Kalina pulled herself out of Dominique's arms, her expression a mix of annoyance and curiosity as she glanced at Dominique. "Well, your mother seems nice," she remarked. "I wonder what happened to you," she added rhetorically in genuine curiosity, making Dominique glare at her.
Dominique's mood remained undeterred by Kalina's jab. He was clearly elated to be in his mother's good graces once again. "We need to get you a ring as soon as possible," he said, his voice tinged with urgency. "We are very lucky Mother didn't notice."
Kalina's eyebrows raised slightly, betraying her surprise. "So this is really happening," she stated, her tone tinged with disbelief.
"Yes, fueguito, it is," Dominique confirmed, using the nickname that elicited a look of disgust from Kalina.
"Don't call me that!" she snapped, her irritation evident.
Dominique's expression hardened as he grabbed Kalina's arm, a subtle but firm gesture. "Listen here, Red," he said, his voice low and threatening, yet controlled. "This is happening whether you like it or not. The earlier you accept this, the better for you."
He leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as he issued a chilling warning. "If you ruin this for me in any way, I promise you I will hurt the people you love in ways you will never imagine."
Kalina's eyes widened in shock at Dominique's threat, her heart racing as though it would escape through her rib cage but she remained defiant. However, the grip on her arm was enough to make her wince slightly.
Dominique noticed and reduced his grip. He would never physically hurt a woman. His mother would smack him with her slippers if she knew he was threatening Kalina. But what his mother doesn't know can't hurt her.
"Now you need to work on your face," Dominique continued, his tone cold and commanding. "Because I don't need you scrunching your face in disgust in public whenever I use an endearment on you."
Kalina's jaw clenched as she glared back at Dominique, her frustration palpable. The tension between them hung heavy in the air, each word and gesture laden with unspoken resentment and power dynamics.
Dominique's gaze bore into Kalina, his eyes searching for any sign of compliance or resistance. "Am I understood?" he asked, his voice firm yet tinged with a hint of concern.
Kalina nodded slowly, her expression guarded as she tried to mask the pain radiating from her wrist. Dominique released her arm, his features softening momentarily before he composed himself, adjusting his suit and straightening up.
As Dominique observed Kalina rubbing her reddened wrist, a pang of guilt shot through him. He felt disgusted at himself for exerting physical force on her. He opened his mouth to address the issue, but Kalina spoke up before he could utter a word.
"I need to go back home," she stated firmly, her voice tinged with urgency.
"You will, as soon as I'm done here," Dominique replied calmly, his tone authoritative. "I will take you to my mansion where you can freshen up and relax."
Kalina recoiled at the suggestion, appalled by the idea of being alone with Dominique. "What? No! I am not going to live with you," she exclaimed, her eyes flashing with defiance.
Dominique shrugged nonchalantly, his demeanor unwavering. "Well, your house is crawling with paparazzi. If you want to go there, then be my guest."
Despite her reluctance, Kalina realized she had no choice but to comply with Dominique's plan for the time being. With a resigned sigh, she took a seat on the sofa in Dominique's office, her mind racing with different thoughts. The thought of Aiden suddenly crossing her mind.
Then the realization hit her like a ton of bricks – her phone was nowhere to be found. Panic surged through her veins as she frantically searched her pockets and the surrounding area. She must have dropped it during her hasty descent from the fire escape, or perhaps she had left it at home.
Oh no, how will I call Aiden now? she thought, her heart sinking with worry.
"I can't find my phone," she declared, her voice cutting through the tense silence in the room.
Dominique sighed in frustration, rubbing his forehead as he weighed his options. Without looking up from the document in his hands, he responded, "I will get you a new phone."
"No! I want my phone. I need to call Aiden," Kalina protested, her voice tinged with desperation.
Dominique's irritation flared, but he quickly composed himself and reached for his phone. With a few swift taps, he sent a text to Liam, instructing him to go check for Kalina's phone at her house.
The tension between them hung heavy in the air, each moment fraught with unspoken resentment and underlying power dynamics. Despite their differences, they were bound together by circumstances beyond their control, navigating a delicate dance of trust and manipulation.
Dominique picked up the landline and dialed Lisa, his assistant, who answered promptly. "Good afternoon, Mr. Castillo," she greeted from the other end.
"Bring in a late breakfast for my fiancée," Dominique instructed, a playful glint in his eyes as he glanced at Kalina. "Make it a heavy one because I don't need people thinking I don't feed her enough," he added jokingly before hanging up.
Lisa was taken aback. In the five years she had worked for Dominique, she had never seen him smile, let alone joke around. She couldn't help but acknowledge that Kalina seemed to bring out a different side of him. With a sense of urgency, Lisa quickly went to fetch the late breakfast before Dominique's demeanor shifted back to his usual stern self.
"I'm not hungry. I want my phone," Kalina stated stubbornly, her arms crossed in defiance.
"Well, you are going to eat," Dominique asserted with authority. "I know you haven't had anything to eat, and I don't need you passing out on me."
He raised his hand to silence whatever retort Kalina was about to make as he received a message from Liam informing him that they found her phone, but it was broken. Quickly, he texted Liam back, instructing him to get her another one and transfer her data to the new device.
"Your phone is on its way," Dominique informed Kalina, placing his own phone on the glass table nearby, eliciting a sigh of relief from her.
A knock on the door diverted their attention, and Dominique invited the person in. Kalina's eyes widened in shock, her breath caught in her throat as she processed the unexpected sight that greeted her when the door swung open, her expression a mix of disbelief and intrigue.