Settling between apologizing in person or through the phone Kate thought of a better way. She was going to the hospital to see him. Then it occurred to her that she doesn't have his number. She only hopes Naomi does.
Someone was on the phone ready to report an assault but his sister won't let him. Carla Lorenzo wasn't ready to offend Alvin but Dante tried to make her see reasons
" He almost disfigured me. I want to charge him for assault" he insisted as Carla held her head tired of explaining to him
" There are few people we can trust in this city and Mr. Alvin Reagan is one of them. They run the country. Internationally and nationally. We can't offend him. You were hitting on his wife. You may make things difficult for the poor woman. I advise you to stay away from her. Dante, she's married" Carla explained with her hands on her jaw
" I know but she's such a great person. Why did she marry such a wicked man? I want to show her how it feels to be loved. She has to know that what he feels for her isn't love. She can't even voice her opinion. She's like a slave to him. I'm restless when I thinking about her. " He said agitated getting pissed by the mere thought of it.
" It's not your business... stay out of it. She's married. I'm sure she can take care of herself"
" obviously she can't. She's asthmatic Carla. She almost died because of his ego. He's a narcissist. I'm going to look for a way for her to trust me" he vowed to turn his back to her.
Carla gave it rest too but she wasn't going to allow it. Her brother won't get involved with them.
A nurse stops by to inform them of having visitors.
" Visitor? Dante, your friends? She asked in Italian
" Let them in, " Dante said in English. The nurse left to let them in.
Dante's eyes were on the doors waiting for the unexpected visitors then Kate and Naomi entered. Kate was holding a gift in her hands while Naomi brought a basket of fruits.
" Hi," Kate said to him then to her boss
" Carla. Excuse us " Carla told him something in Italian and left.
" Have a seat. How is your health? Dante asked as she scoffed looking at his bruise
" I'm fine thanks to you. How are you? Look, I'm sorry about his assault. He gets overprotective sometimes when someone challenges him over me. I'm truly sorry Dante" she apologized embarrassed that he has to witness her attack
" That's not being overprotective. That guy is insane. Kate, he doesn't love you. He... " She lowered her head giving the eye language that Naomi was around.
Dante sighed, then spoke
' Naomi leave us. Thanks for coming. I'll like to talk to her alone" he said sitting upright while Naomi nods then left.
"Kate, please listen. That man is going to be the end of you. He's of one those wealthy men that think there's nothing they can't have. Stand up to him. You're breathing the same air. Standing on the same ground. He might be wealthy well so am I. Maybe not as influential as he is but I don't treat people like pawns. You've to believe me. " He explained holding her hands tenderly Kate looked at his hands on hers and withdrew hers.
If she recalled correctly, Alvin once said the same thing. He would tell her that she won't be treated like a good for nothing. She wasn't ready to trust any man again
" Kate, you and I met by fate. Alvin is a mistake in your life. You don't even love him " he retorted grabbing her hands again drawing circles on it while Kate looked at him
" It doesn't matter. I'm his wife and I've given him everything. I have lost myself too. Dante, it's too late to help me. I don't want to be saved anymore. He treats me better now. He holds me to sleep, treats me like a normal human being. I don't need anything" she tells him withdrawing her hands once more.
" Apology rejected. You know that's a lie" he voiced looking anywhere but her.
" what do I do to then? She asked surprised he was mad at her
" Go out with me. I don't mean the couple's type and yes it's a date. Go on ten dates with me. I wanna show you something. I promise you'll love it. Do you agree? She stood up then walked to the window frame in deep thought.
Dante grimaced on her hesitance. He wanted her to see the difference. Was he just a good Fuck to her? She wasn't ready to give him a chance to prove himself. Why is he the only one interested in her? Why could be holding her back? Is he that inferior to her husband? Dante couldn't help but feel helpless. He was ready to do anything for her.
He decided to give her some time to think about it. He isn't going to force her. If she was to attend the ten dates he wanted it to be her choice not because she was trying to apologize to him. She had a choice.
' you know what! forget I said it. I don't want to put pressure on you. I meant no harm though. I'm grateful you came over. I forgot to tell you that you looked amazing in that pink dress. Everything about you is amazing" he stated as it resonated in her ears. Alvin used that phrase a lot.
His offer was tempting to her, for the past two years, she hasn't gone out like a normal human being just to work her ass off to caterer for herself. Alvin wouldn't let her mingle with people. Naomi ignored her most times after her wedding. She should have fun, right? She wasn't going to cheat on him again. She needed to be reminded how it feels to be loved. She wanted to have that feeling of acceptance, a fervent feeling. It's been a long someone did something romantic for her.
The problem was, can she trust him? Even though he confronted her husband before, she still thought he was harmless. She hopes she was right about him.
" Then have you forgiven me? Please I can't sleep knowing you were hurt because of me" she muttered looking at him smile
" Really? Did you think of me? Our night together? I can't keep it out of my head" he voiced as she coughed to stop him from going further
" I haven't thought about it and I think you should forget about it. I'll think about your dates tonight. Perhaps give you a call if I have your number which I don't and I don't want it. I'll see you at the office. Mind my manners, I brought some fruits and toiletries for you. Please accept it " she stated pointing at it then proceeded to hug him.
" Thank you, Dante. " She whispered hanging her bag on her shoulder then twitched her mouth staring at the quiet man on the bed who must have been offended by her words.
" Goodbye, Dante. Get well soon" she finished leaving.