At night, as soon as I get home, I have to hastily remove the bandages on my face and wash my face with cold water. My face is red from being sealed for too long and many red spots cause itching. Originally, my facial skin was quite good and rarely had any dermatological problems, but it was because I had to wear makeup for so long that everything was so bad.
"Tomorrow we don't need to wear elaborate and complicated makeup. I think you and I just need to wear masks."
I completely agree with Garrick. The fact that we dress up so carefully actually makes us a lot more uncomfortable and inconvenient for ourselves. Just because we were worried Dominic might recognize us, we had to prepare a lot of things.
"Did they say they'll see us tomorrow?"
"No. Lucky for that. They should be spending time together, maybe when they need us they'll get in touch." I didn't realize there was a hint of sadness in my voice, though I thought I hid it well.
Garrick looked at me, let out a very light sigh then returned to his room.
I can't sleep tonight, I remember many stories from four years ago and realize that my youth is filled with the shadow of Dominic. My life turned to a new page when I accidentally met him for the first time and we had a one night stand. Just like that, our relationship kept entangled and entwined with each other forever. Even after four years apart, he was with another woman and I had a new life, fate once again bound us together.
It was only when we were apart that I realized that the nostalgia for him in me had never diminished at all, it was just that I kept lying to myself and hiding it. When hatred and love for Dominic were intertwined in my heart, it made my feelings even more tormented and tired.
I looked through the window of my son's room and saw that he was fast asleep. To protect my son, I accept to live this life of unhappiness and loneliness. Because of that, I definitely can't let Dominic find out that I'm 'Esther Joan'.
Every two or three days, Vivian would ask me out at Goderich once. Dominic never once followed us, so the feeling of being overwhelmed and afraid about him gradually disappeared. A few times, I didn't even hesitate to take off my mask to be more comfortable.
"Aren't you two going on a date together?" I asked Vivian as we were sitting by the river and watching the town of Goderich at dusk.
"He's always cold, you see. He hasn't smiled since he came here. He agreed to go on a trip with me, but it was forced and not too exciting. It seems that in our relationship, I'm the only one trying to pursue him." Vivian's eyes were filled with pity and sadness. it's a pity that the person she loves is Dominic. "Do you think I'm just a substitute for his dead ex-girlfriend?"
"I'm not sure." I hesitated. It's embarrassing and embarrassing when my 'death' is mentioned and I have to pretend like I don't understand.
"Everybody said that, even his friends. They said I looked like Dominic's ex-girlfriend that's why he allowed me to be with him. You may not believe it, but I don't even know what his ex-girlfriend's name is. No matter how many times I asked him or tried to find out information about that woman from his friends, I couldn't." Vivian sighed.
"Is that so? Why?"
"I think he doesn't want to talk about her, there are only two reasons. Either because he hates her, or because he loves her too much." Vivian shrugged and said. "For whatever reason, it makes me hate his ex-girlfriend because she used to have things Dominic never gave me.
I heard she almost became his wife. I'm lucky that hasn't happened, otherwise I probably wouldn't have had the chance to be with him."
Hearing Vivian's words, my heart felt heavy. I looked towards the river with a confused look. Two weeks go by very quickly, just a few more days and Vivian and Dominic will leave. The connection between me and you will also end there.
"I want to go out there and see." Vivian pointed to an unguarded wooden bridge over the river.
"There? I think we should call your bodyguards along to avoid danger."
I looked at Vivian's limp and unsteady legs and advised her to be careful. But she definitely didn't want to call the bodyguards and went to the bridge herself. She roamed around like a little swallow full of freedom, with no concern or guilt about her handicapped leg. Seeing her like that, I suddenly remembered when I was a ballerina. At that time, my passion was very bright and I never hesitated to take any challenge. I almost got a hand in my position as a member of the Angels, following in the footsteps of my mother.
But a sudden accident made my ankle no longer flexible. Although four years have passed, the sequelae of the wound are still very heavy. Especially in the winter, my ankles are always sore, making it difficult for me to sleep.
While I was lost in thought, Vivian had come a long way. She went to the middle of the bridge and danced. Because I was worried about her, I rushed after her. When moving fast and strong, this wooden bridge shakes quite strongly and shakes continuously. Normal people can easily balance while standing on this wooden bridge, but Vivian cannot.
In just a split second, she leaned back and fell. I rushed over but couldn't make it in time, just touching one of her fingers and Vivian fell into the water.
I couldn't swim, and that made me so flustered that I didn't know what to do.
"Help me, someone fell into the water." I shouted to seek everyone's help, but unfortunately our place was too far away, and in the evening, few people passed by this place.
Vivian splashed around in the water and kept drinking water, obviously because she couldn't swim. I could do nothing but watch Vivian sink into the water. I was so desperate that I burst into tears, then, not understanding what motivated me, I jumped into the water to grab her hand.
She tried to hold her breath and pull her body above the water, but a non-swimmer like me really had no way to save someone who had already sunk. Even if I can't save my life, who can I save?
I choked on the water and found myself sinking to the bottom of the river. My arms and legs were numb and I didn't have the strength to struggle anymore. I closed my eyes slowly, a lot of thoughts ran through my head. What I fear most right now is not death, but what if my son lives without me? He already has no father, he cannot live without his mother. So, isn't he too pitiful?
In the struggle between life and death, I just begged God to save me, so that I could be with my son.
Looking up from the depths of the river, the last rays of the day become shimmering and magical. I choked on water, my nostrils and throat were sore, and my vision kept getting blurry. I seem to have seen Vivian, she's struggling and coming to the surface.
Apparently, I had seen her almost drowned with my own eyes before, so I risked my life to jump into the water to save her. But before I lost consciousness, I saw Vivian easily come to the surface. I want to tell her that I'm here, I need her help, but I can't.
At the last moment before closing my eyes, I saw the face of the person I feared the most, the person I loved the most.
...
The bodyguards keep an eye on Vivian and Ms. Ambar. Sir Dominic had carefully instructed them to ensure the absolute safety of both women, not just Miss Vivian Odette.
The two women may not know it, but they are very clear about one thing: Sir Dominic does go with them from time to time, it's just that he silently accompanies them from a great distance without them noticing. never mind.
The bodyguards also did not know why the mighty and powerful Sir Dominic had to hesitate. Is it okay if he just said that he wanted to go with them? Yet Sir Dominic chose to quietly observe them from a distance.
It was the same today, until late in the afternoon he stopped by the small river in the town of Goderich, calmly and silently looking at the two women not too far away.
"Remind them that they need to return before dark." Dominic commanded the bodyguards in a low voice, then he turned to leave.
"Hey, where's Miss Vivian Odette?" A bodyguard shouted.
When Dominic heard that, he turned his head. At this time, he witnessed the moment Ms Ambar jumped into the river. While the bodyguards were confused and did not understand what was happening, Dominic took off his vest and ran quickly to the wooden bridge. He didn't even need a second to think, immediately jumped into the river. As Dominic dived deep into the water, he saw two women sinking.
His mind tells him to save Vivian, but his heart tells him that the other girl needs him.
Dominic hesitated for a while, finally he didn't know why, he quickly swam towards Ms Ambar. He wrapped his arms around her limp body and easily brought her to the surface.
Vivian also surfaced shortly after, she choked on water and seemed quite struggling, it took her bodyguards to carry her ashore to help her panic. Vivian sat on the side panting, and when she turned to look at Dominic nearby, her eyes narrowed slightly. Then she pretended not to see anything, closed her eyes and stretched out on the grass. The bodyguards quickly brought her back to the hotel.
At that time, many people discovered that someone had fallen into the river, so they gathered in large numbers. They did not get too close, but kept a distance far enough to see what happened.
Dominic was drenched in sweat, his shirt clinging to his body, revealing his strong chest and solid abs. He carried Ms. Ambar and gently laid her drenched body on her green carpet. Her dress has also stuck to her body due to the water, it makes her perfect and sexy figure more visible.
Normally he saw her always wearing a long and flowing skirt with a thin chiffon jacket, even though the weather was hot, he had also seen her wearing comfortable short skirts. Many times he wondered if it was her fashion sense or if she was a single mother who preferred discreet clothes. Just like that, the frequency that he thought about her increased.
Today, this was the first time he had the opportunity to be so close to her. Before, he had always worried that if he approached her, she would panic and run away, just like the time they met at the Gamuda Hotel. She is like a small rabbit, and he is a hungry wolf, when he sees her, he feels like he wants to take her and become his possession. He himself didn't know if it was because she looked too much like Esther or if it was his feelings for her.
Confusion kept on making him hesitate.
Now that he was so close, he just needed to reach out and take off her mask to see the face he had been curious about for so long. Will she be like what he dreamed of, or will she have a different beauty?
Dominic gasped, slowly reaching out to touch Ambar's mask.
"Hey, step back."
Garrick rushed here as soon as he heard people talking among themselves that Esther and a beautiful girl had fallen into the river. When he arrived, he found Dominic holding her and gently setting her down on the grass. Her eyes were closed and her chest wasn't heaving, yet Dominic was still dumbfounded, not understanding what he was thinking. Seizing that opportunity, Garrick rushed forward and shoved Dominic. Garrick really freaked out because Dominic almost discovered their secret, but there was one thing that made him angrier.
It was because Garrick could sense the affection Dominic felt when Dominic looked at Esther. Those attentive and patient eyes represent a deeply hidden emotion. Garrick himself had to hide his feelings for Esther, so he understood Dominic's gaze.
"Damian?" Dominic was a bit surprised that Ambar's boyfriend showed up so quickly.
"Thank you for saving my girlfriend, but now let me help her. Please stay away."
Garrick froze slightly when he heard Dominic call him by a strange name, but luckily he didn't make it too obvious. Garrick remembered that 'Damian' was now his name.
Dominic saw the angry look of 'Damian', then his gaze turned cold. He wasn't a person who easily let others brag and smug in front of him, but now he had to hold his anger down, for only one reason. It was 'Damian' who was Ms Ambar's boyfriend. If he and 'Damian' got into a fight, their relationship would become very bad.
Garrick noticed that Dominic had backed away quite a bit before he pulled off Esther's mask. He quickly performed CPR on her, using his hands to press hard against her chest several times in a rhythmic manner, then separated her lips and gave her CPR. After about two or three times, Esther finally spat out the water and gasped for breath. She took every sip of air as if to save her life.
As Garrick's tall body blocked his view, Dominic was completely unaware of Ambar's condition, he stood there uneasily and wrung his shirt dry, but his eyes were fixed on hers. It wasn't until he heard her coughing that his heavy heart finally calmed down.
Garrick completely ignored Dominic, he picked up Esther and quickly brought her home.