Chapter15
1131 Words
After dealing with hospital matters, Isabella hurried back to school to continue rehearsals.
Emily was not present in the rehearsal hall, and Isabella didn't inquire further.
She had too many things to worry about, with no extra time or energy for these small matters.
A busy day passed quickly, and soon it was dusk.
"Isabella," a short-haired girl from the orchestra approached, carrying her cello. "Shall we have dinner together?"
Recognizing her as the roommate who had invited her to share a bed the previous night, Sophia, Isabella wore an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, I have to go home today. Maybe another time."
Dominic had already requested her to move today. There was no escaping this matter.
Worried about Maximilian's potential harm to her father, Isabella intentionally went to the hospital first.
After checking with the duty nurse and confirming her father's well-being, she finally felt relieved.
The Serenity Heights Estates was not far from the First Hospital, located approximately in the middle of the hospital and the music school.
It's located in the city center, transportation is very convenient.
Isabella took the subway back from the hospital and stopped by the convenience store at the entrance of the community to buy some groceries.
Ordering takeout was too expensive, and now she had to save wherever she could.
Dominic's house was the best in the community, a top-floor duplex with a private elevator entrance.
Entering the spacious abode smoothly by inputting the password Dominic had provided, Isabella found the room decorated similarly to his office, with black, white, and gray as the main colors. Accented with sea blue and bright yellow, it was simple, understated, yet luxurious.
Opening the shoe cabinet, along with Dominic's shoes, there were two pairs of brand-new women's slippers with tags attached.
Isabella wasn't too surprised.
Someone like Dominic, how could he be lacking female company? Countless girls must have stayed overnight with him.
Choosing not to wear the shoes in the cabinet, Isabella took out her own slippers from her suitcase.
Taking out her phone, she sent Dominic a message.
【"I've arrived."】
【"Working late today, no need to wait for me."】
Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. Tonight, she should be able to avoid him.
Finding a guest room, Isabella dragged her suitcase inside.
Despite her preparations, she couldn't fully accept sharing a bed with Dominic every night.
Placing the groceries in the fridge, she quickly heated up a simple dinner to fill her stomach.
Since it was still early for bedtime, Isabella looked around and decided to find a suitable room to practice the violin.
Walking through the corridor on the bedroom side, a door left slightly ajar revealed a grand piano. Isabella walked over quickly.
Sure enough, it was a piano room.
The room was professionally set up with soundproof panels on the walls, and there was a top-notch Steinway grand piano with a metronome on top and several piano scores.
It was evident that the piano was regularly used, not just a decorative prop for show.
Dominic knew how to play the piano?
That did surprise Isabella a bit.
Of course, it was only a slight surprise.
Children from wealthy families often learn activities like piano and drawing in their childhood to enhance their temperament; this is a common practice.
Isabella opened a simple music stand, placed the sheet music on it, closed the door, and earnestly practiced the violin.
The performance is next week, and time was running out.
As a last-minute replacement for the lead violinist, she needed to practice diligently to shine on stage.
Music was her sanctuary. Once fully immersed, she could forget everything.
One time.
Two times.
Three times.
...
Unconsciously, it was already late at night.
Yawning and stretching her slightly sore back, Isabella checked the time, packed up her violin and sheet music, and returned to the guest room.
After a relaxing hot bath, she went out in her pajamas, took out a box of milk from the fridge, and heated it.
Just as she poured the freshly heated milk into a cup, her ears caught the faint sound of the smart door lock at the room's entrance, emitting a soft "ding."
Was Dominic back? Isabella's heart skipped a beat.
Without bothering to tidy up the kitchen, she cradled the cup of milk, returned to the guest room at the fastest pace, placed the cup on the table, kicked off her slippers, climbed into bed, turned off the bedside lamp, and quickly covered herself with the blanket.
In the living room, Dominic casually tossed his car keys onto the key tray in the hallway.
Seeing Isabella's milky-white coat on the rack, his gaze softened.
Taking off his coat, he hung it next to hers, put on slippers, and walked into the living room.
"Hunny?"
No response.
Noticing the lit kitchen, Dominic stepped inside.
No one.
On the countertop was a used small milk pot.
Glancing around, he headed towards the master bedroom.
Passing by the slightly ajar guest room, he stopped, pushed the door open, and found Isabella lying in bed with her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.
Light from the hallway spilled into the guest room, illuminating it.
Dominic's gaze swept over the scattered slippers near the door and by the bed, the steaming cup of milk on the table, and finally, Isabella was covered with a blanket.
Bending down, he picked up her scattered slippers and placed them by the bed. He then raised the blanket, revealing the girl's face.
Isabella kept her eyelashes lowered, unmoving.
Yet her ears were attentive, anxiously monitoring his every move.
The bed sank slightly beside her as he sat down. A warm palm brushed aside her disheveled hair that covered her face. The familiar woody fragrance drew near, and she could sense his breath.
Isabella maintained her previous pose, unmoving.
She knew that, sooner or later, this day would come. But now, she truly wasn't prepared.
The man's slightly cool lips met hers. Isabella pressed her lips together, fingers tightly gripping the blanket, her body still and unresponsive.
She only hoped that this would make him let her go.
The man's kiss moved away from her lips, landing on her earlobe. Then, tracing down her neck, gently nibbling at her collarbone...
His hand also reached over, slipping under the blanket, caressing her side through her sleepwear with deliberate touches.
Her heart felt like it was being tickled by a furry paw. A tingling sensation. Every second was torturous.
Isabella's heart raced, her toes curled under the blanket, and her legs unconsciously tightened.
Clenching her fingers under the blanket, she struggled to control her breathing, not revealing any vulnerability.
She pretended to be asleep.
Asleep!
She couldn't believe he would still be interested after this.
- Writer
