Chapter4
1232 Words
Isabella wouldn't dare, busy opening her mouth to accept the candy he had peeled.
In one go, not only did she hold onto the candy, but also a portion of the man's finger.
Sensing that something was off, Isabella quickly bit down on the candy and leaned back in her seat.
Her face felt a bit warm, and she discreetly glanced at Dominic beside her.
The man lowered his gaze, staring at the finger she had just held, with a somewhat peculiar expression. He must be disgusted...
Isabella took out a tissue from her bag, tore out a sheet, and handed it to Dominic. "Let me wipe it for you..."
Suddenly, the car in front slammed on the brakes.
David busily turned the steering wheel and stepped on the brakes simultaneously.
Isabella's body swayed, losing balance, and she fell into Dominic's arms.
In the chaos, she instinctively reached out to support herself.
Unfortunately, her hand happened to press against the man's waist.
Under her fingers, there was an unusual sensation.
"So eager to consummate our marriage?"
In her ear, the man's voice was low, with a hint of mockery. Isabella blushed, propping herself back up and returning to her original position.
"Sorry, there was a sudden brake in front." David turned his face with an apologetic expression, "Miss Hartwell, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Isabella leaned back in her seat, trying hard to appear unaffected.
Before her eyes, the light dimmed.
Dominic suddenly leaned toward her, reaching his hand toward her chest. Isabella nervously raised her gaze and instinctively moved backward.
He wouldn't be trying anything inappropriate in the car, would he?
While she was still lost in her thoughts, the man's palm had already reached her chest, pulled the seatbelt, and smoothly buckled it.
Her lifted heart fell back into place. "Thank you."
Dominic glanced sideways, casually adjusting the slightly wrinkled Western-style trousers she had messed up.
Isabella bit the chocolate candy in her mouth, sitting upright, pretending not to have seen anything.
Her right hand, however, felt awkward, unsure where to place it.
Fortunately, the school wasn't far from the government office.
After turning a couple of corners, the car smoothly stopped on the side of the music college gate.
"Thank you." Isabella unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the back seat.
"Wait." Dominic followed her out of the car, extending his right hand to her.
"Unlock your phone for me."
Isabella was puzzled but handed him her phone.
Dominic made a few maneuvers and returned the phone to her.
"I don't like it when people don't answer my calls."
On the phone screen, the contact list was displayed.
A newly added number prominently occupied the first position in the phone book.
In the name column, it boldly said "Husband," and to top the alphabetical order, an "A" was added in front.
Isabella's lip twitched... Suddenly, she didn't know if she should call this person domineering or childish.
"Can I go now?"
"No."
"Mr. Kingsley, is there anything else you'd like to instruct?"
Dominic extended his hands, helping her tighten the coat around her.
The coat, originally loose-fitting, appeared even more empty on her slender frame.
"Remember to eat on time. I don't like women who are too thin, and..."
He lifted her chin, making her meet his gaze. "In the future... call me 'hunny.'"
"Alright, Dominic..."
Dominic tightened his fingers, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm?!" Isabella pursed her lips, her tone dry.
"Hu... hunny. Sorry, I'm not used to it yet."
"It's okay." Dominic bent down, his lips close to her ear. "Call me a few more times; you'll get used to it."
The man's nose grazed her ear, and his warm breath brushed against her skin. Isabella felt her skin tightening, even her hair strands becoming sensitized.
"I... I should go."
Turning around, she rushed into the college gate, as Dominic stood there, watching her disappear into the school gate.
Turning back, he opened the car door and sat in the back seat.
"Drive."
The car moved forward, and Dominic spread his fingers, his gaze falling on his right ring finger.
On the side of the finger, a faint pink.
It was the color of Isabella's lip balm.
It inevitably reminded him of that kiss and her swollen lips under the lights.
"Cancel all appointments for tonight."
"But..." Assistant David seemed unsure. "You have an appointment tonight..."
Dominic gently stroked the faint pink on his ring finger.
"Cancel!"
...
...
Isabella ran into the college gate, her left ear still burning.
Whether it was her imagination or not, she always felt that Dominic's words, "Call me a few more times," didn't just mean calling him 'hunny.'
Once she signed her name on the agreement, she had already prepared for everything. Everyone was an adult, and Isabella was well aware of the implications of the term "marital duties."
There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Shaking off distracting thoughts, Isabella turned and headed towards the office building. Inside the school, banners related to the "Music Festival" were hung everywhere, and promotional signboards lined the roadside.
Isabella stopped in her tracks.
These days, with all the chaos at home, she almost forgot that it was time for the annual music festival.
At this moment, the department head was probably attending the event in the auditorium. Isabella turned and headed in that direction.
Outside the auditorium, people were bustling about.
The school orchestra performance was the highlight of the music festival.
According to tradition, the school would invite music industry celebrities and journalists to attend, and parents would also come to support their children.
The head of the orchestral department, Director Steve, was in conversation with a student's parent. Upon seeing Isabella, he approached with a slightly surprised expression.
"Isabella, why are you here?"
According to the normal procedure, she should have gone abroad to study by now. Isabella briefly explained the situation.
"I want to stay in the country to take care of my dad. Can you help me cancel the study abroad plans?"
Given the widespread knowledge of the issues at the Unity Holdings Group, Director Steve, who was aware of Isabella's family situation, readily agreed.
"Alright, don't worry. I'll arrange it for you. Just come to class as usual next week."
"Also..." Isabella coughed lightly, "if the school has any profitable performances, I'd like to participate."
At present, aside from saving the Unity Holdings Group, her most crucial task was to earn money.
Director Steve laughed, "Sure, no problem. Towards the end of the year, there are many events, and I was just worrying about the lack of violinists!"
In the distance, a teacher called Director Steve over.
"Isabella , don't think too much about it. Ups and downs in life are inevitable."
Director Steve patted her shoulder gently. Even though he felt a bit regretful that she was giving up the opportunity to study abroad, he sincerely promised, "If there's anything you need help with, just ask."
As a violin prodigy in the department, Director Steve had always cherished Isabella. Those days, amidst many disdainful glances, Director Steve's goodwill made Isabella feel warm.
"Thank you, Director Steve. I won't take up more of your time."
Bidding farewell to Director Steve, Isabella quickly walked out of the small auditorium.
"Oh, isn't this Miss Hartwell?"
At the bottom of the steps, a sarcastic voice echoed.
- Writer
