Ask Me to Stay

Chapter Sixteen

DOMINIC'S POV

---Early July---

"It's the London expo, Kara!" I shouted from the corner of the living room. "There is no way I am not going. Just because you can't go doesn't mean I can't." I added.

"You never even asked if I would go!" She returned, fists balled at her sides.

"Because I know your fucking work schedule, Kara!" I answered, throwing my head back and taking a few deep breaths, none of it helping to calm me down.

"But you could have asked instead of just coming up to me and telling me it was happening!" Her voice turning into a frustrated whine. 

"Well maybe if you would just let me finish my god damn sentence, my reasoning would be more clear." I spit, shaking my head and turning away from her. "I was actually going to ask if I could take Vera, after what happened last month I think a little vacation would do her well." That was a lie. Vera was basically fine now, not that she's completely over it, but she's no longer wallowing in her room. I wanted her to come so we could be together...completely. 

"So you came to ask permission to take my little sister to the expo we planned on attending together? Wow, that's a new fucking low for me." She huffed, pushing back her hair and leaning against the arm of the sofa. 

"Jesus Kara! Those invitations get sent out two weeks before, it's an exclusive event and I'm surprised I was even invited. You work and It's too late to ask for a week off of work. Vera needs a break and that's what London will be." I tried to keep my voice even, Vera was upstairs and could probably hear all of this, and I wanted London to be a surprise. 

"You're choosing her over me!" She cried out, tears welling in her eyes and her knuckles turning white from how tight she has them balled. 

"Are you seriously jealous of Vera?! I get that us being friends may shock you a little, but I am not choosing her over you." My heart felt like it was at my feet, I hated saying that with my whole being. Because I knew that if the circumstances were different...I'd leave Kara in a heartbeat for even the smallest chance of having some real with Vera. "Her life is changing, Kara. In two months she'll be a senior and in nine months she'll be leaving. She is seeing a large portion of the people she knows leaving, knowing some of them she will never see again. I know how I felt when I was her age, it was fucking shitty." 

"You're really milking the fact that you guys talk now. I know my sister, Dom, if anyone knows she needs a break, it's me." She shot back, completely ignoring my attempts to scale this down.

"Why is this a fucking contest, Kara. I'm not trying to infiltrate your role in her life. If you think she needs a break then just let me take her with. She has dreamed about going to London, why take that chance away?" I tried reasoning with her, pointing out the obvious and keeping a gentle tone. 

"So she's just gonna follow you around while you talk to other architects and read about new ergonomic designs?" She asked with a huff, her arms falling limp, showing she was now done trying to fight, as was I.

"You mean things that interest her?" I pointed out, surprised Kara doesn't even recognize what Vera's interests are. "She loves art, Kara, in all forms. She's going to have the time of her life in London, and I'll make sure she gets to see more than just the expo." I explained, knowing that her decision was based on how gently I asked, clearly that wasn't going in my favor.

"Fine. If that's what she wants, then I won't stop her. But...this," She motioned to the air between us. "Needs to change. I'm not going to let you put my sister before our relationship. Don't treat me like she's more yours than mine."