WebNovels

Chapter 56 - Chapter 55

He couldn't deny that it had been liberating to be around people who shared his problem, people who carried guilt far heavier than his own.

When the session ended, everyone put the chairs back in place and left. Just as Dominick was about to do the same, Miss McGregor stopped him.

"Dominick, may I have a few minutes, please?"

He approached her.

"Of course," he replied.

"I'm glad you joined the group. I thought you wouldn't say anything. Your friends mentioned you were… complicated," she smiled. "But let me tell you—you did well. Maximiliano has spoken highly of you. You have very good friends."

"I don't think I should even be here. I'm capable…"

"Of quitting drinking on your own, right?" she interrupted with a smile. "We all say that, but it's not true. While the initiative must come from yourself, without help, you won't manage it."

"All of us? You mean you…"

She nodded.

"Alcohol ruined more than my marriage, and when I thought I couldn't endure it or climb out of the hole I was in, a friend brought me to one of these groups. I haven't touched a drop in almost three years, and I can assure you, I too thought I could control it," of all the smiles she'd given that evening, this one didn't reach her eyes "but there came a point when I didn't know how to stop. Anxiety was stronger than me, and I did things I regret. I promised to help others who, like me, have a problem."

"But you quit drinking. You don't have that… problem anymore," he emphasized.

"You don't understand, Dominick," she shook her head, smiling. "Alcoholism is a disease with no cure. You live every day making choices to stay sober, knowing that a single drop could undo years of abstinence."

He didn't know how to respond. A small part of him still believed he could quit anytime, yet another part felt an urgent need for just one drink.

"Don't overthink it—you know I'm right," Rosaura smiled. "I hope to see you tomorrow, Mr. Dominick."

"Tomorrow?" he grimaced. "How many days a week is it?"

"Four: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday," she answered. "For six months. Didn't Maximiliano tell you?"

"More or less," he sighed.

"Well, I assure you, if you let yourself be helped and put in the effort, you can overcome this stage of your life. It's just a matter of time."

"We'll see…"

Dominick said goodbye, and true to their word, Maximiliano and Marcus were waiting outside the building, chatting. When they saw him, they smiled.

"Happy first day, Dominick!" the dark-haired one cheered, handing him a cookie as he reached his side.

"Idiot," Dom rolled his eyes. "I accept it only because I'm hungry. In fact, take me to eat."

"As you wish, my lady," Marcus opened the door for him.

"One day I'll hit you," he promised as he entered from the back.

"As if you could catch me," Marcus mocked.

Maxi laughed and got into the passenger seat.

"Let's head to the hotel—food's free there," the dark-haired one raised his eyebrows and started the engine.

"What did you do in that hour?" Dom asked.

"We went to eat and also reviewed the contract with that Nóvikov for the umpteenth time. That old man is shrewd and left no clause or loophole we could exploit," Marcus replied.

Maximiliano gripped the wheel at Marcus's words, annoyed. Everything had gone wrong because of his inability to resist the temptation of that soft skin, those pink lips… His desire had made him a slave, undoing years of sacrifice and work.

"Did something happen with Inker Nóvikov?"

"He canceled the contract. Even though the hotel in Los Angeles was already built, he dissolved the partnership, and I lost credibility with the other partners. I had many problems," Maxi explained to Dom. "Nóvikov was a powerful partner. Having him had been a major achievement—prestige for our hotel. We were just starting to expand into a hotel chain, and I ruined it…"

Dominick frowned.

"You? Impossible. You're too careful with your work—you're obsessed with it," he said, eyes sad in the rearview mirror. "What happened?"

"For the first time, I broke my own rules. I mixed business with pleasure," he turned a corner, stopping at a red light. "I destroyed one of Nóvikov's gems, and as you can imagine, it didn't go well."

"That old man hits hard," Marcus interjected to ease the tension.

Maximiliano restarted the car when the light turned green.

"Did he hit you?" Dom asked, surprised.

"Yes. He traveled from Russia just for that."

"I want the details."

"You would have known earlier if you hadn't played the martyr in your room. You missed a lot, Dominick," Marcus said.

"I know, and that's why I have to try to talk to some people," Maxi leaned back. "I need to apologize—it's terrible."

"It's not something you do often; it'll serve as practice," Marcus teased.

"We're here," Maxi said, turning off the engine.

The three got out, and Maximiliano handed the key to the valet. They headed to the restaurant and took a table.

"I love owning part of the hotel," Marcus smiled.

"Why?" Maxi asked.

"They treat me like a king—I don't have to pay for anything! Like it's free!" he listed, unfolding his napkin.

"Cheapskate," Dominick hummed.

"Going to eat again, Marcus?" Maximiliano asked, surprised at how he was already scanning the menu.

"Of course, I'm hungry," he replied, glancing briefly over the menu.

"But you devoured half the restaurant an hour ago," the dark-haired one said, smiling.

"You heard right," he said, putting the menu down. "That was almost an hour ago."

"Glutton," Dom sang.

"You shut up, Dominick. You look like a scrawny stick, and I say nothing," Marcus rolled his eyes; Dom gave him a bored look.

The waiter took their orders, and while they waited, they had a pleasant chat. Everything was going well. Dominick couldn't feel better—soon he would have information on Jade's whereabouts, motivating him to continue fixing his wrecked life.

Almost two hours later, they went their separate ways. Dominick went to his room to shower, checking the wall clock—ten minutes to ten.

He was naked in the middle of the room, thinking it wasn't too late to go to Lizet's place—not just because of the hour.

He went to the closet and got dressed.

He considered taking a taxi but dismissed the idea. He hadn't driven in a long time and wanted to today.

He left the room, got in the elevator, and requested his car. Driving toward the apartment building where Lizet lived—trying to remember the address—he also thought he would speak with Gregory when he could; he owed him an apology more than anyone.

He parked at the curb, rolled down the window, and looked at the building. Not entirely sure it was the right one, he figured checking wouldn't hurt. He turned off the engine, got out, and sighed—he hated apologizing.

He entered the building and approached the small security booth.

"How can I help you?" the guard asked.

"I'm here to visit Miss Lizet," he replied.

"Let me see if Miss Collins is available," he picked up the phone. "Are you…?"

"Dominick. She'll know immediately who I am," he assured him.

The guard nodded.

"Yes, Miss Collins? This is Harold, the security guard. You have a visitor, a certain Dominick." There was silence for a few seconds. "Miss Collins, are you there?"

He heard her reply and hung up.

Harold left the booth and motioned for Dom to follow him to the elevator. He entered the code and pressed the number for Lizet's penthouse.

"I can come up," he said.

Dominick muttered a thanks and waited impatiently for the elevator to reach the penthouse. When the metal doors opened, he immediately stepped into the foyer.

"I'm surprised by your visit," Lizet admitted. She was sitting at the island, sipping wine, looking like she had been at it for a while—the bottle was almost empty.

"I need to talk to you," he said, approaching her, stopping almost in front of the dark-haired woman.

"I'm listening," she took a sip.

"I came to apologize—" he cleared his throat. "I need you to forgive me. I acted like an idiot, and you only tried to help me. If you still want to be my friend after all this, fine. But if you don't want to talk, I'll understand," he assured her.

"I forgive you," she said with a laugh. Dominick frowned, taking in her outfit. She wore panties that left her legs exposed, and a small, tight top clung to her skin, highlighting her breasts.

"Are you drunk?" he asked.

"A little, yes," she laughed again, almost tipping over. "Oops…"

"Come down from there," Dom stepped closer, extending his arms to steady her.

She smiled, and with his help, she got down. She ended up too close. He held her by the shoulders to give them space.

"Does my closeness bother you?" she asked, still smiling.

"No, but you're drunk, and I don't like you that way," he said.

Lizet was practically pressed against him, her barely covered body rubbing against his. He swallowed hard—his last partner had been Jade, and it had been a long time since he'd felt the softness of skin… He pushed those sinful thoughts away.

"Alcohol makes me want you…"

"Lizet, you're very beautiful, but you're drunk, and I can't do this," he tried to push her away.

But she pressed closer, ignoring him, and before he could react, she kissed him.

The sound of the elevator opening cut through the moment.

"¡¿What the hell is this?!" a man's voice boomed.

Dominick immediately stepped back from Lizet.

"Gavin!" she smiled. "Who let you in? Remember, I'm upset with you. After all, you're still sleeping with Syria's bitch."

"Who is this man?" Gavin asked, clearly annoyed, stepping closer.

"Dominick, meet Gavin, one of the guys I sleep with occasionally," she waved her hand dismissively. "Gavin, this is Dominick, my friend. I saved him from dying," she laughed, taking her glass, but before she could drink, Dom grabbed it.

"No more alcohol for you," he muttered.

"One of the guys you sleep with?" the new man frowned, processing her words. He clenched his teeth. "I'm letting that slide… but why were you kissing this guy?"

Dom raised an eyebrow at Gavin's authoritative tone.

"I was trying to convince him," Lizet smiled.

"Convince him of what?"

"To sleep with me, but he doesn't want to," she rolled his eyes.

Glavin was pretty upset, and wanted to hit Domick.

"Lizet, you need a cold shower. You did the same for me—remember? You helped me," Dominick tried to reason.

She stepped toward him, and Gavin's irritation grew as he noticed her skimpy outfit.

"I've got this. You can leave," Glavin said firmly.

"I'm not talking to you," Dominick rolled his eyes.

"I don't care…"

"Enough, both of you!" she stepped between them. "I'm the one who decides who stays and who goes!"

Suddenly, she gagged and rushed to the bathroom.

Dom didn't know what to do.

"I'm taking a shower. You both can leave," she called out. "I don't need you here. I want to be alone."

"Are you sure?" Dominick hesitated. "You don't look well. I could help, I don't know…"

"Didn't you hear me?" she interrupted. "Go."

"You too, Gavin. Not today," she added, heading to the bathroom.

Dominick stepped into the elevator, exited the penthouse, got in his car, and drove back to the hotel. He took a painkiller for his leg and went to bed. Tomorrow would be his second day at the group, and he still didn't know what to think about it…

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