Inaya's POV

The dress that Angela and Caterina had chosen for me is absolutely gorgeous. It's just my type of a gown: simple with a touch of glam.

The bottom, ankle-length skirt is in a baby pink colour, whilst the top is rose gold with sequins. Caterina picked out a dusty pinkish nude chiffon scarf to match the outfit.

I look in the mirror 30 minutes after apply some makeup, I look different. I lost a little bit of weight, I look tired. But somehow, I look... pretty. I haven't said that in a while. I love how dressing up can really change the mood.

Caterina wanted to go to the party with me but her parents want her to arrive with them. I'm guessing so that they can introduce her to others at the event. I was told someone would pick me up to bring me to the place.

I walk down the stairs to see Darcie waiting at the kitchen counter.

"Darcie, hi!" I greet her.

My God... she looks absolutely gorgeous. She's in a floor length, black dress. It'a tight against her body, not a single wrinkle or bump on the dress. It's so smoothly against her skin as if it was made just for her.

"Hey! Inaya, right?" She smiles.

I nod. "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you! So do you. That colour suits you so much, you look adorable." She says.

Suddenly, it hits me why she's here. She must be Dominic's date.

My stomach twists in jealousy. I feel bitter about it. Not like I was expecting him to take me instead but I guess it can't be helped.

"Thank you..." I say shyly. "You must be going with Dominic."

"I am." She rolls her eyes. "I had other plans but I'm here now. Are you coming with us?"

"Uh, no, Darcie. I'm going separately." I quickly answer her.

Just as I was about to answer, Dominic's voice peers out of the corner of the room.

"Darcie, you're—" He doesn't finish his sentence.

I turn around to see him staring at me, not blinking once. His eyes trail from my feet, slowly all the way up to my eyes. The look in his eyes... it made my knees go weak.

It doesn't end there, he's dressed so... handsome. My heart skips a beat looking at him. He's dressed in all black. His shirt tight against his body making his muscles very visible. It looks like that one wrong move would rip it.

My cheeks begin heating up as I start fidgeting with my hands.

Caterina was right. He seems to really have an effect on women because Darcie looks like she's salivating.

"My, my, Dom. You look dashing. If you want, we could go for a quickie right now." She winks.

My eyes widen at that comment.

"I'll take you up on that offer later, Darcie." He answers.

A little of envy ignites in me.

I begin walking away when he stops me by asking, "Where are you going?"

"She's going to the party, duh." Darcie answers for me, which I'm grateful for because my words seem to be a little stuck.

"Did I ask you the question, Darcie?" His voice stern.

Darcie rolls her eyes again. "Whatever."

"Who invited you?"

"Angela and Caterina." I answer, simply.

"And with whom are you going with?" He asks me.

"With no one." I manage to answer as my nerves begin to act up. I turn my back towards him as if to walk away.

He steps up right behind me. There's enough space between us yet the heat emitting from his body is sending goosebumps down my back. The mere space between us gives me tingles. This is crazy.

"You're lying to me." He states.

"Then, I'm going with my boyfriend." I turn around to face him and all the courage I had built up had disappeared.

The look in his eyes are dark, grimly. My heart is beating so fast as if it's in a race. There's some pull between us that keeps bringing us closer. I try fighting it but my body automatically pulls towards his.

I hate this. I hate the impact he has on me.

He grabs my injured hand. "Boyfriend?"

"I was joking! Ow!" I wince and he quickly lets go of my hand.

"Oh... there's some tension there and it's definitely not innocent..." Darcie smirks.

"Fuck off." He turns away from me and I couldn't tell if that comment was towards me or Darcie.

"Can we bring Inaya with us? Please?" Darcie asks.

I quickly shake my head in disagreement. "No! It's okay! I have a ride coming soon to get me."

"Do whatever the fuck your want." Dominic huffs s he walks away.

"Please come with us!" She asks.

"I don't think that's a good—"

Darcie wraps her arm around mine and pulls me along with her.

This is great! I say sarcastically in my head.

I get in the back seat of his black badge Rolls Royce Ghost since no one is listening to my protests.

Dominic gets in the driving seat after holding the door for Darcie.

Again, a little bit of bitterness swirls in the back of my mind.

As we're on our way, I text Caterina saying I'm going to arrive with Dominic and Darcie. She texted me back with a winky face.

What's that supposed to mean? This girl. I shake my head.

"What are you smiling about? A special man in your life?" Darcie giggles.

"I wish." I smile nervously.

"I can find you a nice boyfriend. You're a pretty girl, good personality. You'll find a good man." Darcie smiles.

"That's sweet of you. Thank you. But—" Before I could say 'no, thank you' for the boyfriend offer, Dominic interrupts us.

"Darcie, mind your own fucking business. You're annoying the shit out of me." He snaps.

"Fucking hell, you're so grumpy. I'm just trying to spice up this poor girl's life. Being around you is probably hard enough for someone like her." Darcie's sass isn't helping my situation.

Out of nowhere, literally out of nowhere, Dominic slides his hands up Darcie's thigh.

A moan escapes her lips. "Naughty boy! Right in front of her? Again?"

I begin to squirm uncontrollably.

I knew this was going to be horrible idea. He's always finding ways to make me want to throw myself out of a moving vehicle and this time, we're actually in a moving vehicle.

She starts with placing her hand on his thigh and slowly reaches for his zipper on his pants.

"You look dashing enough for me to ignore your arrogance tonight, Mr. Belcastro." Her voice is laced with seduction.

I clear my throat but it's as if they forgot I exist because she continues to reach her hands in his—

"OH MY GOD!" I scream so loud that Dominic presses on his brakes to the point where we almost go flying against the windshield.

"What the fuck?" He yells. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. I would prefer if you two did this anywhere except in front of me." I say.

"She's right. You can't keep turning me on like this, Dom. Have some respect for other people." She says.

Darcie's starting to become confusing. She knew I was in the backseat and knew very well how uncomfortable I am...

At one point, I was terrified that since I spoke up, Dominic might just pull over to finish whatever him and Darcie were about to do just to torture me.

But thank the Heavens, he didn't do it.

The second we reached the hall and Dominic put the car gear in park, I basically flew out of that car in top speed.

I'm pretty sure there were people at the door who were greeting the guests and taking pictures but I swished past everyone without blinking. I didn't even trip on my heels, shockingly.

I find Caterina, who's looking at me with concern.

"You look... out of breath. What happened?" She asks.

"Dominic's such a... ugh!" I let out a grunt out of frustration.

"Ooooh, he's gotten under your skin." Cat laughs.

"I'm just glad that's over and I can finally enjoy the rest of the night." I sigh.

But little did I know, the night had only started.

- - -

A/N: I attached pictures of what I imagine the two of them in! (Fun fact: the people pictured are actually the people I "casted" for the characters lol)

Also, thank you so much for your words of wisdom and prayer in the last chapter! I really appreciate it! 🖤

Next Update: Wednesday, December 18, 2019.