Chapter 2
1190 Words
Audrey's POV
The morning light seeped through the curtains, gradually pulling me from the realm of fitful sleep. As consciousness returned, so did the weight of the unresolved tensions from the previous day.
With a sigh, I reached for my phone, hoping to find a response from Dominic. Disappointment flickered momentarily as I checked for any new messages, only to find the screen void of notifications.
Nevertheless, determination surged within me. If Dominic wasn't willing to initiate a conversation, then I would. Gathering my resolve, I quickly dressed and made my way to the kitchen, the scent of brewing coffee drawing me in like a comforting embrace.
In the modern, sleek kitchen, bustling with the morning routine of the staff, I spotted Maria. Her warm smile greeted me as she prepared a cup of coffee.
"Good morning, Ma'am. Did you Sleep well?" she asked, her kind eyes reflecting genuine concern.
"Morning, Maria. As well as one can, I suppose," I replied with a half-hearted smile, accepting the cup of coffee gratefully.
"I hope you find your stay comfortable here," Maria said, her tone carrying a hint of empathy.
"Thank you, Maria."
I scanned through the room in search for a significant figure.
" Do you happen to know where I could find Dominic this morning?" I ventured, trying to sound casual despite the weight of my inquiry.
Maria paused for a moment, her expression turning thoughtful. "Sir didn't come home last night"
His absence hit me harder than I expected. The uncertainty swirled around me, but I didn't want to confront him without him being there.
"Oh. Alright then." I tried as much as I could to contain my disappointment.
"How about I show you around the villa?" Maria offered.
I accepted her offer.
*************
Dominic's POV
"How dare you return with such a report!?" I clenched my fists and struck Marco in the stomach, releasing my frustration on him. The others in the room recoiled at my outburst.
"I am deeply sorry, boss," Marco managed to groan through his pain, still clutching his stomach.
"Leave my sight, all of you!" I barked, and they hastily exited the room.
I paced back and forth in my office, attempting to suppress my anger.
As my phone chimed with a notification, I glanced at the message from Audrey and swiftly pocketed my phone, ignoring it.
"Dominic!" I could hear a familiar voice calling out my name as Sophia barged into my office.
Not another inconvenience.
"You know I detest when someone invades my space, correct?" I snapped at her.
"Hey, don't give me that look... I heard you married that woman!?"
Sophia's sudden revelation pierced through the tense atmosphere. Her words echoed in the room, mingling with the lingering tension from my earlier outburst. I tried to maintain composure, but her surprise hit a nerve.
"It's no news. How come you just got news now, are you that slow?" my tone a mixture of defensiveness and irritation.
"It's everywhere that you married that ugly pig called Audrey." She lashed out.
My jaw clenched at the mention of Audrey's name. I'd purposefully ignored her message earlier. My mind raced as I attempted to steer the conversation away from personal matters.
"None of your f*****g business," I retorted, attempting to reclaim control of the situation.
"This concerns me, Dominic! You're well aware of my feelings for you," she declared with evident frustration, her voice wavering.
I leaned back, fixing a stern gaze upon her.
"Don't provoke me with that stare. Speak," she demanded.
"Do you believe you're capable of enduring the responsibilities of being wedded to me?" I smirked, raising an eyebrow challengingly.
Drawing closer, she leaned over my desk, attempting to display her allure.
"I'll do anything to have you. Whatever it takes," she seductively declared.
A mischievous chuckle escaped me. "Not so fast."
Before she could react, my office door burst open, and Marco stormed in urgently.
"Boss! Red alert! The Gonzales are wreaking havoc at the downtown club," he announced hastily.
The downtown club had affiliations with our Mantello family, making the Gonzales brothers, our rivals, a significant threat.
"Report," I demanded.
"Three down, five injured," Marco reported crisply.
"Prepare the men," I ordered, preparing to depart.
Sophia attempted to continue speaking, but I silenced her, instructing her to leave.
********
As always, we defeated the Gonzales and brought them to their knees
The night had been a testament to our strength and unity as a family, a reminder of the unyielding power we held within the shadows.
Though the battle had been won, the underbelly of the city remained volatile. The Gonzales' failed attempt served as a stark warning to any who dared challenge our authority.
As we regrouped and ensured the safety of our territory, I knew that the night's victory would reverberate throughout the underworld, solidifying the unwavering dominance of the Mantello name.
Marco drove me back to the villa to switch up my outfit. Stepping into the big living room, I heard loud laughs and whispers drifting from the nearby kitchen.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I headed straight for the kitchen to see what had turned my usually serious place into a comedy show.
In there, Audrey and the maids were having their own little get-together, like they'd turned my home into a spontaneous party zone.
When they spotted me, the maids quickly composed themselves, but Audrey, out of sheer nosiness, spun around in her seat, looking like she'd seen a ghost.
"Dom— Dominic?" Her words stumbled out.
I stayed cool, giving her my iciest glare, trying to keep a poker face.
I caught her eyes flick down to my left side.
"Are you alright?!" she blurted out, freaking out a bit when she saw the blood, something I hadn't even noticed.
She dashed over, trying to lift my shirt, but I shut that down real quick.
"And what do you think you are doing?" I snapped, feeling the heat rise.
"Dominic, please. You're bleeding," she said, her voice shaky.
"Think you're trying to play wife?" I raised an eyebrow, making it clear I wasn't having it.
"Don't even think about touching me again. Got it?" I warned, leaving no room for argument.
She didn't say a word, but her eyes stayed glued to my injury, showing she cared, even though I shut her down hard.
The tension hung thick in the air after my firm warning to Audrey.
Her concern was evident, but I wasn't about to let down my guard. She backed off, leaving me to deal with the whole bleeding situation.Once she'd retreated, I took a moment to collect myself.
The dull ache from the injury became more noticeable as the adrenaline from the confrontation dissipated. With a sigh, I realized I couldn't just brush it off any longer.
I made my way to my room. Once inside, I closed the door behind me, the thick mahogany providing a sense of privacy.
As I focused on tending to the wound in the privacy of my room, the door creaked open once more, and Audrey slipped in, her worried expression unmistakable.
- Writer
