Tangled Hearts

CHAPTER 2

Tense Meeting

Harlan’s office was quiet, the only sound to be heard was the gentle tick of the clock. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my dress betraying my anxiety.

Dominic Hale. My mind swirled with thoughts as I recalled the information I'd unearthed about him—billionaire, enigmatic, ruthless and brilliant. Those words had been used multiple times in describing him, but what was he really like? I wondered as my fingers played with the hem of my dress.

I completely ignored Harlan, not like he'd care. I wanted nothing to do with him, a stab of pain coursed through me as I recalled his cold words to me the previous day. I kept my expression carefully blank, I couldn't let him see how much his words had affected me.

The scent of hot dishes lined up the dining table tickled my nostrils. My eyes were blank as I stared at the dishes, Mother had prepared an elaborate meal. I'd heard her barking orders to the kitchen staff earlier, but I didn't have any appetite to eat.

My phone rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. I picked it up, it was a message from a strange number. Who was it? I wondered as I opened the text message, my breath caught in my throat as I read it.

“I won’t be coming to the house. Meet me at L'Etoile at 8 PM. Don’t be late.”

My heart skipped a beat as I scanned through it. Dominic Hale. It had to be him, no greeting, no pleasantries. He'd just given his orders and I was expected to obey, I could faintly feel the arrogance that oozed through his words.

My eyes flashed as I felt a wave of rising irritation, who did he think he was? He had some nerve like I was some obedient little pet.

“What's the matter?” Harlan’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, but I didn't bother glancing in his direction.

“He's not coming,” I muttered under my breath, rising to my feet. I mentioned the name of the restaurant.

Harlan nodded, not saying further. I was at the door when his cold voice reached my ears. “Don't mess this up, Elara,” his voice was cold and I could feel his eyes fixed on me.

I nodded and shoved my phone into my bag as I headed out, I heard him mutter something under his breath but I didn't pause to ask, too consumed by the waves of anger that surged through me.

My rage bubbled up within me as I headed to the restaurant, L'Etoile was a fancy French restaurant in the city. Ever since I'd finished Law school I'd avoided coming home as much as I could. Staying at home with Harlan suffocated me, so I hardly went to such fancy restaurants. The memory of Dominic’s text only made my anger rise, I wasn't going to show him any face, I decided.

The restaurant had exquisite decor and ambiance, the dim cool lights made it look beautiful. A waiter approached me as I entered, “Miss Elara?” He asked, politely and I nodded. He led me to a secluded table in the back, away from prying eyes.

My heart beat erratically as I stared at the direction we were heading to, my anticipation was quenched when we arrived at the table. Dominic wasn't here yet, my eyes narrowed as I sat down. But before I could stew in my anger any longer, Dominic arrived.

I spotted him as he walked in, an air of arrogance about him like he owned the place. My breath caught in my throat as his eyes found mine, his eyes felt like they could see through my soul. I glanced away, not daring to look at him anymore.

I could feel him approaching without even looking, he sat down across from me. I could feel his eyes on me. “It's a pleasure, Elara,” His voice was less cold than I'd anticipated. I glanced at him in surprise but I didn't say anything. The air felt tense and I held my breath, half expecting him to break into a rage.

“You're not satisfied with the arrangements,” Dominic’s words weren't a question, his eyes held a knowing glint that pricked my rapidly wearing patience.

My lips thinned as I glared at him, my mind silently contemplating, if he was acting like some arrogant jerk. “You don't look like you want to be here,” Dominic’s lips curled, faintly amused.

“Yes,” I replied coolly, his smile grated on my nerves. “don’t get your hopes up that I'm here because I wanted to be. I just came to say whatever you have planned between you and my dad,” I stared at him, “—isn't going to happen.” I breathed, I'd let out the things I wanted to say, if he had any sense he'd abandon this idea and Harlan would drop it too.

Dominic’s face didn't change at my words, his lips curled parted, revealing perfect white teeth as he smiled. “Is that so?”

"Of course,” I nodded. “Surely you would be able to find someone else who would be willing to grasp such an opportunity. Someone who would be willing to play such a role. Is Mr. Dominic doubtful?” I stared at him, silently challenging him.

Dominic chuckled lightly as he leaned back in his seat, “What role do you think I'm looking to fill?” His expression was smug.

“I…” my tongue tangled into knots as I stared at him, my mind went blank. “Whatever it is you're looking for, I'm not interested,” I spoke slowly, trying to make my voice firm.

Dominic looked amused, he sipped from his glass slowly, "You think you can just walk away from this, Elara? From me?"

The way he said my name, rolling off his tongue made me squirm under his gaze but I stared back at him “Yes, I can, and I will,” I secretly felt proud of myself for keeping my voice firm.

Dominic glanced away, a tick in his jaw, “You're in way deeper than you think, your opinion doesn't matter,” his eyes locked onto mine but they were icy.

What! A lump formed in my chest as the implications of his words sank in. His eyes were deadly serious, my mind raced with thoughts. There was something deeper to all of this, a surge of rage whipped into me as I thought about it. I was just a pawn in their plans, rage bubbled in me at the thought.

“Wha—what do you want from me?” I asked, my eyes pricked with tears as the reality weighed in on me.

“Nothing,” Dominic sipped from his glass and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “Make no mistake Elara,” his eyes bored into mine. “We'll get married, there's nothing you can do to stop it,” Dominic’s words were like a decree, pressing down on me.

My breath caught in my throat, I wanted to argue, to fight back, but something in his gaze told me it would be fruitless. Dominic Hale wasn’t a man who heard the w

ord ‘no.’

And that realization sent a chill down my spine.