Let's find out

Dave’s POV

The car remained silent as I drove, my hands firmly gripping the steering wheel. Celine sat beside me, her arms folded across her chest. She stared out the window, still visibly angry.

After several minutes, she finally broke the silence. “Where are we going?”

I ignored her deliberately.

She waited for a moment before speaking again. Looks like she knew how upset I was.

“Just so you know, I wasn’t planning to hurt myself. I know when to stop.”

I turned my head toward her, disbelief and frustration flashing across my features.

“Do you?” I asked.

She frowned, pouting her lips.

“What if your plan failed?” I continued, my voice tightening. “What if that truck had hit you?”

She immediately turned toward me. “Then maybe you should have thought about that before giving Sabrina what was mine!”

My jaw tightened. I looked away from her instead.

“You brought that place for me, Dave!” she continued, her voice filled with hurt. “You promised it would always be mine. So what right did you have to let Sabrina come there?”

I fell silent, guilt plastered on my face. I wanted to try pushing her away, to stop spoiling her, but I just can’t. She’s just too precious to me.

I exhaled slowly. “You’re right,” I admitted.

“It was my fault.”

She looked at me, her anger softened slightly. Then she moved closer and grabbed my face, turning it toward her.

“Do you love Sabrina?”

My fingers tightened around the wheel. Our faces were too close. I quickly pulled away, facing the road. Suddenly, being that close to her felt dangerous.

She looked down, a sad countenance on her face that made my heart ache and upset at the same time. I can’t stand her being unhappy, that’s why I always give her everything she wants.

“You always said you love me and me alone,” she mouthed.

My chest tightened. This again. I tried not to gaze at her.

Only then did I realize how seriously my actions and words had influenced her thinking of me. I was too careless with her, believing I was only trying to make her happy.

“You should know what I meant. I love you as my little sister,” I turned to her with a straight face.

Her expression fell instantly. The hurt in her eyes made me immediately regret saying it. I opened my mouth again, but no words came.

I would only make it worse. So I stayed silent.

Celine turned toward the window, refusing to look at me. I tried to focus on the road while watching her, afraid she might suddenly jump out in anger.

Celine’s POV

My eyes clouded, and I bit my lips to stop my tears. That jerk. I cussed Dave in my heart.

I refused to speak to him again until the car finally slowed to a stop. I looked through the window, and my eyes widened slightly when I recognized the familiar view.

We had arrived at one of Dave’s private houses, a beautiful beach house overlooking the water. This was the only place we ever came to alone.

He usually brought me here to relax whenever my nightmares became worse.

Dave turned off the engine and looked at me.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I shouldn’t have let Sabrina go there and interfere with your appointment.”

My lips slowly curved into a small smile. I bet I was the only one who had seen this soft side of Dave Montessori. I’m the only one who can tame the Boss.

“I’ll make it up to you,” he continued. “We can spend tonight preparing for your birthday party together.”

My smile broadened. That was exactly what I wanted to hear. My anger completely faded. He knows exactly how to make me happy.

“Really?”

He nodded, then his hand moved up to my hair to caress it, but he stopped midway. I frowned a little. He has always caressed my hair, and I love the feel of his hands in my hair. Why did he stop?

Dave withdrew his hand, and I could feel his hesitation.

I immediately leaned over and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. Whatever he’s trying to do, I won’t let him.

“Thank you, Dave,” I called his name sweetly.

He stiffened for a brief moment before relaxing slightly.

I let out a silent smirk. You may try to deny it, to push me away, but your body betrays you, Mr. Montessori. I pulled away with a satisfied smile and opened the car door.

“Come on.”

I stepped out and headed toward the house, feeling much lighter than I had when we arrived. For tonight, I had Dave all to myself.

**

I walked out of the shower and picked up my phone that had been buzzing for a while now. Tyra’s voice rang loudly the instant I picked up the call.

“Celine Sawyer, do you have two lives?” she yelled.

I pulled the phone from my ear and shut my eyes at her deafening scream. “Thanks for the love, girlfriend,” I said after putting the phone on speaker.

I could imagine her shaking her head in disbelief at my actions.

“Where are you right now? Is Dave with you?” Her voice lowered at the second part.

I chuckled a little and sat down on the bed, staring at my nightwear on the bed. “We are alone in his beach house. All night,” I said, deliberately making it sound naughty.

Tyra gasped from the other side of the call.

“Girl, you’re playing a dangerous game,” she answered.

I shrugged.

With a man like Dave, I need to play dangerous and vicious. Only then will he know that I wasn’t just a kid confessing an impulsive feeling, but that I was serious.

I just want him to see me. Not marry that witch Sabrina.

“I heard from Stephen how Dave came after you. How he grabbed you out of the car,” she said, excitement in her voice.

A smile spread across my face, remembering earlier. How Dave had thrown me into his arms, the way he hugged me like I was the only one who kept him breathing.

“Celine, he really cares for you. Are you not afraid doing this will make him hate you?” Tyra’s voice cut through my thoughts.

My smile disappeared, and I frowned, upset at her words.

“Dave will never.” I answered confidently. “I just want him to see me as more than a little girl.”

Tyra sighed. “Maybe he really sees you as a sister.”

I smirked, crossing my legs slightly. I’ve watched Dave all these years we’ve spent together. Earlier, I could feel the slip he made.

He was tense.

I refused to believe he doesn’t like me as more than just a sister, like he claimed.

“Well, tonight,” I gazed at the black nightwear. “I will find out.”

I said, and before Tyra could respond, I cut the call.

I picked up the cloth and put it on.

The strap arm left my chest a little exposed, and I loosened it a little, causing it to fall back a little, exposing my back. The length stopped at my knees.

I smiled to myself as I stared into the mirror. Dave Montessori, let me see you resist this.