chapter 32

Reginald's words kept echoing in Dominic's mind as he left his office and got into his car, driving back home, lost in thought. His concern for Rosie's well-being weighed heavily on him, and a part of his mind cautioned against going through with the plan he had carefully laid out with Reginald. 

As he pondered the future and questioned Rosie's feelings for him, the darker side of his mind seemed to gain the upper hand, urging him to push forward. 

His frustration boiled over, and he vented his anger on the clutch pedal, pushing it harder than necessary. The steering wheel jerked in his hands, and the car surged forward, picking up speed as it hurtled down the main road.

He slammed on the brakes, but it didn't respond. His eyes widened in terror, his mouth hanging open as he watched helplessly as his car hurtled towards an oncoming truck, speeding down the road. In a last-ditch effort, he tried the brake again, and to his surprise, it suddenly kicked in. 

The car screeched to a halt mere inches from the truck, coming to rest at a precarious angle on the roadside, blocking the street. Cars behind him honked in frustration, unable to pass. He slumped forward, his head resting on the steering wheel as he breathed raggedly, his heart still racing from the close heaven call.

The car behind him honked repeatedly, the noise growing louder and more annoying by the second. But he didn't flinch. He heard the horn, but he was too drained to lift his head. 

Arabella, frustrated, rolled down her glass and stuck her head out. "Hey, you!" She shouted, but Dominic remained unresponsive.

She pulled her head back into the car and honked the horn again, her patience wearing thin. When that didn't work, she stuck her head out the window once more. "Hey, you!" She shouted, her voice growing more irritated. Still, Dominic didn't respond. 

Frustrated, she unbuckled her seatbelt and flung open the car door, stepping out in a huff. She stalked towards his car, her heels clicking on the pavement, but her anger got the better of her coordination, and her heel slipped. "Ouch!" She muttered, wincing in pain as she halted to rub her sore foot. 

"Whoever you are, I won't forgive you for this!" She snarled, her eyes flashing with annoyance as she glared at Dominic's car. She straightened up, her expression unyielding, and stormed towards the car.

As she reached the car, she started pounding on it. "Hey! Who are you? How dare you!" She yelled, her fists flying as she made her way to the driver's side door. 

She knocked loudly for several seconds, but there was no response. Pausing, she wondered if the car was empty. "Is there no one inside?" She muttered, her hand poised to knock again. She she peered through the tinted glass, but couldn't see clearly. Curious, she leaned in closer, pressing her right eye against the glass and shading her left.

As she peered through the glass, Arabella caught a glimpse of a coat and hair, convincing her that it was a guy, but his face remained hidden. She stood up straight, crossing her arms over her chest, and wondered, "Who could it be?" 

She leaned in to take another look, but before she could get a better view, Dominic suddenly swung open the door. The door narrowly missed her mouth, and she stumbled backward, uttering a surprised, "oh!" 

Her heel snapped, and she teetered on the brink of falling, but Dominic swiftly grasped her, pulling her into his arms. Her eyes widened in shock, and her mouth dropped open as she found herself face-to-face with her long-time crush. 

She was captivated by his stunning brown eyes, the same ones she had spent hours searching for online, devouring every update and news about him. 

'Oh, it's my man!'

She had set his picture as her wallpaper, hoping to catch a glimpse of him every day, and maybe, just maybe, she'd meet him someday. But she had to be careful, given the business rivalry between him and his brother. Now, as Dominic gazed at her face, expecting her to steady herself, her mind was racing. 

A smile crept onto her face as she thought she saw something in his eyes. 'Wow, he's staring at me!' She squealed silently, her smile growing brighter. 

'Hubby-to-be is already smitten with me!' Her face flushed slightly as she felt a wave of shyness wash over her. 'I'm feeling shy!'

Her thoughts began reflecting on her, and Dominic's furrowed face gaze swept over her features. "Are you okay?" He asked, his voice laced with worry. 

Her smile faltered for a moment before she nodded, her hand curling around his neck. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just... so excited!" She confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Dominic chuckled and gently released her, stepping back. 

She felt a sudden loss of support and stumbled, landing hard on the ground. "Ouch!" She cried out, wincing in pain. Her eyes flashed with annoyance as she glared up at Dominic, but she quickly regained her composure when she remembered who he was. 

Instead of lashing out, she stood up, her voice taking on a sugary-sweet tone. "Why are you blocking the road?" She asked, her eyes locked on his, her expression a mask of innocence. 

Dominic's gaze roamed over her, from head to toe, before he shook his head and remained silent, leaving Arabella wondering what he was thinking.

She glanced down at herself, confusion etched on her face. "What? Is something on my face?" She asked, stepping closer to a nearby car mirror to inspect her reflection. Finding nothing out of place, she walked back to him. "There's nothing on my face. Why are you looking at me?" 

Dominic's expression turned incredulous. "Me? Look at you?" He repeated, his tone laced with amusement. He gestured towards the other side of the street, is words like a splash of cold water on Arabella's expectations. "I'm looking at her. I'm admiring her beauty." 

Her face darkened with anger. "How dare you!"

His expression turned puzzled as he stared at her. "What? Can't I admire someone just because you're here? Did I know you? Who are you to me?" He shot back, his questions firing rapidly, but Arabella cut him off before he could continue. 

"Don't you know I am..." she began, but bit back the words.

Her expression turned defiant as she crossed her arms over her chest, angling her body slightly to the right. "You expect me to admit I have a crush on you, right?" 

"Never! I don't have a crush on you! You're not even as handsome as my brother, let alone being presentable as a potential fiancé or caring like a friend!" 

Dominic's smile grew wider. "Congratulations," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. 

Her eyes narrowed. "Congratulations for what?" 

"For having such great people around you, clearly," Dominic replied, his eyes glinting with humor. He touched his chest, his expression turning mock-melancholy. "I had hoped to ask you out on a date, maybe become friends, and who knows, maybe even soulmates. But it's heartbreaking. I think I've got no chance now." 

Arabella's eyes widened in surprise, and she shook her head, trying to protest, but Dominic didn't give her a chance to get a word in edgewise.

"Bye." He said with a dismissive smile, slipping into his car without waiting for her response. 

Arabella knocked on the window, her voice urgent. "Open the door!" She called out, but he ignored her, pulling away from the curb. She sprinted after the car, but it was futile; he was already gone. 

"Oh, no!" She cried out in frustration, her eyes welling up with tears. She bit back the emotion, her self-reproach taking over. "Why did I say that? I shouldn't have said those words!" 

"Arabella, why did you pretend to be something you're not?" She berated herself, her anger and disappointment simmering. She watched as Dominic's car disappeared around the corner, feeling a surge of regret. 

Her teeth clenched in frustration as she turned back to her car. She slid in and slammed the door shut, but instead of relief, she felt a wave of heat wash over her, despite the air conditioning blowing cool air.