Envious Desire
50



Chloe

Today is arduous, one of the most taxing days of our lives. Surviving today is a necessity in our healing process- Mother’s Day. Shelly and I must find comfort within each other to get through the memories of today. Both our fathers are nowhere to be found, and our mothers are no longer among the living.

Mr. Mafioso required my presence today. However, I pleaded my case to his compassion, which he gracefully bestowed on me, allowing me a pass from our agreement. He said I owed him a game of basketball for delaying our meeting.

Basketball? Does this man have a feat unaccomplished? I giggle to myself when rattling from the kitchen captures my attention.

She has still refused to move into her mother’s home. She can’t bear the thought of living there in her mother’s absence. I get it. I understand entirely. I can’t imagine living in that house without hearing Cassie’s voice daily.

Strolling out of the bedroom, I peek into the kitchen, observing Shelly cooking breakfast, our comfort food, grilled cheeses, and sunny-side-up eggs. It breaks my heart to see those items again. It was what we ate the day she passed.

She halted her actions. I observed just for a moment, awaiting her next movement when her sobbing echoed between us. I scamper to her side, embracing her as tight as I can.

“I miss her Chlo. Why did she have to die? I need her. I want her back.”

Her sobs shatter my heart to millions of pieces.

“Why didn’t I die instead. I can’t take this pain. IT ISN’T FAIR!”

She slammed the spatula on the floor, causing it to bounce to the other side of the kitchen.

Her anguish twisted my stomach. My embrace tightened, her legs gave out from underneath her, triggering a domino effect of us meeting the floor.

All I could do was allow her the space to express her pain and console her as best I could. I stretch my arm from the floor, twisting the knob to extinguish the fire, boomeranging to soothe her pain, tracing my hand up and down her back.

Time passes. I coax her to the bedroom, where I lay spooning her, allowing her to expel her pain and cry herself to sleep in my embrace. I lay awake in the bed, unmoving, occasionally responding to Dominic’s flirtatious texts. Jade, Elijah, and Amanda are all checking in on Shelly when another text comes from Axle.

A sudden wave of guilt crashes upon me. I have been enjoying my time at the moment. However, I’m reminded of what I lost when I said yes to moving in with him just a few months ago.

Checking his text, short and sweet, just as before.

“Thinking of you with every breath that I take. WHENEVER you are ready, I’ll be here waiting.”

Damn! What I wouldn’t give to feel the security of his arms again. Selena infiltrated my yearning, ultimately killing any hopeful thoughts just as she invaded every moment we attempted to have with each other prior to my departure.

Placing my phone on the nightstand. I creep away to use the bathroom and consume some sustenance while her slumber has her under its spell.

A firm knock on the door ignites my senses with rage. Eric’s tapping has been consistent. I will end his life myself and have Dominic bury the body. Payment will not be an issue. Lunging towards the door.

“So help me god, Eric-” I’m stunned at the form gracing my entryway.

It’s Dominic. My eyes slice. “What are you doing here?”

My voice crescendos.

“Is that how you greet all of your guests?”

I peek down the hall to view if Shelly has stirred from her sleep. “Only those who show up uninvited.”

His wolfish grin materializes, evoking my heart to pump with vigor. He withdraws a massive bouquet of flowers from behind his back, triggering my lips to tug.

“Now there’s that beautiful smile. I wanted to at least make you smile once today. I understand the circumstances and will not overstay my welcome. However, with my deepest condolences, these are for you and your friend.”

His hand cups my chin, and his left thumb grazes the edge of my lip, triggering goosebumps to sprout across my flesh.

Handing me the flowers, he takes his leave, but not before Jade appears in the hallway, staring as Dominic and Antonio disappear into the elevator.

Jade makes her way into my apartment.

“What the hell, Chloe?”

“What?”

“Dominic is coming to see you now?”

“No, he just wanted to drop off the flowers with his condolences, knowing that Shelly is having a hard time.”

“Oh, is that why he caressed your face?”

“Stop it, Jade. I have everything under control. The ball is in three weeks, and this whole arrangement will be done.”

A sudden sadness filtered through my body once the words flew into the air. Why would sadness consume me? Is it that our time is coming to an end? Am I enjoying his company that much? It’s inconceivable that we could ever be together. He’s the mafia; death and violence are his life, and I’m- me.

Let’s not forget Axle.Natalia throws him in my face.

“Well, that’s not what it looks like.” Jade tugs me back into our conversation.

With my defenses up, I retort. “Jade, it’s fine, and keep your voice down. Shelly is sleeping.”

“Fine. I’ll leave, but this is far from over,” she whisper shouts as she makes her way out the door.

I stroll back to Shelly with a multitude of thoughts weighing on my mind. I snuggle up with her, unsure if it’s for her benefit or mine, close my eyes, and join her in the comfort of numbness of slumber.

Last night’s sleep was a restless battle between chaotic dreams and the weeping tears that fell from Shelly’s reddened eyes. She threw herself in the shower and ran off to work this morning. I wish there was something more that I could do for her. The pain she holds is immense; nothing could ever lessen it. At least she has allowed herself to release her emotions, unlike me. It’s not time, I’m not ready, my body is physically unwilling to let go of it, not yet.

Placing my sneakers on my feet, my phone pings, alerting me there is a text. My heart begins to race in anticipation, hoping it’s Dominic. It’s unbelievable. I have hope it’s him. Checking my phone, I shake my head at his words.

“I hope you’re ready to have your ass handed to you.”

Shaking my head, I type at the speed of light. “Just be prepared to eat your words, Mr. Valentino.”

Taking note of the time, I head downstairs to be greeted by Antonio.

As he opens the car door for me, we exchange pleasantries, “Hi Antonio, I hope all is well with you.”

He’s not much for talking, even though he has ushered me around from place to place. I take my place in the back seat and enjoy the silence as we make our way to Dominic.

Approaching the warehouse, my mind seeks answers. Today is a sports day, basketball, to be exact. Exiting the car, I’m filled with confusion.

“Antonio, is he in a meeting?”

“No.”

Eyebrows conference, I contemplate why we are meeting at the warehouse. Strolling inside, I’m guided through unknown hallways and a staircase leading to the basement, which opens to a basketball court. Dominic comes into view adorning Track pants and a tank top, exposing every curve of his inked, taut muscles as he dribbles the ball, halts, and makes a jump shot.

“You ready to be beaten, Mr. Valentino?” I wail into the air loud enough for him to harken.

Twisting his neck, the edges of his lips tug. “Only if it’s in the bedroom, Ms. Knox.”

My face flushes with heat. Ignoring my embarrassment, I jog onto the court while Dominic dribbles the ball, whizzing past him, stealing the ball, making the basket. Twisting to face him, the right side of my lip pulls up, eyes slightly narrow.

He laughs in the air. “Game on.”

Obtaining the ball, he expels the game we play. “First one to 10 wins, 1 point each.”

“Prepare to eat dust, Mr. Valentino.”

“Ladies first.”

His sly smile evokes a double beat of the organ below my ribcage. Dominic checks the ball to me. His coverage is insane. I can barely get around him.

Taunting me. “I thought you were good at this, Ms. Knox?”

“I am just waiting for the-”

I swoop past him on the left when his hand steals the ball. I chase after him to no avail. He jumps, releasing the ball, a perfect arch, making the basket. Damn!

“1-0”

“I couldn’t completely destroy your ego. You have to score some points, at least.” I shrug my shoulders with a Cheshire grin plastered on my face.

He chuckles at my childish response. “Check.”

Bouncing the ball to him, he’s fast, although I’m able to wrangle the ball from his hands, bring it down the court, and gain a point.

“Did I forget to tell you they used to call me Denise Rodman because I always steal the ball?” I state with triumph.

“Well played Ms. Knox. But not for long.” The evil spark in his darkened cyan hues.

Walking back behind the line. “Check.”

I bounce the ball to Dominic, he dribbles past me with swift feet. We go on, one point after another, neck and neck.

“9-9. Next point wins.” He calls out.

“I’ll be honest, Ms. Knox, you have some skills. However, I don’t think you have enough to win the game.” His playful eyes dare me.

“Want to bet on it?”

“Name your price.”

“If I win, you take me dancing tonight.” I long to see if he has dance moves, seeing how agile he is on the court.

“Dancing?”

“Yes, dancing.”

“I don’t dance.”

“You do If I win. But if you believe I don’t have enough skills to win.” I raise an eyebrow to taunt his ego.

“True, and if I win?”

Skeptical, “What do you want?”

“Spend the night with me.” He replies without hesitance.

“I will not have sex with you over a bet.” I could feel the heat rising like a termometer about to burst.

“I did not say sex, Ms. Knox. I would never bet something like that. May I remind you? I will not touch you until you beg for it.” His voice rasped the few words, triggering my core to react.

“You’re so sure of yourself.” I spew with just a bit of animosity.

“Affirmative.” His shit-eating grin causes a bit of a yearning within me.

Nevertheless. “Okay, deal. Now get your dancing shoes ready, Mr. Valentino. Check the ball.”

I dribble the ball, juking left, then right, swooping past Dominic inching closer towards the basket, jumping up releasing the ball when Dominic’s body collides with mine. I’m on my way to collide with the floor, and somehow Dominic switches our bodies midair where he lands on the floor first, and I crash on top of him.

“UGH!”

My face plants on the top of his chest. Pain radiates through my skull. Evenloping my face, he inquires with concern laced in his voice.

“Chloe, are you okay?”

Our eyes meet, the electricity between us is undeniable. His chest rises up and down at an accelerated pace. He frantically looks from one eye to the next. Lift me up so we are face to face, still weighing on his taut body. Cupping my face once more.

“Chloe, are you okay?”

Inches away from his lips, I slowly nod my head to respond. That’s the first time he has called me by my first name.

“Use your words.” His chest still rises and falls with haste.

Shutting my eyes, I swallow hard before peeling them apart and whispering. “Yes.”

His breathing steadies, eyes reexamining the worthiness of my words. When his tongue dips out of his mouth, licking his lips capturing my attention.

As if time slowed itself, we inched closer. My eyes fluttered shut, and I awaited the feeling of his connection.

“We should go get ready for dancing tonight, Ms. Knox.” His hushed voice sent chills to devour my body.

“I made the basket? I thought I missed it, given our collision?”

With a slightly upturned lip. “Yeah, you did.” His voice has a rasp, triggering my core to tighten.

He cautiously lifts me from his body, placing me on his side to rise to full height.

I observe his muscles contract with each movement, evoking just a bit of salvation. Swallowing back my lewdness, he extends his arm to assist me off the floor.

Placing my hand in his, he tugs me towards him. Our bodies radiate heat from our proximity. Unable to move, our nearness renders me motionless.

Using his forefinger, he lifts my head to meet his eyes. They burn with desire, my breathing quickens. Inching closer, I can sense his breath on my lips, burning with a desperate longing to familiarize myself with his feel.

“I’ll have Antonio take you home so you can prepare for tonight.”

He twists on his feet, walking away when his voice booms in the court.

“Move your feet, Ms. Knox.” You could hear the smile in his voice. I scramble behind him, making our way out of the court and into the car.

~~~

Shelly’s having a hard time. Chloe is attempting to be the best friend that she can. How do you think she is doing so far?

Things are heating up with Dominic. Do you think he will stick to his word and make her beg before he lays a finger on her?

Thoughts? Theories?

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