Changing For Love (Book 1/3)

M.

It's been a month since Dominique asked me on that date. I've had mixed feelings about it. Ashley keeps telling me how it's a good idea to finally get over Kellina, but whenever Klara is around she seems skeptical. She doesn't say anything, but you can tell if she couldn't hold her tongue she would. I haven't been looking forward to the date. There's nothing wrong with Dominique physically, but personality wise he's a bit of an ass. All he talks about is himself and the achievements he's done and what he wants to do. Since the coffee shop I don't think he's let me talk about me. I know we weren't dating but conversations were so much better with Kellina. I know I shouldn't compare Dominique to her, but I just can't help it.

Dominique brought me to a newspaper company that he works at for our date. He doesn't understand that I do find literature quite boring. This date compared to Kellina and I's, is barely a one. Even though I faced my fears with Kellina, at least she took me somewhere I would enjoy, and she did too. Unlike now.

"So this is where I work. I'm one of the leading journalists within this company," Dominique gestured towards his office. I'll admit, it was a decent sized room but it lacked design and was actually very bland. I don't know how someone could work in such a boring environment.

"This is where I keep my awards and certificates from company's and my educational past," I nodded along to what he was saying.

"Shall we have dinner?" He asked, placing a hand on my lower back. I felt a little uncomfortable with his hand on me.

"A-Sure," I replied, walking away from him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We walked along the pier and towards the restaurant towards the end. The night air was warm considering we were entering towards winter. Dominique had kept his arm around my shoulders since we got out of the car. His horrible violet scent made me constantly want to sneeze. His breath was alcohol filled and like he hasn't brushed his teeth. We walked into the restaurant and the smell of seafood filled my senses. He never asked me if I was allergic to anything. We walked and sat down at a table towards the back. There weren't many people here but the sounds of cutlery and chatter filled the hollow walls.

"What are you getting?" He asked, scanning over the menu. Everything on the menu was seafood. This was a seafood restaurant. I'm highly allergic to seafood.

"I can't actually eat here," I told him simply, putting the menu down. He looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed and aggression crossed his face.

"Don't make a scene Janice,"

"It's Zoe, asshole," I laughed, standing from the table.

"Besides, this isn't even a date! All you do is talk about yourself and you never once asked me if I was allergic to food before walking in here! We had a whole car ride and all you talked about was yourself! I'm highly allergic to seafood, so if you want to eat fine, but I'm leaving," I yelled, feeling the weight being lifted from my shoulders. I grabbed my bag and quickly made my way out. I felt a few tears well in my eyes. Whenever I got angry I cried. Even if I got angry for a good reason I still cried. I leaned against the brick wall and let a couple of quiet sobs leave my lips. Things would be so much easier if Kellina never left. Even if she didn't like me, at least I'd still have someone to talk too! At least I'd get to be around someone who makes me laugh and makes me happy. Yet she left anyway. Plus, this asshole who's so self obsessed just called me Janice!

"Zoe I'm sorry," Dominique sighed, making his way towards me.

"It's fine,"

"It's not. Most girls enjoy what I have to say. I should've known to stop,"

"Most girls? What are you? A whore?" I mentally slapped myself. He grew angry and stood inches from me.

"What did you call me?" I kept quiet. His eyes scanned mine under the dim street light, "No one calls a Djurik a whore," He laughed, sending a hand across my face. The slap echoed through my head, a stinging sensation filled my cheek. My mouth hung open in shock, the cold air burning against my rosy cheek.

"Girls would do anything to date a Djurik! We have everything! Money, fame you name it and we have it!" He yelled.

"What makes you think you're so special that you're too good huh?" He whispered, his face inches from mine. Before I could react, his lips were forcefully pushed to mine. I tried to push him off but he deepened the kiss, gripping my wrists so I couldn't push him off. I refused to let him get his way with me. His tongue tried to slip into my mouth so I bit it.

"Ow you bitch!" He seethed, slapping me again. He was about to kiss me again before a pair of arms grabbed him and pulled him away. I heard a body being slammed against the wooden decks. I could just get a glimpse of blonde looking hair casting over her face. She had Dominique pinned to the ground and sent punches into his body. I stayed frozen against the wall, my legs wobbling underneath me.

"Don't you fucking dare touch her again," the American German accent harshly whispered. I knew that accent.

"Klara?" I whispered. After another punch was sent to Dominique's weak body, her gaze met mine. It was Kellina. Her stormy orbs shun under the street light. Her face was angered and her knuckles bloody. She stood from Dominique, her eyes never left mine. I couldn't tell what emotion was in her eyes but I knew she didn't want me to see it. She walked to the water and dipped her hands in clearly washing her knuckles.

"I'll take you home princess," she whispered, walking towards the exit from the pier. I followed behind her, our shoes clicking against the creaking boards. The ocean was calm, the waves making low sounds as it hit the sand. Kellina kept her distance from me. I didn't understand how she was back. How did she know I was here? Why did she come and intervene? Who made her come back? What made her change her mind? She opened the car door for me. I slipped into the passenger side of her car. She closed the door and made her way towards the drivers side. Her car smelt like passion fruit and pine. When she got in, she sat looking out the windscreen. Her jaw was tightened, her fingers gripped tightly against her lose shirt. She was trying to compose herself. There were so many things I wanted to do and say to her. I wanted to slap her for leaving, yet I wanted to kiss her even if she didn't feel the same way. I wanted to ask her what the promises meant and then ask why she left. But I couldn't muster up the courage. Because I realised that no matter how hard I try, I will never be over Kellina.

"Did you keep your promise?" She whispered.

"I did," I replied. Kellina's eyes found mine. Her face was shadowed by the light of the moon. She was breathtaking.

"I kept mine too," she whispered before pressing a hand to the cheek Dominique slapped.

"Please tell me you didn't sleep with that asshole,"

"No,"

"Please tell me you didn't kiss back,"

"I didn't." The car remained silent and her palm lingered on my cheek. She slowly caressed the hot skin.

"Yes princess," was all she said. Yes what? Yes I didn't kiss him? Yes we weren't dating?

"Yes what?" I asked, feeling her thumb rub smoothly over my cheek.

"The answer to your question," she replied, taking her hand away and focusing on the road as she drove. What question?

~~~~

Kellina walked me up to the house.

"Thank you for bringing me home,"

"It's alright," she replied knocking on the locked door. I still couldn't muster up the words to say anything else to her. The door opened and Ashley's jaw dropped.

"Uh-," before Kellina could say anything else, Ashley sent her palm straight across her cheek. The slapping sound was loud and echoed through the hall. Kellina looked down and sighed.

"How dare you!" Ashley seethed. She grabbed my arm and dragged me inside, leaving a confused Kellina out the door with a slam.