Perfect disguise by Elizabeth A (speld decodable readers .txt) 📗

.45.

 

Dominic's POV.

"Dominic, I didn't mean to upset you that night we met Liam," Diana said.

I knew what she was talking about. I tightened my hands on the wheel and tried to remain calm. I was no longer bothered about her statement that night. It was just the fact that she didn't know what she was sorry for unnerved me. She might had assumed I was upset because of Liam's sour attitude. 

"How did you upset me?" I tested her, trying to know if she knew what she did wrong.

She sighed. "I know you were upset because I lied about your occupation to Liam."

"You shouldn't have," I declared.

She nodded. "Yeah, you are right." She sat up and looked at me. "Listen, I didn't know he was your brother. I mean he is a black and you are…"

"A white." I completed her statement.

She bit her lower lip. "Exactly, I wouldn't have lied if I knew you were related."

"So, you think I'm upset because you lied to Liam?" I inquired.

She arched her brow. "Isn't that why you are upset?"

I took a deep breath and shook my head. She didn't considered her discrimination a big deal. "Gosh, you are so clueless," I muttered.

She frowned. "What?"

"This is why I didn't let you know what you did wrong. It is because I know you won't even understand!" 

She snorted. "I don't understand why you are getting unnecessarily irritated. I'm just trying to let you know that I'm sorry and you are making me feel bad about it."

"You don't even know what you are sorry for!" I blurted out.

She grimaced. "What?!"

"Just don't say sorry when you don't mean it."

She pressed her lips into a thin line. "You are being unreasonable."

I closed my eyes for a second and relaxed my nerves. I shouldn't be too hard on her. "It is okay, let's just forget about it."

I shook my head. "No, it is not okay. You are clearly still upset about that night."

"I'm… I'm just displeased about what you said and you don't seem sorry about that," I said.

She took in a deep breath and brushed my shoulder gently. "Dominic, I know you are upset because I lied about your occupation to Liam. I must admit, I didn't realize that what I did was wrong until I thought about it." She pursed her lips and touched her chest. "I'm sorry, okay?"

My eyes were heavy and my muscles arched and burned. I needed an adequate sleep and was glad we were no longer arguing. 

"It is alright, I'm just feeling petty."

She chuckled. "Yeah, you are. Now, I'm convinced women aren't the most dramatic, after all."

"Oh, please. Women are always dramatic."

She arched a brow at me and crossed her arms. "Hmm. Said, the man who admitted he was feeling pretty."

"I said I was feeling petty, that's dramatic."

"It is," she insisted.

"It isn't," I disagreed.

"How is it not? You were being dramatic a while ago," she challenged.

I rubbed the weariness off my face and yawned. I should surrender.  We keep arguing about this if I didn't'. I nodded. "Okay, you are right."

She smiled to herself. "Of course. I'm always right."

I drove through the driveway and parked the car before the mansion. I stared around. I hoped her mother wasn't outside. 

She removed her seatbelt and picked up her clutch. "Don't worry. My mom isn't around. She traveled this afternoon."

"Huh? Oh, let me get your stuff from the boot.

I brought out the lumpy shopping bags and gave it to some of the maids who came to assist me. After off loading the bags into her room. I brought out my car kegs and was heading towards my car when she called me.

"Dominic, will you come in for a cup of tea?"

I scratched my neck. How will I turn her offer down without disappointing her? I enjoyed her company, but I'm tired and feeling sleepy. I glanced at her, her eyes glinted with bright hope. I sighed. There is no way I could crush that hope.

I nodded. "Sure."

I sat down on the couch and watched her walk into the kitchen. I guessed she wanted to prepare the tea herself.  I brought my phone out and checked the time. It was 9 PM. I must be feeling sleep deprived because I didn't sleep for long the previous day. She popped her head through the kitchen door. 

"Should I prepare coffee or tea? My coffee is the best though."

I smiled. "Then I will prefer coffee."

She flicked her finger. "Right decision," She said and went back into the kitchen.

Soon she came to the parlor and set the mug of hot coffee on the fancy glass stool before the couch. 

 

✴✴✴

 

I buried my face in the pillow, taking in its lavender scent. I smiled and turned. It smelled like a mixture of clouds and rain. A curtain billowed and light surged into my eyes. I groaned and held up my hand, blocking the sun rays. I opened my eyes and looked around. I was still in Diana's gallery. I must have slept off while she was showing me some of her artworks. Then I saw her. She stood before a particular canvas of a painting of a young girl with bright eyes. Then her shoulders trembled.

 I frowned, confused. 

Was she crying?

I flipped the blanket from my body, sat up and walked towards her. 

She jolted at the sound of my footsteps and quickly wiped the tears from her face with a sheer tissue.

She turned and forced a smile. "I'm sorry if I woke you up, I tried to be very quiet."

"You didn't wake me up," I glanced at the window, "it was the rays of the sun."

She chuckled and looked back at the canvas. She sighed and brushed the hair of the girl in the portrait.

"Diana, are you okay?"

She was on the verge of tears. She blinked her eyes and sniffed.

"I'm okay," she lied.

I pocketed my hands and studied the portrait. It was obvious it bothered her. The girl in the portrait looked so innocent with flawless olive skin which flaunted her beauty. 

"Who is she?" I inquired.

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