Chapter 36: A Few Weeks Later

Over the next few weeks, Dax and I had come to a truce. We weren’t butting heads every day and could be civil with each other. I was grateful that I wasn’t getting irritated on a regular basis anymore. I didn’t need that on top of all of my pregnancy symptoms.

I just wanted to get through the rest of the agreement without another hitch. Maybe Dax would just keep everything professional between us. I was trying my hardest to keep things from being complicated again.

There was no time for us to get back to what had almost been. I was ready to move on from whatever past feelings I may have been starting to gain for Dax. It was hard to tell if they were lingering deep inside or not.

One afternoon was really memorable. Dax sat beside me on the couch and was a little too close for comfort. He looked over at me, and my heart beat a little faster.

What was he trying to do? I didn’t want to interact with Dax more than was necessary. I wanted to be able to get along but not be too friendly with him. It would send the wrong signal if I showed any additional interest.

When I refocused, Dax said, “I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a day trip out of the mansion.”

“No thanks. I’d like to just stay here today.”

Dax frowned at me and asked, “Why would you want to stay here? I’d take you somewhere really nice.”

“I’m sorry. I just need some relaxation here.”

Dax’s face lit up and he said, “I could spend the day with you here. We could watch a movie together or something.”

What was he doing? Couldn’t he see that I wanted to be alone? I wished he would stop trying to engage with me like this. I wasn’t going to risk my heart for a man that acted so hot and cold. He wasn’t worth the heartache.

I noticed he was still eagerly waiting for an answer and politely said, “Thanks for the offer, but I’d like to be alone for the day.”

Dax seemed completely disappointed and got up and left me. I knew he really wanted to spend time, but I just couldn’t be around him too long. I didn’t want to admit it, but sometimes I felt that betraying feeling when I was around Dax. He still affected me more than I wanted to be.

It was better to get distance than gravitate towards him again. Being close to Dax was dangerous for my heart. I couldn’t let him in again after he continued to let me down.

Later in the day, Dax joined me for dinner. I hadn’t offered for him to sit down beside me but he did. I guessed that he was going to keep being persistent and not give up on trying to win me over again.

It was kind of sweet in a way, but I didn’t need him to act that way towards me. I wanted the old Dax back. What had happened to the man I had first met? He hadn’t referred to me as Miss Winters for a long time.

Dax spoke up as I took a sip of my water. “Danica, can we please talk? I miss talking to you.”

His words struck something in my heart. I wanted those feelings to fade away and not return. Why did he have to say such things to me?

I sighed and said, “I have nothing to say to you Dax. Please just let me eat dinner in peace.”

He shook his head and said, “I don’t know why you won’t let me in again. We used to get along pretty well.” He smiled and said, “Remember our little vacation together. You had so much fun.”

I couldn’t believe he mentioned that trip. It wasn’t fair to bring that up. But that was also where he had pulled away from our kiss. I was still upset that he hadn’t wanted to continue that night.

“Oh, you mean the vacation where you ran away from me after our kiss? I remember that awful night.” I added, “You just walked away as if I had some disease.”

His face fell and he said, “I…I had my reasons for doing that. You have no idea why I did that.”

I picked up my plate and wouldn’t hear his excuse. He knew what he had done that night, and it still stung so badly. I wouldn’t stick around to hear any more of this.

The rest of the day went by fast, and I crawled into bed. I tried to push any thoughts of my conversation with Dax away before I closed my eyes.

On the following day, I decided to go out shopping again. There was nothing I needed but I had to avoid Dax even better than the day before.

When I got back, I walked in to see Jared standing by Dax’s office. My heart sunk at the sight of him. He was absolutely despicable. I still recalled what he had said to Dax at the party months ago.

I tried to walk past him, but he got in my way. Jared’s eyes swept me up and down and made me feel quite
uncomfortable. How could he look at another woman like this? I needed to get away from him before he possibly flirted with me again. I wasn’t going through that again.

Jared looked very relaxed but told me, “Why are you still here? I thought I heard you were going to leave.”

“Where did you get that idea from?”

He shook his head and said, “You should’ve left. Dax won’t ever change. Besides, you don’t belong in our society. You’re just a lowly waitress who got lucky.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I don’t like the sight of you in this mansion.” He added, “I was so close to taking over the company until you came around. You ruined everything I had planned.”

“Dax is a better CEO than you’d ever be. Don’t talk down to me as if you’re better than me. You’re scared that you won’t get the CEO position.” I added, “Your insults mean nothing to me. They’re just empty words coming from a coward.”

Jared looked taken aback and stammered, “W..well I need to get going.”

Jared walked towards the door and opened it before heading out of the mansion.