The Daring Billionaire’s Wife by Lypstical
Chapter 128

Dominic

It's been a few days now since my mother transferred those shares to me and I still can't get over it.

After what happened that same day with Vanessa and Uncle Jerry, I couldn't really go out and celebrate as that would've been insensitive of me, which is why I decided to wait until Saturday and the day is finally here.

Usually, I'd be doing this in the evening but I thought Frank and I would start early, which is why we're already having a heavy feast at his restaurant and it's only 9 in the morning.

After sipping from his glass, he says, "You know, it's crazy how you already spoke to your dad so you could work less but you now have more shares to focus on."

I smile at him. "That's no big deal. I'll replace a way to handle it because honestly, this is the best gift ever. Vanessa can have all the estates possible but for me, this is better."

"I've been meaning to ask you this. How did Jake and Sophie feel about this?"

"They wholeheartedly congratulated me." I proudly chuckle.

"Wow, that's cool. I didn't expect that since that's your mom's most important company."

"My siblings know when to fight for what they believe also belongs to them. I haven't seen any of that so far, so we're good."

He nods, stroking his chin. "Hmm... I wonder what you'll get me for my birthday this upcoming weekend."

"You really want me to tell you?"

"Usually, I like my surprises to just be surprises, but I'm curious as hell, so tell me."

I lean forward and say. "You're getting a handshake from me."

He looks away, shaking his head with a scoff. "Don't you dare try that shit with me because your birthday's next month!"

"That doesn't change my mind at all," I reply to him, looking down at my phone to reply to Vanessa's text.

As Frank goes on to talk about a few memories from last year's birthdays and I throw in a few moments of my own just to mock him, my enthusiasm fades at the notification at the top of my screen from the gossip sight, making my eyes widen.

"Dude, is everything okay?" he asks, noticing that I can't stop looking at the screen.

"Fuck!" I whisper, ruffling my hair.

Ever since the first article, I decided to keep a close eye on the website and for a moment, it seemed they wouldn't post anything about it, but I was wrong.

I begin to read the article and my heart races with rage at Carmella's nerve to give out more information.

Ever since I thought of something I could do to stop her from revealing our identities, I haven't been able to get in touch with her and it's only because she doesn't pick up my calls.

After reading the article all the way to the end, I give my phone to Frank, whose jaw drops while reading the details.

"Whoa!" He raised his head. "That's how it went down that day?"

"Do you think that's the important thing right now? This is bullshit."

He sighs. "I hate to admit it, but she's definitely messing with your head now. That's why she didn't want to pick up your calls. She wanted to wait for this. What are you going to do if she never picks up?" "Sooner or later, she has to pick up." I slam the table with a fist.

"Whoa, take it easy."

"Do you think that's fucking possible right now?" I glare at him.

He raises his hands. "Hey, if you break the table you're buying it!"

Suddenly, my phone beeps and my hope is that it's Carmella, but it's just a message from Patrick, reminding me of the time we're meeting up this afternoon.

Irritated, I slide my phone across the table.

"I really think you need to calm down before you break your phone."

Clenching my fist, I say, "I might end up taking out my frustration on Patrick this afternoon during the game."

"Hey, don't even try that shit." He points at me as a warning. "Even without this, I know you already plan on being competitive, but don't fuck him up too much."

To calm me down, Frank begins to talk about the few matches we've had, all in which I was extremely competitive but all I can do is think about my next move with Carmella. Suddenly, my phone rings again and this time, it's her.

I look around and there aren't too many people present, so I lower my voice as I speak to her.

"Why the hell have you been ignoring my calls?" I ask her.

"Isn't it obvious that I wanted you to miss me?" She snickers. "A new juicy story was posted less than an hour ago. Enjoy!"

"I already read that nonsense."

She gasps. "That was fast! That means you've been monitoring the website. Did you like how juicy it was?"

I hold a glass in my hand, trying so hard not to squeeze it until it breaks.

Frank just looks on, gesturing to me with his hand to stay calm.

"Do you know what my favorite part was?" she asks. "It was about giving the account of how I was in your matrimonial home and fucking you."

Her attitude makes me sneer. "The next time you give out information, you better mention why we broke up."

"Are you trying to get on my nerves?" Her tone changes to a low and threatening one. "I don't even want to talk about stuff concerning how we broke up for the next article. I think I just might reveal the names. That will change everything for you. Don't you think so?"

"Don't you dare," I warn her.

She bursts into laughter. "Oh, babe, there's nothing that can stop me."

Despite my rage, all I can think about at this moment is how my parents reacted to the previous article, giving me an idea of what I should expect. I could lose everything and I don't want that.

With that in mind, I take a deep breath and say, "Listen, what do you want?"

She chuckles flirtatiously. "I thought you'd never ask. I'll tell you in person."

"What? You're back in town?"

"No, but you're going to fly out to meet me."

I shake my head in disbelief. "You must be out of your mind."

"Then forget about me keeping my mouth shut."

I clench my fist, reminding myself that I can't mess up now.

"Fine," I say to her.

"That's more like it." Her tone is seductive yet a little sinister. "Meet me tomorrow. I can't wait to see you. It's been a while."

And with that, she hangs up.

Frank eagerly waits for me to explain my conversation in detail and it only infuriates me more just thinking about what I have to do now.

"Sorry dude," he says to me. "It's just crazy to me how you two were once so in love and now you're like enemies or something. Did you really love her?"

Thinking about his question, I lean back in my seat. "Before Carmella, I never fell so deeply for someone. Maybe that's why I thought it was love."

"Are you saying it wasn't?"

"I don't know, okay?"

"Hey, just calm down."

I grunt as I kick the side of the table, then gulp down an entire glass of whiskey.

"Whoa, you need to slow down with that," he says to me. "Don't forget that you have to meet Patrick this afternoon."

"Does it look like I give a fuck about that right now? I don't feel like doing anything at all. I might as well cancel it."

He nods in understanding. "If you're going to do that, then do it now. Patrick's obviously been looking forward to taking on the man who's married his girl."

I sigh. "Vanessa already told me there's nothing between them."

"And you believe that?"

"I don't even give a fuck about that right now. She can do whatever she wants. I have so much to deal with."

He leans back in silence without saying a word, and I realize my tone was harsh.

"Look, I just need to clear my head right now," I say to him.

He nods in understanding with a smile. "How about we go for a drive?"

I smile back, glad he's still here despite my attitude.

During the ride, I can only think about how it has come to a point where Carmella wants to blackmail me and I go along with it just so nothing gets in my way.

We drive along a familiar road that's not too busy and I keep my head out the window, wondering if Vanessa has already seen the new article. I soon shake my head at the thought of calling her since she's already at my father-in-law's house.

Just a few seconds after Frank turns at a corner while driving fast, an alleyway comes into view and I see a few trash scans but in the next one, I get a sudden and shocking glimpse of Vanessa and Patrick kissing and it makes my blood boil. What the fuck?