Chapter 8

DAWN HAD STAYED LOCKED up inside the guest room, pretending to be asleep while David scurried around, trying to get ready for work. When she was certain that he'd finally left the house, she got out of bed and tidied herself before heading to work.

It was probably for the best, If she didn't see him then she wouldn't be reminded of the things he'd said but now at work, all she could think about was him.

She picked up her phone and stared at his caller ID, eager to press the call button but at the same time, not wanting to seem easy.

Sighing, she locked her phone and set it aside, leaning to rest her head on her desk and letting out a dry sob.

"If you miss him that much you could just call, you know" Becky suggested, watching her friend in amusement.

"It's not that easy" she mumbled, sighing into her arm. "I can't just call him, he'll think I'm an easy fix"

"And this is why I don't do commitments" she sighed dramatically.

"I just need a break" she sobbed.

Becky rolled her eyes and popped the lollipop stick out of her mouth. "Speaking of breaks" she rolled her chair closer. "You remember Tristan right?"

She poked her head up."Tristan?"

"Yeah, the one from college. Big T?"

"What about him?"

"Well we met on the train last night and he invited me to a party tonight at club Bossa nova. One of the biggest clubs in New York"

"And are you telling me this because...?"

"Because I think you should totally come. There's cool music, free drinks, and hot guys if you decide to cheat on David" she laughed.

"I think we both have different definitions to what we call fun and, I'm not going to cheat on my husband just because we had a fight"

"Fine I was kidding about the last part but sitting here sulking like a bag of gummy bears isn't going to get you anywhere"

"I beg to differ"

"Come on, Dawn, just go with it and try not to be so uptight with your life for once" She scowled.

"I very much appreciate being uptight thank you" she stated, clearly affronted by her words.

"Okay maybe I was a little harsh but my point is, I just want you to have some fun, trust me, you'll be over all this in a hot second"

Dawn sighed and leaned back to rest on her chair. Maybe a few couple shots were just what she needed to clear her head. David was probably doing the same.

She turned to Becky "Remind me how we ever became friends again"

Becky laughed. "I'll take that as a yes!"

***

DAVID PARKED HIS CAR at the entrance of the Argent mansion and stormed in, totally ignoring the greetings from the maids who stood by the corridor.

"Mother!" He barked, walking past the front door and entering into the rather gigantic kitchen.

Amanda strolled out of the storage room, holding a pack of strawberries and syrup.

"Oh, David what a pleasant surprise. You're just in time for lunch" she smiled, making her way around the counter to where he stood.

"No Mother, I'm not here for that"

She placed the berries on the kitchen counter and ordered the maids out.

"What's the matter, baby? You look bothered" her brows furrowed "why do you have so many eye bags, haven't you been sleeping well?" she reached to touch his face but he moved her hands away.

"What did you say to Dawn at the party last night?" He demanded, his voice orotund and blunt.

Amanda narrowed her eyes and walked to sit on one of the counter stools. "Nothing she didn't need to know," she said stiffly.

"Why are you being stubborn about this, Mother. Dawn has been nothing but kind to you, she doesn't deserve this and why the hell did you go as far as bringing up the goddamn baby idea?"

"David" she sighed "I'm not getting any younger and your father isn't either, we need a grandchild, honestly Dawn is the least type of girl I would've wanted for you but you picked her right? If she is going to stay she might as well bear forth children"

"You of all people know the circumstances surrounding the reasons why she cannot carry my child. It's the same reason my mother died and you never bothered having any!"

"Don't you think you're being a little one-sided here?" she got up "I only did what any concerned mother would do. She is a strong woman, you said it your self"

"I refuse to risk the life of my wife all because of a child, she is more precious to me, mother. Don't you get it?! I love her with everything I stand for"

"David listen-" she attempted to hold his shoulders but he moved away swiftly.

"If my happiness means anything to you then don't fucking let this happen again or you'll have me to contend and next time I won't be so subtle with my words"

"I'm sorry David, I might have gone a little overboard, but how do you expect me to feel? the house is so lonely and your father barely has time for me anymore"

"If you are so desperate for a child then have one yourself and do not force it on my wife!" He hissed, using every ounce of his restraint to hold his arms at his sides.

"How dare you speak to your mother in that to-"

"What's all the commotion about?"

They both whirled around to see Luther standing by the doorway.

David sighed and pressed down on his suit. "It's nothing father" he croaked, chancing a sideways glance at Amanda who turned away.

"Is this something I should be worried about?" He glanced at both of them, noticing the egregious tension.

"It's nothing honey, David here is just a little stressed, that's all" Amanda smiled, returning back to making lunch.

"I'll take my leave now"

"Why don't you stay for lunch" Luther insisted but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry father, but I have something important to attend to"

"Alright then. My regards to your wife"

***

"SURE YOU DON'T NEED ME to call a Uber, you look pretty wasted" Becky chuckled, swaying a bit as they walked to the car.

"No, I'm fine I got this. Why don't you go back in and have fun" Dawn urged, stepping into the car.

After what seemed like an eternity of partying in the bustling bar and tasting mixtures Dawn never thought existed, she picked up her bag, finally ready to leave.

"Sure, call me okay!"

Nodding, she hopped into the front seat and drove home.

Meanwhile...

For the past two hours, David stood outside the house, pacing around as he called everyone he could think of.

The thought of something bad going wrong ate him alive, more so now that she wasn't taking her calls. She had never stayed out this late, at least not with a valid reason, and the fact that he had no clue of her whereabouts made him want to run mad.

The thought of calling the cops suddenly popped into his head. New York was a big city, it was going to be impossible to find her alone, not when she had little to no friends.

Picking his phone to finally take some action, he dialed the emergency number but paused when he heard her car pull into the garage.

Arriving home, Dawn dragged herself out of the car, almost tripping on her heels and swaying as she made her way to the door. Her head hurt and the huge sensation to throw up hung in her throat. She was certainly never going to go clubbing again. That life wasn't for her.

"Where the hell have you been?!" David all but barked the minute she came into sight.

Dawn groaned in annoyance, holding the wall for support as her head spun lightly. "Nowhere that concerns you" she slurred out, brushing past him and knocking off her heels before walking upstairs.

"I called work, they said you signed out early, you weren't at you're mums or the bakery shop either" he stated, following behind her.

Dawn tossed her bag on the bed and untangled her hair, ignoring his existence as though he wasn't there and with every second that passed, his already heated temper fueled.

"Where the hell did you go Dawn, answer me!" He demanded.

"Do I have to?" She only muttered, walking to her contour table and taking off her accessories one by one.

"I deserve to know"

"Oh, do you?" She turned, sarcasm in her tired voice " I thought it didn't matter what I did. You obviously don't care right?" She turned back, ignoring the fact that he lunged towards her.

"Enough with the games. Where the fucking hell did you go and why are you dressed like that?" Irritation clouded his face as he stared down at her questionable-looking mini dress which would have passed off as sexy in a very different circumstance.

"What? Don't you like it" she turned, finally giving him her undivided attention.

"Dawn!"

"I went to a party. Satisfied?!" She retorted.

"Dressed like that" He sneered, chest heaving with anger.

"Yes, like this" she rolled her eyes, attempting to walk away but he tugged on her arm, yanking her so close that he could perceive the stench of alcohol.

"Did you drink?!" he clenched his jaw, the murderous look in his eyes frightening her but she would've been damned if she let herself give in to his intimidation.

She lifted her chin bravely and met his threatening gaze. "Yes I did, what's the big deal, you do it all the time!"

"What's the big deal?! you went clubbing without my consent, dressed like a whore. You got sloppy drunk and you're fucking asking what the big deal is?!"

"Let me go, David! I don't get why you're so worked up over nothing!" She tried wriggling away but his grip only tightened, not caring if it hurt her.

"You're my wife for fuck's sake! What if someone saw you! What if Someone took advantage of you Dawn! " the mental picture of it in his head made his body ache with disdain.

"Who cares if I'm your wife David. You don't control me. I'll do whatever the hell I want!" she exclaimed.

"Listen to your self Dawn. What the hell happened to you?!"

"You wanna know what happened to me?" She slapped his hands off and pushed him away "you did! You made me this way" she scoffed "but it clearly doesn't matter enough to you because If it did, you wouldn't restrain me from having your child. It kills me! it kills me, David!" She yelled, angry tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

David paused, his anger simmered, finally noticing the hurt in her eyes.

"Am I not good enough, am I not worth it, do you have anyone else David, tell me cause I'm running out of options here. It's driving me crazy!"

It wasn't until something moist trailed down her face that she realized she'd been crying.

David pulled away, parting his lips to speak but pausing halfway. "You're drunk" he muttered, turning away. "You should go to bed"

Dawn shook her head and backed away. "And again you dismiss the topic. You know what?" She picked up her purse and keys "I can't do this right now, I can't be with you right now"

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Back to where I came from" she stormed to the door but he beat her to it and shielded it.

"Like hell I'll let you leave dressed like that"

"Let me go, David, I don't wanna be here!" she shouted, trying to pull him out of her away but his strength was no match for hers.

"Get out of the way David or I swear I'll call the cops!" she threatened, repeatedly banging on his chest.

"Dawn stop it or you'll hurt your self"

"I wanna go, let me go!" She cried out, tears spewing from both sides of her eyes.

"Dawn!" He roared, grabbing her shoulders and shaking them.

"Let me go, you idiot!" She yelled, chest heaving uncontrollably. "Let me go David I wanna-".

In a split second, David did the only thing he could think of - the only thing that any man in his shoes would do: he pulled her into a tight hug, one that she couldn't refuse nor escape from. "I'm sorry Dawn," he murmured, holding her tighter against his chest. "I said a lot of shitty things that hurt your feelings and I'm sorry... fuck whatever anyone says, I love you, Dawn. You'll always be my woman... Always"

"Your apologies won't cut it, David, let me go" she protested, refusing to accept the fact that his warmth brought her the feeling she yearned for all day.

"You're my woman, Dawn and I love you, just give me time, okay, I just need time" his voice held a glint of sincerity, one she couldn't ignore.

"My heart hurts David " she cried out, burying her head in his chest. "I want to be mad at you but I can't" She clutched his shirt, crying her eyes out.

"...shh... It's okay"

He held her head against his shoulder, stroking her hair gently and filling her ears with soothing words as she emptied her heart.

"It's okay..."