Page 24 of Always You
“Thanks for letting me vent. You’re the best.”
She laughs. “Girl, I know I’m the best of the best.”
“One of these days, your ego is going to pop,” I say, popping the P. I laugh.
“I’ll grab something to eat. I’ll be on my way in ten.” I grin as I turned off the phone. I'm fortunate to have her in my life.
* * *
I scan through the applications, searching for a front desk assistant, when I hear the bells on the door ring. I quickly jerk my head up in surprise. Dominic bursts in like a raging bull, and before I can say anything, he starts talking.
“Is he, mine, Mila?” he shouts.
I ignore his outburst, narrowing my eyes back at the applications. Having him in my space is too much. A part of me wants to say no, he’s not yours. So, we can all move on from this, but that’s not who I am.
“Why did you hide him from me all these years? If you didn’t want to be in my life, you could at least tell me about Dante.”
I spun around, my fists clenched at my sides, eyes blazing, teeth grinding. Rage bubbles up inside me like molten lava, and I stomp toward him like a bull ready to charge. A deep-seated hatred surges up inside me.
“How was I supposed to tell you when I thought you were fucking dead, you moron!”
A devilish laugh erupts from his chest. “You knew I was getting better, Mila. Quit playing the martyr. You’re the one who told my mom I was a burden to you. You left me, don’t fucking lie to me.” His breathing is so heavy, he’s so close it’s like a sauna to my face.
My lips curl in disgust. Veins pulsing, hammering throughout my spine. Taking two steps so we’re eye to eye, I won’t let him intimidate me.
“Your mom is a fucking liar. I called her and your brothers for a month straight. I left several voice messages, but your bitch mom blocked me. The minute I left the hospital, they ignored every phone call I made to them. I called the hospital; they refused to give me any information. So, don’t give me your bullshit, Dominic.” I expel a heavy breath swallowing the dry patch in my throat.
I raise my chin, struggling to meet his towering height. My cold eyes bore into his. His confusion is palpable, and I can feel the tension radiating off of him. I step closer, pointing at him, my finger jabbing into his chest.
“Do you honestly think so poorly of me, to think I wouldn’t give a shit about you? I fucking loved you so much! I couldn’t function without you.” I try shoving him, but his hard muscular body is too big.
His eyes soften to a whisper, and the furrows in his brow deepen. I slap his hands away as they attempt to touch my face.
“You don’t understand the pain I’ve gone through. I wanted to give up on life and felt like I couldn’t go on without you. Losing my dad was hard, but losing you made me feel even more alone.”
Unbearable.
“One morning, I awoke feeling unwell and had to rush to the bathroom to vomit. Realizing that I hadn’t gotten my period the previous month, I immediately drove to the store for a pregnancy test. That morning, I knew my life had a purpose again. My son was like a beacon in the darkness, a miracle to me.”
He was about to open his mouth to talk, but I cut him off with my hand.
I’m not done talking, asshole.
“Nana couldn’t afford to take care of me and a baby, so we all moved in with Uncle Roger in Manhattan. I wrapped up the year of high school there and completed my studies to graduate. Dominic, I grieved for you for five fucking, goddamn years. It was up to me to take care of our son, so I worked hard—taking two jobs and continuing my studies. I was working at a gas station and helping out at Uncle Roger's studio while you were playing dress-up with your stuck-up fiancé.”
He winces. “Angel I’m…”
I interrupt him again.
“I’m not your Angel, your anything for that matter,” I exclaim.
His brown eyes pleading.
I shake my head. “How dare you think so little of me? You, Dominic, belittled me and annihilated me. You choose to believe the lies your mother spilled from her venomous mouth. If you ever loved me, you would have known where my heart was at.”
“Mila, fuck I’m sorry—” He runs his fingers on his chin, pacing up and down the studio.
Luckily, I’m here alone today.
