55
“I would most certainly haven't approved of it if you'd accepted the offer.” The way Rose said it made me feel proud of myself for not taking the money from him.
“Neither would I.” Suzy added through the video call.
They both couldn't make it to the house so I had to call them both.
Rose had to go to work and Suzy wanted to go buy some stuff.
Hane was watching beside me, repeating her endless, “I'm so sorry for leaving you alone this morning.”
While I offered a small smile. “It's okay. It's not like you could do much if you were around.”
“True but—”
“I've got to go.” She was interrupted by Rose. “I don't think Darien will be pleased to see me calling instead of working.”
“Darien? Not Mr Stan?” I raised a brow in askance.
“He prefers it that way.” It was obvious she didn't want us continuing the conversation so I said no more.
“I've got to go too.” With a smile, Suzy left the call, followed by Rose.
Dropping my phone in the pocket of my pants, I turned to Hane.
“Why don't we go have lunch.”
She smiled. “I'll just go make something.”
“There's no need, I'll do that.” But she was already heading to the kitchen.
Of course, what else did I expect from her.
When she held the knob, she stopped walking to add, “I will leave the house early tomorrow.”
“Really? Are you heading somewhere?”
That was strange because she rarely left me alone.
And I wouldn't expect her overprotective self to do that after what happened with the Marc situation.
“Yes, I'm going to my sister's place. I have to check out on the wedding preparations.”
That turned my concerned expression to bliss. “Awwn, that's so sweet.”
“Are you still coming?” She asked like she didn't want me to back out.
And well, neither did I.
“Of course, when's the date?”
Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Not sure yet, but it's certainly soon.”
“I'll be there for sure.”
When she said she was leaving early, I didn't expect her to leave by seven.
Now all I did was sit home alone, unaware of what to do with my life.
And that only made me miss Dom than ever.
Especially after the dream I had about him that ended with us kissing.
With a groan, I crawled out of bed.
Could I really live the rest of my life this way? I doubted that.
My entire body kissed him a lot, and although I wasn't happy knowing he didn't let me know about the past, I still wanted us to be in bed again.
But again, could I really live the rest of my life knowing he caused mom's death.
Sheesh, this was hard.
I took off my robe, heading to the bathroom where I brushed my teeth with the brush and toothpaste Hane had bought for me when I came here.
Then took a shower. Don never leaving my thoughts.
With a towel wrapped around my body, I ambled to the room, reaching for the bag of clothes Hane had also gotten for me.
It was where I picked out the first bra and knickers I noticed, with a blue flared gown.
Throwing the towel over me, I put on the underwear, clipping the bra in front of me, with the cupps resting on my back when I heard the parlor door open.
It was only then that I realized I hadn't locked the door since Hane left.
Fear gripped me.
Who could it be? Could it be one of Marc's men who had come to take me again?
Was it stupid of me to have told him I'd report to the media?
I mean, this man was a billionaire and could just send some men to kill me or something.
Footsteps neared the room, only increasing my heart rate.
Shit, what on earth have I done?
And goodness me, I was still naked as my boobs fell freely, not yet covered with the bra.
The fear in me overtook every other thing that my feet and hands were suddenly unmovable.
I knew I should probably pick up the towel on the floor and wrap it around me, but I just couldn't.
My body was shaking in fear.
The steps became closer. Really closer actually.
Was this how I was going to die? I didn't even get to see Don one last time and tell him I love him and have forgiven him.
A yelp escaped my lips when the door pushed open.
Rather than one of Marc's men, a figure I knew too well walked in.
“Don?”
Gosh, what happened to him?
He looked lifeless, like a walking dead or something.
“Eri?” His tone was weak. Very weak.
Suddenly, it dawn on me that I was naked.
That was discomforting.
Although he'd seen me naked before, it didn't help make me feel any better.
At least I was calmer.
Calm enough to reach for a towel.
But just when I wanted to do that, he staggered towards me, pulling me in a deep embrace.
My breast hit his hard chest, causing a deep reaction from my nipple touching his shirt.
“Don.” I was about to push him but his grip tightened.
“Please don't.” The words were barely above a whisper, but since silence surrounded us, I caught it.
And my shoulders relaxed in his arms.
That was when I realized how much I missed his touch.
How safe his embrace made me feel.
All he'd done washed away within seconds, with nothing but his touch filling me.
Gosh, I missed him so much.
Could I seriously live my entire life without him?
At this point, I wasn't even sure if I could live a day— heck, even a minute without him.
“I'm sorry.” He muttered into my hair, coating my skin with goosebumps.
Strange how that simple action could do that.
I felt the tears in my eyes.
What had I been doing all alone this times. I missed him so much too.
“How did you find me?” I asked into his shirt. “Did Suzy or Rose tell you? Or maybe was it your dad?”
“My dad?” Although that obviously surprised him, it was covered with his weak tone. “Did he know you were here?”
“Just how did you find out?” Strange how neither of us wanted to pull out of the embrace.
I was sure if I made eye contact with him, I'd probably burst into tears, so I avoided that.
“One of Suzy's driver let me know that he'd dropped her here with Rose. I just knew it then that I'd find you here.”
It was obvious talking was hard work for him.
But I still asked, my tone lower than intended. “Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“I just found out a week before you did.”
My brows pulled in confusion.
Hadn't June said he knew from—
June!
Anger flowed through my blood.
Because she lied, and mostly cause I was stupid enough to believe it.
How could I be so dimwitted.
“I'm very sorry.” He apologized again. “The night you left, I'd planned on letting you know.”
Oh, that explained all the nice decoration.
Of course, how didn't I notice.
His embrace suddenly became more like a pain than warming.
It felt like I was carrying him on my shoulder.
And geez, it seemed like he weighed a billion pounds.
“Don.” The words barely came out as his presence on me stole the air from her lungs.
Alertness filled my blood when I got no reply from him.
“Don.” Again nothing.
His weight seemed to pull me down.
“Don!” This time, with all my strength, I pushed him off me causing him to land on the floor.
That was when I realized he was unconscious.
The scream left my throat without my realization.
He had turned pale.
Completely pale.
No! What had I done?
“Don! Help!” The feeling when it feels like you're just talking to the walls because there was no one to help.
I quickly wore my bra and cloth, not sure what to do next.
Could I carry him? Did I have any other options!
No. I couldn't lose Don.
I'd lost my mom, but not Don.
No, please.