The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 6 Domenico’s Joy “You look hungry. How about we get a bite to eat so you can tellyour story?” Sebastian said as he ledto the campus parking lot. | tried to pull my hand away from his, but he had a tight grip.

“I don’t have a story to tell,” | mumbled.

“Fine. You don’t have to tellnow. I'm willing to wait. But let me, at least, take you out to an early dinner so we can get to know each other better,” he said.

“Sebastian, | don’t want you to think I'm ungrateful in any way, but why do you care anyway? | am not your charity case. There are so many women here on campus who are practically groveling at your feet. You can take your pick! | mean, why waste your ton me?” | asked, wanting sanswers. | waited for him to say something, but he was more focused on draggingto his car.

“I'll answer your questions once you get in the car,” he said, opening the door. “Get in, Joy.” 1 looked at him, then at his car. It was a really nice black Dodge Challenger and | really wanted to see its interior, but being in a car with a boy brought back sreally bad memories.

“Uhm, can we just eat here? Somewhere on campus?” | asked, hoping | could convince him. After the assault, | still felt vulnerable. | wasn’t ready to hop into a car with someone | barely knew.

“What's wrong, Joy? | can see the hesitation in your eyes. | can hear it in your voice. | promise, I'm not going to hurt you. | just want something good to eat at a quiet place where we can talk in private. Then, I'll drive you straight home. Here's my phone. He placed his phone in my hand. “My pincode is 0395. You can call the police if ever you feel threatened.” Linh ing to build enough courage to enter the car. | glanced at him, biting my | should. Finally, | nodded my head and slowly entered the car.

Sebastian said as he closed the door. He waved at Xavier and Cristos, who were other muscle car, before sliding into the driver's seat. Even for a man so tall, he was aceful. “I hope you like Italian food.” He suddenly reached over and fastened my seat belt. He was so near, | could feel his breath on my face.

1/4 12:27 Sat, Mar 23 N CHAPTER 6 Domenico’s “Sure, pasta and pizza,” | said, feeling a bit anxious. | needed to relax. | began fidgeting with | the cuffs of my white, long sleeved, button-down blouse, hoping the distraction would help. put my mind at ease. When that didn’t help, | began rubbing my sweaty palms on the thighst of my jeans.

“Don’t be nervous, Joy. You'll like my mom and have a feeling she'll like you too. She cooks the best ravioli in town and I'm not just saying that because she’s my mom,” he said as he drove out of the campus.

His mom?! I'm going to meet his mother?! | looked down at what | was wearing and groaned.

“What you're wearing is fine. Look at me. I'm just in a regular t-shirt and jeans,” Sebastian pointed out.

“B-but she’s your mother. She wouldn't care if you were in rags, | argued helplessly. If the car wasn’t moving, | probably would have jumped out.

“Well, at least you know you'll be safe, Sebastian said, winking at me. “So, you askedwhy do | care? The first t| saw you, | just felt | needed to protect you. | know it sounds weird, but | can tell something really bad happened to you. | know you barely know me, but Joy, you can trust me.” “So you do seeas a charity case,” | muttered, lowering my head in shame. | didn’t want anyone's pity. | just wanted to move on and live my life.

“No, of course not,” he denied. “I-1 just want us to be friends. How about that?” He smiled at me, showing his perfect teeth and his gorgeous dimples.

He wants to be friends. | guess there's no problem with being friends. But again, those boys who hurtsaid the sthing and look at what they did. My face is a mess, | walk with at limp and ors believe | will never have children of my own.

ba stian want to rape me? Xavier or Cristos for that matter? They could.

of any girl and I'm sure none of those girls would mind sharing their beds.

offended,” Sebastian suddenly said, grabbing my attention.

“I'm sorry... what?” | asked.

“Am | that bad a person?” Sebastian asked. | turned my head to look at him, puzzled by his question. “The only reason why you wouldn't wantas a friend is if you think I'm evil. Am | really that bad of a person?” He glanced atwith puppy dog eyes and | melted.

2/4 CHAPTER 6 Domenico’s “Of course not, Sebastian. | was just thinking of something else. Sure...We can be friends,” | answered quickly.

Maybe too quickly. Ugh, | wanted to kick myself.

This time, his smile was gentle, full of kindness and empathy. “You've madereally happy, Joy.

| turned to look outside my window and heaved a sigh. | silently wished | had a fairy godmother who could fix my face and heal my body. Maybe if | didn’t look like such a monster, probably Sebastian and | could be more than just friends. Well, a dreamer can dream.

Sebastian parked his car in front of a cozy looking Italian restaurant named Domenico’s. | should have known we would be eating at his family’s restaurant.

Xavier and Cristos were already seated inside chatting with a middle-aged woman wearing an apron over a nice slate-colored pant suit. Sebastian held my hand as he introducedto her.

“Mama, | want you to meet Joy. Joy, my mother, RosaDomenico,” Sebastian said, introducing us.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Domenico,” | said, extending my hand for a handshake. But instead of taking my hand, she tookin her arms and hugged me..

“Mrs. Domenico is Sebastian's grandmother. You can callMama Rose, sweetheart.” She chin and studiedunder the light. Who did this to you?” Sebastian's mother asked. My heart s kipped a beat.

lifted my “Ah, Mama Rose, uhm...” How could I tell her a bunch of boys raped me, then took sgym equipment, smashed my face with it and leftto die? She noticed | was struggling with my words, so she gaveanother hug.

“You tellwhen you're ready, Joy. Right now, you eat. Sit, sit.” That afternoon, | had so much fun. | giggled and laughed. Joked around and talked. They didn’t care about what | looked like or who | was. For the first tin a long time, | had friends.

| called my parents to tell them | was out with my new friends and Mama Rose promised mn 3/4 Sat, Mar 23.

CHAPTER 6 Domenico’s them | was in good hands. She even went as far as telling them that no one would dare touch me... in a most serious tone.

| found that strange, but after witnessing what Sebastian, Xavier and Cristos did to Mark, | assumed maybe they had undergone combat training or something.

After our early dinner at Domenico’s, they drovehome. | introduced them to my parents. who, at first, were wary of the handstrio. | couldn't blthem. After what happened to me, all men were bad men in the eyes of my parents.

As the weeks progressed to months, my parents learned to love them. Especially with all the help they offered me.

Chapter Comments Luna-Mom her tof hunky heroes taking good care of her Yuri Suzuki Oh g d, poor girl. | hope she can get pregnant from one ofvthe three boys.

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