INSATIABLE CRAVINGS
Insatiable Cravings – Episode 72
Subtitle; {Loving You Is A Loosing Game}
TAGS: Age-gap, Mafia, Forbidden Love, Drama, Tragedy and Betrayal.
Settings: United Kingdom, Russia and others.
โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
~ Genevieve ~
“Xavier Carrington. Sheโs marrying Xavier Carrington. Who on earth is he?” I exclaimed, my voice tinged with irritation and indignatiรณn.
I was nestled in Dominicโs room, my head resting against his chest as we lay together on his bed. The dim light from the television flickered, casting soft shadows around the room, but neither of us paid it any mind.
Dominic’s fingers wove gently through my hair, his touch soothing and tender. “Heโs the eldest son of the Carrington family. Theyโre rather significant, you see. They have their fingers in almost every money-making industry you can think of.”
“I donโt care. Adrianna canโt marry him. I mean, they hardly know each other. And heโs not her type.”
“How do you know what her type is? I thought you said she hasnโt dated.”
A frustrated sigh escaped my lips, and I sought a bit of comfort by shifting closer into his embrace. He noticed immediately, pulling me tighter, burying his nose in my hair as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I justโฆ I really want whatโs best for my sister. My siblings have endured so much already because of our parents, and marrying the wrong person wonโt do anything to improve that.”
“How can you be so certain heโs the wrong choice? Who knows, he might just be the one for her.”
Lifting my head to meet his gaze, I asked, “You think?” He nodded, and I let out a resigned sigh. “I hope so.”
Silence enveloped us, the only sound the low murmur of the television show. As the seconds drifted by, my eyelids grew heavy. Dominicโs thumb traced gentle circles on my waist, lulling me towards sleep, his other arm supporting my head like my own custom-made pillow.
“Are you asleep?” he asked, his lips brushing softly against my forehead in a tender peck.
Isnโt it astonishing how a man so brooding and enigmร tic can express such gentleness?
Honestly, every time I think I’ve reached the limit of my affection for him, he does something that pulls me even deeper. I find myself plunging daily into the depths of Dominicโs love, and I cannot deny how much I cherish it.
I shook my head, the movement muffling the rhythm of his heartbeat in my ear, then buried my nose in his hoodie. Goodness, he smells divine, a heady mix of heaven and earth.
You wouldnโt quite understand; neither do I.
“I have a business trip coming up,” he said, his voice low and measured.
“How soon?”
“Soon, as in two days.”
I shot up so quickly, it was as if Iโd been seared or bitten by something venomous. My glare was fierce as I snapped, “And youโre only telling me now?”
“Calm down.”
In a flash, I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. Naturally, he caught it just before it struck his face. “Donโt tell me to calm down.”
“Baby…”
“Donโt ‘baby’ me. You have a business trip, and you inform me now?”
“I only just found out yesterday.”
“Thatโs more than enough time to let your girlfriend know you’re disappearing for a few days.” I hurled another pillow at him, and he caught it again.
“Thatโs why I wanted to take you out on a date…”
I picked up yet another pillow and sent it flying his way. He managed to catch it just in time to avoid a direct hit to his dashing face. “Stop doing that.”
“Should I just let the pillows hit me?”
“Yes!”
“Very well. Whatever you desire, my love.”
There he went again, calling me that and looking at me with those heart-melting eyes. How on earth can I love a man this much?
Men are supposed to be ghastly, except for my father, brother, and perhaps my grandfather.
I huffed. “Where to?”
“Russia.”
The smile on his face was one I couldnโt stay angry at. It was serene, joyful, and radiated warmth. Even his eyes sparkled with genuine happiness.
“How many days?”
“Two weeks,” Dominic replied. “I have a great deal of work waiting for me at the headquarters, which is currently being overseen by my uncle. But he isnโt the CEOโI am, and I need to be there.”
“Two weeks is rather a long time to be apart.” My voice barely rose above a whisper, so low I could hardly hear it myself.
How on earth will I survive fourteen whole days without him? Thatโs three hundred and thirty-six hours!
Oh, just eรฑd me now.
“Iโm sure the time will fly by.”
“And what if it doesnโt?”
“Then, I’ll jump back on the plane the moment you ring me to say you miss me.”
“What if I call you during a very important meeting and say just that? Will you still come to me?”
“Of course,” he affirmed, his tone firm and sincere, devoid of any deception. “I will always come to you whenever you need me.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Yes, Vixen, it is.”
A wave of relief washed over me as I relaxed back into his embrace. He chuckled softly, adjusting himself to ensure I felt comfortable, and then pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head.
“Keep this in mind; no matter how far you may be from me in two days, just know that you are mine. You will always be mine. I wonโt share, Dominic, so if you think this is your chance to run off with some Russian ladies at your disposal, youโd best reconsider.”
He laughed then, a sound so rich and full that it felt like sunshine breaking through the clouds. “Baby, if I had any intention of pursuing Russian ladies, I would have done so long ago.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, I sank my teeth into his arm, biting down hard on the skin. He didn’t flinch or utter a sound, even as my teeth left a mark.
“Are you alright now?”
I exhaled a loud huff, my expression sullen. “No.”
“Would you like another go at it?”
I shook my head, our gazes locking in a moment of intensity. With my voice barely above a whisper, tinged with a hint of desperation, I asked, “Will you miss me?”
“A whole lot, yes,” he replied earnestly.
“Good.”
Silence enveloped us once more, but it didnโt linger for long before I shattered it.
“Can you say something in Russian for me?” I blurted out, my request unexpected.
Dominic’s expression shifted to one of confusion, his brow furrowing slightly. “Why?” he asked, clearly taken aback.
“Just do it, please,” I urged, my tone pleading.
He paused for a heartbeat before leaning in closer, a playful glint in his eye. “ะะดะฝะฐะถะดั ั ัะดะตะปะฐั ัะตะฑั ัะฒะพะตะน ะถะตะฝะพะน.”
Curious, I sat up to face him. “What does it mean?”
“No.”
No?!
“What do you mean, no?”
“No, I am not telling you.”
“Why ever not?”
“I just don’t want to.” He shrugged almost nonchalantly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
“But why? What does it mean?” I waited, but silence hung in the air. “You’re really not going to tell me, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Why on earth not?!”
He merely smiled at me, his hands finding their way to the back of his head as he used it as a pillow. I glared at him, fierce and fiery, which only seemed to widen his grin. “What? Are you going to bite me again?”
I could see the teasing glimmer in his eyes, and despite my irritation, I couldnโt help but smile. “You know, you really are insufferร ble.”
“Only for you, my love.”
His tone was light, but the sincerity behind it made my heart swell. In that dimly lit room, with the flickering glow of the television casting shadows around us, I felt a warmth envelop meโhis presence, his affection, and the comfort of knowing I wasnโt alone in this world.
As I nestled back into him, the sound of the TV faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. In that moment, I allowed myself to forget about the impending separation, cherishing instead the feeling of being wrapped in his arms, safe and loved.
“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself while you’re away,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I promise,” he replied softly, his fingers brushing my cheek. “And you must do the same. No biting anyone else while I’m gone, alright?”
I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips. “No promises there.”
He laughed again, a sound that filled the room with light. “Just remember, Iโm only a phone call away. Always.”
With that assurance, I felt a sense of peace wash over me, though the thought of him being away still loomed large in the back of my mind. But for now, I chose to revel in the moment, holding onto him tightly as the world outside faded into insignificance.
โ โ โ โ
Three days have passed, and neither Dominic nor the words he murmured in Russian have left my mind. No matter how much Iโve tried, I just canโt seem to shake them, nor figure out what they truly mean.
Dominic and I have spoken only about five times in the last three days, owing to the time difference and our clashing schedules. Heโs been terribly busy with work, and on the rare occasions weโve managed to talk, heโs sounded utterly exhausted.
I canโt help but worry. I know what heโs likeโheโll neglect eating properly and throw himself entirely into work. The thought of him getting ill has had me on edge. Iโve been reminding him endlessly to at least eat twice a day, and though he promises he will, Iโm not entirely convinced heโll remember.
Three days, and I feel as though Iโm unwell without Dominic. Itโs ridiculous, I know, but I feel incomplete, adrift, and even a little unsafe when heโs not around. And yes, before you say it, I know I shouldnโt depend on him so much, but I canโt help it. Just his presence alone brings me an inexplicable sense of peace, and I miss him terribly.
I miss everythingโthose soft kisses, the gentle way his fingers brush my skin, and the soothing words that calm me down when nothing else can. It frightens me, the depth of my feelings for him. Loving Dominic as much as I do is exhilarating and terrifying all at once because… what if it all falls apart?
The thought of losing him has been haunting me lately, and just imagining it makes my chest ache. Perhaps Iโm just overthinking it all, but even so, the anxiety refuses to let me be.
With a frustrated groan, I buried my face in the book sprawled open in front of me. Iโm in the library, wading through one of the endless texts I need to study to stay ahead of the professors. Theyโre brilliant at what they do here, but thereโs no denying they can be merciless.
At SU, youโll never catch a student slacking. Everywhere you turnโsave for the bathroomsโstudents are hunched over their books, completely engrossed. Itโs a relentless environment, but I suppose itโs what keeps us all on our toes.
And although I adore being a student here at SU, I do find myself rather missing secondary school. The familiar scent of old books and polished wood wafted through the library, mingling with the faint rustle of pages turning. I miss having Julianna by my side during every lunch break, and Sloane too. To be honest, I even miss encountering that complete muppet called Christian.
Speaking of Christian, it suddenly dawned on me that while I was in silence with Dominic after that confession, Sloane and Christian seemed to be having their own issues. I could almost hear the soft whisper of distant conversations around me, a reminder of the many friendships going on outside. During that time, I felt rather disconnected from the world around me, but it was evident how Sloane began spending more time with Jules and me than with her boyfriend.
Perhaps theyโve broken up. It wouldnโt be a surprise, considering Christian was a total tosser for being involved with Sloane while harbouring feelings for my best friend. The flickering fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, matching the uncertainty swirling in my mind. But what could have led to their split?
Did Jules and Sloane find out?
I absolutely have to find out, and I need to do it post-haste.
Picking up my phone, I tapped out a message to Julianna, my fingers dancing over the screen as the soft hum of the library enveloped me.
Me: Hey, can you talk?
My gaze remained fixed on the screen as I watched the seconds tick by, the silence around me almost deafening. It was precisely one and a half minutes before she replied.
My ride or dรญe: If I recall correctly, Iโm not mute, so yes, I can talk.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her daft but funny quip, a soft chuckle escaping my lips. Yet, I could feel a smile creeping onto my face; I was certain of it.
Me: What are you doing?
While I was at SU, Julianna was at Oakridge Academy, and we aimed to catch up during our breaks, which took at least two hours if traffic allowed. I could hear the distant chatter of students outside, their laughter a stark contrast to the libraryโs serene atmosphere.
My ride or dรญe: Walking.
Me: Julianna.
I could practically envision the grin lighting up her features the moment she read my text, despite the distance between us. The smell of aged paper surrounded me, a comforting reminder that I was surrounded by what I loveโbooks.
My ride or dรญe: Fine. Iโm about to grab a bite; Iโm famished. Whatโs on your mind?
Me: With Alessio?
My ride or dรญe: Maybe.
Me: Can I ask you something? And please, be honest.
My ride or dรญe: Of course.
Me: Did anything ever happen between you, Christian, and Sloane?
The typing bubble flickered, appearing and disappearing, before finally settling into place. As I watched, my anxiety and curiosity mounted, the libraryโs stillness amplifying my unease.
My ride or dรญe: No.
Sheโs lying.
My ride or dรญe: Why?
Ah, sheโs trying to pry something out of me. Well, my best mate, Iโm quite the expert at this game.
Me: Oh, nothing. Just curious why she hasnโt posted any adorable couple photos on her Instagram. Perhaps theyโre just swamped with uni work, donโt you think?
My ride or dรญe: Yes, perhaps.
Me: Cut it out. Do you know anything about Christian?
My ride or dรญe: What about him?
Blimey, sheโs sharp.
Me: About him liking you, Jules. Are you aware?
My ride or dรญe: So you know as well. Why am I always the one left in the dรกrk? Alessio noticed it, Sloane did too, and now you. Goodness, what on earth is wrong with me?
For heaven’s sake, how much drama have I missed due to Dominic? The musty scent of the library felt heavier as I realised the implications of her words.
Is that why they werenโt at prom?
Me: Thereโs absolutely nothing wrong with you, except for being far too pretty. Not everyone is as perceptive as they should be. Youโre far cleverer than I am in other respects, yet you donโt see me complaining about it.
My ride or dรญe: Thatโs because youโre far too confident in everything you do. You couldnโt care less about what anyone thinks of you… but I do.
My ride or dรญe: I should have noticed. I really should have, but I didnโt. Why didnโt I? I should have distanced myself from him, and I feel responsible for the arguments between them. I know it isnโt my fault, but somehow I canโt shake the feeling they broke up because of me, Vie.
The silence grew heavier, a thick fog of uncertainty wrapping around me as I processed her words. The soft rustling of pages turned and the faint, rhythmic tapping of keyboards faded into the background.
So, they did break up.
Me: Just as you said, it isnโt your fault, Julianna. If he genuinely loved her, they wouldnโt have needed to part ways. Perhaps itโs for the best; maybe they werenโt meant to be.
As I typed, my heart pounded in my chest, a mix of concern for my friend and the weight of the unfolding drama settling on my shoulders. The library’s air felt stifling, almost as if it were trying to absorb the tension.
My ride or dรญe: But they were the cutest couple in school. I thought they would get married.
Me: Life has a way of surprising us. Sometimes, what we expect to happen goes entirely off course. Itโs just life’s way of being a bรญ+ch.
I could almost hear the distant echo of students laughing outside, their carefree joy contrasting sharply with the heavy conversation unfolding in my mind.
Me: By the way, you and Alessio were the cutest couple in school.
TBC
