Bonus Chapter- One

“I can’t believe he didn’t arrange the socks,” I muttered angrily as I bent to pick his socks which he sprawled on the floor while he was searching for what he called his special socks.

I mean, this dude never wears these special socks when we go for a date. But a huge business partner shows up, he turns the house upside down and leaves me screaming at his back to sort out his mess.

As I placed the stockings in their rightful place, I began to laugh. The manner with which Dominic rushed out of the house when I started to nag him replayed in my head.

“Grace,” Ruby peered in from the entrance with a questioning look.

As I raised my hand to reply her, I burst into another fit of laughter. But I soon caught myself and stood straight. “Hey Ruby. I just happened to remember something silly your father did.” She walked in, her gown reminding me that she needed to be at school soon.
As I admired her dress choice, I motioned to her to come closer. When she did, I helped adjust her hair as I said, “You look like you are going to rock picture day.”

“Ughh… don’t jinx the day,” she danced as her lips scrunched.

“Okay Miss. I just love your dress. Did your father pick this one?”

“Oh no. The one he picked was ridiculously long and baggy. I had to convince him that this one would be a better choice.”

I could picture the frown on Dominic’s face as he listened to Ruby defend her choice of dress. He always made fuss about things like that. “He doesn’t have that much of a fashion sense when it comes to others , does he?” Ruby shook her head in negative before she went on to admire her deep blue lace, flare gown in front of the mirror.

As I shut the drawer of socks, I admired how much she had grown in two years. Not only was she progressing in height and physical features, she was crazily progressing academically.

It took me two weeks to convince Dominic not to admit her into what he called a special school. To me, no matter how extra smart she was, she deserved a normal school experience.

Dominic was probable to win the argument later in the future, but I was glad I was able to ensure her childhood experience was not tainted with nothing but academics and academic related extra curricular activities.

“We are both running late. Don't forget your coat,” I reminded Ruby as I grabbed my bag from the bed which I left un-laid on purpose.

In no time, we were in the car and on our way to Ruby’s school which was about an hour drive from our house. And that meant I always get to have extra talk time with Ruby.

“Did you feed the dog?” We decided to get a dog since I was obsessed with the idea of having a dog. I always was. I was just scared to keep one because I feared I would kill it with loneliness. But the well grown Swiss shepherd dog whose white furs I absolutely adore certainly found a home with us.

“Yes. He went right to sleep after though. Are there pills that make him sleep in his food?”

“I hope there is. Hero has been naughty lately.” I took a turn that led out of our neighbourhood. “So, anything fun happen in school yesterday?”

She shook her head. “No, not really. But I…” She looked out the window and went silent.

With the side of my eye on her, I asked, “Is there something wrong Ruby?” She sighed before she looked my way. “You know you can tell me anything.”

“I know. I have just been thinking. No… I actually have been recalling some certain things.”

“What certain things?”

“Well, it is just a thing.” I was getting tempted to park the car. “I can’t seem to forget that night. The one when… when my breathing became heavy and it felt…” I could feel heat crawling towards my skin as Ruby approached that one topic that will be difficult for me to deal with. But I had to deal with it anyway.

“Felt like?”

“It felt like I was going to die.” My legs hit the brakes immediately.

“Wh- what are you trying to say?”

“I have been feeling that way for some while now.”

“Ruby…” I grabbed the sides of my head as I tried to keep myself so I could react without making her feel terrible. “Ruby why didn’t you say something earlier? Are you having pains anywhere? Or do you just find it hard to breathe.”

“No, no. I am fine. We should move though, we are in the middle of the road.” I gasped. I totally forgot we were on the highway. Thanking heavens that a truck didn’t hit us or something, I immediately got the car moving.

“What are you trying to say Ruby?”

“I… I have just been recalling that incident so much, it feels almost as though it is happening all over again.”

“How long has this been going on for?”

“About a week?”

“Oh Ruby.” I sighed as my lips couldn’t figure out which statement to roll out.

“I am actually fine. Nothing is wrong with me. It is just… I am scared.” Ruby whispered like the last words like it were a secret which would kill her if said out loud.

Okay, I shouldn’t be exactly using the word kill.
As I took the next turn, I had figured out what to say. "I don't know exactly why you are having such feelings at this stage, but, I really hope you let your Dad and I in whatever the problem may be. We are here to listen to your every and any thing that is bothering you."

"Thanks Grace."

"You are welcome baby. When you get home today, we should talk more, if you want to." Ruby nodded and that was about it for the ride. The rest of the drive was spent in nothing but silence.

And even more silence enveloped my car when I dropped her and made for my work place.

Just like I desired, I established a publishing house which is presently a comfortable huge office that occupies the upper arm of a one-storey building. Getting the building wasn't difficult, neither was getting furniture. Even the company's alliance with the printing press went smoothly, they actually didn't mind giving my little grown idea a chance.

But... of all things that could be hard to get, finding staffs was crazy. I recall like it were yesterday, only two people showed up for the interview and even though those two formed the foundation of the company diligently, I always wished for more staff, but they never came and I never found.

That made our first year as a company hell-ish. I really don't like to recall those stressful days.

But a year after, I found an amazing writer named Michael Angelo whose amazing prose skills brought Sands Publications into the limelight. And with his luck, our man power increased and we now have a total of fifteen staff and two more signed writers.

You should have seen the way I kept squealing in the house when all the first copies of Michael Angelo's crime novel sold, I was more than glad because I knew within me that the worst was over.

As I parked my car in my spot and made for the building ahead whose ground floor we were working on acquiring - damn, I sound so sucessful, I just can't help but dance in my head- I wondered if Dom and I would be doing lunch later.

A shrieked greeting from my staff from day one, Tiffany answered that question as soon as I stepped into our floor. " Mr. Powers just sent a message."

"Okay?" I tried to swerve my way through her, but she always put her small statue to use.

"You guys are having lunch today and he says he is sorry." She pushed her long black, quite beautiful hair back like she does anytime she wants to be a little nosy. "Did you guys fight?"

"Tiffany, thank you for delivering the message."

"Don't fight with your husband okay? You two are too sweet for that."

"He is not my husband." I resumed walking as I acknowledged the greeting of others.

"Yet." She corrected as she found my pace. "Just wait, his proporsal is on its way."

"Mrs Tiffany Hudson," she hit my back hard as I stopped abruptly. I sucked in a breath to hide the pain. "I believe you have some marketing stuff to do."

She let off a huff. "Sure."

"Have Micheal-Angelo see me when he comes today."

"Okay, Mrs Powers."

I shook my head at her insistency and made for my office with no further thoughts.

********

"There she is," Dominic called as I entered his car.

"Are you still wearing those socks?"

"Seriously, no hello kiss? You didn't even let me have a goodbye one this morning and you know how much I..." Dominic saw those narrowed eyes of mine and sighed. "No, I am not."

I took a peek from where I was. "Hmm."

"I can't believe you are still jealous of my socks."

"I am not jealous." I crossed my arms as my mind instantly decided to become dramatic.

"I have a proposition for you."

"Does it involve arranging your space?"

His deep, always sensual chuckle came up before he said, "Is that why you were shouting at me this morning?" Slowly, my head turned in his direction, my eyes were making sure to glare. "Okay, okay sweetness. I will make sure to arrange my space."

"You just never apologize," I loosened my drama.

"It's..."

"Your ego, I know." I leaned in onto his lips and stole a kiss.

"Uh... I was saying something." He blinked as I sat back.

"You have a proposition."

"Yeah. I just got a call from Janet and she said Father wants us to come home for Christmas."

"Please tell me we are going."

"Of course we are."

"Yay!"

"And..." I did a little dance, he laughed. "In exchange, all my offenses this year would be forgiven."

"Thank God you know you have been a bad boy."

"Yes," the shade of his eyes went dark. "I have been a bad, bad boy." He moved closer and bit the air in front of her.

"Ouuu... I should do something about that."

"Yeah?" He moved even closer.

"Yeah. But we need to eat first."

I did not miss the frown on his beautiful, beautiful face as he said, "Yes we should."