Uncomfortable Attraction.

Luna's POV

My stomach churned uncomfortably as I watched Dominick walk up the stairs with the lady. She was taller than me, probably 5ft8, with defined curves, high cheekbones, and a round face. She was indeed very beautiful; I couldn't compete with that. I cringed internally at that intrusive thought. Why did I just compare myself to her?

"Don't let it bother you so much." I turned to see who had spoken, finding Dominick's friend, Alen, standing there. He knew about my true identity. "Are you alright, Mrs. Phoenix?"

"I... I..." My lips moved, but no words came out. I was stunned by the man before me. Tall, muscular, with black hair and green eyes – undeniably handsome.

"Are you alright?" Alen asked again, his forehead creasing in concern. "You look out of it. Is it because of Selene?"

I blinked, my eyes darting everywhere but his face. Was he suggesting I was jealous? I frowned.

"It's alright, I was just joking," he chuckled, shaking his head.

"I'm not... jealous," I tried to defend myself, glaring at him, which only made him laugh more.

"Was... she the lady here a few weeks ago?"

"Selene? Well, yes, she is, uh..."

"His girlfriend," I interjected, irritated. "I thought he was supposed to love Sol."

Alen sighed, sending me a sympathetic look. "It's kind of complicated."

"I just feel bad for my sister, that's all," I muttered under my breath, daring to meet his gaze.

"Believe me, she didn't mind at all."

I raised a brow. "Really? I..."

"Don't forget why you're here. Don't develop feelings..."

"I'm not interested in Dominick."

"Could have fooled me."

"Alen, don't tell me you're still bothering Miss Sol up to now," someone said.

Alen and I turned to see a middle-aged woman in her sixties stepping inside with a young lady beside her, carrying little boxes. It seemed like they had returned from a trip.

"Maria, you're back?" Alen smiled, walking towards them. "I've missed you so much." He hugged the woman as I observed.

My attention shifted when the younger woman approached me and threw her arms around my shoulders.

"Miss Sol, I missed you so much," she mumbled dramatically, faking a cry. "I'm so sorry we missed your wedding."

"I... it's alright," I managed, unsure how to respond.

She released the hug, her ocean blue eyes scanning me curiously. "Are you alright, Miss Sol?"

"It's Mrs. Phoenix now," Alen corrected, nodding at the young lady, who smiled. "Oh, sorry about that. I'll get used to it, I promise."

The older woman hugged me briefly. "Congratulations, Mrs. Phoenix. We're sorry we weren't there for the meeting."

"Sol understood that you both had to visit your sick mother, Maria," Alen explained, and I felt grateful for his intervention.

"It's alright," I reassured them. "I totally understand."

"You sound different, distant," the younger lady observed, but Maria nudged her slightly. "Ah, Mom, that hurts."

"Then stop talking nonsense, Nina," Maria scolded gently.

Alen walked over to me. "She's actually startled; something terrible happened at the party today." Both ladies' eyes widened in concern. "We were attacked by the Black Mamba Mafia."

"OMG!" Nina exclaimed, clutching my hand in hers. "Are you alright, Miss Sol? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine... I'm fine," I muttered awkwardly, nodding. "I'm just a little startled, like Alen said."

"Thank goodness," Maria breathed in relief. "And the boss?"

"Inside his room. You both just returned, so you should probably get some rest," Alen suggested, changing the topic.

"Alright then, tomorrow we'll get straight to work," Maria decided, and then began to leave.

"I'll see you later, Miss Sol... I mean, Mrs. Phoenix," Nina giggled and followed her mother out.

"Who are they?" I asked Alen once they were out of earshot.

"Dominick's housekeeper and her daughter. She has worked for the Phoenix family since he was a child, and her daughter is 24 years old, just like you."

"They're so nice," I said without looking at Alen.

"I know, right? Finally someone who doesn't hate Sol."

His words made me chuckle, and I had to lift a hand to muffle it.

"See, you're finally smiling," Alen grinned, pointing at me.

Could you blame me, though? He was funny and seemed like a nice guy, unlike Dominick.

"You should smile more often. You look more beautiful."

As soon as the words left his lips, I felt my cheeks heat up. Why did he compliment me out of the blue? Flustered, I turned away and started for the stairs.

"Nice tattoo," he commented, and I froze, turning back with an awkward laugh.

"Thank you," I replied, mentally facepalming. Why did I have to be so lame?

He sighed, the grin on his face replaced by a more serious look. "You have to toughen up; it's necessary if you want to survive this whole thing."

My eyes dropped, tears pricking at them. "I'm trying, but it's not easy."

"I know," he nodded sympathetically, "but you have to try harder unless Dominick is going to be pissed. You won't like a pissed-off Dominick."

"It's not like he's not always pissed," I joked, and Alen threw his head back in laughter. I didn't realize what I said was actually funny.

"Yeah, Dom is like that, but I swear he's not a bad person."

I let out a little scoff, still not buying it.

"All I'm saying is, be more confident, and do not be afraid. Dom will protect you... and me too."

"Thank you, Alen," I said, meeting his gaze with a bright smile. "I'll go upstairs now."

"Alright, goodnight."

I nodded at him and began to climb the stairs. Somehow, he had managed to make me feel a little better than I did a few minutes ago, and I was glad.

Immediately I got to my room, I went straight to the bathroom to have a warm shower before changing into a comfortable sweatshirt and relaxing on the bed. I had already eaten dinner at the party and wasn't hungry again. Memories of how Damian tried to force himself on me plagued me, and I was once again filled with disgust. What would have happened if Dominick had not arrived on time?

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and I quickly sat up. It couldn't be Dominick; he never bothers to knock. Then who?

"Come in," I invited the person, and Nina entered my room with a squeal of excitement, settling beside me on the bed.

"Miss Sol, I'm so happy to be back," she exclaimed.

"Me too," I replied, trying to sound convincing. "I'm very happy."

She clasped her hands eagerly. "Now it remains for us to get it all over with, then you can get a divorce and be with Tom."

"What?" My eyes widened in disbelief as I gripped the duvet tightly. "Why would I... do that?"

Nina's breath caught in her throat as she drew back slightly. "Are you really Miss Sol?"

My mouth opened, but no words came out. She caught me off guard again. "Yes... what do you mean? Of course, I'm Sol."

I tried to sound convincing, but even to my own ears, my voice shook noticeably. I felt like I was going insane.

She hesitated, then nodded. "Then when is my birthday?"

I had no answer.

"My mother's birthday?"

Still, silence.

"You're her twin sister Luna, right?" She searched my face curiously.

"How did you know?"

Nina looked down briefly before meeting my gaze again. "She told me about you."

"She did?" Confusion furrowed my brow. "What did she say about me? And do you know where she might be?"

"Truthfully, Miss Sol told me she was going to elope with her boyfriend Tom, but she changed her mind and decided to carry on with the wedding. Did she change her mind again?"

"It may seem that way," I reluctantly agreed with a nod. "You seem to be close with her?"

"Yes, she was like a sister," Nina smiled fondly as she spoke about my twin. I felt a pang of jealousy nagging at my heart. I didn't have such a relationship with Sol. "She spoke about you from time to time."

"She hated me, I know," I muttered, fiddling with my fingers. Sol and I hadn't had a good relationship since we were teenagers. She was into the whole Mafia stuff, while I wanted nothing to do with it, and like my dad, she detested me for it.

"She doesn't hate you," Nina stated firmly, and I looked at her in disbelief. "She only hates that you acted like you were better than your family and wanted nothing to do with them."

"That's not true," I protested, and Nina nodded slightly to calm me down. I sighed. "I just wish I could talk to her."

"I just find it weird she changed her mind at the last minute. She really didn't want to elope anymore."

"Are you saying there might be foul play?" My eyes blinked nervously, and Nina nodded.

"It's crazy," she agreed, but her phone rang, and she answered it. It was her mom, summoning her downstairs for an emergency.

She stood from the bed, smiling at me. "I have to leave now, but we'll talk more about this tomorrow if you don't mind." She nodded and walked to the door, stopping before leaving. "You might want to play some really loud music on your phone." She gave me a sympathetic look and left.

Confusion clouded my mind. What was she talking about? A minute later, I got my answer when loud moaning started echoing from the next room, Dominick's room.

I slumped back on the bed, feeling my heart race and a sharp pain tearing at my heart. I placed my hand over it, trying to numb the pain.

Why did it hurt there? Alen's words echoed in my mind. Was I really developing feelings for Dominick, or was it something else?

"Yes, daddy, harder, harder, please," Selene moaned aloud, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was doing it on purpose. Did she want me to hear it?

The memories of how he kissed me and my body reacting filled my head without my permission. I swear I even heard a low moan escape my lips now. I must have lost my mind.

I brought the duvet up over my face to muffle the sounds, but it did little or nothing. I shut my eyes tightly, but all I kept seeing was his annoying face—Dominick Phoenix, that rude jerk. I tossed and turned until a plan came to mind. Closing my eyes, I replaced his image with someone else—Alen. His dark hair, mesmerizing green eyes, and handsome face. My lips curved into a smile, glad that I could finally sleep, dreaming of Alen.