CHAPTER FIFTEEN:CONFRONTATIONS AND MEETING THE MOTHER.

Dominique turned his gaze towards Kalina, his lips curling into a sly smirk as his mood shifted dramatically. "Where were we, mi amor?" he asked, his voice dripping with playful teasing.

Kalina, not fluent in Spanish, recognized the term "mi amor" as "my love." Her brows knitted together in frustration as she snapped back, "Don't call me that!" Her annoyance was palpable, evident in the sharpness of her tone.

Dominique's smirk only widened at her reaction, finding amusement in how easily he could rile her up. With a knowing glint in his eyes, he continued, "And make all of this stop," gesturing around them with a wave of her hand, encompassing everything happening around them.

"I am sorry, fueguito, but I can't," he replied, using the endearing term in his native dialect, referring to her fiery nature, because that's exactly what Kalina was, a little flame that if not careful might leave a nasty burn.

Kalina furrowed her brows in confusion, her expression resembling that of an adorable kitten trying to make sense of his words in Spanish. However, she quickly brushed aside her confusion and directed a glare at him, her determination shining through despite her lack of understanding.

"Of course you can," she insisted, her voice laced with conviction. "I know you can. You can make anything or anyone disappear, so make all of this disappear."

Kalina's confidence wavered slightly as she mentioned his ability, her uncertainty peeking through her resolve. Dominique's chuckle filled the air, causing a rush of warmth to flood Kalina's cheeks as she realized she had indirectly admitted to researching him.

"I see someone has done their own little research on me," he remarked, amusement dancing in his eyes. Kalina's pale skin flushed with embarrassment, her cheeks turning a deep shade of crimson at the realization. She averted her gaze momentarily before meeting his again, a mix of embarrassment and defiance swirling in her eyes.

"Mr. Castillo, I cannot get married to you," Kalina declared, her voice dripping with disdain as if the mere thought of marrying Dominique was the most abhorrent prospect imaginable. She shuddered as she recalled the research she had conducted on him, her mind replaying all the unsettling details she had uncovered. The one that sent a shiver down her spine the most was the revelation of his dungeon. She knew Dominique had little patience, and she couldn't shake the fear that he might imprison her there if she crossed him. Her heart raced as she considered the possibility, especially with Aiden seemingly unreachable despite her frantic attempts to contact him all morning.

Dominique's face darkened at the disgust in Kalina's tone. He was well aware of his reputation, of being likened to the devil himself. Yet, hearing her speak about marriage with him in such a disdainful manner ignited something deep within him. He remembered a time when he was different, when he was capable of love, but that love had been betrayed. Anger simmered beneath the surface as he made a decision in that moment. Kalina may have thought she was entering into a one-year marriage contract, but he would ensure it became a lifelong commitment. After all, his family did not believe in divorce. A smirk played at the corner of his lips as he contemplated the long journey ahead on the path of marriage with Kalina.

Kalina's next words cut through the tense air like a knife. "Can you imagine some are saying I may be pregnant? As if I would go as far as sleeping with you. I can't even stand to be in the same room as you!" she yelled, her voice trembling with indignation.

It was a good thing his office was sound proof.

She made it clear that the idea of marrying Dominique was akin to selling her soul to the devil. But little did she know, she was about to enter a true hell with him by her side.

Dominique's expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he absorbed her words. A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes at her defiance, but it was quickly overshadowed by a steely resolve. He straightened his posture, exuding an air of authority as he prepared to assert his dominance. With a calculated calmness, he met Kalina's gaze, silently conveying his determination to make her regret ever crossing him.

Kalina's voice echoed through the room, her words like daggers aimed at Dominique's patience. She ranted on and on, blaming him for the mess they found themselves in and demanding that he clean it up. Each word felt like a hammer striking against Dominique's already throbbing headache. He could feel his patience wearing thin, a dull ache pulsating behind his temples.

Finally, Dominique couldn't take it anymore. With a deep exhale, he stood up from his chair, towering over Kalina with his imposing six-foot-five frame. Every movement he made seemed calculated, deliberate, as he began to advance towards her with measured steps. Kalina instinctively began to back away, her heart pounding in her chest as she recalled the kind of man Dominique was – powerful, unpredictable, and capable of making people disappear with a mere snap of his fingers.

As Dominique closed the distance between them, Kalina felt a wave of fear wash over her. She continued to retreat, her steps faltering until her back was pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window, leaving her with nowhere else to escape. The look on Dominique's face sent a chill down her spine, a stark reminder of the danger she was in.

He reached out, his hand firmly gripping her waist as he pulled her close to him. Kalina's body tensed at his touch, her eyes darting everywhere but meeting his stormy grey gaze. She could feel the intensity radiating from him, his presence engulfing her like a suffocating cloak.

"Do you ever get tired of talking?" Dominique's voice was low, a hint of irritation lacing his words. "You're stretching my last bit of patience thin, and I do not know how much longer I can tolerate your incessant rant."

Kalina swallowed hard, the fear palpable in her trembling form. She remained silent, her breaths shallow as she dared not provoke him further. Dominique's grip tightened slightly, a silent warning of the consequences of pushing him too far. The air between them crackled with tension, each heartbeat echoing in the silence of the room.

Dominic's grip on Kalina's jaw tightened as he turned her face towards him, his expression unreadable. "For someone so tiny, you always have a lot to say, don't you?" he remarked, his tone laced with a hint of condescension.

Kalina's heart raced in her chest as Dominic's hand held her jaw in a vice-like grip. She struggled to form a coherent response, her mind reeling with fear and confusion. "I… I… I…" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to find her words.

The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with anticipation as they stood locked in their silent struggle. Neither of them noticed the new addition to the office until a feminine yet commanding voice shattered their little bubble.

"What kind of son allows his mother to find out about his engagement in the news?" the voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a knife.