Affairs of the Heart

chapter 6

   'Hey man, I heard desirable Desirée is in town', Dominic's African American friend, martin said.

  'How'd you hear that?', Dominic asked, raising a curious brow 'anyway, yeah she's back and beautiful as ever', Dominic continued.

  'I don't think she can get any prettier than high school', Martin chuckled, sipping at his coffee.

   'She is',Dominic retorted, seemingly lost in his little world.
 
   'Well you should remember she's off the market for you, it's happily never after for you and cruel- I mean Sharon' Martin grinned 'maybe I can make a move on Des', he winked teasingly.
  
    Dominic shot him a glare that could've melted steel. Martin laughed, knowing that there was no way on earth Dominic would let that happen.
   
    'You know, she's even dating Patrick', Dominic ground out firmly.

    'Patrick Caine?, as in Patrick Caine your competition?', he asked, the surprise in his voice couldn't be mistaken.
  
'Yeah him', Dominic hissed.
Martin laughed 'oh man, it seems like you guys are competing for more than one thing'

Dominic nudged him in the shoulders 'shut up punk'.
 

                ***************
Patrick kissed Des on her neck, and then grabbed her bottom.
   'Patrick, I- I can't', she said pushing at his chest.
 
    'What's wrong?', he groaned
  
  'I- I- have to tell you something',she said softly.

   'What is it?', he asked, concerned.

   There was a long silence where they both looked at each other intently, Desiree's eyes suddenly becoming misty.
 
    'I-'  she sniffed 'I cheated', she finally croaked.
Patrick stared at her blankly then realization dawned.

  'You what?', he spat bitterly.

   'I-it was a mistake, i- I didn't want to keep it from you, I'm sorry', she cried.
Desiree could see the raw anger in Patrick's features.
 
   ' who is it?', he growled
   'I can't tell you', she sobbed
    'Dammit, why not!', he snapped 'some man fucked my girlfriend, and I shouldn't know who it is?', he growled.

   'I'm sorry', she sniffed
Patrick sucked in a breath and bought his voice down to a whisper, 'when I told you I love you, and you said it back, did you really mean it?', he asked, eyes red and misty.

  'I'm so sorry', she whispered.
Patrick gave a choked laugh, then he scanned the room blankly after raking his fingers through his hair. He suddenly spun around to look at Desirée, his eyes deadly. He grabbed her by her wrist and shook her.
    
    'I loved-love you, I imagined a future with you' he sniffed
   
   'Patrick, you- you're hurting me', he croaked.
Patrick loosened his hold and stood staring at her.
    'Now there's no chance of me winning that seat', he said before he went through the door.

              *********************
     Dominic sat, waiting in his office for Desirée to come in. She was late again! He thought angrily. He was about to call her when he heard the door open.
  She came inside,her head down.

   'Sorry, I'm late', she said hoarsely.

  Dominic was about to unleash his anger, when Desirée held her head up. Dominic scanned her face, her eyes were puffy and red. He immediately jumped up from his desk and walked towards her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, still scanning her face.
  
   'You've been crying, are you OK?', he asked

Desirée cleared her throat 'uhmm....yea,I'm fine', she said stepping away from him.
Dominic grabbed her hands. Desirée shrieked. His eyes suddenly fell to her wrist, where he saw red bruises on both hands.