Temptation of my Father-in-Law

Chapter 2- First Dance

Grace

‘Hello Elizabeth’

His voice was smooth and familiar as if it had never left the corners of her mind. He had a charming smile and a complicated look in his eyes.

Grace's heart raced as she looked up at Dominic, caught off guard by his sudden presence. Memories of last night and the unspoken connection between them came flooding back. She struggled to regain her composure, "Hello..” She hesitated a while before addressing him, “Maxon.”

Dominic's eyes held a depth of emotion that transcended words. "You remember.” The music started to play and Dominic held her hands tightly. They started to sway gracefully with the music.

But everything in the background was a white noise for Grace, her eyes were focused on the Greek god specimen in front of her. He shared so many features with her husband but was much for defined.

“You look stunning tonight, just as I remember."

Grace blushed slightly, her heart torn between the life she had chosen and the unfulfilled desires of her heart. "Thank you, Dominic."

“We are back to Dominic, now are we?”

“Well, isn’t that your real name?” Grace whispered. Dominic tightened his hold slightly on her upper waist.

“My name is Dominic Maxon Kenendy and you are among a couple of people who get to call me Maxon, Elizabeth.”

Grace closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. Unknowingly both of them had shared their special names with each other on that stolen night.

“Last night…”

“Shh..” Dominic shushed her. “I like this song… Grace.”

Grace didn’t what she would say after she started that statement but this diversion was way better.

“You have a good taste.”

Dominic nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "Indeed I do."

They didn’t continue the conversation but stayed silent and enjoyed the music. Grace was already on thin ice with her heart but seeing the stranger right in front of her and no less him turning out to be her new father-in-law just sent her heart into frenzy. All her doubts which she has managed to subdue while getting ready in her wedding dress start to spur out one by one. Dominic’s deep eyes didn’t help her case.

The song was already over but none of them made any moment to separate away. Grace couldn’t step back, she believed that he would disappear from her life and she was holding onto every last moment.

Their trance was interrupted as Grayson approached, a protective arm around Grace. He regarded his father with a forced smile. Grace felt the tension in the air and tried to diffuse it by stepping back from Dominic and into her husband’s embrace; that irked Dominic.

Grayson hasn’t talked about his father with her. She knew all of Grayson’s family and was very close to them except his father. Grayson and Dominic always had a strained relationship because of Dominic’s personality of integrity and Grayson’s personality of a spoiled heir. Amelia and Dominic divorced when Grayson was 10 and since then it was only weekend visits. Looking at the tension between the father-son duo, the relationship was no better than in the past.

“I will have to steal my wife away, Dad.” Grace looked up at Dominic, whose eyes were on Grayson.

“Of course,” Dominic replied with his hands back in his dresspants' pockets.

The reception hall was adorned with opulent decorations, and the air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation and laughter. Grace and Grayson, after parting away from Dominic, moved gracefully through the crowd, greeting their guests and indulging in the reception formalities. The couple looked radiant, and their smiles were genuine to the outsiders as they accepted well-wishes and congratulations from family and friends.

As Grace and Grayson made their way to the reception table, the atmosphere in the room changed. It was as though a subtle shift occurred, and her eyes seemed to gravitate toward one corner where Dominic stood. He leaned against a pillar, his gaze fixed intently on Grace.

Meanwhile, Grace and Grayson continued their rounds, receiving warm wishes and congratulations from their guests. Their connection was evident to everyone, and it seemed like they were the embodiment of a perfect couple.

Grace's heart, however, was divided. Her eyes couldn't help but wander to Dominic, who continued to watch her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. She couldn't ignore the undeniable chemistry that still existed between them and occurred with just one night of passion.

Grayson noticed Grace’s lost eyes and squeezed her hand, a concerned look in his eyes. "Is everything okay, Grace?"

She forced a smile, not wanting to face the demons that lurked in the shadows and would come out in the open if she asked him the question.

"Yes, Grayson, everything is fine."

As the night wore on, the tension between Grace and Dominic continued to simmer beneath the surface. They exchanged polite pleasantries when forced to interact, but the unspoken connection between them was undeniable.

The guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal, and the dance floor came alive with music and laughter. Grace and Grayson took center stage once again as husband and wife, the romantic melody pulling them into their own world. Other couples joined the newlyweds on the dance floor.

In the midst of the celebration, she couldn't escape the truth that her heart yearned for something different. The unspoken tension and chemistry between her and Dominic were like a storm brewing on the horizon, and she knew that it was a force she had to ignore.

The night was far from over, and Grace's journey was just beginning. The choices she made felt like an endgame to her but life had more for her in the future...

Grace wanted to talk to Grayson about last night. She would have asked him directly about what she heard but now even she had something on her conscience. It seemed like the secret was going to go to her grave and this facade of marriage would continue.

Grace and Grayson made their way to the beautifully decorated cake, its tiers adorned with intricate details that matched the elegance of the wedding. As they stood before it, Grace couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

The room fell silent as the couple prepared to cut the cake, a moment eagerly anticipated by the guests. Grace picked up the knife, her hand trembling ever so slightly. She glanced at Grayson, who was all smiles, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil in her heart and oblivious to the pain he caused her.

With a deep breath, she cut into the cake, the first slice pristine and perfect. The guests applauded, and Grayson leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her cheek.

As they shared a slice of cake together, Grace couldn't help but steal glances at Dominic, who was now engaged in conversation with a group of guests. He looked at ease as if the tension between them had dissipated into the air. Grace's heart ached at the thought of what could have been, but she knew she had made a commitment to Grayson.

Once the cake-cutting ceremony was over, the night continued with speeches, toasts, and dancing. Grace tried to immerse herself in the festivities, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Dominic. She couldn't shake the feeling that he held a piece of her heart, a piece she had given away in a moment of passion and desire.

Olivia and Alex approached Grace with a warm smile and hesitant expression. "You look radiant, Grace. I hope you're enjoying the evening."

Grace nodded and managed a small smile. "It's been a wonderful celebration. But I feel like a guest at my own wedding." Grace looked at Grayson, who shared a laugh with his friends.

Alex’s eyes held a hint of concern. "Is something bothering you, Grace? You seem a bit distant. I noticed that during the ceremony as well." Grace and Olivia exchanged a look. Olivia doesn’t know about last night with Dominic, but she knows about Grayson.

Grace hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. Alex would find out later but the wedding is the last place she wants Alex’s outburst. "It's just the overwhelming emotions of the day, Alex. Everything is moving so fast." Grace appreciated Alex’s concern, but they only intensified the conflict within her.

“You have waited for this day since Grayson proposed to you but as the day arrived, you didn’t seem so excited about it.” Alex looked at Olivia. “I know something is going on and I am going to ask you what, but Grace, I need to know that you will be fine!”

Grace met Alex in one of her foster homes. Because of him, foster care was tolerable for her. Alex has always been extremely protective towards her. They met Olivia in college and have been inseparable since then.

The night was about to be over, and the choices she had made were set in stone. Grace's journey as a wife had begun, and she was committed to making it a successful one.

“Yes, I promise I will be fine…” Before Alex could speak, she added, “And I will always come to you both if things ever go wrong. I promise.” That seemed to calm him and they shared a hug.

Grace was about to make her way to Grayson when a waiter handed her a note conspicuously. Grace looked around confused and couldn’t find one set of brown eyes. Grace accepted the note from the waiter, her curiosity piqued. She discreetly opened it and read the handwritten message:

Meet me in the backyard gazebo in 5 minutes- M.