He walked away from the dining room, making a point of grabbing the keys to the car I usually use before he left. He made sure I wouldn’t be able to follow him to the party.

Annoying?

He said he’d never feel anything for me but annoyance? Fine. Then I’ll show him something that’ll make him furious.

It’s showtime!

I texted my friends that I was heading to the party; usually, it’s Niana and Bianca I’d go with. Tisha, on the other hand, is more like me—but we’re different in one way. Tisha chooses not to go to these kinds of events because she doesn’t like them, but in my case, I’m simply not allowed to go.

So, this is my first time going to a party.

I chose to wear a black fitted maxi dress that’s floor-length. It’s backless down to the middle of my back, hides my chest in the front, and has a slit on the left side that reaches high up my leg. I feel sexy wearing this; it hugs my curves naturally. I paired it with black stilettos and a black clutch. I even curled my hair messily and let it all down. I put on makeup too, with crimson red lipstick.

As I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I loved how I looked—sexy and free.

A moment later, Bianca called to let me know they were outside.

I snuck out quietly so as not to wake the staff, and quickly got into Bianca’s car.

“Wow! Who are you? Are you even our friend?” Niana exclaimed dramatically as I got in.

Niana and Bianca are party-goers. The two of them bond over drinks and parties. Bianca’s used to this kind of scene because of her boyfriend, Nathan Windsor, who’s a swimmer at the university and friends with both Colt and Dino.

“Is this too much?” I asked them nervously.

They both shook their heads. “No. You look amazing,” Bianca assured me.

“Are you sure this is your first time at a party? You look like the life of the party,” Niana complimented, and I hugged them both.

My confidence soared. Usually, this was Dino’s type—he never settled for the girls at university. I’d often see him with models and professionals. I’m not entirely sure what I’m trying to prove to him tonight, but I know I want him furious.

Bianca parked her car in front of a large house, and even from outside, we could hear the blasting music. "Blurred Lines" was playing.

We hadn’t even entered yet, and I could already feel the excitement building—not just because I knew Dino would be here, but because this felt like fun and freedom.

As we walked in, I was sure I caught a few guys glancing my way, which made me feel a bit self-conscious.

We headed straight to the bar with Bianca and Niana. I made sure that only Bianca or Niana handed me drinks.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but we’d had quite a few drinks by now, and I felt more comfortable and free. I was actually having fun!

Then I felt it—that sensation of being watched, like someone’s eyes were glued to me with every move I made.

I knew it was him. He’s the only one who ever made me feel this way.

Then the song River by Bishop Briggs blast the speaker, I don’t know where I got the courage. I knew he had seen me, but I still hadn’t spotted him anywhere.

"Let’s dance!" I invited Bianca and Niana.

We made our way to the middle of the crowd, joining others who were also dancing and living it up, just like me.

Nathan arrived and hugged Bianca, and they started dancing together passionately to the beat. I watched them for a second.

Then, I started dancing too, imagining I had someone beside me, just like Bianca and Niana. I danced more sensually than I ever had. The song was sultry, so I guess I naturally moved with it.

Then, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. I jolted at first, but when I turned to look, it was Matthew.

I smiled at him.

"You made it," he said as we swayed to the music, my back against him, his hands resting on my waist.

We were dancing closely, our bodies moving together.

"I told you I would." Gosh, it hit me that I was actually pretty drunk.

Then I saw him—across from me. Julia was on his lap, kissing him, while he just sat there, his eyes locked on me with fury and fire.

I smirked—this was exactly what I came here for, to show him he no longer had a say in what I did.

I turned to face Matthew, placing my hands around his neck as he smiled, the smell of alcohol on his breath.

"Wow, you look stunning tonight," he complimented.

Then, I did something reckless. Reckless because it was my first kiss. Reckless because I did it out of jealousy over Dino and Julia.

I kissed him.

He kissed me back, but his kiss was intense, almost aggressive, and I could barely keep up.

Before I could catch my breath, I opened my eyes to see that Matthew was no longer in front of me.

The people around us scattered, and all I could see was Dino punching Matthew mercilessly.

I gasped.

He wouldn’t stop, and I spotted his friends Harold, Larry, and Nathan nearby.

“Stop him!” I shouted at them.

But they just raised their beers at me and smirked. “There’s no stopping Dino now. Matthew had this coming,” Larry said.

“What do you mean, he had this coming? Stop him! He’s going to kill Matthew!” I screamed, but they didn’t move.

I hurried over to Dino and the nearly lifeless Matthew.

“Dino, stop!” Niana and Bianca tried to hold me back, worried that I’d get hurt too.

“Dino!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Dino finally stopped and looked at me with a dead, piercing glare. His fist was stained crimson. I couldn’t tell if it was his blood or Matthew’s.

His expression, his whole presence was terrifying, sending chills down my spine.

He raised his fist again, ready to strike, but I had to stop him.

“Dino, I’m drunk,” I said, pretending to feel dizzier than I was. But truthfully, the world was already spinning.

He paused.

He walked toward me, and I had to fight the urge to run. He looked larger and darker when he was this angry.

Grabbing my arm, he dragged me out of the house.

When we reached his car, he forcefully backed me up against it.

“What did I tell you?” he growled.

“It’s just one party. Besides, I’m almost eighteen, and I have every right to experience this,” I argued.

He placed his hands around my neck, holding me in place. “So you go wild in there? Doing everything? Just how far were you planning to take that kiss, huh? How far?” His voice roared, and I jolted, fear creeping over me.

“It was just a kiss, Dino,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. “Just a kiss.”

He tightened his grip slightly, making me look at him. “One kiss? Just one kiss, Darling?”

“Yeah, it’s no big deal.” I shrugged, trying to act unaffected.

“The hell it isn’t! That was your damn first kiss, Darling. Your. Damn. First. Kiss,” he said, emphasizing each word, his anger burning in his eyes.

Was he really mad because I’d given my first kiss to Matthew? It didn’t make any sense.

“So—”

Before I could finish, Dino crashed his lips onto mine, a kiss so fierce it was as if he were devouring me.

Why is he kissing me?

I bit his lip to push him away, tasting a metallic hint—his blood.

He hissed.

“I thought it was just a kiss, Darling?” He looked at me, his lips now bleeding, and a wave of guilt washed over me. “You kissed Matthew so comfortably, but when it’s me, you’re suddenly offended?” He scoffed.

“Dino—” I reached to touch his bloodied lip, but suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me, and the world spun.

Before I could collapse where I stood, his large hands caught me.

He put me in the car and drove us away from the party.

The whole ride was silent, and my world was spinning.

Then I felt his hand resting on my bare leg. I looked up at him. "Why are you so warm all of a sudden?" I asked.

I guess I was drunk—why would I even ask Dino that?

“Were you hurt?” he asked while driving, his hand still on my leg.

“Hurt about what?”

“That Colt is planning to ask Jianna Darling’s hand in marriage?” he replied.

Is that so? Colt is going to marry Jianna? Would Dad even allow it, considering Jianna’s my cousin? And I had no idea—Dino was the first to tell me.

“Good for them, I guess,” I said softly.

Then I thought I heard him murmur something like, “You’re so hurt by Colt and Jianna’s engagement that you went to this party just to get kissed.”

“Huh? What did you say?” I asked.

But he didn’t answer me.

When we reached the house, I stepped in front of him. "Ssh—" I put my finger on my lips, feeling the effects of the alcohol. "I snuck out; they can’t know I left. Mom would kill me."

He just looked at me, unimpressed. “Then maybe you shouldn’t be sneaking out if you know you’re going to get in trouble.”

He shrugged and opened the door. I waited a few seconds before stepping inside, relieved none of the staff woke up.

But as I took a step, I stumbled right into Dino’s chest.

“So—sorry. I’m just really dizzy.” Then I laughed, though I had no idea why.

“You said not to make noise, but here you are making a racket. Should I just call Mom and tell her how her daughter behaves when they’re away?” he teased.

I tried to stand up straight, but before I could reach the stairs, he scooped me up in a bridal carry.

My heart raced, and warmth spread over me, my eyes fixed on him. All I could see was him.

Once we were in my room, he shut the door and gently placed me on the bed.

He was the one who got my pajamas for me.

“Do you want a warm bath?” he asked coldly.

I nodded, and he removed his suit, rolling up the sleeves of his black polo. I focused on his arms, which were muscular and prominent with veins, giving him a manly appearance.

I bit my lip, surprised when I caught him looking at me.

He took a deep breath and guided me to the bathroom.

“Just call me when you’re done,” he said, closing the bathroom door behind me, almost as if he were locking me away from him. I didn't know what to make of it.

But while I was in the shower, all I could think about was his kiss.

The way he held my waist and caressed the valley of my neck and shoulders. How he kissed me with such need, as if he had been waiting for that moment just like I had.

I knew I was drunk, but in that bathroom, I made a decision. I want him.

I want him.

I wrapped myself in a towel and opened the bathroom door, finding Dino sitting on my bedroom sofa, legs crossed and holding his phone.

He looked up at me. “Are you done? Do you feel better?”

I couldn’t answer; the only thing I felt was the urgent need for him.

“Pauleen—” he stood up. “—are you okay?”

“I—I want you.” The words blurted out before I could stop them.

“What?” His eyes widened, dark with surprise. I even saw him swallow hard.

“I want you, Dino. Tonight.” I knew I’d blame the alcohol for this.

He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. He placed his hands on his hips. “You’re drunk. Sleep it off.”

He was about to leave when I let the bath towel fall away, revealing myself completely. I stood there, vulnerable, in front of Dino Astor, the boy I had loved since I was seven.

He looked me up and down, then met my gaze.

“You’re my sister, Pauleen,” he murmured, more to himself than to me, I guess.

“I am not, Dino. You will never be my brother. And you know that.” Tears spilled down my cheeks, uncontrollable.

Was he going to reject me?

“Let’s pretend this didn’t happen. You’re drunk.” His eyes were uncertain as he turned to leave, and I felt pain and rejection loom over me.

“If you can’t give this to me, I will find someone who will—”

Before I could finish, he was kissing me hungrily. His hands roamed over my body.

He cupped my face, his touch incredibly warm. “You’re going to kill me.”

Then he was on top of me on my bed, kissing me everywhere.

And we did it. We made love, I think. It was raw and painful, but I could feel it coursing through me.

Once we were both done and utterly exhausted, he kissed the top of my head.

But just before the darkness of sleep consumed me, I was sure I heard him say, “I love you.”