Dominic knew exactly what he needed to do that day and wasted no time preparing to leave the house. But first, he made his way to Arette's room, where he stood silently, observing her peaceful sleep before quietly exiting.
It had been a week since their last conversation, and he had hoped that giving her space would help her come to terms with being the love of his life and accept it. However, it was time to end that period of distance.
With her big performance approaching, Arette needed to practice diligently if she wanted to be remembered as the greatest Soprano diva in the history of Evermore University of Music. As an opera singer, she required access to a piano, prompting Dominic to return to his late parents' mansion to retrieve his mother's instrument.
Despite being able to easily purchase a new piano for Arette, Dominic had a specific reason for wanting her to have his mother's piano.
Returning to his late parents' mansion posed a significant issue: Dominic's elder stepbrother, Damien, resided there, and the two were like day and night. Even when their parents were alive, Dominic and Damien would engage in heated arguments, and now, with no one to intervene, the potential for violence was high.
Damien was already forty, while Dominic was just thirty-five, and neither hesitated to resort to physical confrontation if provoked.
"Ah, if it isn't the bastard himself. What the fuck do you want now? Planning to snatch the house from me too?" Damien's words dripped with disdain the moment he spotted Dominic. It was typical of Damien to lash out at Dominic even after years of absence.
"I'm here to retrieve what I forgot," Dominic responded tersely. He had no interest in engaging in a war of hurling curse words or physical confrontation. He was solely focused on retrieving the piano and returning home to enjoy Arette's angelic voice.
"Haven't you taken enough already? Your greed knows no bounds," Damien scoffed, exhaling a puff of smoke from the oversized cigarette between his fingers and taking a sip of whiskey.
"I'm here to retrieve my mother's piano. I have no interest in the house. I might be a monster, but I'm not heartless. And if I did want the house, I could take it without bothering to show up here. Do you really think you're worth that much respect?" Dominic's words dripped with disdain, causing Damien to clench his fists in anger. He glared fiercely at Dominic, who met his gaze with indifference.
"One day, Dominic, mark my words, I'll have you begging for mercy on your fucking knees. And when that day comes, I'll relish in watching you suffer until your last fucking breath," Damien's threat was laced with venom, but surprisingly, Dominic remained unfazed, not even a hint of anger in his demeanour.
"Sure, sure. My men will move the piano now, if you don't mind. Being in your presence is making me want to hang myself," Dominic stated casually before exiting the mansion, leaving Damien seething with anger, smashing things in his wake.
"Chairman, the coach mentioned he's en route," Dominic informed Matthew as they sat in his BMW M4, to which Matthew responded, "Who?"
"The vocal coach for Miss Arette. He's on his way," Matthew repeated, observing Dominic's neutral expression shift into a frown.
"What do you mean 'he'? Is the coach a man? How could you allow a man to coach Arette? I won't tolerate any of those sleazy bastards laying eyes on her! If that guy sets foot on my property, I will kill him," Dominic declared, closing his eyes and attempting to calm his nerves. However, the mere thought of another man looking at Arette sent his mind into a tailspin.
He was angry.
"FUCK!" He growled, reaching for a revolver sitting on the car seat, he aimed at Matthew and fired three shots. Matthew, who had been working for Dominic for over a decade now, knew him so well. Matthew's quick reflexes saved his life as he sensed Dominic's escalating anger and had already prepared to escape if needed. After the shots rang out, Dominic's rage subsided, but the headrest of the driver's seat bore the brunt of his fury.
As Matthew cautiously returned to the car, he spoke up, "Mr. Ruiz is the top vocal coach and he would be perfect for Arette. I conducted thorough research, and everyone speaks highly of him." Despite Dominic's silence, Matthew knew that Dominic wouldn't harm Mr. Ruiz.
Dominic, now dressed in comfortable burgundy silk trousers and matching silk robe, quietly entered Arette's room. To his surprise, he found her smiling, a rare sight he hadn't witnessed before. However, her face drained of colours as soon as she noticed him.
He also noticed a young maid who had been laughing with Arette. The girl suddenly rose from the chaise lounge chair and dropped to her knees. "Chairman, I'm so sorry. I made a terrible mistake. I know I shouldn't be talking to Miss. I'm truly sorry," April pleaded, tears streaming down her face. She feared this would be the end for her.
"Arette..." Dominic ignored April's pleas, causing Arette to gulp nervously as she stared at Dominic in fear. "Are you happy?" Dominic unexpectedly asked, catching Arette off guard. She hesitantly nodded in response, and Dominic shifted his gaze to April.
"Does this girl make you happy?" Dominic directed his question to Arette, inquiring if April brings her happiness. Arette wasted no time nodding in affirmation.
"Oh..." Dominic murmured. "If she stays with you all the time, will you be happy all the time?" Arette nodded once more, confirming her happiness with April's presence.
"Little girl, what is your name and how old are you?" Dominic directed his question to April, curious about her identity because apart from Mrs. Wolfe, he never paid attention to any of their helpers.
"M-my name is April Anderson and I'm 19," April stammered, not understanding where the conversation was going or how the situation was unfolding.
"April Anderson, from today onward, your sole responsibility is to remain with Arette at all times," Dominic declared, his words shocking both girls. "You will be accountable for her emotional well-being. If she's sad, you'll be in trouble, and if she ever sheds a tear, You will die."
As Dominic's words sank in, Arette was bewildered. The idea of someone else being responsible for her emotions was incomprehensible. What if she experienced mood swings during her period? Would April be punished for it?
It didn't make sense.
Arette wasn't willing to let April agree to such atrocious orders, but before she could intervene, April nodded in agreement. However, Arette realized that April likely felt she had no choice but to comply, as Dominic's words sounded more like commands than suggestions.