UNWELCOME ATTENTION
1075 Words
CHAPTER 7
The atmosphere inside the suite remained unusually quiet long after their conversation ended, and even though Dominic had eventually retreated to his office while Christen returned to her room, neither of them carried the same thoughts they had possessed at the beginning of the evening.
For Christen, sleep once again proved difficult.
She found herself lying awake staring at the ceiling while replaying every word Dominic had shared during dinner. The image she had formed of him when they first met continued to c***k with every new piece of information she learned.
The ruthless billionaire described by newspapers and business magazines still existed.
She had seen that version herself.
She had witnessed the way executives reacted whenever he entered a room and the way conversations immediately shifted whenever he spoke.
People feared him.
People respected him.
Some probably hated him.
Yet the man she sat across from during dinner felt entirely different from the man the world believed it knew.
That realization lingered in her mind until exhaustion finally pulled her into sleep.
The following morning arrived with clear skies and bright sunlight flooding through the enormous windows of the suite.
Christen entered the dining area expecting to find Dominic already buried beneath work as usual.
Instead she found the table empty.
A strange disappointment settled inside her before she could stop it.
The feeling irritated her immediately.
Why should she care whether Dominic was there or not.
The thought had barely crossed her mind when one of the assistants entered carrying a tablet.
Good morning Miss Christen.
Good morning.
Mr Hale has already left for an early meeting.
Christen nodded.
For some reason the room suddenly felt larger.
And quieter.
The assistant handed her the tablet.
Mr Hale asked me to give you today's schedule.
She accepted it reluctantly.
Please tell me there are fewer evaluations today.
A small smile appeared on the woman's face.
I am afraid not.
Christen groaned.
The assistant laughed softly before leaving.
Several hours later Christen found herself standing inside another conference room occupied by executives, analysts and department managers who appeared determined to observe her every move.
By now she was growing tired of being treated like some kind of experiment.
The meeting continued for nearly an hour before she finally excused herself and stepped outside into one of the upper level lounges overlooking the city.
The moment she entered she noticed she was not alone.
A woman stood near the windows with perfect posture and an expression that immediately made Christen uncomfortable.
She looked elegant.
Confident.
And expensive.
Everything from her clothing to her jewelry suggested wealth and status.
The woman turned slowly.
Her eyes settled on Christen.
So you are the girl everyone is talking about.
Christen immediately disliked her.
I was not aware people were talking about me.
They are.
The woman approached slowly.
Especially since Dominic rarely shows interest in anyone.
Christen folded her arms.
And you are.
The woman's smile never reached her eyes.
Vanessa Sinclair.
The name meant nothing to Christen.
Apparently the woman noticed.
Interesting.
You do not know who I am.
Should I.
The smile disappeared.
Vanessa looked Christen up and down with open judgment.
Most people in our world know exactly who I am.
Christen resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Then I suppose I am not part of your world.
The comment clearly annoyed Vanessa.
For several moments neither woman spoke.
The tension between them thickened quickly.
Finally Vanessa broke the silence.
Let me give you some advice.
I did not ask for any.
You should leave before you become attached.
Christen stared at her.
Attached to what.
Vanessa's expression hardened.
To Dominic.
The answer surprised her less than it should have.
She had already suspected this conversation was heading in that direction.
Christen remained calm.
You seem very concerned about that possibility.
Vanessa stepped closer.
I know Dominic better than you ever will.
Something about the certainty in her voice bothered Christen.
How long have you known him.
Most of my life.
The answer landed heavily.
Vanessa studied her reaction carefully.
You see. There are people who belong in Dominic's world and people who do not.
And which one am I.
The woman's gaze moved slowly across her.
You already know the answer.
Before Christen could respond another voice interrupted.
No. She does not.
Both women turned.
Dominic stood near the entrance.
His expression revealed absolutely nothing.
Yet the temperature inside the room seemed to drop instantly.
Vanessa's confidence faltered ever so slightly.
Dominic.
I was simply having a conversation.
I heard enough.
The calmness in his voice somehow made the situation feel worse.
Vanessa straightened.
You cannot honestly expect this arrangement to last.
Dominic's gaze remained fixed on her.
That is not your concern.
The answer arrived immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without apology.
Christen watched the exchange carefully.
For the first time she realized Vanessa was not simply another executive.
Whatever history existed between her and Dominic ran far deeper than business.
Vanessa seemed to realize she had already lost this battle.
Her eyes shifted toward Christen one final time.
Be careful.
The warning carried an entirely different meaning now.
Then she turned and walked away.
Silence followed her departure.
Dominic remained near the doorway.
Christen studied him carefully.
Friend of yours.
No.
Ex girlfriend.
A faint look of surprise crossed his face.
No.
The answer came quickly enough to make her almost believe him.
Almost.
Christen raised an eyebrow.
You answered that suspiciously fast.
A rare trace of amusement appeared in his expression.
And you asked suspiciously fast.
For the first time since Vanessa's arrival Christen laughed.
The sound seemed to catch both of them off guard.
Dominic watched her for a moment longer than necessary.
Then the amusement faded.
Stay away from Vanessa.
The seriousness in his voice immediately returned.
Why.
Because she is not interested in being your friend.
Christen tilted her head slightly.
And what exactly is she interested in.
Dominic's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Winning.
The answer intrigued her.
Winning what.
He looked toward the city beyond the glass.
Everything.
For some reason that answer worried Christen more than any warning he could have given.
Because unlike Dominic, who controlled situations through intelligence and calculation, Vanessa seemed like the type of person willing to destroy anyone standing between her and what she wanted.
And judging by the way she had looked at Christen.
That person might now be her.
- Writer
