Chapter 12 - Emily
I paced around my room, my hands gripping the edge of my nightstand where Dominic’s flowers still sat. They only made me feel more agitated. And then there was that feeling every time I saw him, a pull, an almost magnetic attraction I couldn’t shake. It made no sense. Every time he was near, I found myself wanting to fall into his arms, wanting to trace my fingers along his jawline. What was wrong with me? I hated that he had this effect on me, but I couldn’t help it.
With a frustrated sigh, I flopped down on my bed and pulled up Kristi’s contact. As soon as the video call connected, she greeted me with a wide grin, her face already half-covered in makeup.
“So, what’s going on?” Kristi asked, expertly blending foundation into her skin. “You seem… tense.”
I leaned back against the headboard, rubbing my temples, and gave her the rundown on the showdown with Dominic earlier.
“Kristi, one minute we’re making paper cranes, and the next… we’re at each other’s throats.”
Kristi raised an eyebrow, her hands still moving expertly over her face. “Do you really think it was about the cranes, though?”
I groaned, glancing at the flowers again. “Maybe? I don’t know. That man gets on my nerves, Kristi. I swear, sometimes I just wanna strangle him.”
Kristi chuckled lightly. “Imagine being the owner of a billion-dollar company but not being able to make a paper crane. That could put a damper on a man’s ego.”
I shook my head, frustration bubbling up. “It’s not my fault he can’t make a paper crane!”
“Nobody said it was your fault,” she replied, her voice full of calm amusement. “It’s just men and their egos. I’ve learned not to let their egos affect me.”
Maybe Kristi was right. Maybe Dominic’s blow-up had nothing to do with me, but everything to do with his bruised pride. But over a paper crane? Why did he have to let it escalate like that? Why did he have to take it out on me? It stung more than I cared to admit, and deep down, I knew why.
I flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of it all. “But Kristi, there’s something else.” I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push away the panic. I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. “I think I like Dominic.”
Kristi’s eyes widened, her hands freezing for a moment. “Emily! No way! Are you serious?”
I felt the words slip out before I could stop them. “I can’t control myself around him! He’s got this… hold on me, and I don’t know what to do. It’s like I’m losing my mind.”
Kristi leaned closer to the screen, her expression turning thoughtful. “Em, calm down. I mean, he’s your husband. Why can’t you feel a certain way about him?”
I sat up, my heart pounding. “Have you forgotten how I got into this mess in the first place? Is this what Stockholm Syndrome feels like?”
Kristi let out a light chuckle, but it was clear she didn’t fully understand. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh, but let’s be real, Dominic is not the beast you and I thought he was. And he’s got feelings for you too. That’s pretty clear.”
I crossed my arms tightly over my chest. “A man getting you flowers, taking you to dinner, opening your door, it doesn’t mean he has feelings for you, Kristi. It just means he’s a gentleman.”
“Emily, you sound ridiculous right now,” she teased, a playful grin spreading across her face. “If I were you, and I had the chance to spend a whole weekend with a man like Dominic Quantum, without any interruptions, I wouldn’t be sitting in my room talking to my bestie. I’d be with Dominic, in all the rooms of his house, creating memories, if you know what I mean.”
I let out a laugh despite myself. “Kristi!” I shook my head, trying to stay serious, but she was right.
Still, I couldn’t shake my insecurities. “But seriously, Kristi. Do you really think a man like Dominic could fall in love with a thick girl like me? I highly doubt it.”
Kristi raised her eyebrows, her tone now sharp with conviction. “Emily Natasha Montgomery Quantum, if you don’t stop talking about yourself like that, I’m going to drive all the way over there and strangle you. Do you think all men like skinny chicks? Or all men like blondes? Or all men like beer? Variety is the spice of life, Em! Get comfortable in your skin and make a move on your husband already.”
I paused, letting her words sink in. Maybe she was right. Maybe I was holding myself back because I couldn’t believe someone like Dominic could actually be attracted to me. But just a few minutes ago, there had been something, a spark, a connection, when our eyes met. Or maybe it was just my imagination playing tricks on me.
The thought of him rejecting me, though, still made me feel so small.
“Kristi, can I ask you something?” I hesitated, unsure how to voice the question that had been gnawing at me.
“Sure thing, babe. Shoot.”
“Don’t you think it’s super weird that I’m married to my dad’s ex-best friend? Like, do you think Dominic set this up so that I could marry him to get back at my dad?”
Kristi stopped applying her makeup for a moment, considering. “Honestly, based on what you’ve told me, I don’t think he set it up. But I do think he manipulated things to get you to marry him. But your dad…” She trailed off, a look of disbelief crossing her face. “That’s messed up, Em. Your dad should have had your back, not just handed you over like some, like some mail-order bride. Something’s definitely going on here.”
“Exactly!”
The question is, what?
Kristi sighed, clearly frustrated on my behalf. “What’s in the dark must always come to light, Em. So, until it rears its ugly head, just… enjoy your husband and your daughter. How’s Lucy, by the way?”
I smiled a little, thinking of Lucy, the little whirlwind who always kept him on his toes. “She’s keeping Dominic on his toes, that’s for sure. I’ve never seen him look so… off-balance. She reminds me of you, actually.”
Kristi grinned. “All sass, huh? I’m hoping I’ll be able to visit soon. Do you think he’ll let me?”
I bit my lip, glancing toward the door as if Dominic might be listening. “I’m not sure. And honestly, I don’t want to ask and have him shoot it down.”
“Yeah, I get it. But we need to catch up soon.” Kristi’s voice was sincere, but then I heard a male voice in the background.
“Babe, are you ready yet?” The voice was deep and familiar.
“Kristi, is that…?” I began, but she quickly cut me off.
“See you, babe. Gotta go.” And with a wink, she ended the call before I could say another word.
I stared at my screen, feeling a bit empty as it turned black. The flowers on my nightstand still stared back at me. I felt more confused than ever.
I decided that sulking in my room wasn’t going to do me any good. I needed to burn off the tension that was building up inside me. I’d heard that exercising helped with that, so maybe it was worth a try.
After arriving at Dominic’s house, I wandered around and found a home gym next to the outside pool. So, I changed into some workout gear, and with my earbuds in, a towel draped over my shoulder, and my phone in hand, I made my way to the gym.
As soon as I stepped inside, the cool air conditioning hit me, and I couldn’t help but sigh in relief. The lights were already on, and soft music filled the room.
Wait… was that Mozart?
The gym was massive, easily the size of a commercial fitness center, though it was tucked away in the corner of Dominic’s mansion. Every inch of space was filled with high-end equipment, rows of sleek machines, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, and a long stretch of weight racks lined with dumbbells and barbells in varying sizes. There was even a separate area for yoga and stretching, complete with plush mats and medicine balls. The floor was polished, reflecting the modern, polished decor of the room.
I walked around, marveling at the luxury of it all. The dumbbells caught my eye first, each pair larger than anything I’d ever used, gleaming in their places like heavy trophies. It was clear: a woman had never stepped foot in this gym. The weights looked like they could crush me.
Not wanting to risk it, I spotted a corner with mats neatly rolled up and grabbed one. I took a deep breath and laid it down, ready to focus on some warm-up exercises instead.
After warming up, I decided to hop onto one of the stationary bikes, my legs moving steadily in rhythm. I lost track of time, but when I glanced to my right, there he was, Dominic, sitting on the bike next to mine, casually turning it on.
God, the one thing I was trying to avoid had found me.
Panic hit me for a second. Should I get up and leave? Escape before I completely lose my composure? Or should I just pretend he wasn’t sitting there, looking totally delicious in those shorts and that cut-off sleeveless T-shirt? He looked like total eye candy, and it was hard to focus on anything other than the way his muscles shifted as he adjusted himself on the bike.
I shifted uncomfortably, trying to keep my mind on the pedals.
“Emily, I’m sorry about what happened between us outside.” His voice was calm like he meant it.
I glanced over at him but couldn’t hold his gaze for long. I nodded, focusing on the bike’s display. “I’m sorry, too.”
“I’d been looking for you for about thirty minutes. I didn’t expect to find you here.”
I shot Dominic a look. I couldn’t help the sarcastic edge that slipped into my voice, though I hated how it sounded. “Let me guess, you expected to find me in the kitchen, shoving a tub of ice cream down my throat?”
His brow furrowed slightly, but instead of getting defensive, his expression softened. I couldn’t understand why that made my heart beat faster.
“Emily, that’s not what I meant. And definitely not what I said. I thought you’d probably be reading since we also have a library filled with books.”
I forced a smile. “Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but the fat girl is in the gym.”
The words were out before I could stop them, and they felt like acid on my tongue. God, what was wrong with me? Why was I being so difficult?
I could feel the heat of my embarrassment creeping up my neck. I hated the way I was acting. But at the same time, I couldn’t stop myself. If I pushed him away first, then maybe these stupid feelings would go away.
Dominic didn’t say anything right away. He just looked at me for a moment as if he were considering his next move.
I abruptly turned off the bike and hopped off. “I should go.”
I walked away quickly, trying to hide the panic that was building up inside.
But then, he moved. Dominic stood and caught up with me, stepping in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
“Emily,” he said, his voice low, almost tender. “Has anyone told you how perfect you are?”
For a moment, I froze. Perfect? Me? I looked away, feeling the familiar tide of insecurities rising. How could I be perfect looking like this? I wasn’t even close.
“Yeah, right,” I muttered, forcing a laugh to mask the unease that tightened my chest. “You don’t know me very well if you think that.”
He took a step closer, and I could feel the space between us shrink. “I know everything I need to know about you, Emily.” He reached out and took my hand in his, sending a spark that seemed to shoot straight through me. “You’re gorgeous in a way that leaves people speechless, smart in a way that makes everything you say feel important. You have this rare gift of making people feel heard like they truly matter. And the way you’ve taken Lucy in, treated her like she’s your own... it says everything about who you are.”
His words made my heart skip, and I tried to steady my breath as my mind fought against the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
“As for my brothers, they can’t stop talking about you…” He paused, his gaze unwavering, as if weighing his next words carefully. “And as for your work, you're an incredible PA, I’m lucky to have you on my team. But more than that, Emily, you’re the best damn wife any man could ask for.”
Without warning, he stepped even closer, his hand gently lifting my chin. My breath hitched in my throat, and I couldn’t look away as his eyes locked onto mine. His voice was low and husky, “So, yes, Emily,” he murmured, his voice a caress, “you are perfect.”
For a brief moment, everything inside me quieted, the self-doubt, the insecurities, the voices telling me I wasn’t enough. His words made me feel seen, understood in a way I hadn’t realized I needed. I just stood there, breathless, caught in the warmth of his gaze.
Then, he stepped back slightly but still held my hand, his thumb grazing over my skin. “With that being said, I don’t want to spend the weekend arguing with my wife. If you want to stay and work out, and you’d rather be alone, I’ll leave. I just want you to feel comfortable.” His voice softened, sincere and warm. “So, what do you need, Emily? Do you want me to leave, or...?”
I hesitated, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Finally, I whispered, “No, you don’t have to leave.”
His smile was slow but bright, “So, we can be workout buddies henceforth?”
I couldn’t help the soft giggle that slipped out. “As long as you don’t wake me up at 4 AM with a whistle, demanding that I get out of bed to hit the gym.”
He laughed, a sound that made my chest feel light. “4 AM is too early. I usually do a 5:30 AM workout,” he winked. “And I promise not to enter your room unless invited.”
There was a moment of awkward silence between us, and I could swear the room was spinning ever so slightly.
I cleared my throat. “Um, well, workout buddy, can we do something about getting equipment? I’d like to use something without the fear of it crushing me.” I pointed at the dumbbells.
“Sure, I’ll set up a credit card for you so you can get everything you need, gym-wise and otherwise.”
I blinked, a little thrown by the offer. “But I have my own money, Dominic. You just need to let me know where I can make the purchase.”
“A husband is supposed to take care of his wife. I just want to do this for you. Let me.” His voice was gentle but insistent.
I could feel myself caving, my walls coming down just a little bit. “Fine.”
Dominic smiled like he won a small victory and motioned toward the bikes. “Now, how about we get back to it?”