CHAPTER FIVE
1392 Words
I blushed and looked away from him feeling flustered. He chuckled at my burning cheeks and smiled, feeling pleased with my response.
The rest of the evening was spent in silence mostly. He brought me more food and drinks periodically, sharing small talk and acting like a guard dog to keep people away from me.
Veronica was annoyed but she was lost in the sea of people, that night though when we went to our rooms she immediately made me shower. When I came out the shirt was gone and she looked pleased. I didn't know why until I smelled the remnants of smoke and looked into the wastebasket to see the charred remnants of his shirt.
She patted the bed we shared and we laid down for the night. He held me close, protectively.
I felt guilty. I hadn't done anything but allowing him close to me in any capacity must have upset her greatly.
The next morning we woke up to the smell of bacon, eggs and the sweet smell of blueberry waffles.
Dante was the second parent to the siblings. Cooking and cleaning after their mom passed away when they were all still very small.
He was domestic by nature though he never took a wife, perhaps watching the heartbreak their father endured made it hard on him. Still, he loved to cook and found every opportunity to do so.
I was the first one down. Sneaking from V’s impossibly firm grip as she drooled beside me in bed. I gave a small stretch before sitting at the table, glancing over the small buffet.
“This looks delicious, thank you Dante”
He smiled at me as he finished plating the last of the food.
“You're welcome, Addie.”
He finished his preparations and sat at the table with me. Loading his plate with healthy portions of everything. I looked it over , feeling sheepish. He noticed my hesitation and lifted a brow.
“You ok?” His voice was calm and full of concern. I looked away not wanting to say anything that would make me look pitible.
“M..my ex used to tell me I was fat…and shouldn't eat so much…”
My face burned with deep seated embarrassment as I fidgeted. Before I knew it Vincent slammed a plate full of food down in front of me. Completely silent as he took his own seat and made a simple plate to go with a cup of black coffee.
The three of us ate quietly. The food tasted so delicious I couldn't contain my sounds of enjoyment as I let out soft moans of delight.
Dante looked uncomfortable as Vincent shot him a death glare before turning to me.
“For the sake of others ' safety I suggest you calm those sounds you're making princess, they're liable to get someone hurt.”
Dante quickly ate his food and scurried away, frightened. I looked at Vincent with narrowed eyes.
“That wasn't nice…he worked hard to cook…you can't just-”
Vincent shot me a dangerous look that made me freeze and lose my track of thought. He leaned closer, his eyes fixed on me with a possessive glimmer.
“Sounds like those? They belong to me and I don't share. Remember that Princess.”
Before I could think of a response came down and groaned seeing Vincent.
“Ugh…now I'm not so hungry.”
He didn't seem bothered and ate his food almost mockingly before speaking.
“Your loss then. Starve. Your highness”
V scrunched her face in annoyance and took her seat closest to me. She filled her plate, her eyes hardly leaving Vincent's.
When she settled she ate begrudgingly. It was silent and so tense you could feel it in the air.
“You owe me for the shirt Veronica.”
Vincent said calmly as he finished his food and drank his coffee.
She smirked and batted her eyelashes, feigning innocence.
“Whatever do you mean?”
He looked at her with a knowing glance.
“It's not safe to start fires indoors, you could have burned yourself in the process.”
She rolled her eyes and continued eating her food, shrugging him off.
“Oh well. I have no idea what you mean.”
His eyes narrowed to dangerous slits but she seemed unfazed. He seemed to want to say something but when he glanced at me he thought better of it.
Going back to his coffee with an annoyed grumble. Me and V ate our food quietly but even as he finished his coffee he didn't leave. He stayed. Watching us. Me more specifically.
V looked like if she was any more feral with rage she would have hissed but she contained herself realizing it wasn't worth the energy. She simply hugged and took my hand as we finished our food, leading me out of the kitchen and to our room.
She dialed a number and began to speak in what I could only understand was ‘fashionista’ talking about brands, styles and other things that I as a less fashion savvy person could hardly understand. After she hung up she grinned at me.
Before I could speak there was almost an immediate ring of the doorbell. Veronica smiled and took my hand leading me down the stairs.
I was shocked to see the once spacious, open living area cluttered with mobile racks full of designer clothes and various trending accessories. I groaned as I looked up at her beaming face.
One of the reasons she called me ‘doll’ was because she liked to dress me up, do my hair and makeup like a living doll. It also stemmed from my timid personality.
She took my hand and dragged me down, one of her designer friends greeting her with affectionate kisses and then turning to me, kissing me affectionately as well. I felt a bit shy from the strange affection and just kind of chuckled.
“This is Marion. He's the top fashion designer for Glamour and a dear friend of mine, he's brought his newest designs here for you to upgrade that…wardrobe.”
The last word said with distaste. I rolled my eyes and she chuckled.
Without a response she and her friend got to work. Before I knew it the early morning light had turned to twilight and I was exhausted. None of the outfits match my style. They were too flashy and trendy, I liked being a wallflower but seeing V so happy I couldn't say no.
I accepted the clothes, letting her pick my outfit. It was a relatively revealing ensemble that accentuated my curves. I blushed but she seemed to enjoy it.
When it was done with, we were greeted with the delectable smell of dinner. Our mouths watering we race to the kitchen to see an array of pot roast, roasted potatoes, mixed veggies and fresh baked bread rolls.
I was salivating and hadn't noticed Vincent's intense stare until his deep voice rumbled with agitation.
“The f**k are you wearing?”
I looked away feeling ashamed, Veronica growled angrily.
“How dare you?! She's f*****g gorgeous you animal! You have no god damn taste!”
He slammed his hands on the granite countertop, his muscles flexing with irritation.
“I f*****g know she gorgeous but why is she dressed like that?!”
Everyone was stunned by his words, Veronica was overwhelmed with equal rage and confusion that she remained stunned. I was so shocked I thought I must have misheard but by Dantes' intrigued expression I could tell I hadn't misheard anything.
Before another word was spoken by anyone she was taking off his button up shirt and drawing it over me, his gaze resting on my cleavage hungrily before looking away and buttoning the shirt.
“Caution princess, I'm no saint. You come dressed like this again and there will be consequences.”
He motioned me to sit, pulling out my chair before sitting across from me. That hungry look in his eyes never left me, even as food was served.
Veronica grumbled as she pushed around the veggies, uninterested in the vegetables.
“You need to quit being picky V.” I mused as I ate my food, she stuck her tongue out at me and smiled. The mood lifted slightly.
- Writer
