The Girl In The Photos.

Chapter 5: 

 I woke up in Dante's penthouse with a sharp pain in my chest. I couldn't stop thinking about last night, including the fake smile on Camille's face, the flashing cameras and Barry's derisive eyes. I wasn't even sure which I hated more about him or myself or possibly both. The mattress was too supple. 

The air quality was too high. I was out of place here. The quiet drew me out of the guest room. The space was too large and too silent and it felt like I had been transported to Birmingham Palace in my dreams.

If there was something I loved about last night, it was the shock on both Barry and 

Camille's face, they never believed I could move on quickly and Barry might have a cardiac arrest soon

He must be a joker if he thinks I would stick around begging him to take me back and I never knew he was this stupid that he hadn't even signed the divorce papers.

Or maybe he wasn't stupid after all.

Damn him.

Fresh coffee and the expensive , sweet scent of leather and sandalwood filled the air. Dante wasn't there when I followed it to the kitchen.

 I walked carefully around the large room curious as to why I felt so uncomfortable. Maybe it was only a contract and a part of me was whispering that I had made a mistake while the other part was congratulating me on a job well done. Then I noticed a door that was open a little. I should not have entered. But I did. The room was dark with expensive furniture and heavy curtains. But it was the images on a nearby shelf that drew my attention. 

A young girl. Her hair was curly black and her eyes were bright green, displaying a stuffed lion while grinning at the camera. Dante was shown holding her, staring at her or standing close to her in each of the dozens of photos that were taken of her. 

He looked so happy in those photos. So contended. She must be his daughter. I picked one of the photos and that was when the door burst open.

“Don't you have respect for people's privacy?”

I was frozen. 

“You were spying.” He said, his voice laced with pure anger.

“No, I…”

“Don’t you dare go through my stuff again.”

“I wasn't, I just stumbled into the room.”

“If you are spy then I hate you..”

There was silence between us and I managed to ask.

“Who is she?”

He didn't respond. He just looked at me, his eyes filled with something hard. 

Is she. . . gone?”

 Nothing.

 His quiet voice spoke louder than any words could. 

“I know —”

I couldn't finish, he left without saying a word 

A flurry of cameras and flashing lights arrived the following day. After breakfast, Dante had made plans for both of us to meet some business associates. I groaned inwardly but I had to attend it.

Dante grabbed my waist and drew me in as I was readjusting my posture and trying to act like I was dying inside. 

Then he gave me a kiss. Not a firm peck or something that was practiced. And then in front of everyone including Barry, he gave me a passionate, deep kiss.

 But my heart? My heart betrayed me even though my body froze. It fluttered in unexpected places .

  

“That should shut him up,” He whispered close to my ear. “ as he finally started to back off.”

I tried to steady my breathing by blinking. From the other side of the crowd I could see Barry. He had lost his smile. 

Barry was already seated with a couple of other shareholders when we arrived at the boardroom. 

 Dante settled in slowly unconcerned 

 He set a folder down in front of Barry. 

“What’s this?” Barry said in a tight voice. 

“Your copy of the divorce decree.* Dante stated calmly. *We need your signature today and now.”

 Barry laughed. “I am not subject to your orders.”

Calm but deadly, I leaned forward.

“ Barry, I have already signed mine. 

You might as well complete it. Or perhaps you're afraid?”

His eyes squinted. 

“You think you can yell at me just because you're playing house with a billionaire? Because you can now bark?”

“No. I can bite too. And I'm not playing house. I'm taking my life back.”

Camille appeared uneasy. She moved around in her chair as if she wanted to vanish. 

After that Dante got up. 

“Here's another surprise since you won't sign. Your name has been removed from the list of authorized investors for the Sapphire expansion as of this morning.”

  Barry stood up with wide eyes. 

“That is not possible.”

“ I just said,” Dante was as composed as ever. “Professionally I had grounds because you brought your mistress to a corporate board event.”

Camille let out a cry. She choked “Mistress?”

 Barry glanced at her. 

“Don't cause a commotion.”

But it was too late. With her heels clicking fiercely against the marble floor she got up and bounded out. 

Barry growled at me.

“This isn't over.”

I made eye contact with him. 

“You are correct. It isn't. But it will. Soon.,x

 He silently signed the papers. After giving the man I had once loved one final glance I came to the conclusion that he was unworthy of me. 

And I was no longer his property. 

“You performed admirably. Don't you think so?” Dante muttered as we left the building. 

“Yes, without a doubt.”

My mind flashed back to the little girl in the photos.She was someone important. Would he not talk about her? Was she gone? 

 Dante got into the car beside me . We sat silently for a while. Only the faint murmur of traffic surrounding us.

 I wanted to ask him again so I turned to him. 

But something in his eyes stopped me. His secrets, whatever they were, were buried deep. And I wasn't sure if I was prepared to unearth them.