Chapter Six

Dominique

Seven years ago.

" Dom, what is this I'm hearing? " My mom storms into my room. She looked livid.

" What? " I said getting up from the bed.

" You're dating a boy?"

" Mom..."

Shut up. I was at a Bible reading with sister Martha and all of a sudden she looked at me and said my son was gay. She said her daughter told her you were walking around school flaunting it proudly. "

" Well... yeah. I have a boyfriend. " I said

" Are you stupid, Dominique? " My mom yelled. " What will the whole world say when they find out that Miranda Reed's son is gay. "

" I don't give a fuck about the whole world. They can die for all I care. " I said picking up my phone.

" You won't do this to me, Dom, you hear? " Mom said. " It will be over my dead body before you can be gay. "

" Well...okay " I said not in the least bothered.

Mom gave me a hard look before walking out of my room. Damn!! She had found out. I didn't want her to find out now. That stupid Clarissa had gone home to tell her dumb mother.

Well I couldn't care less. Covering myself with the duvet, I snuggled my pillow and closed my eyes excitedly. Tomorrow was school and I wanted to see Ryan. Ryan was my boyfriend. I hated school and Ryan was literally the only person who kept me going. I drifted off to sleep anticipating the after school date Ryan and I had planned.

I woke up very early the next morning and joined the bus. I got to school and waited in the empty class where Ryan would come to see me and we would talk everyday. But he didn't come. Disappointed I went back to my class hoping that Ryan would show up later but he never did. I asked around and everyone said the same thing. They hadn't seen him. I couldn't concentrate at school. Once it was over I grabbed my bag and ran out of the gate. I got into a taxi that took me straight to Ryan's house. When I got there I knocked but no one answered. I tried his number. it wasn't going through. I stood there for minutes wondering where they could have gone.

" The Parkers have moved. " A voice said

I looked at my side. The voice belonged to a child. Probably not more than four years.

" Moved??" I asked going on one knee so I could meet the child's height.

" Yes. I heard mommy talk about it with Mrs Parker."

" And what did they say? " I asked

" Mrs Parker told mommy that a woman had given them plenty money and said she didn't want them around here again because their son was bad influence on the woman's son. "

" And did you see what this woman looked like?"

" Mommy said she looked really stylish and had said her name was Miranda. "

" Thank you. " I said giving the child a chocolate from my bag.

Fuming, I walked back to the taxi that had been waiting for me. How could mom do that!?? I thought. How could she!!!!

The ride to my house was less than fifteen minutes. I got out, paid the driver and ran into the house. I found mom sitting in the dining room sipping tea.

" How could you? " I shouted. " How could you make them move?"

" And a good afternoon to you too, Dom. "

" Cut the rubbish. " I snapped. " You're so heartless."

" Call me whatever you want darling but it was for your good. "

" My good?? Being with Ryan would have done me good. "

" Well that won't be possible now will it? "

" I'll find Ryan, you'll see. "

" And I will ship you off to some unknown island before you disgrace me. " Mom said

" We'll see about that. " I stormed upstairs to my room and slammed the door

I couldn't believe mom would go to such lengths all because she didn't want me dating a boy. She was in the for the biggest shock of her life cause I won't back down.

Four months later, it was my eighteenth birthday. I hadn't been able to get in touch with Ryan and he had started fading out of my mind.

" Happy birthday, Mon bébé " Asher said as I came downstairs. He was always the first to wish me.

" Happy birthday. " My older sister Danielle said.

" Thank you. " I said giving them hugs.

" Mom is out of town and I have a board meeting to attend. so we won't be able to have our traditional family dinner. "

I needed. " It's fine. "

I wasn't even bothered in the slightest. I was still upset at my mom for the stunt she pulled with Ryan. And not only, she had forced me to date Kimberly, her closest friend's daughter. She threatened to dump me at my grandmother's place in France if I didn't comply. I had agreed of course because I didn't want that.

" What about dad? " I asked.

" He's at a crime scene. " Danielle replied. " He left you a note though. "

Happy birthday my dear boy, the note read. Papa is sorry he isn't there to wish you but I promise to spend time with you when I get back. Have fun.

I folded the note and tucked it in my pocket.

" I'll be going out later in the evening. "

" Stay safe. " Asher said leaving the house.

I took my food upstairs and ate alone while fiddling my phone. My friends had spent a whole month planning my birthday party at Big Steppa, the most elite club in the country. I was so excited. I had to invite Kimberly too or she would complain to her mother who in turn would complain to her mother who in turn would complain to her mother who in turn would complain to my mother who would yell at me and I wasn't about to let anyone ruin my day.

At 8:pm, my loud friends pulled up in their cars and began honking and yelling my name. I arranged my hair, took one final look in the mirror and ran out to meet them. I got into the passenger seat of Ron's car and we drove discussing and laughing loudly.

In about thirty minutes, we arrived at Big Steppa. It was a two storey club and I had rented the middle floor for my party. We got out of the cars and got into the elevator which took us to the middle floor.

The elevator doors opened, and music immediately swallowed us.

I laughed.

This was exactly what I needed.

For the next few hours, I forgot about Mom. I forgot about Ryan. I forgot about everyone.

My friends dragged me onto the dance floor, and I let myself get carried away. The music was deafening, the lights flashed across the room, and people kept pulling me into photographs.

“Birthday boy!” Ron yelled.

I laughed and shoved him away.

By the time I finally escaped the dance floor, my head was spinning from the heat and noise.

“I need air,” I announced.

“You need water,” Kimberly called after me.

“I need neither.”

“You're going to fall!”

“I have excellent balance.”

I immediately stumbled into a table.

The laughter behind me followed me all the way toward the restroom.

“Shut up!” I yelled without turning around.

I pushed through the bathroom door and leaned against the sink.

Finally.

Silence.

Well, almost.

I splashed cold water onto my face and stared at my reflection.

“Happy birthday, Dominique.”

“Talking to yourself?”

I froze.

There was a man standing near the far wall.

I hadn't even noticed him.

He looked completely out of place in a club filled with people my age. Black suit. Dark hair. A watch that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. The aura he exuded was heavy. He reeked of power and wealth.

And those eyes. They watched me with so much fascination. I was enchanted.

" How long have you been there? " I asked moving close to him.

" I was here way before you showed up. " He drawled.

I swallowed hard. He was a sight to behold and his voice made me feel things I had no business feeling.

" I want you. " I said without thinking. I had always been a bold child.

The stranger raised a brow and smirked.

" How old are you today?"

" Eighteen.."

" That's awfully young. "

" I'm an adult. " I said. " I can make choices for myself now and I want you. "

I reached out and trailed my finger down his shirt. I stopped at his belt, loosened it and slipped my hand inside. He didn't stop me, instead his eyes darkened.

" Don't test me boy " He said to me. " I don't play these games. "

" It's not a game. " I was breathing hard now. I was probably looking and sounding desperate but I didn't care. I had dated Kimberly for a few months and had even kissed her occasionally but I never felt anything like this. I had to explore this feeling.

The man slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a key card.

" The first room at the top floor. " He said