New Plans

Dominic

“Yes, that’s right. “

I tell Max. 

“Is this the same Violet Conor was in love with since high school?”

“I... I have no idea. Maybe? Same name, I guess it’s the same woman.”

I start glancing around the room for my cigarettes. I haven’t smoked for the entire evening, but I decide “fuck it,”

“It must be her. But isn’t this the same one you dated?”

Max goes on. “I mean, you went out with her a few times, but then Conor said he was in love with her so you dropped the whole thing. “

“We never dated. We just went out a few times. But yeah, maybe. “

“You don’t remember?”

Max laughs, “Bro, you don’t just randomly date anyone. I am excluding the models like Anastasia you sleep with for a week or two. And you’re saying you don’t remember if that's the same, Violet?”

“Maybe. “

I say and finally, spot my box of cigarettes. I pick up one and light it. I take a very deep inhale and Max argues. 

“What do you mean maybe?!”

“All I am saying is this is in the past. She is married to Conor now. “

“Yeah, it would be really shitty if you were both in love with the same woman, wouldn’t it?”

My brother says.

“Yeah,...”

Imagine that. 

I think bitterly. 

“MAX!”

A girl yells over the phone, “We are waiting for you, come on!”

“Coming!”

My brother yells.

“Sorry about this,  “

he says, “So, how long did you say you were staying for?”

“I spoke to Father and he said they are starting to work on something new. It’s very promising and he needs my input. “

“What about your company here?”

Max asks. 

“I can delegate my work for now. And I am sure the business here won't take that long. A month or two tops. “

“Two months!?”

“It’s only until everything is set up here. “

“What about Conor? Can’t he do it?”

“Father thinks it would be better if I take upon this. “

“Cool, “

Max says “Where are you staying?”

“For now at my old apartment. But to be honest I haven’t really thought of what would be for the best. “

The main issue I have is that I don’t want to be back in the family house, but I also can’t tell Max that. 

“Anyway, how are things where you are?” I ask, “In fact, where exactly are you?”

“MAX!”

Someone calls him again. 

“Gotta go, bro. “

He says, avoiding my question. 

“You haven’t been arrested again recently, have you?”

I ask. 

“Bye, Dom. Talk to you tomorrow. Say hi to Val from me. “

Aaaand he hangs up. 

“Val?”

I say, taking another drag from my cigarette, staring at the now dark screen of the phone. I finish my cigarette and head to the shower. 

I run the warm water and rest my head against the tiles. 

Violet is married to my own brother. My Violet. 

“Damn it,” I snarl. My hand closes in a fist and lands on the tiled wall, the water still running down my back. 

***

Violet 

Gareth opens the door of the car for me and smiles. 

“Good morning, Miss Violet, “

He says, “You look great today. “

“Thank you. I have an important meeting this afternoon. Can we stop for a coffee on the way to the office?”

“Of course, “

he says and gets in. My phone rings and I expect Evie. It’s my assistant. 

“Miss Violet,”

He greets, “I am so sorry for the last-minute change. “

“What is it, Kyle?”

“Mister Hale called and asked to meet him in the office. “

“My husband?”

My heart sinks at the prospect of meeting Conor. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see him today. 

“Oh, no.” my assistant says, “Philip Hale. “

I exhale relieved and relax against the seat. 

“Thank you, Kyle. No worries, I am on my way but I will ask the driver to change the direction. Please cancel my meeting in our office then. “

“Right away. “ 

We soon reach the office building where the headquarters of one of the companies that belong to the Hale empire is. 

I tell Gareth he’s free for the day because if Philip asks me to be present at a meeting, they usually last for the entire day. I enter and the employees greet me. His assistant takes me to Philip’s office and I get in. 

“Violet, “

Philip and I exchange a kiss once it’s the two of us, “You look great. Please take a seat. “

I take the sat offered opposite him. 

“ And I am sorry we couldn’t really talk much last night at the gathering, “ My father- in-law says. 

“Oh, no, “

I wave a hand, “It was expected. “

“Is… is everything between you and Conor okay?”

He asks, frowning. I am tempted to tell him what his son did, but then I remember what Conor said and decide against it. 

“It’s… it's as usual. “

I say eventually and that's partly true. They don’t know about my hopes for a divorce, but I am also hoping they will soon have no choice but to accept it. Once I have the money, it’s over. 

“ And thank you for coming on such short notice.”

Philip says, 

“No problem, “ I smile, “I just don’t know why I am here. “

“You will soon find out. “

Philip checks his watch. 

“He should be here any minute now.”

“Who?”

I ask confused when the door opens and I turn around. 

“Dominic!”

Philip exclaims and gets up. 

Dominic comes in. He is wearing a black suit with a black shirt and tie. 

Even through the fabric, I can see the outlines of his sculptured forearms and back. Dominic has always been great at sports, but now that he is slightly older he looks so much stronger and manly. 

Very hot, too. 

What am I thinking?

“Father, “

he greets in a low, deep voice. Then he turns to me. 

My heart is hammering but I find it in me to get up as well. Why is he here…. 

Cold dark eyes pierce mine as he takes my hand in his. He holds my eyes and my mind is suddenly filled with the image of him, kissing me. 

“Hello, Violet“

he says. 

I blink a few times, trying to focus on the now, and not thinking of him, burying his hands in my hair and kissing me. 

“I… yes. Hi. “

I manage and pull my hand instantly. 

“It was a pleasure to meet you last night. “ he says, “I am Dominic. “

“I don’t forget so easily. “

I say evenly. Something passes his face and I realize what I just said. I pull away instantly from him, and he pulls away as well. 

Philip doesn’t notice the exchange and moves to sit behind his desk. We take the seats opposite him. 

Dominic is sitting less than a meter away from me and I catch the scent of his perfume.  I sit straighter in my seat, trying to think of everything else but Dominic. 

He leans back in the chair and drapes a hand over the armrest. He is irresistibly hot and he knows it. 

My eyes flicker to him when Philip rests his elbows on the desk and clasps his palms. 

“Right. “ he grins, “I called you today because I need both of you for something.  “