He was walking home in that damp night and his head was terribly busy with, in Victoria's words, ephemeral things and unnecessary problems. That afternoon, they had been in the gallery as usual, trying to avoid their contact as much as they could. They had been arguing over the same things for almost a month. They were not having good times, often because of economical matters. Life was really up hill for them in that sense, money was always a hard point in their relationship. This last month, their obligations with money had grown up, and their incomes of the past four weeks didn't fill what they needed it to fill.
Whenever they had times like these, both of them, with their unique characters, reacted in different ways. Victoria, as she used, became colder and unexpressive. Dominick, he carried all the troubles above his shoulders, thinking he was the only one who could solve them. Not that he considered Victoria incapable. But he thought that if he handled them alone, he could solve it faster. And because of this, he had become harsher and harder with her, and he often didn't talk to her or ignored her.
In the last two hours, they surprisingly sold four paintings, which was a lot for one day. The money they received brought them a feeling of relief, something they haven't felt in the last weeks.
She was leaning with her elbows against the counter, rubbing her temple with her fingers. She had a very weak aspect. When she lifted up her gaze, he was staring at her… and smiled. God, stop it… how hard was for her to resist him. He had this magic charm, even when you didn't know him, you liked him.
-Are you okay? -he asked her, approaching her.
She sighed with heavy air, like carrying a load on her back. -I'm uhm… I feel terrible. -she said, and buried her head between her arms.
-What is it, baby? -he whispered into her ear, while his hand held her head.
-My head explodes -she lifted her head and he could see her pain expression on her face. -And I have this knot in my stomach like I want to vomit.
-Ok, let's go home.
-Is it time already?
-No, but we're only half an hour apart, and we sold really well. Plus, I'm more worried about you. -he caressed her arm slowly. -What did you bring?
-Nothing. Just this coat.
-Good. Let's go.
-Vee, do you think we need to take you to see a doctor?
-No. -she said, bothered. She drank a pill 20 minutes ago, and it was slowly starting to make effect. Her head was lighter and her sickness went away.
-Baby… -he whispered. He narrowed his body against hers and run his hand down her cheek. -I'm worried about you. This is not the first episode you have had in this last weeks.
-I'm fine. Maybe it's just… stress. You know.
He stared into her deep gaze. He really heard what she said, but to be honest, he got lost. She looked so beautiful without her make up, with her hair free above the pillow and her hands cuddled against her chest, beneath the covers.
-Dom… you're not listening.
-Oh no, I am. And yes, maybe you're right. But i will still take you to a doctor soon. I just got lost staring at you.
She smiled, his tenderness melted him. This is the first time in one month they got this close… maybe today's improvement and the relief it brought got the two the inner calm they needed to be good with each other again.
-I'm sorry, Vee… for these days. I'm sorry for the way I was.
-It's fine, I… I am sorry too. I acted like a bitch. -she ran her fingers above his lips, and he soon started kissing them.
-Did you have your period already? -his question made her smile. His completely random question.
-What? -she smiled with her eyebrows narrowed.
-Yeah.
-Well, no… i haven't, why?
-No, just… asking. I don't know why, I thought that these symptoms you're having could be because of your period. But since you're not there…
-Oh, right… -she said, and he noticed how her eyelids were starting to get heavier.
-Vee… can I ask you something?
-Of course.
-Are you in love with me?
She furrowed her eyebrows in surprise.
-Why do you ask me that?
-Please, just…
She didn't intend to make such a silence. But her answer felt so intense in her heart, her feelings knocked on her throat so hard, she was trying to find the words. -I love you until craziness, Dominick. Sometimes too much. Too passionately.
He smiled.
-Why is this? -she added.
-I… I feel really guilty for the way I have been with you these weeks, and…
-Dom. -she interrupted. -Let it go. We are good now, we apologized to each other. It's not good for you to keep that guilt caged inside of you.
-I know… sometimes I just can't understand what did I do to have a person like you beside me.
She melted. God, how can he be so irresistible. -I'm nothing special. -she smiled, while her hand started caressing his cheek. -I'm just trying to live my life according to what it brings to me. And I… i think I'm a good person at least.
-Don't say that. Don't say that again… -her self esteem was something he wished he could repair. From the core. The image she had of herself was so heartbreaking for him to see. -Please don't. -he leaned his mouth against hers, pressed softly and slowly, and in those seconds her throat reflected the relax her body went through with a prolonged whoosh of pleasure.
-You know I'd do anything in this world for you to let go all of your demons, right? -he whispered, completely soft. Her legs were starting to feel the chills that his voice gave her.
She smiled. -What wouldn't I do for you, too.
-How do you feel now?
-I'm… I'm kind of better.
-Kind of?
-Yes. I still have this sickness in my stomach.
-That's strange… you had a pill, you ate…
-Yeah… - she whispered, before letting a yawn come.
-Okay, now… let's sleep, right? We're both tired. Come here. -he put a hand above her stomach, and slowly started caressing her belly, up and down. -Get rest, baby. -he said, and gave his woman a loving kiss.
In the morning, Victoria woke up feeling floating beneath the warm blankets. She felt absolutely no pain and she had slept perfectly… to be honest, she was sure it was because of Dom's pampering on her belly. It felt like a massage that dissipated her pain.
She turned around, and didn't see him there. She was hoping he came back soon… because she felt like a child that needed protection. She thought she was going to wake up feeling his arms around her waist or rubbing her hair.
"Hey" Dominick said as he stepped inside the room.
She smiled. He was wearing one of his wide shirts and boxers… she could never resist him. Much less if he was like that.
"How did you sleep?"
"Good… I just thought I'd wake up with you beside me" she said with her still sleepy voice.
"Oh… sorry about that. My bladder didn't give me much time." he smiled, and got into bed, covered himself with the blankets and took her body between her arms.
"Do you feel better?"
"Yes… what time do we have to go to the gallery today?"
"Not until 2 pm. And plus, I would feel less worried if you would stay here and get rest. I can go and handle it myself"
"Wait, why?"
"Well, you've been having this kind of episodes for weeks. I think you're stressed, and since you don't wanna go to see a doctor… and the little communication we had these weeks is not healthy.I haven't helped and I know."
"Dominick, stop, I'm fine." she said, their faces centimeters away. "Maybe it was stress, yes, but I'm better. I'll be better. You will help me, right?"
"Of course I will. But, uh… Vee… don't forget you said your period was delayed."
"So?... what do you mean with that?"
He stared at her eyes in silence for seconds. "Maybe you have something… you haven't been eating correctly."
She instantly got his indirect suggestion. "It's none of that." she said, with a not so nice voice tone.
He stayed in silence and he understood he made her upset.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry, baby, I didn't mean to…" she said.
"it's fine." he lifted his hand and laid it on her hip. Slowly, he started moving it up and down her leg. "It just… worries me."
"I know you do. But you have to remember I can also take care of myself."
"But… It's not fun if i don't look after you" he smiled. "You're the most precious thing I have, Vee, I… I have one single reason to wake up every day and it's you."
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