The white shark (ONLY Kililia and such_a_bad_man)

[Kililia]

Elizabecka started hating his skill to see the truth about her being to nice. She open her mouth to argue only to end up sighing as he appear to be even more stobborn than her. She rolled her eyes as he obviously wasn't gonna hear her argument about being a free cook.

She rolled her eyes as it was obvious he was a real business man. She knew it was no point arguing with Dominic as he was determined.

She made a dramatic sigh at him: " Fine...I will do this on the condition...no deadline and your charge of the business part. Cause I hate all the meeting, business, etc...as long as you promise I can only deal with you or at my side during deals....I don't wanna do this crazy plan alone. This might sound exciting to you but to me it's sounds scary as hell and I am already feeling anxious about this gallery thingy and sales..."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Fine...I will do this on the condition...no deadline and your charge of the business part. Cause I hate all the meeting, business, etc...as long as you promise I can only deal with you or at my side during deals....I don't wanna do this crazy plan alone. This might sound exciting to you but to me it's sounds scary as hell and I am already feeling anxious about this gallery thingy and sales..."

Dominic smiled. "Deal. No deadlines, no timetables. You create at your own pace. I will see to getting you booked and any business discussions will go through me. You just worry about painting. If after this first show you don't see the value in it, I will drop it and you can stay on as my cook until you find a job you do want to do. But if I prove that I was right about you and your work, I hope you can see the value in making a career out of it." He said, offering his hand. "This is just to signify that you agree. I'll have my lawyers draw up something more legal for contractual purposes later. I hope you can trust me to give you a good deal."

 

[Kililia]

Dominic shook his hand:" you got yourself a deal, I leave myself in your good hands. "

She looked at the table and started to pick up the dishes:" I really appreciate your kindness and hope I can pay you back one day..."

She smiled at him:" Though I can't imagine how can ever pay back..." * Her words cut off as her phone rang and she cursed seeing the TXT" Candy demand I return to her apartment ....Mindy is freaking out cause of the damage to the apartment..."* She didn't know what to do*

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Dominic stood up as he heard who was texting her. He pulled out his own phone. "Don't worry about them. You worry about cleaning up; I'll talk with the girls," he said coolly and confidently. Stepping into the other room, Dominic called Mindy. He had her number for emergency purposes in case he couldn't reach Drake.

He listened to the phone ring until he heard-

"Dominic? Is that you? Where's Elizabecka? Our place is a wreck and I think someone broke in while we were gone," Mindy began, not even saying hello.

"Mindy, Elizabecka is safe. I have her staying somewhere until this business with Shawn is taken care of."

"Where is she though? I need to talk with her," Mindy said, sounding frantic.

"I can't tell you because I don't trust you to keep her location from Shawn and the last thing she needs is him or the two of you blundering into her life as she's trying to recover," Dominic said, laying down the law.

"But she's our friend-"

"And when have you treated her as such? Do you think I was deaf at the party? Do you think I tune you out when you are around? I've seen how you treat her and I've heard how Candy talks about her. You are to leave her alone until this is taken care of. I advise you not to test me on this," DOminic said, an edge coming to his tone.

It sounded like someone was wrestling with the phone and suddenly Candy's voice is on the phone. "You think you can just wave your money at this problem and make it go away? You don't know Elizabecka or Shawn so why-"

"I wasn't finished!" Dominic interrupts. "If you push this and deepen your involvement, I will have my private investigators deliver the files I've built on the two of you. Robbery, extortion, undeclared income, physical and psychological abuse, and that's just for starters. I know what you've stolen. I know the games you've run on other unsuspecting men. I can prove that you are involved as accessories to what Shawn did to Elizabecka. You either leave her alone or you go to jail. Your choice."

Dominic hung up his phone and walked back out to see Elizabecka starting at him. He swallowed nervously. "How much of that did you hear?"

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka had quietly came to see if her suspicion were right. She could not believe her ears, he was actually protecting her. She couldn't understand why when he just met her a few days ago.

She wince as he clearly witness how they treated her and saw she had no real friends. Yet it was not the issue of her beings fool but their betrayal of her trust. She blushed as he took a stand and decided to protect her from them. She had suspected the girls involvement but never to that extent. She shivered at the sound of the edge in his voice, she knew he wasn't kidding.

She looked back at him with a small smile:" most of it....I guess you must think I am a fool, eh...trusting people that actually set me up..." * She was hurt to know she wasn't worth anything to Mindy to the point where they were okay risking her life for a man*" I guess Candy was serious when she told me there would be hell to pay if she didn't have you for herself"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Dominic shakes his head. "There's nothing wrong with trust. It's a better way of living your life. I just wish that life reflected that reality more times than not. Candy and Mindy took advantage of that trust. It wasn't your fault; you were playing to their better angels. But you have to learn to look for the people worthy of your trust... like me." He added smiling. "I hope I've shown you the difference. For now, you can start to make your side of the house your home."

He reached down to where her things were piled in various bags. "I had them clear out everything that looked to be yours. Both clothes and personal effects. Your phone charger and other things are in there too." He explained and he picked up some of the bags, leaving Elizabecka to pick up the rest. He followed her back to her rooms and set the bags down, looking around to see if there was anything else she needed.

"Well, since it's late, I'll leave you to it. I do get up early, but I'll stay on my side so I don't wake you. I'll see you in the morning." He said, lingering to see if she had anything more to say or ask.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka always had a bad habit to try please everyone. She nodded as she knew he spoke the truth. It was kind of nice to have someone watch your back and keep trouble away from your life. She smiled:" you have shown me the difference, I was a bit surprised that's all.."

She grabbed the rest and followed after him to her room:" thank you but I would of been fine with my go bag" *She was amused, how he did not seem to like the sound of that:" it's just a back up plan if I ever take a bad devision. I started this bag since the girls often brought freaks over at the place.

She smiled at him:" don't hesitate to wake me for breakfast since I'm your chef now....hehe" * she look around and back at him with a genuine smile:" thank you for everything,Dominic"

She followed his advice and went to bed. It was the best sleep she ever had in her life. She woke up very late but felt amazing. She quickly changed into a pair of jeans and T-shirt and rushed for the kitchen.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

As Elizabecka passed the door to the patio, Dominic called out to her. "Good afternoon!"

He got up from the table outside and came over to her. "Please, join me." He said, leading her to the table and pulling out a seat for her. As she sat, it was hard not to notice the dish cover sitting before her and the pitcher of sangria on the table. "I had my chef come over so I could explain the new situation. He agreed to make me a parting lunch. I saved a portion for you."

Dominic lifted the cover, revealing a grilled salmon filet with a sauce that was hard to place, grilled asparagus and a summer salad on the side. He filled her glass from his pitcher before walking around and sitting down. "Please, enjoy..." He said, gesturing to the plate.

"I want you to take some time and relax today. Get to know this place and let me know what you feel is missing. No demands of your time, no itinerary, just peace and quiet." Dominic said smiling. "I imagine it's been some time since you could do that."

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka joined him, it was nice to have a genuine person at your side. No need to pretend or watch your back and no stress.

She gasped at the amazing dish:" oh wow...it looks and smells amazing!" She suggested it and almost devoured it in seconds. She never had someone cook for her, just for her with no hidden agenda.

She looked confused:" missing? As in what way? You already brought all I needed...I told you, all I need was in the go bag...I even have a few bucks and tools for my art...it's not like I spend cash on expensive watercolor..."

She did not notice she ate everything in less than 5 minute, she rarely get to eat so good .

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Missing? As in what way? You already brought all I needed...I told you, all I need was in the go bag...I even have a few bucks and tools for my art...it's not like I spend cash on expensive watercolor..."

"Well, once you settle into a place, there are always little things that I like to have around to make the place more in line with how I like to spend my time there. If you find that you'd like a music system, I can make that happen. Home theater, that's no trouble.... although I think you can find both of those in the same room on your side of the house..." Dominic corrected himself as he remembered the living room that's over on her side of the house, downstairs from her bedroom.

"I know you've reduced your life to what you can carry in that bag, but it's okay to set that bag down and stay a while. You may even unpack it and not worry about your exit strategy for a while." He offered, looking over at her. "That will come with time, I hope. For now, I hope you'll spend today relaxing and moving into your new place." He said smiling.

"If you like, we can find you some new painting supplies if the muse has moved you. Or just fill in the wardrobe with items that you feel more reflect your personality and style. Most of what I have in there is meant for guests and women that need an outfit home." Dominic explained, maybe a bit too casually.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka blushed as he was being so thoughtful when it came to her needs to be happy. She smiled at him:" I am grateful that you wish me to feel at home here. I be honest, I am not used to relax, it's the first time I slept soo well that I woke up with drool on my face...hehehe... I have my cellphone for music..."

She look around and back at him, it was first time she felt safe and not on edge: " I can't undo that bag yet cause I know Shawn and his family with want revenge on me..." * She looked sad for a moment and shrugged:" I have to admit I was doodling in my sketch book last night...thinking about that..."

She looked up biting her lower lip:" I was sorta hoping...I could buy some supplied. There is a sale on this decent brand and...well I might need your address so I can call a taxi...."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"I can't undo that bag yet cause I know Shawn and his family with want revenge on me..."

Dominic visibly bristles at that defeatist line. "He assaults you, breaks into your home and you think he has the right to come after YOU?" He says, sounding upset. "I think you can safely assume that you won't have to worry about Shawn ever again." He said, sounding very confident about that. "He used intimidation and derisive language to have power over you, but as soon as the police took him, you'll find that his power is gone.

What Elizabecka couldn't know is that Dominic's people and his political influence were working to make sure that the DA's office did not drop this case and that they were pursuing the full extent of the sentencing possible for his charges. No plea deals, no early release. With the file he had made about Shawn's activities and how his family made their money, there was no way he'd be getting off easy for what he did to Elizabecka. He didn't mention it because he didn't want to scare her with what he could do with his power, money and time.

" I was sorta hoping...I could buy some supplied. There is a sale on this decent brand and...well I might need your address so I can call a taxi...."

Dominic waved that away. "Nonsense, I'd be happy to take you to a shop to get whatever you might need. And before you say it, you don't have to pay me back for this. If I'm going to help you with your art career, I see this as an investment in your future success." He said with a warm smile. His manner when he was with Elizabecka is such a 180 from the man he is in business meetings.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka looked at him curiously as he seem so sure Shawn would be paying dearly for coming after her. She laughed:" Shawn family is wealthy... And it's their only son...they tend to get him off this kinda of crazy shit. His mother already hate me and see me as a low breed type of woman...plus I stabbed her son...that is gonna be a reason to end my life..."

She shrugged :" well while I am still alive and here might as well enjoy it till I become victim of his mom's wrath"

She looked at him with her hands on her hips:" why do I have a sense you wanna go on a spending spree with me at the art store? " She shook her head:" I have a decent budget of 30$ and I have ways to reduce spending... I can minimize the colors...like buy just 1 color and spend like 10$ and make a nice painting... Maybe I won't get the result I want but, I can still do art"

She wondered for a moment before looking at him and hesitated:" would you like see my sketch book and my ideas? I mean, your not obligated but you should get an idea of my ideas since you wanna consider this deal with me. I won't be offended if you pull out"

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"Shawn family is wealthy... And it's their only son...they tend to get him off this kinda of crazy shit. His mother already hate me and see me as a low breed type of woman...plus I stabbed her son...that is gonna be a reason to end my life..."

Dominic tried not to smile when she talked about the wealth of Shawn's family. "Yes, I'm sure they have seemed scary in the past, but that time is past. You have my support now and believe me when I say that their days of having power over you are finished. It will be some time before they can even consider coming after you. I'd rather not share the details as I don't want you to get the wrong impression of me, but some people don't respond to subtle power. They must be shown how weak they are and then shown again and again from different angles until they get the point and stop." Dominic said, that icy tone creeping back into his voice.

"Why do I have a sense you wanna go on a spending spree with me at the art store?"

Dominic smiled, looking like his congenial self. "Because I am. You've had to tailor your art style to your limitations before. But your imagination has no such limitations. I want you to create the truth of your mind from now on. I want to see what you can create with the shackles off. Will you try?" He asked, standing up with her as he was ready to take her over to the art store.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka was not sure if that was such a good idea. She did not like hurting people even they did wrong by her. She would normally walk away and not bother. She glance at him: " I get your point of view but that's not my style....but then again...look were it left me..." * She sighed :" I let you do the dirty work and I just act surprised..." * She teased as she doubt she could stop him* " after all it be wrong of me to critize you for doing what you do best in you own house"

She stood up and nodded:" I am willing to try...I never let myself go wild in my art...lead the way and I shall follow, oh great one"* she winked and enjoyed teasing him. It simply felt natural with him. She followed him as he lead her to the car to drive her at the store.

"Let's set a budget so you don't go crazy on the spending. We can't just spend all day at the store...but I would be okay getting just blue,yellow,red only. And maybe a few watercolor pads....maybe before canvas"

She carried this home made sketchbook, it was filled with many sketch ideas. It had details written and color list for each design. She opened it in her lap and look through it. Dominic got a few glympse of her ideas. One was of a beautiful woman kissing the head of dead bloody goat as blood ran down her naked body as she kneels down. Another was a woman dancing /running under the stars naked, another was a woman offering her own heart to a king.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Dominic smiled as he was glad that he got Elizabecka to agree to let him do his work to protect her. To be honest, he was going to do it anyway, with or without her approval. People like Shawn and his family are predators and a predator won't stop until you either put them down or show them that it's not worth it to keep going after the same prey. Dominic didn't care which option it wound up being; he was going to make sure that Elizabecka was safe from now on.

He did frown a bit when she said she would keep to a budget. That was one point he'd concede to her; she didn't want to feel like a leech and he wouldn't want to make her uncomfortable. She she started to make money off her art she might feel differently as it was her money to spend.

They filed down the steps into the garage and Dominic hopped into his most unremarkable car. It was still a BMW SUV, but he figured it would blend in the most of all his cars. He pulled out of his garage and drove to the area near the University. There were a number of art supply shops around that area and they helped students avoid the bookstore mark-up.

On their way into the city, Dominic glanced over as Elizabecka leafed through her sketch book. Every time he looked over, there was another very realistic drawing of a female form, but always in a slightly surrealistic scenario. "You have an eye for drawing people... these women in these sketches are striking... I can't help but wonder if they are you." He said, not trying to sound like a pick up line.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka glance back at him: " it's not me, actually lots of the women are regular ppl I see...like this one " * she point at one of her sketches. A woman that seem to howl at the sky in pure agony as her hands seem to shift into unatural claws.

" This was inspire by a woman that was was brushing her hair on a balcony and wiped it back. I heard her cry out the night after she was dumped by her cheating b/f. "

I just enjoy making them beautiful cause....it's a reminder of they forget their true beauty when they are in pain "

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Dominic listened and was so pleased to know that each sketch is a story. She described it so well that he could picture the woman on her balcony. The frustration and anger being released as she had to contend with her broken emotions was enough to make his heart race.

"I can't wait to see what you'll create after all of this." He said smiling as he pulled off into the area around the college in town. Parking nearby, he walked with her toward an art supply shop. He could already see a number of students coming and going so he knew the supplies had to be top notch. He opened the door for her, not wanting to see her wrestle with it, her sketch book and her bag all at once.

Once inside, Dominic felt instantly out of his depth. "Okay... I think I'll follow you for now..." He said, grinning over at her.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka sorta enjoyed seeing feeling of place. She smiled and walked inside as he open the door:" thank you"
She looked around and headed to the paper section looking into the type of paper for her watercolor. She pointed at them: " there is cold or hot press...causing different textures" * she pointed to a stack:" that stuff, is the top notch and it's insanely expensive...if I remember the small stack is 100$...I have to admit that I be curious to test them out" * she bite her lower lip and shivered as she touched the paper:" god it's...it's sooo...nice"

She pick up the paper that was decent for its price and then headed into the painting section. He could see she loved being in the section. She look through the different brands and decided which was worth the price. She glared as a girl bump into her on purpose to pick the most expensive watercolor and smirk down at Elizabecka.

Elizabecka smirked as she looks at the girl:" btw...those are brushes for oil paint not watercolor...you should learn the basic..." * The girl looked embarrassed and stomp away mumbling under her breathe. *

Elizabecka looked at all the tools seem content but she glanced at the expensive stuff and promise herself she would earn the right use high notch watercolor. She turn to him and texted some brushed. She obviously force to pick between two she wanted due to her budget. She would get the result she want but always managed somehow*

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Dominic was getting a crash course in art materials as he walked along with Elizabecka. He never thought about how the paper would make a difference, but it seemed so obvious as he looked at it now and thought back to her artwork. Once she had turned from the paper, he slid one of the stacks of the higher quality paper off and tucked it under his arm, hiding it behind his side.

She seemed at home among the different water color pallettes of colors. He grinned as she put the student in their place about brushes; she clearly had been living this art for a while. It wasn't hard to see that longful look toward some of the more upscale colors. As she moved to the brushes, Dominic scooped one of them up and hid it behind his back as well.

As she lingered over the brushes, he could tell she was fighting over which one to pick. "Just get them both. Surely you'll let me splurge to let you get brushes that will last you a good long while. A small expenditure up front to save you money down the line?" He said smiling down at her, hoping she didn't catch what else he was splurging on behind his back.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka looked back at him and hesitated:" they both over 20$"* it was obvious she was quite disciplined about her budget*

She sighed and gave it to him:" your soo corrupting me, Dominic" *she smiled at him : " I am reconsidering getting cold press for the paper...I really wanna get both now...see, your a bad influence"

She return to the paper section and double check and decided to stick to her decision:" maybe another time .." * she stop grab the whitener*" this is fun.. you can peel off to safe white space..I will show you at home"* unawares she called his place home. She then headed at cash to pay*

Throughout the shopping she explain which one was high end and the reason. It was nice to shop with a friend that was curious.

She glanced back at the canvas section, she dream to be able to afford canvas to do her watercolor in larger format but no way did Dominic need to find out. It was way out of her budget.

The couple behind them were talking. The boyfriend was holding a few canvas, complaining : ' Babe, you know we cant afford those canvas for your watercolor..." The girlfriend glared at him: " I will consider it my bday gift...since you know...you forgot my bday and we were at my family house...my mom still talk about that and its been 6 month" The guy sounded annoyed: " she never liked me...." The girlfriend was pissed : " Maybe if you actually got a job...she would like you"

Elizabecka quickly sketch an idea in her sketchbook as she looked at the girl . She got inspiration at the strangest places. Sketch of a woman peeling her flesh open and inside was a demon being revealed*

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Dominic was a very apt student. He loved to learn about anything and everything. The questions he asked as they moved from area to area showed not only was he listening, but he could also extrapolate on what he had learned already. It was all part of what had given him such business acumen over the years.

As they waited up front, Dominic tried not to listen in on the couple behind them. He could already tell that the guy was not bought into the relationship if he wasn't remembering birthdays. It didn't sound like it would last the day, if he was honest. Still, he smiled as Lizzy started to sketch as she listened. He wasn't sure the meaning of her sketch as he didn't seem to match the situation behind. It was probably a discussion for the car.

The clerk at the counter, another college aged person, probably another art student working here for the discount, began to ring up Elizabecka. She was full of comments about the items she picked out, speaking about her experience with each. Dominic appreciated the extra info as he was sure Lizzy did as well.

"Will there be anything else?" She asked Elizabecka, seemingly thinking that she wasn't with Dominic.

"Yes, add these items as well and put them on this card." Dominic interjected fluidly as he added the extra items he picked up to the counter and held for his featureless Black Visa to cover everything. He looked at Elizabecka grinning. "I don't want to make you owe me anything, but I want to see what you can do when you have no limits." He explained.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka gasps as he set all the high end material on the table. It took a moment to register as he handed the card: " Dominic...do you realize the cost of what you just added" * she winced as if she was punch in the gut as the cashier said it was over 300$"

She looked at Dominic with her hand on her hips which was more cute than intimidating since she was on 5'0 feet tall. His explanation was not quite doing the thing:" I told you, I can make decent art without the fancy stuff"

The cashier replied:" yeah but this stuff, he bought...will blow your mind if you got the skills...trust me, you can't compare the result..."

She turn and glared at the cashier:" please do not encourage him..." * The cashier smirked and handed the bag to Dominic: "Trust me, it's worth the cash... Especially if you are skilled "

She sighed and looked at Dominic : " I am gonna feel horrible if I don't manage sell anything when you spend this much..." * She could see he wasn't gonna return the material and headed for the exit. She always wondered if the more expensive stuff was worth it*

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Dominic smiled as teh cashier verified why the higher end materials were worth it. Now, it was up to Elizabecka to see for herself. He took the bag and thanked the cashier as he followed Elizabecka out of the store. As they strolled toward the car, Dominic had to satisfy his curiosity.

"Was that sketch you did in there about the woman in line behind us? I'm afraid I couldn't quite see the connection. Could you enlighten me?" He asked, leaning in a little so he could get a better look at her book when she produced it. He didn't realize this angle let him see right down her top. Since he was at least a foot taller, there weren't many angles that didn't let him see.

 

[Kililia]

Elizabecka smiled as he actually sounded interested into her way of seeing the world around her in her twisted beauty. She shrugged:" you know at times when your being pushed over the edge by some people. Sometimes it feels like you turn cold inside, this indifference grows in your heart. And people often they say, they can describe see you turn scary...even people that usually appear beautiful elegant..."

She glance at him :" kinda like when your fed up, you don't care if people see you as a monster...I guess it's kinda hard to explain it..."

She bite her lower lips as she fear he might not understand how she saw the world. She once try to explain it to Candy and was called a freak. She was pretty sure, he would think the same and just waited for another punch in the gut*

" Yeah it was about that woman...women we are told men are visual and most do their best to be at the peak of our beauty as time is our enemy.... That's why I make these beautiful creature....forget it...I'm probably confusing you..."