was too quiet. Dominique hadn't said a word since we left, and something in the air felt off. His hands gripped the steering wheel

meone involved in the scandal, maybe a critic. He agreed, saying my theor

re where we

ng?" I asked afte

t for now," he rep

d in front of a modest, single-stor

ine," he said, c

ough. I hadn't been to his place before, he always kept to himsel

ace?" I asked, glancing at h

e," he replied, locki

ngered in the air. The space was simple, just a couch, a

ers relax. The silence here was different,

ing. I stared at the blank TV screen, trying to ignore the nagging feeling that I couldn't shake. M

and without thinking, I spoke. "

his voice soft but steady. "She's tou

ed. The constant weight in my c

ous now. "Whatever they want, they're trying to control y

ugh I already knew the answer.

I saw something in them, something

was like a weight had set

ars away quickly, ashamed. I didn't want Dominique to see me like this, but he was q

ently wiped the last of my tears. "You need a

down the hall. The apartment was neat, simple. I couldn't help but n

and a plain blue shirt and fresh pair of briefs were

ion softer now, almost

llway, waiting for me. His eyes lit up when he saw me, as if I'd somehow

and he quickly looked away, embarrassed. I smil

ire est magnifique." (Yo

ars, I understood him perfectly. I shook m

ing toward the kitchen. "I

inara sauce, simple, but it smelled amazing. I joined him at the counter, helping him stir the sauce and boil

toned, sculpted chest. I tried not to stare, but it was hard not to. My gaze was involuntarily drawn to the smooth lines of his muscle

it. In the playful moment, I reached out and touched his nose with a bit of pasta. He blinked in surprise, and then his fa

lately. This moment felt

plates of food. We ate in comfortable silence, laughing at

started to feel the heaviness of the day lifting, my eyelids growing heavier as I relaxed. By the time the show was over, I had falle

d, feeling safe, i