⚜️⚜️⚜️
*****

Her heart raced excitedly in her chest as she stared at him. After all these time, she wasn't really sure of how she felt upon seeing him again. She felt like running into his firm arms, and letting his sweet cologne encompass her, the feeling of his kisses on her skin, and the warmth of his breath which was like the calm breathe of the evening air.

As she looked at him from afar, with several meters in between him and her, did she realize how much she had missed him. All the emotions she had fought to cage in her heart, but here on seeing him, her heart had begun to dance to the song of his heartbeat.

His voice kept whispering into her ears as she recalled her last moments with him. When she left, she had thought that she was whole, but no. Alex had that important part of her which she never even knew she had lost until he was only a few paces away from her. The truth was, no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she was incomplete without him.

She took a step towards him, but her mind was reluctant as she recalled his last words;

"Dominique, I don't understand what you are trying to say?" He asked as his forehead scrunched together.

His forehead scrunched together even more, "Minnie, you're scaring me."

He removed his hands from her, "What do you mean?"

He didn't give her the chance to complete her statement when he raised his hands, "enough, please."

The memories of his words flashed before her eyes, and the same pain she had felt at that moment came back to her, and she pressed her eyes tightly as she let the pain consume her, and the tears flowed down her cheeks.

Alexander was through with the call, and he stared right ahead. From her clouded view, she could tell that he suspected that he was being watched, or he knew that she was there, watching him. And, just has she had guessed, he moved his face towards her, but she ducked behind the building before he could see her.

She crouched beside the wall of the bathroom, and she clutched her chest as a strange pain filled her chest. She could not face him. She wasn't ready to see him. She could not face Alexander, because she was scared of getting rejected a second time.

She would not survive it if he told her off one more time. She feared the worst might happen when he sees her, and she just wasn't prepared for all that. No, she could not let him set his eyes on her.

She just couldn't.

She was right there, Alex thought as he searched his environment with his eyes. For a split second, he had the feeling that Dominique was close to him. She felt so close, and he lost her again. He buried his face in his palms as he sighed. Maybe it was just a feeling. All through the months, he had been having several strikes of emotions in him, and each sense of his body pulled him to the imagery of her. All those lanes he had traveled on, all leading to a dead end. It was as though she disappeared with the winds.

His mornings were never the same without the sunshine of her smile to brighten up his day. His afternoons were pointless without her stubborn attitude to life. His evenings were dull as the gloomy weather without her chatters which were like the best music he'll ever listen to. His nights were unbearable without the warmth of her body on his skin.

A year ago, when he had walked up to that strange girl in the park, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. One kiss from her, and he was forever under her spell of love. She came into his life, and he'll never be the same.

He pulled his phone out, and dialed Noah's number. Noah was right about one thing, and that was the fact that Dominique was around this particular area, and she was avoiding him. The only thing he couldn't understand was why she left without telling him anything. He was left to guess what might have happen, and his stupid twin refused to tell him anything. His father and his uncle, however, both seemed happy after Dominique's disappearance, but he could not say the same about his mother and Andrew.

His mom had felt that Dominique's disappearance was suspicious, and she really wanted to find her, as much as he. While, on the other hand, Andrew became more reserved and full of secrets. His movements where crooked, and everyone in the house began to suspect him.

Even he began to let in the idea that Andrew was aware of Dominique's whereabouts, and he's refused to let him know. After all, he was the last person to see her before she left.

However, just a few days back, Noah had mentioned seeing and speaking with Dominique and Alex's joy knew no abound, and he instantly began to look for her. His eyes flickered back to the edge of the building as he glanced there again. There was this tugging feeling in his heart that she was right there, and he couldn't shake the feeling off.

So, he moved to the side of the latrine, but to his uttermost shock, there was no one there. However, he could still feel her presence; she was here, and he has to find her.

💮💮💮

Dominique hurried back to the stands, as she fought back the urge to slap herself repeatedly for running away from him. She had the chance to get out there, and run into his arms, but she did the exact opposite. What was he doing back there? How did he even know about the fort?

More importantly, did he see her?

To answer this question, she just had to hope he hadn't seen her. Yet, another part of her wished that he saw her, so that maybe, he'll be able to come pull her out of her own hesitation.

She got to the stands and saw that Genesis was refilling the glasses.

"Hey Gen,"

Genesis looked up from what she was doing and on seeing her, she sighed. "Good heavens, where have you been?"

She tugged at her earlobes, and gave a nervous laugh, "Nowhere really, just the toilet."

Her friend stared at her for a while, and Dominique felt that she doubted her, but Genesis nodded, "Okay, then. Listen, I have to serve this to the tables, and after what happened earlier, I'll not want you anywhere near those savages."

Dominique smiled, "Thanks Gen."

Gen smiled, "Don't thank me, dear," She said, and walked away from the stand and unto the still buzzing guests.

After she was gone, Dominique's smile dropped as she instantly recalled Alex as he stood in front of the lat. Once again, her heart stabbed her on her foolishness. She really was so foolish, as she never ever stopped loving him, and she missed him so damn much.

That's it, she couldn't do it anymore. She could no longer hold back her feelings. She could no longer let Matthew's words get her. Yes, he is Alex's father, and yes, she ought to obey elders, but she is not who Matthew thinks she is, and she will have to prove that to him.

She has to stand up to Alex's father, and she knew that it would be easy as long as Alexander will be by her side. As long as he was with her, no other person mattered.

Dominique sniffed back her tears, and took in a deep breath. She knew what to do, and it all starts with finding him.

"Excuse me," A female's voice called from behind her, and Dominique pulled on a smile before she spun around to the person. She was taken aback when she saw Tatiana standing in front of the stand alone.

"Um, how may I help you?" Dominique asked.

Tatiana's lips curled into a half smile, and she walked around to where Dominique stood, and only stopped a few feet from her, "Who are you?"

Dominique was surprised at the fact that she was speaking to her. "I'm Dominique, representing the Lovers Club."

Tatiana pretended to search her mind by rolling her eyes, "Oh, yes. You guys are here to supply the drinks we need, right?"

Dominique smiled, "Yes."

But, Tatiana's smile fell immediately, "Why are you now pulling unnecessary attention to your sorry self?"

Dominique grimaced, "What are you talking about?"

Tatiana laughed once, "You know very well what I mean. My mom has never shown concern to silly and clumsy waitresses who spill juice all over her assistant," She said, and looked Dominique up and down, "So, what makes you special?"

Dominique stared at Tatiana, and simply practiced her breathing techniques, as she tried to calm her nerves down. It was obvious that the lady standing in front of her was an overspoilt, and rude person, and she was there to make her lose her temper.

Tatiana noticed this, and her eyes went red. She moved closer to Dominique, but her eyes caught hold of a filled glass cup with red wine in it on the table, and a smirk came up her lips. She walked to it, and grabbed the glass.

Dominique followed Tatiana with her eyes and saw that she picked up the glass that Genesis had probably forgotten to take along. Tatiana walked to Dominique, and without warning, she raised the glass over Dominique's head, and poured the wine on her.

Dominique shirked as the liquid came over her, and she verged backwards.

Tatiana laughed. "Now, we are even. A servant has no right to doing something and getting away with it. This is payback for pouring juice on Mara," She said, but her smile froze on her lips as her eyes looked beyond Dominique. "Wha-t are you doing here?" She stuttered.

Dominique wiped off the wine that was in her face with the back of her palm, before she turned around to see who Tatiana was speaking to, and her heart warmed up on seeing Alex.

Tatiana walked to Alex, "Hey, what are you doing here?"

Alexander stared at her but he didn't reply her, and only looked back at Dominique, "Minnie, are you okay?"

Tatiana was shocked that Alexander had spoken to the bar girl, instead of herself. Meanwhile, Dominique simply nodded. She didn't want any trouble, but it was obvious that Tatiana meant only that. Now, that Alex was here, she knew that he wouldn't spare Tatiana.

Much to Tatiana's disgrace, Alex walked over to Dominique, and for a split second, they stared at each other. He was reluctant to get rejected by her, and she was hesitant to let her heart rule her again.

"Minnie," Alex's lips whooshed out her name, and he reached for her hand, "Are you okay?" He asked again.

Dominique released the breath she didn't even know she was holding, and looked at him. This was her last chance to make everything right again, even if many will say that she's crazy. Nothing will ever be perfect, but as long as she had him with her, then all is good.

So, fuck my past; fuck bad luck; fuck Dinah; fuck Vincent; fuck Matthew; fuck Andrew, and every other motherfucking assholes out there who say she and Alexander J. Canaan won't be together. Also, damn whatever will happen. I don't care what happens. Dominique said to herself as her eyes moistened.

She pushed past her hesitant self, and ran to him. He held her tight to himself, and took in her breath. His grip was tight on her as if he'll never let her go. She sobbed into his chest, as she thought of how stupid she was all this while. He was the answer to everything.

Tatiana was taken aback by this, and this was clearly shown on her face, as her eyes bulged out in shock, while her mouth was left open.

"I'm sorry," Dominique muttered under her sobs, but Alex placed his arms on the sides of her hands, and pulled her from himself. He brought his face to hers, and their eyes met. He smiled and cupped her face in his arms, and angled his lips over hers, capturing them in a soft kiss. As his lips met hers, she felt the current of passion rush throughout her whole body, and her entire self-screamed in excitement.

He released her lips, and looked at her, his eyes cutting deep into hers, "No, Minnie, I am sorry. I'm the one who fucked up, and I'm sorry." He said, but she shook her head as she tried to convince him that she was the one who caused everything, but Alex did not let her do so, "I was stupid, and I let my emotions overwhelm me. I got angry, yes, but not at you." He added.

She stared at him, completely lost at words. He was never angry at her?

"I tried going after you, Minnie," He said, "I looked for you everywhere, but you seemed to have disappeared," He sighed. "I really thought I had lost you."

She broke into tears and at the same time let a smile come up her lips, as she threw her arms around his neck, and capture his lips to stop him from talking. Then, she broke out of the kiss, and looked into his eyes, "You were never at fault, Alex," She said.

He bit his lower lip as his eyes flew from her eyes, and to her lips, before he looked back to her eyes, "You're right, Minnie, but you also are not at fault. I gave you my words, and I do mean it," He smiled softly; "I love you, no matter whom you were before. Nothing matters, because baby, you are my present, and you will be my future."

Dominique could not believe her ears, but he was real, and he was saying it again - that he'll love her forever. He wasn't lying, and he isn't like the rest. He came back for her. She went back into his arms, and buried her head on his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively.

Forgotten, and pissed, Tatiana cleared her throat, and slowly, both Alex and Dominique turned their heads to her, "What is going on here?" She asked Alex, "How do you know her? Explain!"

♀️
*****

Lovelies, do not forget to leave a like and probably some comments before you go. Thanks.