How could my grandfather choose me for this? And why
Dominie
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The papers felt heavy in my hands as I sat at my desk, staring down at them as if they held some sort of secret answer I’d missed. Share transfers. Not just any shares
-eventhing my grandfatherowned. I was how mine.
I blinked rapidly, trying to process the words on the page. This couldn’t be real. Why me? Why more?
My gaze lifted to my grandfather, who stood across the desk, his posture calm and deliberate, as though this were just another ordinary day in the office. Tears bumed the cemers of my eyes, but couldn’t find the strength to blinkthem aww.
“This should have gone to Dominic, I whispered, my voice cracking slightly under the weight of my emotions. “Why me
My grandfather’s smile was warm, his eyes twinkding with a mixture of pride and something I couldn’t quite place. “Become you’re ready, Raina,” he said softly, histone steady but kind. “I’ve watched you grow into the woman you are today. This family needs someone with your strength and vision. Make me proud. ”
His words lended like stones in my chest. My strength? My vision? I’d spent so much of my life in Dominic’s shadow, convinced that he was the natural leader, the protector. How could my grandfather believe I was capable of this?
He held up a hand, silencing me gently but firmly. “You can,” he said with unwavering conviction. “You will. Trust yourself as much as I trust you,
And just like that, he turned and walked out of my office, leaving me staring after him in stunned silence.
The door clicked shut, and I was alone with the papers and the storm of emotions raging inside me. For a long moment, I didn’t move. My mind was a whirlpool of disbelief, fear, and–was that a hint of pride?
I glanced back at the documents, the black ink on the page blurring slightly as tears threatened again.
“No, not here,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head. I couldn’t break down now. Not in this office.
With trembling hands, I moved to my office safe. My fingers fumbled with the key, the cold metal biting into my palm as I struggled to steady myself. Finally, the lockclicked open, and I carefully placed the papers inside, shutting the door with more fasce than necessary.
The metallic clang echoed in the quiet room. I exhaled shaldly, leaning my forehead against the cool surface of the safe for a moment.
Dominic. I needed to find Dominic. He’d have answers. He’d understand this in a way I couldn’t yet
Grabbing my phone, 3 dialed his number as I headed out of my office. The line cang twice before going to voicemail.
“Where are you?” 1 muttered to myself, frustration bubbling under the surface.
His office was my next stop, but when I pushed the door open, it was empty. The perfectly organized space looked untouched, as if he hadn’t been there all day.
“Domini??” I called out, hoping he was just in another room. But there was no response.
I lingered for a moment, feeling the growing weight of unease settle in my chest. This wasn’t like him. He was always navy to find, always present when the family
needed him
The hours ticked by, and it wasn’t until later in the day that I finally found him. He was stepping out of one of the smaller condecence rooms, his phone pressed to his ear and his expression unitadable.
“Dominic!” I called out, my relief evident.
He glanced at me briefly, his jaurtightening as he ended his call. “Raina,” he acknowledged, his tone clipped.
I slowed my pace as I approached him, studying his face. Something was oft–his usual calm demeanor felt strained, almost guarded.
“Where have you been?” 1 asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’ve been looking for you all day.”
“I’ve been busy,” he replied shortly, avoiding my gaze as he adjusted his watch.
“Busy?” Trepeated, crossing my arms. “I needed to talk to you about something important TM
Denne sighed, running a hand through his hair. “What is it, Raina?”
Thesitated, the words catching in my throat “Grandpa transfered everything to me,” said quietly, watching his reaction cacefully.
Itisexpression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of something—before he quickly masked it. “I know,” he said simply
“You knew?” Lasked, my voice rising slightly. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Dominic shrugged, histone neutral. “It’s what he wanted. And he made the right choice.
“That’s it?” I pressed, Invitation coreping into my voice. “You’re not upset? You’re not going to tight this?”
He fully booked at me, bigare sharp and wwwsing “Why would the upset taina? Did you expect me to fight you were?”
“wo, that’s not what I – ” I stopped, my thoughts tangling together. “Host doin’t understand why you’re acting so distant.”
Dominic sighed beatly, his shoulders sagging slightly. “Youodda’t understand,” he muttered, bushing past ine, I stood there, my eyes flattering in utter
Pominic had always been my ashes, the one persons I could count on no matter how chantle life became, that lately, something had sletted.
I decided to give him space at first, chalking up his distance to the usual stress of word. Derryone had between in giren toldes, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.
*www,” he would tell use whenever Lasled sheer he was on what he wasalting. It was always i nothing to ease my vincents. He was constantly on the move, his phone glued in his caror
mements, digit? futan days fumed into weeks, the gap
- clippedersponse, accompanied by a vague slong that did festion somewhere else entirely
One night. Towght him in the hallway, his voter line and vegent as he spoke into his phone. He didn’t ser noe standing there, watching as he paced back and forth. The sharpness in his bowe, the www bis ter handelenched idealist—it wasall
1 hore, tom betweencontrenting him them and there on retreating is avoid whatever storm be seemed to be navigating in the end, I stepped back into the shadows, deciding not to intervet.
but from that night on, couldn’t stop paying attention. Every hushed phone call, every hunted esőt, every i painted a pletime Leouldn’t ignor
Something was wrong, and Deeside wasn’t telling me.
the brushed me off with a vague excuse —
The ease clawed at me day and night, avstand whisper in the back of my mind. Whenever he was hiding.
‘t be good.
I was done tiptoring and it. The longer waited, the more certain I became that this wasn’t just about it could affect all of us. And I couldn’t let that happen
My opportunity came sooner than expected. Late one evening, noticed Dome leaving the house, his movements hunded but deliberate. He was tnding to be discreet, Jun T’d been paying too much attention to miss.
quietly, I grabbed my coat and slipped out after this, keeping a sate ditur as followed him down the street. My heart pounded with every step, the adrenaling rouning throughime as tried to stay out of sight.
Dominic tumed the comes, bis pace quicheuling, I sucked behind a parked car, peeking out just in time to see him enter a small cate. Through the window, I spotted bim beading toward a table where another figure was already seed.
My breath caught insiny Thepat. Of all the people he could be meeting, why him?
Ingeord outside, my thoughts racing, Dominic had been adding me for weeks, and now he was meeting Al
Alex in secret? What could they possibly have to talk
Sterling myself, I pushed open the door and stepped inside. The bell above the entrance chased softly, drawing their attention
Dominic’s expression from when he saw me, his jaw tightening. Ales leaned back in his chair, cussing his arms as a stolik played on his lips.
“What’s going on?” I densanded, my voor steady despite the stonsaging loshde me.
Dominit stood abruptly, Blocking my path to the table. “Italia, you shouldn’t be here,” he said, ciune fin but at unkind.
=shouldn’t believe?” I repeated, glaring at lalu, **
“The maybe you shouldn’t be smaking around with him.” I poloted at Alex, who raised his hands in mock
“Relax,” Alex drawled, his amit widening. “It’s just a little meeting. Nothing for you to worry your pretty head about.”
i ignored him, my eyes boring line Dominic “You’ve been avoiding ine for weeks, and now Head you with Alex? What the hell is going on, Dominic?
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck “t’s complicated, Baina, Let’s leave, and I’ll explain everything.”
not going anywhere until you tell me what this is about,” I shot back, folding my an acto my chest.
Deglared at Alex, who shugged lazily, “Your call,” Alex said, clearly enjoying the tension.
“Fine,” Dominic muttered, his jaw tightening. “At least let’s get to the car.
Ifellowed him out of the calf, my mind racing with question. Dominic had always been honest with me at least, I thought he had. But now I wasn’t so sur
We walked intense silence to his car. Once halde, I slammed the door and tumed to him “Start talking.”
bominic gilpped the steering wheel, his kuckles white. “I was showing Alex the video of Ella. He needed to see what she did to Liam.”
Is words took the edge age, but plein still lingered. “Why? It’s not like he’s going to do anything about it…
“Because he needs to understand why Lam belongs with you, “Dominic replied, histone clipped. He was doing this for me
Leaned back in my seat, processing is explanation. It made sense, but something still felt off.
“And the math you wear talking abom ? Who was he?” I pressed. Yes, Thrand that part ten
Delighed heavily, his gilp on the wheel loosening. “I think Nathan has people watching us.
snst þist paranoia, Baina, Something’s going on.”
I stared at him, my chest tightening. “Has Alex completely poismird your mind against Nathan? You used to like him. What changed?”
Dominic shook his head, frustration flashing across his face. “Alex was sight, you woublah helle
,” he muttrard, yanking the key out of the ignition.
I grabbed his am before he could get out The
“Why are yet acting like this? Did I do something?
Dominic’s silence cut deeper than any woodsealed have.
“Is this about the shares?” Lased quietly, my voler trembling
Bedibitawer. It had to be it.
When we got inside, I tell an overwhelming, war of doubt and guilt crash over me, Was I wore to accept the shares and estates? Maybe I should give them back
The best mening, I found Domink in the kitchen, leaning aralist the counter with a mug of coffee in his hand. The sight of him, calm and detached, only added to www.rustration crossed the room, detenied to centrout film about last night,
“Can we talk?” 1 asked, keeping my home steady,
Dominic didn’t even glance at nie. He took a slow sip from his mig, before replying, “Not now, Italia.”
tely patience “why not? You’ve been acting strange for works, and I deserve to know what’s going on.”
He set the mug down, his jaw tightening. “You wouh understand now, Baina. Not yet.”
“What does that even mean?” i pressed, my voice sing slightly.
