chapter 29

Dominic pulled into the Maximo company parking lot, his arrival drawing attention from the employees on the ground floor. They paused their activities, watching as he strode confidently past them and into the elevator.

As the doors slid open on the fourth floor, Esther emerged from Reginald's office to greet him. "Good day, sir," she said with a slight bow, her voice respectful.

He approached, his stride purposeful, and nodded slightly in response. "Good day," he replied. "I'm here to see the chairman."

"He's inside, waiting for you," she said with a warm smile, gesturing over her shoulder with her thumb. "Let's go in."

"Okay" Dominic replied, following Esther into the chairman's office.

As they approached the door, she opened it for him, allowing him to enter first.

He nodded his head slightly in appreciation. "Thank you," he said, stepping inside. As he entered the office, Reginald looked up from the file on his desk, closing it with a deliberate motion.

"Welcome, Dominic," Reginald said, forcing a smile.

Dominic recognized the insincerity, but responded with a polite grin of his own, inclining his head slightly. "Good day, sir."

Reginald removed his lens and placed it in its case before standing up from his desk. "You can go." He instructed Esther, his voice dismissive.

"Okay, sir." Esther replied, bowing her head slightly before exiting the office.

Reginald stood up and walked out of his seat. He descended the short staircase, his movements deliberate, and approached Dominic. "Good day, Dominic," he said, his tone neutral. He gestured to the chairs on the left side of the room. "Please, have a seat."

Dominic smiled warmly, his expression a stark contrast to Reginald's reserve. "Thank you." He said, walking over to the chair to take a seat.

Reginald settled into the chair opposite Dominic, his eyes locked on the younger man's face. "How have you been?" He asked, his tone polite.

Dominic's smile broadened. "Fine, thank you, sir."

Reginald's inquiry became more specific. "How's work and family? Especially President Rosie? How has she been doing?"

Dominic's smile remained radiant. "She's fine. She's moving forward every day, growing in ways you wouldn't expect," he said, his words laced with a slight undertone. "She's in a place where you might not be thrilled to encounter her.

Reginald chuckled softly before deliberately shifting the conversation. "Why are you supporting Rosie?"

"Because she's my family," Dominic replied simply, his voice unwavering. He elaborated, "And, sir, I'm not just supporting her; I'm protecting her. I'm her guardian."

Reginald raised an eyebrow, his tone mocking. "Is that a warning or a threat?"

Dominic's voice dropped to a low, menacing growl. "I'm in no position to issue either to you, but when it comes to Rosie, I'll do whatever it takes. I'll go to any length to protect her, even if it means harming myself."

"Dominic, why are you settling for a woman taking the reins? You're the late chairman's grandson. You have a legitimate claim to the presidency," Reginald asked, his words carefully chosen to sow doubt in Dominic's mind. "Why did you allow her to rule over you?"

Dominic sighed, his patience wearing thin. He didn't want to indulge in a lengthy conversation with Reginald, but circumstances seemed to dictate otherwise. "You're right, sir. I'm the late chairman's grandson, but that doesn't automatically grant me the right to take over," he explained. "The old man chose Rosie himself. I believe he had his reasons, and I have no reason to go against his will."

Reginald's eyes gleamed with persuasion. "It's the old chairman's will, but you can change that. I'm more than willing to help you. Don't you desire to take the reins of this company?"

Dominic's tongue darted out to lick his lips, and he bit the left side of his lower lip before speaking his mind. "I want to rule over the company, and I'm already doing that," he said. "Directly or indirectly, I've taken over because Rosie never decides without consulting me."

"But still–" Reginald attempted to press on, but Dominic had reached his limit.

"Sir, I think we should stop here," Dominic interrupted, his tone firm. "If this is the reason you requested to see me, I believe it's time for me to leave."

Reginald's eyes narrowed. "Will you continue to stay as a slave to her?"

Dominic's lips curled into a brief, amused smile. He locked eyes with Reginald, his gaze intense. "If being her slave is all I can do for the rest of my life, I'll be happy to be forever enslaved to her," he declared, his voice filled with conviction. "Being her subordinate brings me joy. She's the source of my happiness, and I wouldn't trade her for anything."

Reginald's expression turned probing. "Dominic, do you love Rosie?"

Dominic met Reginald's gaze, but remained silent, unable to provide an answer.

Reginald's smile grew wider. "I see you love her. Does she know about your feelings, or are you just wasting your efforts on her?"

Dominic's voice rose in defense. "I'm not wasting my efforts!"

Reginald chuckled, his laughter mocking. "Does she feel the same way about you? Does she love you back?" He probed, his words striking a nerve.

Dominic's jaw dropped, and his eyes widened in surprise.

Reginald had hit a sensitive spot, and he continued to press Dominic's emotional buttons. "If she doesn't feel the same way, won't your efforts be in vain?" He asked. "Why haven't you confessed your feelings to her yet? Are you afraid she'll reject you?"

Dominic's anger boiled over, and he slammed his fist on the table. "She won't reject me!" He bellowed.

"What will you do if she rejects your feelings?" Reginald asked, his question hanging in the air like a challenge. Before Dominic could respond, Reginald continued, his words dripping with certainty. "You can't do anything. You'll just be hurt and sad,"

His tone turned calculating. "But, do you know what the real consequence will be? You'll lose two things at once. Rosie and your chance to take over. If she rejects you, she'll want nothing to do with you, and you'll be out of the picture entirely."

The confidence in Dominic's eyes faltered, replaced by a dawning fear. His eyes reddened as he stared at Reginald, his gaze pleading. "What should I do?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Reginald's gaze bore into Dominic's face as he leaned forward, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Kill two birds with one stone and prevent disaster from befalling you…"

"Take the position from her. Become the president. I'll support you every step of the way."

Dominic's face twisted in distress. "But… Rosie… She'll hate me. I'm the only person she has left. That's betrayal. She'll be devastated if I betray her," he said, his voice laced with worry and concern. "She'll be hurt and sad, and I couldn't bear the thought of that. I don't want her to hate me."

Reginald slightly shook her head. "She won't hate you. She'll just be angry for a little while, and it'll pass," his tone turned motivational. "She might want to distance herself, but I'm sure she'll come crawling back to you. You'll be her only hope."

Dominic shook his head, his face set in determination. "No. I can't betray her. I love her."

Reginald's expression turned exasperated, and he slapped the back of his hand against his palm. "You love her, but she doesn't love you, Dominic. Think straight." He said, his tone bordering on condescending.

Dominic's face reddened in defense. "She loves me," he insisted, his voice rising. "Rosie loves me!"

"If she loves you, she should have picked up on your feelings by now. She should know you want more than just a familial relationship," Reginald pointed out.

"She must have figured it out, but why do you think she's ignoring it? Why doesn't she acknowledge it?" He asked, not waiting for Dominic's response before driving his point home. "It's because she doesn't care. Your feelings for her are your burden to bear alone, and she's not interested."

His words struck a chord, leaving Dominic speechless. As the truth sank in, Dominic nodded slowly, his expression a mixture of realization and pain. "That's true. It's true," he murmured.

Reginald's tone softened, his expression paternal. "Dominic, I'm discussing this with you because you're like a son to me, and I care deeply about your well-being. I don't want to see you get hurt or live with regret." He said, his voice filled with concern.

Dominic's hand slid across the table, seeking out Reginald's. "What should I do? I'm ready for anything." He said, his desperation palpable.

Reginald enveloped Dominic's hand in his own, offering a reassuring pat. "Are you prepared to do anything, even if it means Rosie gets hurt?" He asked, his eyes locked intently on Dominic's.

Dominic's nod was resolute. "Yes. As long as it'll make her mine."