He reaches forward and gives my hand a gentle squeeze.With a sigh, he straightens up and opens his palms.
“We were all affected when he left, but I know no one was more shaken than you.So please talk to us.”
“I don’t know what to say, Tristan.”
“We’re all going to be mad at him for different reasons, even though we understand why he left,” Massimo says, and I don’t have the heart to agree that I understand.
I know why Dominic left, but I don’t understand why he thought that was the only solution.
“I will be fine. Don’t worry about me.It’s not like we were actually together.I was just the girl in the shadows who kept secrets.The person in the background who didn’t matter.”
Massimo frowns and brushes over my cheek, shaking his head.“No, that’s not true.”
“That’s how he treated me.”
“I don’t think he meant to.”
“He hurt me and stayed away for two years.What else am I supposed to think?I’m not stupid, I work for you and I’ve heard you guys talking.I know he sent stuff occasionally.He never sent me anything. Not a damn thing.” I want to say it all doesn’t matter because it shouldn’t, but I’m well and truly pissed right now.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think either of us can say more than that.The situation was difficult, and he says he felt he needed to be away.”
“Is he home for good or just passing through?”
“It seems he’s home for good. There’s um… something going on we’re gonna check out.”
Great… that explains a lot. I always thought something big would happen and Dominic would come back.At first, I wished for it.
“What’s happening?”
“Nothing for you to worry about yet,” Massimo assures me.“While we’re checking, however, we’ll have a few guards around.You won’t even notice them.”
I blink several times. “That doesn’t sound like it's nothing to worry about.”
“Candace, you’re going to have to just trust me on this one.”
That means I’m to stop pushing for answers.
“Okay.”
He stands, and Tristan follows.
“Maybe take the day off tomorrow.I’ll get someone to cover you.”
“No. I’ll be fine to go in.” Working is how I get through things.
“Well, if you change your mind, let me know.” He nods and they both go.
I must sit there for another hour before I get up and go to my room.
I walk straight over to my wardrobe where I reach for the little keepsake box my mother gave me.It’s a little powder pink box with gold trimmings going around the edges.I open it and the first thing I see is the little rose quartz heart Papa gave me for my tenth birthday.Next to that is my note from Dominic.
I take that out and read it. It’s really brief.I have so many big emotions when I read it, but it’s just a few lines.
Angel,
Thank you for being my rock. I can’t stay in L.A. anymore.I have to leave and figure things out.I’m so ashamed of myself for what I did to you.I never thought I’d have to protect you from myself.Never thought it would come to such a thing.
I’m sorry for what I did, but I'm more sorry I can’t be with you.