Missed Call

Epilogue

When I was in elementary, I was always at the back of the line, feeling too tall for my age. But right now, I wish to find Mario's mushroom to give me an immediate growth spurt.

Dom's giant cousins tower over me, a dwarf. They form a semi-circle, eyes examining me. To be honest, I'm not intimidated. I'm pissed thinking how blessed they are with those pretty faces and admirable heights. Yes, I finally get to meet his family!

"Tony." Someone finally broke the silence, stepping forward and extending his arm for a handshake, so I did. "Dom has a pillow named after you."

My eyes went to Dom. He's red from embarrassment and anger. His cousins didn't care about Dom's glaring and continue to introduce themselves to me with a piece of information about Dom connected to me. They show no mercy!

They said that he bought my perfume and spray it in his room, he walks around the boxers I gave him and brag about it, he drunk text and call his cousins about how he missed and love me when we're not in good terms, he accidentally wrote my name in his finals exam instead of his, and he will probably built a shrine for me.

Grinning at how powerless Dom is, unable to make his cousins shut up - well, we didn't plan for a meet and greet today. His cousins kidnapped us, tied Dom in a chair, and taped his mouth closed. I didn't complain because they made me sat on a bean bag and gave me cheetos.

I walk towards him. His forehead is still forming lines from glaring. I gave him a peck on his lips with the tape still on. The glaring was gone. He just shook his head amused, yet again.

"We told you. You have him dancing around your fingers." Smiling widely at their statement, I know, I never have to worry about him ever hurting me, intentionally.

Dom didn't show up for my shoot today. He told me that he has to meet someone important and that he'll tell me about it after.

Resting after a round of shoot, I grab my drink and check my phone for a while. I'll be on for two more dresses. 3 messages and 11 missed calls all from Dom. I start to worry as I scroll down his messages.

I met my biological father today. - D

He's glad my mom took care of me. - D

I'm so tired of shts. - D

I called him back after I read his messages.

The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later.

Again.

Footsteps click clacking nearby, laughter roaring on the other. Camera flashes, equipment clinking. Heavy breathing, heart pounding.

Slow, slurring rings I hear as I wait for the other line to pick up. Patiently. Hoping.

"Air,"

It's not him. It's not him.

"Sorry." My feet start moving towards the exit of the hall. Rushing to get a taxi.

"Where's Dom?" I asked rather hastily. The other line is silent.

He didn't answer immediately, "... Orendein Corp's rooftop."

I dropped the call, telling the taxi our destination. Minutes inside the ride feels like a lifetime being shred away from me. I keep praying over and over to make Dom be okay.

As fast as I can manage, I race towards the elevator's building. The changing numbers making me tense as it gets a level higher. Walking a few more stairs to the rooftop, I lift my dress to climb the steps faster.

When I opened the door, Dom's cousins all have eyes wide in shock and mouth hanging open. Stopping my charge towards the assumed danger Dom is in. I realized that I came even without changing the dress I'm modelling in.

"Aireen?" I turn around to the familiar voice behind me. He just came from the door I walked through holding bags of chips.

Feeling my legs sag from running in heels, I collapse to the floor. Relief rushing all over my system. He's okay. Great.

Dom dropped the chips and rushed towards me. "What happened?" He lifts my dress up enough to make him reach both my legs, stretching it out.

As he was taking my heels off, he winces when he saw that my feet are bleeding. I shudder in pain as he puts pressure on my feet to stop the bleeding. "I thought I lost you."

Confused Dom, "Why would you think that?"

"You met your dad today. And your text said that you're tired of shts. Then when I called you, you didn't answer my call. Someone else did, and then he said sorry. I thought something bad happened so I rushed here." He looks at me bewildered. I don't know what he's thinking then he started laughing.

He pats my head, smiling from ear to ear, "I met my dad, and he was glad that my mom took me in. At least with my mom, he said, I'll have a better life. The shts I was talking about are the idiots behind you. I planned to pick you up after your work but they dragged me here, holding my phone hostage. That's probably why they said sorry because they felt guilty that I can't pick you up because of them."

"Sht, that's Sky! The model I've been crushing on for years!" One of his cousins declared. Turning my attention to them, they were already bickering. Claiming that they saw me in the magazine first - I never knew that the magazine is popular.

Dom fakes a cough to get my attention, "To be honest, I had a crush on you too. Dion buys the magazine you model in, I saw you two years ago together with the guys. You're eyes drew me in."

"But I like you better with glasses now..." He frowned, taking one of my heels and throwing it to his cousins. "... to hide those captivating eyes from predators like them."

I pulled his hair, offended with the thought, "Even with my glasses on, my appeal is still oozing!"

Dom suddenly rips the hem of my dress, "What the hell are you doing? This is expensive!" He wrapped the cloth around my feet, securing the wounds from infection.

"I'm rich. Don't worry." I look at him, shocked. He pinched my nose, obviously reading my disgust with his arrogant attitude but I know he's kidding.

"Moron."

"Dork."

We grin playfully, being the moron and dork we are. There were no words uttered but we know that this - what we have now is okay, and we won't have it any other way.

"Besides, I'll eventually buy you one... you know, a wedding dress. And a ring as a bonus."

I'm glad I missed his calls, if I didn't he wouldn't get angry, come find me, apologize, and declare me his. I'm Dom Orendein's Hashtag Boyfriend Goals!

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