บท 34: Stalked

It was a cold, snowy night, and the soft flakes drifted down lazily outside the window. Dominic sat on the sofa, legs crossed, writing reports in the quiet of the lodge. Caleb, seated opposite him, had fallen asleep, his head tilted back, his breathing even. Dominic's eyes flicked up toward the ceiling as he let out a quiet sigh, his hand growing tired from the endless paperwork.

"I need a walk," he murmured under his breath, careful not to disturb Caleb. He neatly arranged the documents, papers, and books on the table between them, moving silently. After donning the warm clothes provided by the lodge—tailored perfectly to his size—along with gloves, he slipped out of the room.

Inside the elevator, Dominic found himself in uncomfortable company. A couple stood nearby, openly displaying their affection as the man kissed the woman's neck and wrapped his arm possessively around her waist. Dominic pretended not to notice, turning his gaze toward the elevator buttons. But despite himself, an image of Evangeline flitted into his mind—her soft lips, her warmth—and a pang of longing stirred in his chest. His throat tightened as he imagined what it might feel like to hold her like that. He gulped, quickly looking away, feeling foolish, and let out a silent sigh of frustration.

When the elevator doors opened, he stepped out briskly, leaving the couple behind as he walked into the cold night. The snow crunched underfoot as he wandered through the city streets, the distant sounds of horses and carriages blending with the occasional honk of passing vehicles. Snowflakes collected in his dark hair, giving him an almost ethereal, angelic appearance.

Soon, a group of children noticed him, oblivious to his identity. One girl, black-haired and bundled in a pink coat, pointed at him excitedly. "Hey, look! It's a snowman!" she giggled.

"No, he's an angel!" a boy corrected her, his voice filled with awe.

Dominic, caught off guard, glanced down at the children, confused by their comments. Snowman? Angel? He didn't care either way. His expression remained neutral, detached, even as the little girl tugged at his coat.

"Sir, could you help me make a snowball? I'm bad at it," she pleaded, her wide, innocent eyes staring up at him.

Dominic sighed, devoid of any real emotion but unwilling to leave the girl empty-handed. He knelt down, gathering some snow, and crafted a tiny snowman, using nearby rocks for eyes. When he handed it to her, the girl beamed, her face lighting up with delight. She wasn't intimidated by his cold demeanor; she only saw the kindness in the gesture.

"Thank you! Can I dust the snow from your hair?" she asked eagerly.

Without a word, Dominic gave a slight nod, bending down so she could reach. The little girl carefully brushed the snow from his hair, her small hands lingering as she admired his glossy locks.

"Your hair is beautiful. I like it," she said softly, her eyes wide with wonder.

Dominic straightened up, offering her a rare, fleeting smile. "Thank you, little girl."

She giggled and ran off, proudly showing the snowman to the other children, who groaned in jealousy and rushed toward Dominic, clamoring for their own tiny snowmen. Irritation simmered beneath his calm exterior—he had little patience for children, and their excitement only made him feel more detached. He never felt compassion for their innocence or joy, only mild exasperation.

Thankfully, their parents soon called the children away, scolding them for talking to strangers. Dominic watched, unbothered, as they hurried off, except for the little girl who dragged an older woman toward him.

The grandmother, dressed in expensive fur-lined clothing, leaned heavily on a walking stick, her back hunched with age. She listened patiently as the girl excitedly explained how she got the snowman. The old woman, her face wrinkled but still sharp, nodded in Dominic's direction in acknowledgment.

"Thank you, young man," she said, her voice raspy but polite.

Dominic nodded back wordlessly, watching the old woman's frail figure as she shuffled away. The night air grew colder, and the snow continued to fall, dusting the streets and the memories of the brief encounter with the children as easily as it settled on the ground.

"Thank you, son, for gifting my granddaughter this lovely snowman. My family would appreciate your kindness," the old woman said with a warm smile, gently patting her granddaughter's head.

"The pleasure is mine, madame," Dominic replied, bowing his head slightly. As he straightened up, his eyes scanned the intricate details of her attire, noting the rich fabrics and fine craftsmanship. "This woman is not from an ordinary family. I need to be cautious," he thought to himself, giving her a polite nod as he turned to leave.

But before he could take more than a step, the old woman called out, "Wait..."

Dominic halted in his tracks, his body tensing slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. The woman had noticed something familiar about his hair. Her eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Your hair... Are you, by any chance, related to the Capulet family? Someone like you shouldn't be walking the streets alone at night. Where's your vehicle? Or, perhaps, I can offer you a ride?"

Her granddaughter had already scampered to the car, where a driver opened the door for her with a bow. Dominic turned back to face the woman, his features still devoid of any particular emotion. "I prefer walking, ma'am. There's no need to trouble yourself. Have a good night," he said coolly, evading the question about his connection to the Capulets.

The old woman, Eunice Rogvi, gave a knowing smirk, her sharp eyes lingering on him a moment longer. She nodded slightly before turning away, heading towards her car. Dominic's gaze followed her briefly as she entered the vehicle. There was something unsettling in the way she smiled, almost as if she knew more than she was letting on.

Dominic continued his walk, but an uneasy feeling settled in the back of his mind. Unbeknownst to him, Eunice had been watching him closely for some time, quietly gathering information about his movements.

He soon found himself outside a quaint café and decided to step inside for a moment of peace. As he entered, the murmur of voices fell to a hush, and several heads turned to glance his way. His presence commanded the room effortlessly, his sharp features and elegant posture making it hard for anyone to look away. The whispers began almost immediately.

"Isn't that a Capulet? What's he doing here?" one patron whispered.

"People like him don't usually come to places like this," another added, their voice laced with awe and confusion.

The murmurs of recognition didn't faze Dominic in the least. He found an empty table in the corner, removed his coat, and hung it on the chair before sitting down. His gloves rested neatly on the table as he leaned back, his gaze briefly scanning the room.

A young waiter spotted him from across the café, his eyes widening in recognition. Hurriedly, he approached, his movements respectful and measured. "Good evening, Master. What can I get for you?" he asked, bowing slightly, his black hair neatly combed, and his blue eyes bright with reverence. He wore a clean white shirt, apron tied at his waist, and black trousers.

Dominic raised an eyebrow ever so slightly at the overly formal greeting. "Tea," he replied in his usual calm, emotionless tone.

"Right away, sir," the waiter said, scribbling the order on his notepad before quickly retreating to prepare it.

Dominic glanced at his watch. It was nearing midnight. The air inside the café was warm, a pleasant contrast to the cold outside, but the whispers about him continued to ripple through the room.

After a few moments, the waiter returned with his tea, placing it carefully before him. After Dominic drank from the tea, He made the payment, adding a generous tip without a second thought, before rising from his seat. As he slipped his coat back on and headed for the exit, he was unaware that someone else had been watching him closely.

In a shadowy corner of the café, Clarisse sat with her hood drawn up, her heart racing as she caught glimpses of Dominic's striking profile. She blushed deeply, unable to tear her eyes away from him, her fascination growing. As he left, she quickly pulled her hood lower and slipped out the door, keeping her distance as she turned away heading somewhere else.

Meanwhile, the rumors about Dominic and his mysterious presence in the café had already begun to spread. The Capulets were a well-known name, and Dominic, with his quiet yet commanding demeanor, became the subject of hushed conversations. Even the café staff, including the attractive and respectful waiter, couldn't help but admire him from afar, adding fuel to the fascination that surrounded him.

Yet, Dominic remained entirely oblivious—or perhaps indifferent—to the stir he caused, focused solely on the path ahead of him as he walked into the night.

Dominic headed back to the lodge, taking the elevator up to his room. As he entered, removing his coat and gloves, he noticed Caleb already awake, sitting on the edge of his seat with a concerned expression.

"Oh, Caleb... you're awake," Dominic said casually, noticing the almost frantic look on Caleb's face.

"My Lord, where did you go?!" Caleb exclaimed, rushing toward him with such intensity that Dominic quickly reached out and clamped his hand over Caleb's mouth before he could alert the entire floor. Caleb's glasses were knocked slightly askew, giving him an even more flustered appearance.

"I'm sorry for leaving without notice. I just needed a break from the reports. A walk to clear my head," Dominic replied with his usual calm, neutral tone, releasing Caleb and gesturing toward the neatly arranged papers and thick books stacked on the table.

Caleb adjusted his crooked glasses, taking a deep breath. "Oh, I see... But don't make me worry like that again!" His voice was laced with exaggerated relief as he took Dominic's coat and hung it up.

Dominic couldn't help but chuckle at Caleb's dramatic concern, shaking his head as he sat down on the sofa to remove his shoes. "You worry too much, Caleb. I just walked around, not ran away."

"You say that, but the way you disappear is like you're being hunted by an angry duchess!" Caleb quipped, laughing nervously. He handed Dominic a robe before remembering something. "By the way, I didn't book the rooms only, the spa and baths as well. I figured you could use some relaxation."

Dominic glanced around the room, scanning it for any signs of the guards. "Where are the guards?"

Caleb cleared his throat, nervously looking away. "They're... um, at the lodge's bar. Having fun, I assume."

Dominic raised an eyebrow, standing up and walking toward the closet to change into the robe prepared for him. "Oh? Having fun without us? Well, alright. Let's go get that massage," he said as he slipped into the robe and handed his clothes to Caleb. "I'll wait for you outside."

A few minutes later, maids came to collect Dominic and Caleb's clothes for dry cleaning. Caleb, now dressed in a robe, caught up with Dominic, who was patiently waiting by the elevator.

"Master, I'm ready. Let's go get pampered," Caleb said with a playful grin, trying to maintain his usual formality while directing Dominic to the spa.

Dominic glanced at him, lips twitching in mild amusement. "I didn't realize you were this excited about a spa, Caleb."

"Oh, trust me, after all the worrying you put me through, I deserve it," Caleb replied with mock indignation, causing Dominic to shake his head once more as they stepped into the elevator.

Bruthswick Lodge Spa and Bath Section

The spa was buzzing with quiet activity as a few customers wandered around, soaking in the relaxation of the evening. As Dominic and Caleb stepped through the entrance, the door creaked slightly, immediately drawing attention from everyone inside. All eyes were on them, particularly Dominic, whose elegant and masculine stride seemed to magnetize the room.

The women in the spa—married, single, and those who were in relationships—couldn't help but blush at the sight of him. His tall, well-built frame, sharp features, and graceful movements seemed like something out of a dream. Even the maids stopped in their tracks, their faces flushed as they took in his appearance.

One of the women nudged her friend, whispering excitedly, "Look at him... His grey eyes, those gorgeous eyelashes and eyelids, his long hair... He's a work of art from heaven!"

Another woman, gripping her spa towel tightly, added breathlessly, "He's so beautiful, I could just faint right here."

Their admiration didn't go unnoticed by the men they were with, who shot Dominic jealous glares. Three single women, however, were completely enthralled. Squealing with delight, they waved their fans dramatically in front of their faces as if to cool themselves down. When a few men tried to approach them, they swiftly slapped the men's faces with their fans in perfect unison.

"Back off! We're not interested!" they snapped, their heads turning away in disdain as the men groaned, clutching their faces and muttering enviously about Dominic's effect on the ladies.

Dominic, however, paid no mind to the attention. His focus remained entirely on reaching the spa, walking with a casual elegance that only seemed to make the situation worse for those who were jealous. As he strode confidently, he ran a slender hand through his hair, his long fingers brushing it back to reveal a glimmering wedding ring on his finger.

The trio of women gasped in unison, their faces paling as they noticed the ring. "He's married?!" one of them exclaimed, clutching her chest dramatically as if her heart had just shattered into a thousand pieces.

"I can't believe this..." another groaned, sinking deeper into her chair in frustration, the dreams of a whirlwind romance with the mysterious handsome stranger completely crushed. Their disappointed sighs filled the air.

Meanwhile, one woman sitting near the spa entrance, with sleek black hair and an attitude that matched, wasn't nearly as impressed. She eyed Caleb with disdain, sipping her drink as she crossed her legs. "Ugh, who's that dork beside him? Those glasses alone ruin the whole vibe," she scoffed loudly, clearly intending for them to hear.

Caleb, who was walking next to Dominic with his usual polite demeanor, caught her words and adjusted his glasses nervously. Dominic, on the other hand, merely let out a small, amused scoff, a slight smile playing on his lips as he continued walking past the woman without giving her a second glance. He didn't need to say anything—his indifference was louder than any response.

However, the black-haired woman wasn't done. As a maid approached Dominic with a tray, the woman discreetly extended her leg to trip Caleb, but the maid, unknowingly, stumbled over the woman's leg instead. In a flurry of panic, the maid lost her balance and spilled the dirty water from the tray all over Dominic's face and robe, causing an audible gasp from everyone in the spa.

The maid's eyes widened in horror, her hands trembling as she stammered out an apology. "I-I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't mean to—please don't fire me, I'm so sorry!" Her face drained of color as her companion rushed over, apologizing profusely as well and offering to help Dominic clean up.

For a moment, the entire spa seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Dominic's reaction. But instead of anger or frustration, Dominic simply smiled, his tone calm and reassuring. "It's alright, no harm done," he said coolly, wiping his face with the sleeve of his robe. The maid exhaled shakily, bowing her head repeatedly in gratitude.

"Follow me, sir," the maid's companion said nervously, leading Dominic to a private area where he could clean up and change. Caleb, who had been watching the entire scene unfold in stunned silence, quickly followed behind him.

As they walked away, the black-haired woman gritted her teeth, fuming at her failed attempt to embarrass Caleb. Her plan to humiliate him had backfired spectacularly, and now, instead of Caleb, she was the one seething with frustration.

Dominic, of course, remained completely unfazed, as if the entire incident was nothing more than a minor inconvenience in an otherwise uneventful day. Meanwhile, Caleb—though a bit shaken—couldn't help but feel a small sense of victory as he watched the black-haired woman sulk from across the room.

The maid blushed deeply as she handed Dominic a towel to clean his face. His beauty seemed almost ethereal, and her cheeks turned even redder when he nodded and said, "Thank you." Dominic took the towel and gently wiped his face. Caleb, ever the dutiful servant, handed the maid their VIP card and requested a herbal bath, a massage, and some drinks. The maid, still flustered, quickly nodded, accepted the card, and left the room with her face glowing like a ripe tomato.

As Dominic finished drying his face, he turned to Caleb with a smirk. "Caleb, you're going to get a makeover today."

Caleb blinked in surprise, his cheeks flushing as he stammered nervously, "W-Why, my lord?"

Dominic's smirk widened, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You'll see," he replied cryptically, leaving Caleb both curious and anxious.

Later, Dominic made his way to the bath pool while Caleb stayed behind to endure his mysterious "makeover." The men in the bath had already noticed Dominic's entrance, their eyes widening as they took in his striking features and delicate appearance. Some of the women, clearly unable to resist Dominic's allure, had even followed him toward the men's bathroom, causing quite a stir. A few men gasped in embarrassment, sinking deeper into the water to avoid the spectacle. Others jumped out of the pool, shooing the women away while muttering that they were "crazy."

Unbothered by the commotion, Dominic calmly walked to a quieter part of the pool where no one was present. He removed his robe, leaving only a towel around his waist, his back turned to the other men as he slipped gracefully into the water. His serene appearance seemed to radiate an otherworldly calm, but that didn't stop some of the more perverted men from staring.

A group of men who had mistaken Dominic for a woman because of his feminine features began whispering among themselves, their lewd intentions clear. One of them, emboldened by the others' snickers, swam over to Dominic and tapped his shoulder, his fingers lingering longer than necessary.

"Ma'am, this place isn't for beautiful women like you," the man said with a sleazy grin, his voice dripping with false charm. "Are you lost? Maybe you'd like a little one-night stand with me, hmm? Or perhaps we could all share her, don't you think?" His peers burst into laughter, egging him on as he caressed Dominic's shoulder, his hand sliding down to feel Dominic's muscles.

Dominic's face remained neutral, but his discomfort was clear as he yanked his shoulder away from the man's grip. Yet the man, persistent in his disgusting pursuit, grabbed Dominic from behind, chuckling as he tried to get a better hold.

"Your body's a bit too rough for a woman. Are you in the army or something?" the man sneered, feeling Dominic's biceps. "Doesn't matter. You're still good enough for us."

Without a word, Dominic's eyes narrowed. In one swift, vicious motion, he shoved his hand into the man's jaw with a force so brutal that a sickening crack echoed through the room. The man's jaw fractured instantly, and he stumbled backward, blood pouring from his nose and mouth. He groaned in agony, clutching his broken face, completely taken aback by the strength of the seemingly delicate figure he had tried to harass.

"You're a tough one, aren't you?" the man choked out, his voice muffled by the blood spilling into the pool water. He grunted in pain, trying to regain his composure.

Dominic turned slowly, his gaze locking onto the man's eyes with a cold, lethal intensity. His expression was completely emotionless, yet the chilling, merciless look in his eyes was enough to make the man flinch. It was as though Lucifer himself had taken over, and Dominic, with his quiet but deadly demeanor, seemed more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

"Get out," Dominic said, his voice low and terrifyingly calm. The man, now shaking and clutching his broken jaw, too terrified to even look back

Dominic's cold gaze followed their reactions briefly before he turned away completely indifferent to the action he made. The water rippled around him as he settled in the pool as if nothing had happened at all

Dominic's cold gaze shifted toward the injured man as he stepped out of the pool, completely unfazed by the sight of blood or the man's pitiful state. With a chilling smirk, he said, "Do I look like the women you harass? Like some shameless creature that would tolerate this? No woman with self-respect would set foot in a man's bathhouse, least of all to entertain scum like you."

His voice was ice, and the man froze, fear flickering in his eyes. Despite his pain, the man managed to croak out a weak threat, "You'll pay for this!"

Dominic let out a low, mocking chuckle, the sound sending a shudder through the remaining men in the bath. Turning his back to the man, he stepped out of the water, not bothering to look back. "Let them come," he said, his tone cold and unbothered. "But you'd better ask yourself if you're even capable of handling me."His friends, who had been laughing moments before, fell silent, retreating slowly from the water.

There was no fear in Dominic's voice, only ruthless confidence. He stood tall, revealing his naked form, the elegance and strength of his physique unmistakable. When the other men realized the truth, their eyes widened in shock as they saw his genitalia, and one of them gasped, "It's a man!"

Panic swept through them. They scrambled to grab their towels, tripping over themselves as they fled the bathhouse. The ones who had been taunting moments earlier now ran, too terrified to even glance back, leaving their injured friend behind.The man hesitated, confused by Dominic's lack of fear. Dominic's eyes gleamed with cruel amusement as he stepped closer, lowering his voice to a soft, taunting tone"Your friends left you at the time of your demise, they aren't true friends, sad"He smiled evilly shaking his head and clicking his tongue then he turned away elegantly to take his towel.

But the man wasn't done. Humiliated and seething, he pulled himself out of the water, blood still dripping from his mouth. Desperate for revenge, he grabbed a nearby vase, charging at Dominic with it.

Dominic, sensing the threat, calmly wrapped a towel around his waist, turning just in time to see the man lunging toward him.Dominic felt the weight of the vase approaching from behind, the subtle shift in the air triggering his instincts, honed from years of training under his father. With a swift movement, he dodged the attack, spinning around just in time to deliver a hard punch to the man's gut. The impact was brutal, causing the man to double over and spit blood, the vase slipping from his grasp and shattering on the floor"Go ahead, swing it. It's all you've got left, isn't it? One last, desperate move. And when it fails—because it will till you'll have nothing left. Nothing but your humiliation."Dominic added with a cold mocking tone

Without a trace of emotion, Dominic watched the man stumble backward, his eyes wide with terror as he attempted to flee toward the door. But Dominic was faster. In one swift motion, he grabbed the man by the hair from behind, yanking him back, his grip tight and merciless. The man let out a half-formed scream, but before the sound could escape fully, Dominic reached down, picking up a sharp shard of the broken vase. He pressed it against the man's neck, just above the jugular vein making him kneel

"If you make a sound," Dominic whispered coldly, his breath hot against the man's ear, "you'll regret it."

The man froze, his body trembling as Dominic's words sank in. He dared not move, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. Dominic's chuckle, dark and menacing, echoed through the room. "What happened to that one-night stand you were offering? Or have you changed your mind because my body's too 'rough for a woman'?" he mocked, throwing the man's own words back at him like a dagger.

The man's fear overtook him, and in his terror, he lost control. A warm puddle formed on the floor beneath him as he urinated in fear, his body shaking uncontrollably. Dominic's nose wrinkled in disgust as the sharp smell of urine filled the air.

"God," Dominic sneered, looking down at the man with pure disdain, "you reek of cheap alcohol. What a disgusting pig you are."

With a cruel smile, Dominic pressed the shard harder against the man's neck, just enough for him to feel the threat, but not quite enough to draw blood. "You better hold that in," Dominic snarled. "If you dare piss yourself again, I might lose my patience."

The man whimpered, his entire body quivering under Dominic's control. His once-arrogant demeanor had shattered entirely, leaving behind only a broken, terrified shell. His dignity, already battered, crumbled completely as he stood there, pleading silently for mercy, too scared to even breathe properly.

Dominic let out a low cackle, the sound sharp and almost unhinged. "Look at you," he said softly, leaning in closer. "You're pathetic. A pitiful excuse for a man." He dragged the shard slowly across the man's neck, not enough to cut but enough to leave a mark, a constant reminder of his humiliation. "Remember this moment the next time you think about acting like an animal, Maybe you'd prefer to tell your friends how a 'woman' bested you. Oh, wait..." His gaze flickered down for emphasis. "I'm not quite the woman you thought I was, am I?"

With that final warning, Dominic shoved the man back, releasing his grip on his hair, sending him stumbling toward the floor. The man scrambled away naked, humiliated, terrified, and utterly defeated, leaving behind the stench of fear and failure "Run along now," Dominic said, his tone deathly calm. "Before I decide to take more than just your dignity."