Chapter 17 - Ivan
I didn't know what was happening to me, but a part of me wasn't entirely against it.
Sitting across from Daria at that table, nestled in the restaurant I once envisioned bringing her to, seemed to put it all into perspective—one I hadn't considered since starting my plan to make her pay for everything.
Watching her smile made me realize I had exactly what I wanted before. Back in Mexico, I wanted nothing more than to have her as my own...to see her in ways that other people wouldn't have the privilege of seeing. I had been so infatuated with her that I was willing to risk it all just to have her in that position.
Daria was my wife, and while there was no need to play any kind of games to get her, it seemed like the chase was changing.
I didn't know why I suddenly felt inclined to meet her halfway after telling her again and again that my goals aligned with tormenting her, but it felt necessary.
Where I once found joy in being a complete ass to her, that same satisfaction just didn't appear like it had. I didn't know how or why that change happened, but it was getting harder to stay happy about my progress.
To my greatest surprise, seeing those small smiles of hers, and hearing the subtle changes in her tone that gave away how she was beginning to relax in my presence were more tempting. It moved something in me that I didn't think was possible, and despite myself, I just wanted more of it.
Even if the woman I fell for in Mexico was gone, the real Daria had her own charm, and I found her intriguing.
If I had to be honest, I'd say she wasn't all that different. I just had to give her a chance, and she had to do the same in return.
Whether it was the champagne, the food, or the fact that we hadn't fallen headfirst into an argument yet, Daria allowed those pleased smiles to settle on her lips more often, and something about it felt encouraging.
While we ate and talked, falling into a more natural pattern, I couldn't help but let the mental image of her painting and finding some sort of catharsis in it linger in my mind.
Aware of how upset and bored she had been back at the house without anything to do, I allowed that idea to fester until I knew my next step.
Once we were done with our meal and a new sort of peace settled between us, I met her gaze. "If you're ready to go, I have somewhere I'd like us to stop first."
Despite trying to appear mostly neutral, Daria perked up with a touch of curiosity in her features. "Where?"
That genuine interest nearly pulled a chuckle from me, but I kept it down and signaled for the waiter who had been keenly serving us all night. "Now that's a surprise."
A vague hint of annoyance at my refusal to tell her crossed her features, yet I could tell I had her attention.
Eventually, we left the restaurant with Dom in tow and made our way back to the vehicle before heading out. The city was alive with the usual nightlife while we hit up the main strip, and I enjoyed the chance I had to take in the look of wonder on Daria's face. The lights lit up her eyes while we passed beneath them, and I couldn't help but drink her in all the same.
Finally, we pulled up to the curb, and once the vehicle was in park, I patted the side of Dom's seat as a silent indicator, and he nodded once before getting out.
Daria peered out the window curiously before glancing back at me. "An art store?"
I couldn't help but smile faintly, and I nodded. "That's right."
A flicker of excitement moved through her eyes before she quickly schooled her emotions. She looked back at the store, watching as Dom knocked at the front door that had been locked.
"I think we're too late. It's closed."
There was a single light on inside while the 'open' sign had been shut off, indicating there was at least someone still around.
"Close? Nah. Not for long," I murmured, watching with veiled amusement while someone approached the door and spoke to Dom.
Daria seemed confused at first, then Dom gave us a nod, and she raised her brows at me. "Bribery?"
Letting my grin slip, I chuckled. "More or less...come on, let's see what they have, shall we?"
Even if she seemed surprised at first, Daria smiled back at me and wordlessly got out when Dom opened the door.
I didn't know what to expect before going in, but after the store owner gave us free rein of the place, it didn't take long for Daria to give away just how excited she was to be there.
She walked along like a kid on Christmas morning, taking in all of the supplies with a kind of wonder that was far too endearing. I followed while Dom remained a few steps behind, pushing the cart.
"I've seen more than a few art stores before, but this place is something else," Daria murmured with reverence, looking absolutely over the moon.
"I can't say I know much of anything about this kind of thing, but have your pick," I told her, taking in just how awestruck she looked.
She glanced back at me, pausing her steps. "Pick...paints?"
"Anything," I returned with ease, enjoying more and more how she seemed to struggle with the idea at first. "Paint, brushes, canvases...whatever you need. Whatever you want."
She couldn't hide her disbelief then. "You're serious?"
"Extremely."
A hint of skepticism laced her features while she seemed to consider my wonders, likely still wondering if she could trust my word. "Why?"
"Why?" I echoed, amused by how greatly it seemed to catch her off-guard. "You've been bored, right? Now, I'm giving you the chance to be less so."
Daria blinked back at me, gradually processing it all, and she couldn't stop her expression from softening.
Appreciating that genuine reaction for a moment, I gestured to the fully stocked aisle ahead of us. "Go on...and don't hold back."
Many thoughts seemed to swirl around in her head, and then she gave me a grateful smile and got to it.
It didn't take long for her to look completely in her element while she began browsing. She was somewhat reserved at first, but with my insistence and her increasing confidence, the cart began filling with more and more supplies.
Even if it seemed like a world outside of the one I was used to, a sense of pride pulsed within my chest while I observed, even more grateful for the fact that I could offer her so much joy by doing something that felt so minor to me.
I never thought providing her with something she could invest her time in would feel better than getting revenge. The concept was still foreign to me, but I preferred to not dwell on it.
By the time Daria seemed to exhaust everything she needed and wanted, I threw a bit extra in for the shop owner before we left. Dom hauled the multiple bags full of supplies back to the vehicle, and before long, we were on our way back to the house.
While looking tired from the night out, the lingering satisfaction on her face made it all feel worth it.
Before, I thought I had a good grasp on what was important to me. I assumed I knew when to listen and when to use force to get what I wanted—favoring the latter most times.
But with Daria, I was beginning to see how that instinct of mine didn't work in my favor after all. The more I pushed, the less receptive she was. The less alive she seemed.
By stepping outside my norm and hearing her out, I was fostering something new between us.
Something that piqued my interest and made me want more of it, regardless of how everything between us had been unfolding before.
I normally didn't take well to change in my personal life, but for the first time in a while, I was accepting it more freely.
When we got home, Daria went to the bedroom to get out of her dress and into something more comfortable while I directed Dom to one of the unused rooms upstairs. We dropped the supplies off, he went on his way, and after some time, Daria found me in there.
Dressed in soft-looking sleepwear with her light-colored hair pulled up into a loose bun, she stepped into the room curiously and glanced down at the supplies.
"Why'd you bring everything in here?"
Looking at the ceiling-to-floor windows and how the room would be perfectly oriented for what I had in mind, I already knew it would be perfect for her. I glanced at her and smiled.
"You're looking at your new studio...where you have free rein to do whatever you want with it."
Daria's eyes widened slightly at the prospect, once again in disbelief. "What? You mean it?"
I chuckled and nodded with my hands in my pockets. "I do. Every artist needs a studio, right?"
She scoffed to herself, still not quite believing it. "Sure, but...it won't take away from the rest of the house?"
It was almost cute how she seemed concerned about potentially being a nuisance of some kind, as if she hadn't been angry with me before about not keeping her busy enough.
At the same time, I knew it came from a place of shame and doubt, given how her brother had treated her once. With that in mind, I felt an even stronger urge to give her that opportunity.
"Not at all. There are more rooms here than I know what to do with," I replied honestly, glancing around the open space. "It wouldn't hurt for someone to make something of this spot. So do what you'd like."
When I met her gaze again, her eyes softened, and her voice came out gently with gratitude. "Thank you, Ivan. Really."
I'd be lying if I said those simple words didn't hit me harder than I expected them to. Either way, it shook something up in me, and I nodded once, slightly betraying how much I was enjoying seeing her that way.
"You're welcome...now, I only have one condition."
Looking somewhat guarded again, she looked at me curiously. "What's that?"
"I'm requesting a portrait, that's all."
Both of her brows went up at that. "For everything, you just want a portrait?"
"That's right. You have complete artistic freedom."
Something about her gentle smile warmed me more than I wanted to admit.
"All right...I'll see what I can do."
The warmth that lingered in her eyes, while reminiscent of the way she had looked at me in Mexico, seemed new and significant in its own right. It felt good.
I could tell she appreciated how I was taking an interest in her passion, and despite my usual ways, I genuinely hoped it would bring her a sense of accomplishment.
I hoped the gesture would change how she saw me in some capacity.
Even if it ended up only being a means of keeping her busy, that would be enough.