363: [Bonus chapter] Taste familiar

[Bonus chapter] Taste familiar

*GASP*2

Dominic gasped for air as he opened his eyes, only to see the high ceiling of the bedroom. He closed his eyes once again, breathing out through his mouth. His hand instinctively stroke the other side of the bed, turning his head when he felt it empty.

'Where did she go?' he wondered, pulling himself to sit up. 

Only when Dominic was sitting up on the bed did he notice the light filtering through the window. The curtain was shut, but the small gap was enough indicator it was already morning.

Moving his gaze on the bedside table where the clock was placed, it was already eight in the morning.

'I overslept.' He ran his fingers through his unruly hair, snapping his eyes at the door. 

Even if he didn't need to go to the office, Dominic got used to waking up early in the morning. He usually spent it with his wife by either staring at her or cuddling. But today was the first time he overslept after many years. 

How strange.

Dominic flung his legs out of the bed, sitting on the edge. His eyes were down, not moving an inch from his spot. 

'Why...' he wondered, drawing his lips into a thin tight slash. '... am I being reminded of her?'

Ever since he survived that abduction, Dominic did his best to suppress any memory he had of that day. Not that he remembered everything in detail. However, he does remember some other things. For instance, that girl. Dominic passed out that day when a man barged into the room where he was held captive. 

He couldn't remember the man's face clearly, but he did remember the man dragging a dead body that caused Dominic to pass out. The next thing he knew, he woke up outside the subdivision of the old residence where he walked home from there. 

'I almost forgot about the bun,' he thought before shaking his head, trying to get rid of that thought out of his mind. 

It was unnecessary. 

That memory was already a part of his bitter childhood. He moved on from it. He now had a family of his own, whom he should protect. All he had to do was make sure Sebastian wouldn't experience the same horror he had experienced as a child. Also, to prevent what happened to Heaven six months ago from happening again. 

Dominic sat on the edge of the bed, taking a deep breath with his eyes closed as he gathered his thoughts. When he huffed, he pushed himself away from the bed and headed straight to the bathroom for a quick shower. He took his time, eventually forgetting about the dream he had last night. 

When he finished, Dominic went out to look for his wife and see what she was doing. If Heaven wasn't in the bedroom, there were only a few places she would be. But Dominic didn't need to search for long because the moment he stepped foot in the living area, Heaven and Sebastian were already there. 

"Good, right?" Heaven grinned at Sebastian, sitting on the floor around the coffee table with their son. 

"Mhm! Mommy, where did you buy this?" Sebastian perked up, eyes gleaming as he chewed the mouthful of the bun.

Her lips stretched until her teeth were on full display. "Bear bought this for me since he said he was around the area of the bakery."

"Ohh..."

"It's my favorite," she added. "It's been years since I had it, so it feels somewhat nostalgic."

Her brows rose as she caught a figure from the corner of her eyes. When she moved her head, her face brightened up. 

"Good morning, Darling~!" she greeted, making Sebastian look in Dominic's direction. 

"I'm sorry I overslept," said Dominic as he marched to join his wife and son.

He sat down on the couch near her, glancing at the basket of bread on the coffee table and two mugs for Heaven and Sebastian. It was obvious the two were having their breakfast in here instead of the dining area.

"It's fine. You've been so busy the past weeks, so I didn't wake you up." Heaven grinned. "Anyway, do you want coffee?"

"Mhm."

"Wait. Let me get you one." Heaven hurriedly planted her hand on the coffee table, pushing herself up. 

Dominic's lips parted as he planned to stop her, but he already learned to let her be. He could make one for himself since Miriam wasn't around, but Heaven usually insisted on making him one. Thus, he simply watched her rush to the kitchen, leaving him and Sebastian in the living area. 

When Dominic shifted his attention to his son, his eyes fell on the bread in the latter's hand. 

"Mommy said it's her favorite," Sebastian said, watching his father look into his eyes again. "It's really good."

Sebastian moved up slightly, taking a piece of bread from the basket before offering it to his father. "You should try it before Uncle comes and eats everything."

"Thanks." Dominic smiled subtly as he took the piece of bread from his son. Sebastian didn't pay his father so much attention as he continued to enjoy his breakfast while Dominic kept his gaze on him. 

Sebastian had behaved himself ever since that incident six months ago. He wasn't even competing with Dominic anymore. If anything, he just wanted to make his mother happy. Thus, the penthouse had been very peaceful for the past months. 

As long as Dominic wouldn't try to monopolize Heaven's time, Sebastian would make his father's life peaceful. Well, not that Dominic could monopolize Heaven's time since he got busy, making up for all the work he would leave behind for his weekends. 

'I know she likes eating pastry, but sometimes, I wonder if she had always liked them.' A thought suddenly crossed his mind but was careful enough not to think about that girl who saved him that day in the past. 'Nevermind.'

Dominic mentally shook his head, telling himself it was more fun knowing bits and pieces of his wife. He pinched the bread, taking a small piece, before shoving it in his mouth. As soon as he did, time seemed to slow down for him for a moment. 

'This bread…' 

"I'm back~! Ooopsie. Be careful, it's hot."

Dominic slowly turned his head, seeing Heaven walk back to them while carrying a tray. When she placed the tray on the coffee table, she faced him and then raised her brows.

"Hmm?" she hummed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

His lips parted, but before he could think, his voice already escaped his mouth. "No — nothing. I just thought you look even more dazzling today."

"Oh, you!" Heaven giggled before she bent down, moving the cup from the tray while Dominic kept his gaze on her.

'It tastes… familiar,'he thought, chewing the bread ever so slowly. 'I'll never mistake that taste back then.'

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