Dominick
Dominick went into the kitchen and silently thanked that the teenager—Casmin, he believed her name was—wasn't there. She knew him too well and could ruin his plans.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Floren demanded to know.
Everyone in the kitchen turned to see who the intruder was.
"I'm Dominick Jackson. I saw the ad and I'm interested in the job. I just arrived in town and I need work," he lied smoothly.
"Oh! In that case, come in, come in. It's such luck that we already have someone interested. The girl who usually helps me went on a trip today, and it was all last-minute. My name is Floren," she said, drying her hands and extending one to Dom, which he shook.
Hearing Floren's words, the other employees went back to what they were doing.
Dominick tried to think it wasn't her, that she hadn't left again.
"Nerea was amazing in the kitchen," the older woman smiled, and Dom exhaled in relief. "But I won't overwhelm you with that. If you can manage to please my tastes, Mr. Jackson, I'll hire you."
"You'll see that I can convince you," he said, smiling.
"Let's start with something simple," she smiled. "Beef tenderloin in sauce with a vegetable panache is a dish I love. If you can prepare it just the way I like it, I'll hire you."
"A challenge?" Dominick raised an eyebrow.
"Absolutely."
Dominick got to work. He made himself comfortable, removed his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and put on a floral apron.
"We only have those," the woman said, amused to see such a big, handsome man in a floral apron. "I don't remember where Nerea put hers; hers is black."
"It doesn't matter. What matters is getting the job, Mrs. Floren," Dom said, grabbing a knife. "I need three carrots, potatoes, onion, leek…"
"Here's the meat," Floren pulled it from the refrigerator. "Ask for anything you want; I'll give it to you. The kitchen is at your disposal."
[...]
Some time later, Dominick finished, and Floren tasted the dish with delight.
"Well?" Dominick asked, arms crossed. He knew he would get the job—everything he set his mind to, he succeeded in—and one of his goals had been to outdo the pretentious chef who had trained him.
"You're hired," she said, licking a finger.
Dom smiled. He had taken the first step, though he knew there was still a chance he could be fired, so he thought of a way to at least secure himself.
"Mrs. Floren, now that you've tasted my skills in the kitchen and hired me," he said, serving another portion, "I don't see any problem with making sure" He smiled.
"I don't understand," the woman frowned.
"A contract to ensure that, for at least three months, I won't be replaced. It's happened to me before," he said, feigning distress.
"What cruel people," the woman murmured, touched, stroking his face. Dom smiled—he had her exactly where he wanted. "Don't worry, Mr. Jackson. You can make the contract, I'll sign it. After all, I've been left in charge of this matter, and no one can question me."
"Call me Dominick. We're going to work together, no need for formalities," Dominick said, standing from the small table.
The other employees watched the scene, amused.
"Well, Floren, I must go, but I'll return as soon as possible to sign the contract," he said.
"All right, see you later, Dominick," she smiled.
Dom left the kitchen.
Floren made a serious face as she saw her employees watching.
"And what are you all staring at? Get to work!" she barked.
Everyone returned to their tasks while she went to finish the rest of the food that had been left.
Dominick took out his phone and wasted no time calling his friend.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Nikolas, it's me, Dominick. I need an urgent favor," Dominick exclaimed.
"Dominick, how can I help?"
"I need you to draft a document so they can't fire me without justification for at least three months," he explained, walking to his car.
"All right, I'll get on it and send it by fax," Nikolas replied.
"Excellent, thanks," Dominick said, opening the driver's door and getting in. "We'll be in touch."
He hung up and started the car. A smile spread across Dominick's lips. He would do whatever it took to earn Jade's forgiveness; he wouldn't spare any effort to achieve it.
Jade
After many tears and farewells, she finally left the airport, hoping not too much time would pass because she didn't want to be away from him.
She went to her appointment with Dr. Ernes and now found herself lying on the long chaise lounge, listening to Sofía's words. The woman paused for a few seconds before speaking.
"Tell me about Dominick."
Jade turned to look at her, not fully understanding the question.
"What?"
"What you heard. You told me he was unbearable, bad, everything he did to hurt you… but yesterday, when you came, you confessed that a long time ago, you were attracted to him, that he did things that confused you. Tell me about that," she requested.
"For what?"
"I want to rule some things out… so answer me."
"There's not much to tell. He kissed me, I responded, and we argued. We never got along, but I almost… almost slept with him in my room," she admitted, sighing.
What Dominick had made her feel with his fiery caresses, no one else in her life had managed to do. She tried in many ways to forget him, but it seemed that every kiss had left a mark on her body.
"Hypothetically speaking," the doctor began, "if he hadn't offered you money for sex, if your father hadn't died, and you hadn't left New York, do you think you'd be in love with Dominick? Do you think things would have gone further?"
She thought about it. Would she have given herself to him if things had been different…?
"It would have been impossible!" she asserted. "He and I are not compatible at all. So see you later, I have lots of things to do.
"Stop running, Jade. I recommend you talk to him and resolve things. You each owe yourselves that forgiveness so you can continue with your lives—maybe together, maybe not—but until you close that circle, you'll remain like this."
"I don't promise anything," Jade snapped.
She left the office and took a taxi.
Could everyone be right?
Should she really talk to him?
She thought about everything. What she was doing was risky, but in her heart, there was no doubt. She didn't want Luka to suffer because of her mistakes, and that mistake involved him. Her mind screamed that he wouldn't react well. She wiped her tears. This was the best choice.
She had made a decision that no one could change…
She arrived at the restaurant.
She walked past the tables and was stopped near the kitchen door.
"Isabel! I've got news for you!" Floren exclaimed enthusiastically. Jade frowned slightly with a small smile; the woman rarely showed so much energy—only when cooking, or when her daughter actually listened to her.
"Yes? Let's hear it, but make it a good one—I'm already full of bad moods," Jade joked.
"I've found Nerea's temporary replacement. This man cooks, as you can see… amazingly!" Floren let out a muffled giggle.
"Well, I hope you're right… I mean, that he really cooks well," Jade hurried to say, noticing the woman's mischievous expression.
"Come, I'll show you."
Floren grabbed Jade by the arm, and the two entered the kitchen.
"Dominick, I want you to meet one of the restaurant's owners, Isabel. This is Dominick Jackson, the new chef," she introduced.
Jade looked horrified at a Dominick wearing a floral apron, a hair net, and a triumphant smile on his lips.
"What do you think? Handsome, right?" Floren whispered, nudging a stunned Jade.
"A pleasure, Isabel," Dom said, smiling as he approached her.
"This is the last straw!" Jade shouted, annoyed. "I don't want you here!"
She stormed out of the kitchen.
"Don't worry, I'll convince her," Dominick assured.
He removed the apron and hair net and handed them to Mrs. Floren.
"Do you know each other?" she asked.
"Something like that."
Dominick left the kitchen.
He asked one of the diners if they had seen which way the girl had gone. The man kindly showed him the direction, and, knowing he might get into trouble, Dominick decided to go upstairs to see where she was.
There were two doors. He heard the furious scream of the girl behind one of the apartment doors and smiled, knowing which one it was. The door was locked, so he didn't know how he would get in. He started searching until he found the spare key under a flowerpot.
"Very predictable, Jade," he smiled.
He opened the door and returned the key to its place.
He entered the apartment and admired the décor but didn't snoop further; he needed to find her. He went to the bedrooms, entered the open door, and noticed Jade's clothes on the floor. Water could be heard falling onto the floor from inside the room.
He sat in a small armchair to wait for her. He prayed that she wouldn't misinterpret his intentions, especially not his unauthorized entrance.
Fifteen minutes later, Jade emerged, muttering under her breath, her hair wet and a towel covering her nudity.
She didn't notice him. She went to her drawer to get clean underwear.
"Ahhh!" she screamed, turning and finding him standing at a prudent distance. The underwear slipped from her hands. "What are you doing here!? How did you get in?!"
"I didn't come to argue," he assured.
He approached, bent down to pick up the underwear, stood, and held them out to her.
"Give me that!" she snatched them from him. "What do you want?"
"To talk to you."
Jade looked around.
"All right," she agreed. The room felt small with her in that state and Dominick in front of her. "Go wait for me in the living room."
Dom nodded and left the room.
Jade was surprised. She thought he might pull one of his usual stunts, but she shook her head and continued changing.
"You're an adult, face this naturally," she reminded herself. "Follow your friends' advice—they're right."
She took a deep breath before heading to the living room. Walking down the hallway, she panicked, remembering that Dominick was already there—the living room full of photos…
She ran out, sighing in slight relief when she saw him sitting.
"Let's go outside," she said nervously.
"Shall we speak as civilized people?" he asked, standing.
«As if we could do that…» she thought, trying to stay put.
"We can try," she whispered.
She immediately led him out.
"Do you want to come to my place?" he suggested.
Jade thought about it. She had nothing to lose; after talking to him and resolving their issues, she trusted he would leave satisfied. Even so, she still didn't trust him.
He nodded.
They left the restaurant, and Dom drove her to his car, opening the door for her.
The silence between them was heavy. Jade was nervous; he was anxious.
Dominick tried to organize his thoughts so that the words he would say wouldn't make the situation worse in her eyes. Jade, on the other hand, occasionally glanced at him, unable to believe she was sitting in his car…
She had been thinking in the bathroom, recalling her father's advice and the sacrifices he had made for them. After a brief meditation, she reached a firm conclusion: forgiving him was the best way to continue with her life and be better for everyone, especially Luka.
She exhaled. He, more than anyone, deserved her full presence. If she could put aside her pain for a time, that night she planned to resolve the problem at its root. She was also aware that lying wasn't the best path and that everything could go wrong, even if she decided to take the risk—simply because she didn't trust the man beside her. Deep down, she was afraid of him. Not hatred… fear.
Half an hour of awkward silence later, Dominick stopped the car in front of a small property that, after much thought—five minutes, really—he had bought, making an offer the owner couldn't refuse.
He got out and walked around the car to open the door for Jade, who thanked him. They entered the house, and she took a moment to notice the place.
"Do you want something to drink? Tea? Juice? A soda…?"
"Don't you have any wine?" she asked. Last night she had relaxed with a few glasses, and now she needed it more than ever.
"No, actually, I don't drink anymore," he said, unable to hide a small pride in that achievement.
Jade sat in a small armchair. Dominick went to get some tea and returned a few minutes later.
"I'm going to listen to what you have to say. Let's resolve this once and for all," she said, exhaling and straightening up. "After this talk, I want you to leave the restaurant—and my life—forever. It's best. You and I can't be near each other."
Dominick felt a pressure in his chest when he heard that she wanted him out of her life. With those harsh words, he understood that he didn't want to leave—he wanted to be with her and show her he wasn't a bad man, that he was only a victim of circumstances.
In front of her, he realized something he had avoided ever since he learned about Jazmín's infidelity…