Chapter 7

• [Amanda]
• The car ride was a blur. I was too engrossed in my own abyss of thoughts to notice anything else. It was only when I heard a distinct knock on the car window that I realised that the car wasn’t moving anymore. I schooled my expression. I summoned every ounce of my will strength to deal with this mess. 
• I unlocked the car and got out, Domic’s manager was waiting for me patiently. My gaze travelled towards the luxurious residential area that we were in. “Kindly follow me”, he said. I had no other choice, did I? I nodded, and he started walking ahead of me. Maybe brunette and Dominic have already reached. He flashed the residence card, and we walked up to the elevator. After a tortuous silent ride, we reached the 24th floor.
• “I apologise for what happened today”, he finally spoke as we made our way to his condo. “I...don’t know what to say”, I replied honestly because I had no idea what I could say.
• The door was opened by another staff member. I swept a glance around. The guy was practically living in the lap of luxury and suddenly I felt like cheap dirt in this dazzling place. My gaze then rested upon my ex-husband who was staring back at me. My jaw clenched. His eyes had this strange look which I did not wish to interpret. 
• “Where is the brunette?” was the first question I asked because she was nowhere in sight. 
• “Who?” Dominic’s manager asked me. 
• “Uh...the girl who was with him?” I clarified, hooking my thumb at Dominic as I spoke. 
• “Oh, you mean Grace. She...was a little upset, so I sent her home”, the man beside me answered. I caught Dominic's gaze, who nodded mutely. Dominic hesitated for a while before he started with, “Mandy I…” 
• Oh, he wasn’t getting to call me by my nickname he had lost that right five years ago. I interjected, “Mr. Giovanni,”, I did not miss the way he flinched at the formal address. Good. “The shit you pulled today was unacceptable. I don’t know why you did what you did, but that did jeopardise my work. Do you think that real life is as smooth as a movie? Well, news flash, you are fucking wrong!” I was seething by the end. 
• His gaze had hardened, and I could see that silently he was fuming. His eyes darted over to his manager, “Alex, leave us”. My heart thudded. Alex made a feeble protest but eventually conceded. When the front door closed with a soft click, my heart started pounding. I was alone with him. The staff was somewhere in the condo, but they would really help me if he did something to me? 
• I did not move from my place. His lips tugged up, formed into a smirk, “You are still the feisty one I see”.  The words grated on my skin. I glared at him, “Well, can’t be meek and submissive in this cruel world can I?” 
• He chuckled, shaking his head, “That’s true”. He sauntered towards me once again. This time his gait was more confident and his eyes had a determined look. I gulped. He stopped just a few inches away from me. Then, as if he had the right to, he cupped my chin with his thumb and forefinger and whispered, “Be my mistress”.