Rekindling Flames: Look At Me, Darling

That evening, after ending things with Ethan Hopkins, Allison Roberts found herself nursing her sorrows with alcohol at a local bar.

Later, in a dimly lit corner, she passionately kissed a strikingly handsome man.

As the effects of the alcohol painted her cheeks flushed pink and brought a sparkle to her eyes, the man, with a raspy, alluring voice, suggested, "Should we take this somewhere else?"

Now slightly sober, Allison's gaze finally focused on the man's face. It was Dominic Clark.

Allison initially recoiled but soon extended her arms, clasping her arms around Dominic's neck with even greater intensity than before and melding into his embrace.

Dominic, glancing down, admired her delicate, appealing collarbone and the graceful arc of her neck. His eyes narrowed appreciatively. Allison was undeniably skilled at drawing men in. He had to concede that her physique and features matched his preferences perfectly.

Sensing his intense look, Allison's lips curved into a slight smile. Her lips, emitting a tantalizing scent, neared Dominic's ear until her warm breath tickled his skin.

At that moment, Allison's smile was bewitching, and her voice dripped with allure as she whispered, "Are you interested in me?"

As Allison spoke, her slender hand gently traced down from Dominic's shoulder, her fingers teasing the transparent buttons. Her gaze, filled with unspoken desire, locked onto Dominic.

Dominic swallowed hard, his voice low and seductive, resonating in her ear. "Yes, I am. And you?"

In response, Allison's rosy lips met Dominic's.

Surprised by her forwardness, Dominic tensed for a moment before his embrace tightened, pressing her against the sofa as their kiss deepened.

Leaning against Dominic like a contented cat, Allison was enveloped in the warmth of his shoulder.

"To the hotel," Dominic murmured, his voice husky as he caressed her waist. "I'll have the driver take us."

Dominic was drawn to Allison and didn't mind having a one-night stand with her.

Soon after, the driver escorted them safely to the hotel.

The moment they settled into the car, Dominic's kisses resumed, leaving Allison breathless by the time they reached their hotel room.

Their breaths mingling, Allison clung to Dominic's neck and hung on him, her body soft and yielding. The faint scent of his cologne drew her in, intensifying her attraction.

At three in the morning, Allison woke up suddenly. Dominic was nowhere to be seen in the room. The sound of water running in the bathroom was the only noise breaking the silence.

Dominic had been exceptionally tender the previous night, leaving Allison with a lingering sense of contentment.

Allison reached for her phone on the nightstand, only to find it dead, having not been charged.

Pulling back the covers, Allison got out of bed, leaned over the bedside table, and plugged her phone into the charger.

Allison then turned her phone on. As it came to life, it displayed twenty missed calls, all from Ethan. Without a second thought, she added his number to the blacklist.

Just then, the bathroom door swung open and Dominic emerged, clad in a bathrobe, his skin damp with steam.

Dominic was greeted by a delightful view. Allison, with her striking figure, coupled with her long and straight hair cascading down her back, looked radiant. Her skin appeared even more delicate, flushed pink from their recent intimacy.

Dominic swallowed hard, his Adam's apple moving noticeably, and he blurted out, "Are you still in pain?"

Caught off guard by his directness, Allison felt a twinge of embarrassment. It was her first time, after all. She blushed, admitting softly. "It still hurts a little..."

Dominic's smile broadened, pleased by her words. "Sorry, just bear with it a bit longer."

Allison was puzzled by his words and was about to ask for clarification when suddenly, all the lights went out. She felt his arms encircle her waist, holding her close.

The next time Allison opened her eyes, morning light flooded through the windows and Dominic was nowhere to be seen.

Feeling a bit more refreshed after a warm bath, Allison wrapped herself in a bath towel. Her cheeks were rosy, enhancing her already appealing appearance.

No sooner had she stepped out of the bathroom than a knock sounded at the door.

Allison walked over and opened it to find a waitress standing there, holding a large paper bag. "Mr. Clark has chosen some clothes for you," the waitress said with respect.

Allison accepted the bag with thanks and shut the door behind her.

On top of the neatly folded clothes lay Dominic's business card, a clear signal, understood universally.

Relieved and a bit flattered, Allison considered this a sign that Dominic was still interested in having sex with her again.

Allison pulled out a blue slip dress from the bag. Its waist was fitted, accentuating her figure.

A medicine box also lay there. As her eyes fell on it, her cheeks flushed with red.

The ringing of her phone interrupted the silence. Allison picked it up to find her best friend, Madeline Miller, on the line.

"Allison, how's everything going? Did you make it?" Madeline asked.

Glancing at the business card, the dress, and the medicine, Allison hesitated before responding, "Well, I think I made it."

Madeline's relief was palpable through the phone. "That's a relief. I knew Dominic would like your style."

"You know I'm not concerned about that. I just want Ethan to get what he deserves," Allison replied, her voice quivering with emotion. Had it not been for Ethan's actions, she would never have resorted to flirting with Dominic.

Slipping into the dress Dominic had arranged for the hotel waitress to deliver, Allison was surprised to find it fit perfectly.

Dominic seemed to have an eye for details, a trait sharpened, no doubt, by his many encounters. It struck Allison suddenly that she was now part of that history.

Despite having applied the ointment, a lingering ache persisted. Her legs felt weak as she left the hotel.

Allison spotted the taxi she had booked online waiting at the hotel entrance.

Once inside, Allison called the dance center to request leave, explaining that she needed to visit the hospital urgently.

Unable to attend class in her current condition, she made her way directly to the hospital's In-patient Department.

Allison sought out the attending physician for her father Charlie Roberts. The doctor's expression was etched with concern.

The doctor explained, "Your father's condition has deteriorated since last month. Have you considered transferring him to a different facility? There's a specialized senior sanatorium in Zenvale, staffed with international experts. It could significantly benefit him. The only downside is the cost."

"Do you have any knowledge of the cost?" Allison asked.

"For a patient like your father, who requires comprehensive care, various specialists will need to collaborate on his treatment. It would be about one hundred thousand a month..."

"One hundred thousand..." Allison echoed.

The doctor continued, "We doctors at this local hospital have done all we can, but it's not enough to manage your father's condition effectively. If you truly want to treat him, you'll have to go elsewhere. Zenvale offers the most professional medical services."

"Thank you. I'll make arrangements to transfer my father to a better facility as soon as I can." With a nod of gratitude, Allison left the doctor's office.

As Allison stepped into the hallway, her phone rang. The display showed an unknown number. It might be Ethan, using someone else's phone since she had blocked his number.

Having been wondering what was needed in exchange for Ethan letting her go, she answered the call with a frosty tone. "Ethan, we're done. Why are you calling me now?"

Ethan's voice came through, laced with sarcasm. "You care most about your father, don't you? Must be tough, seeing him like this and feeling so helpless, isn't it?"

"Just mind your own business. I'll handle my father's situation on my own," Allison declared firmly.

"Oh?" Ethan scoffed. "And how will you manage that? You don't have contacts with any specialists abroad. How do you plan to get him the care he needs? I've offered you a solution. Come back to me, and I'll ensure he gets the best possible treatment immediately."

Allison's grip on her phone tightened, her fingers turning a ghostly white. She hadn't anticipated Ethan's audacity. To think he would stoop so low just to manipulate her back into his life was appalling.

Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Allison's voice was firm as she spoke. "I'm never coming back to you."

Ethan's laugh was scornful. "Then prepare to see your father bedridden for life. And remember, the bills cost an arm and a leg. Can you really handle that?"

"It's not your concern. I've already figured out a way to deal with the bills," Allison retorted defiantly.

"Do you mean Dominic?" Ethan's tone turned icy. "You'd better have nothing to do with him last night. Otherwise, I won't use such a gentle method as now."

"Ethan, why waste words? If you're so capable, why don't you confront Dominic yourself? After all, it takes two to tango..." As Allison hung up the phone, a look of contempt flickered across her face. Despite his bravado, Ethan was clearly too cowardly to face Dominic directly.

Allison made her way to his father's ward. Upon her arrival, she noticed a nurse speaking to him in hushed tones. Charlie, however, seemed uninterested, his gaze fixed out the window.

After Allison knocked on the door, Charlie turned to face the door. His face lit up with a smile at the sight of her. "Allison, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be in class?"

Once the nurse left the room, Allison took a seat next to Charlie's bed. Lifting the blanket, she began to gently massage his legs. "I missed you, so I took some time off from dance center to come and see you. What? You don't you want to see me?"

Charlie's smile broadened. "I do want to see you. I wish I could see you every single day."

"Then listen to the doctor and stick to your treatment plan. Once your leg gets better, I'll bring you home, and we can be together every day."

After talking with Charlie for a while, Allison left the hospital, feeling at a loss. She found a bench on the street, sat down, and stared blankly into the sky.

While massaging Charlie's leg earlier, Allison realized he hadn't felt anything. Fear crept in as she pondered the possibility that his condition might be irreversible.

Resolute, she decided it was time to transfer him to a different hospital for better care.

Only as evening set in did Allison retrieve her phone from her purse. A message awaited her from Madeline, complete with a photo and a few words. "Allison, Dominic has brought a woman to Glamour. Everyone in their circle is there."

In the photo, Dominic had his arm around the woman's waist, murmuring into her ear. The woman's cheeks were flushed with shyness.

Shortly thereafter, another message from Madeline popped up, displaying just a sequence of digits. "I've sent you the room number!"

Allison quickly responded, "Got it. Thanks."

Allison then flagged down a taxi along the curb. "To Glamour, please..."

As the door to the private box swung open, the bustling noise inside halted abruptly.

Upon entering, Allison drew numerous lingering glances. Her blue off-the-shoulder dress accentuated her lithe legs, delicate skin, and trim waist, drawing admiring looks.

Allison immediately spotted Dominic in a corner.

Dominic was sprawled lazily on a black leather sofa, one arm draped over the back, his pricey watch peeking from beneath his cuff.

Yet, there was no woman beside him, leading Allison to surmise that the woman had already left.

"This lady mentioned that Mr. Clark requested her presence," the waiter said, gesturing at Allison.

Mr. Clark? In this place, there was only one Mr. Clark.

Upon hearing this, Dominic casually lifted his gaze. Spotting Allison at the door, his eyes lit up with interest, and a subtle smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"Dominic, you're incredible! No sooner does one leave than another arrives," the others in the room jested.

Allison made her way through the crowd, heading straight for Dominic. She settled herself on Dominic's lap, her slim fingers tracing a slow, flirtatious path across his collar and chest before pausing at his lower abdomen.

"I wore this just for you. How do you like it? Pleased?" Allison asked, her voice dripping with allure.

Dominic caressed Allison's face, his response tinged with mischief. "I prefer it most when you take it off."

With her arms wrapped around Dominic's waist, Allison murmured, "But don't you worry about your girlfriend getting mad?"

A sharp sting prickled Allison's earlobe. Dominic nipped it playfully and murmured with a loaded undertone, "She isn't my girlfriend."

Dominic's hand crept up Allison's leg, causing the hem of her skirt to inch higher.

Since Allison had come here, how could Dominic resist the temptation? After all, there were no strings attached to him.

The others in the room averted their gazes, yet their curiosity lingered on the pair.

"Did you come here just to show me how the dress looks on you?" Dominic's voice was raspy with intrigue.

Allison lifted her head and caught his wandering hands. "You picked it out for me. I wanted you to see it. Besides, I've missed you."

Dominic responded by pressing his lips gently against the corner of her mouth.

Just then, Aaron Spencer, Dominic's assistant from the next room, entered and announced, "Mr. Clark, I've spoken to the front desk. Your room is ready."

The room erupted with teasing remarks. "Looks like you can't wait any longer!"

"Cut it out. Wouldn't want to keep him from his evening plans, would we?"

Laughter filled the room. The group was used to seeing beautiful women come and go, so they didn't take Allison seriously.

Moreover, if Dominic truly valued Allison, he wouldn't have treated her so casually. Their laughter was tinged with indifference.

In the elevator's mirror, Dominic's and Allison's reflections were intertwined, close enough for her to feel his warm breath.

Allison tensed slightly as Dominic's large hands slid down her zipper at the waist and wandered downward.

Allison had her head buried in Dominic's arms, prompting him to tease, "Feeling shy now? You seemed pretty bold just a moment ago."

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and several people entered. Their glances at Allison and Dominic hinted that they might have guessed what was happening.

Dominic drew Allison closer into his embrace, and she became acutely aware of his body's reaction to her proximity.

Thankfully, they soon reached their floor. Dominic quickly zipped Allison's dress back up and escorted her out of the elevator, his arm securely around her waist.

The moment they stepped into the room, Dominic inserted the key card, and the lights flickered on, illuminating the space.

Dominic pressed Allison against the door, which shut with a resounding "thud."

His warm breath caressed her ear as he whispered, "Are you trying to seduce me?"

Allison, her fingers at the zipper of Dominic's pants, retorted playfully, "Seems like it's working, doesn't it?"

Her words barely hung in the air before her blue dress pooled around her feet. Dominic gently caressed her legs, signaling for her to lift them.

Allison shook her head, her voice pausing the moment. "Hold on a second."

She then delved into her handbag and pulled out a condom.

Dominic snatched it from her, ripping it open. "You always carry this around?"

"Mr. Clark, what do you expect me to say?" Allison responded, unflinching. She came prepared, and there was nothing to justify. She preferred this to taking medication, which she feared might harm her health.

Lost in the moment, Dominic skillfully set their pace.

Allison hadn't anticipated the depth of the consequences of her flirtation. By the time it ended, she was utterly depleted, sprawled weakly across the bed.

Dominic propped himself against the headboard, casually playing with strands of Allison's hair, his gaze intense. "Do you need my help to deal with Ethan?" he asked.

Allison froze momentarily before turning to face him. "Yes." She had no desire to keep it from him. Besides, Dominic would likely uncover her ties with Ethan regardless.

Dominic's smile was slight and chilling. "Miss Roberts, I don't mix business with pleasure."

His interest in Allison was purely physical. He had no intention of offering her more.

Dominic's harsh words had embarrassed Allison, yet she lifted her head defiantly and said, "Mr. Clark, I confess I approached you with an ulterior motive. I needed your help against Ethan. But let's be honest, Ethan is the worst. Even without your help, I'm determined to make him pay."

Dominic, however, showed no interest in her situation with Ethan. With a dismissive tone, he replied, "I see your point, but really, it's none of my business. Or are you suggesting I owe you something?"

After that, Dominic dressed and left the room swiftly.

Allison remained seated on the bed, her cheeks flushing a deep red before turning pale. She knew she was out of her depth with a man like Dominic!

When Allison exited Glamour, her phone buzzed. She eyed the unfamiliar number, hesitated for a moment, and then answered. "Hello?"

"Good evening, Miss Roberts. This is Aaron Spencer, Mr. Clark's assistant. He instructed me to offer you a ride home. The car is waiting downstairs."

Allison was tempted to disconnect the call. However, after a brief pause, she approached the Bentley parked at the curb, where Aaron awaited.

Aaron held the back door open for Allison. Dominic was conspicuously absent.

"Mr. Clark is away on a business trip," Aaron explained as he noticed Allison peering into the back seats. "He'll return in three days."

"Thank you," Allison murmured, sliding into the car and settling against the back seat for a nap.

Allison felt a wave of relief wash over her in Dominic's absence. The idea of facing him calmly so soon after his rejection was beyond her.

After dropping Allison, Aaron didn't linger and hurried to the airport.

In the waiting hall, Aaron spotted Dominic deep in conversation with a familiar figure across from him. It was Brad Martin, one of Dominic's closest friends.

Brad caught sight of the sweat on Aaron's brow and teased, "You're usually glued to your superior's side. What kept you today? You're late."

Aaron met Brad's curious gaze and sensed that rumors had reached him.

Their circle was small and news traveled fast, especially after yesterday's spectacle when Dominic had publicly escorted Allison away.

Brad had been probing Dominic about that in vain, so he turned to Aaron for some insight.

Knowing Dominic preferred not to delve into it, Aaron explained, "I simply forgot to bring a document with me and had to return to the office. That's why I was slightly delayed."

Brad, unable to obtain the clarification he sought, resigned himself to dropping the matter.

"When are you planning to leave again?" Dominic inquired.

Dominic and Brad had encountered each other at the airport. Brad, just back from overseas, and knowing Dominic was about to depart on a business trip, had seized the opportunity to catch up in a private lounge.

"I've informed the hospital that I intend to stay for good this time," Brad declared.

Dominic gave a nod, choosing to say no more.

Once Dominic left on his business journey, Allison heard nothing from him.

Burdened with her own responsibilities, Allison had little time to dwell on Dominic's silence. Her days were consumed with reaching out to clients.

Ethan's act of revenge occurred sooner than Allison had anticipated. He ceased all communication with her and didn't confront her in person.

Instead, Ethan spread the news at the dance center that they had ended their relationship.

The employees at the dance center had believed Allison's connection with Ethan was the very reason that had secured Allison a teaching job. After all, why else would they hire a recent graduate?

Previously, they had spared Allison any trouble for Ethan's sake. However, with her relationship with Ethan now over, they were done treating her with respect.

Allison was employed as a dance instructor at the dance center known for its professional dance classes, catering to an elite clientele.

Typically, her responsibilities were confined to teaching. Yet, due to purported resource shortages, the director had recently tasked her with liaising with clients from the Executive Department.

The upcoming dinner party, hosted by the dance center's investor, was an event the director insisted Allison attend.

With Charlie's medical financial burden on her, Allison couldn't afford to decline.

Standing at the doorway, Allison double-checked the room number before knocking and entering.

Inside, Allison recognized only a few faces from the dance center amid a sea of strangers.

Finding an empty chair, Allison sat down across from a girl who looked surprised to see her. "Allison, why are you here? Aren't these sorts of social events the last thing you'd want to attend?"

Her colleagues scoffed. "I was under the impression that your influential boyfriend would want to keep you away from these gatherings. Oh, how could I forget? You and Mr. Hopkins broke up recently."

"Is that why you're here? Because you no longer have anyone to back you up?"