Hours later, the meeting came to an end.
Damien led me into his office, immediately I got in. I sank into one of the leather chairs closest to me.
I was really exhausted, I stretched my feet Looking around, his office was really decorated.
I couldn't help but say a kudos to the interior designer, not that I expected anything less though. The smell in here is nice as well
Papers were arranged on the desk and beside the rocking chair close to where I'm seated.
A pamphlet caught my attention. I stretched my arms to get it but recoiled once Damien voice came.
"Hey you don't go about touching things this isn't your art gallery".
Speaking of art galleries, I remembered quickly and asked.
"Do you make a habit of throwing people to the wolves?" I asked bitterly, remembering what happened some hours ago and him scolding me now.
Damien loosened his tie, unbothered. "You did fine."
"I almost choked."
You call that fine?
I glared at him. "Why did you defend me back there? About the galleries?"
He shrugged. "I don't put things in my life I don't know how to control."
How did you even get to know about my gallery?
Wait , Hold up! You ran a background check on me?"
Of course I did. He leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "I don't marry strangers, Eva."
I let out a sharp laugh. "You don't marry at all, Damien. Isn't that what you told the press a year ago? That marriage was a distraction?"
His eyes darkened. "People change."
" Really?" I shot back.
For a long moment, we just stared at each other.
Finally, Damien broke the silence. "Dinner tonight. With investors. You'll be there."
Still today?
Yes Eva today!
I shook her head. "I didn't agree to play dress-up in front of your friends."
For goodness sake Damien, Please I'm exhausted already. Can't it be fixed tomorrow maybe. I let out a wry cry
No Eva, We have to be there tonight please.
It's just dinner, no questions whatsoever I promise.
And again, "You agreed to be my wife." His voice was low and dangerous.
My pulse raced. "A paper wife. That doesn't mean you own me." Damien
I still have the right to question what I don't feel comfortable with.
Sure you do, His gaze softened almost imperceptibly and No, I know I don't own you" he said. "But it does mean we're in this together."
These words caught me off guard. For just a moment, they sounded less of a command and more like… a confession for the first time.
I looked away quickly, my chest tightened.
I couldn't let myself forget: this was a deal. Nothing more, after a year it will all be memories.
But why did his words feel like something else entirely?
Hope I'm not going crazy already.
***
I was fast asleep when my phone buzzed, I rolled over the bed and picked it.
Hey Eva! Hope you're getting prepared.
For? Why?
Don't tell me you forgot?
Dinner with the Investors eva.. He Yelp!
Just stop scolding,
I said rushing up into the bathroom.
Silas picked me up at exactly 7pm.
Damien was outside waiting..
I know he must be angry doing this, I laughed inwardly.
You're late.. he said when I got down.
Yeah.. just a few minutes, Sorry.
He led me into the has..
This time the eyes were more subtle.
They've seen me before so yes it should.
He drew out a chair for me beside him as I managed to fake a smile.
Oh my God, I'm so so uncomfortable with the food that's on this menu..
I don't want to look less privileged so I didn't say a word.
I was still finding something more okay to order when Damein looked at me.
Like he noticed.
He whispered a "you okay"
I looked at him and he knew everything was far from being okay.
He gestured to the waitress who I guess must have grown tired waiting for me to pick something for God's sake.
Just bring a smoothie for her.
She'll make a request later.
The waitress left and I muttered a thank you. Then he smiled..
Those smiles, Damien is really good looking but his character does not sit well with me.
I watched them munch on their meal, some on their phones and some talking lightly.
The waitress came in with a smoothie,
I looked at it like I was examining a wounded kid. I didn't know why I did that.
I hope no one saw that, I let out a small laugh at the thought of my actions alone.
This drew Damien attention from the little talk he was engaged in to me.
"You good"?
Yes I am, I said sipping on my smoothie.
Do you like it? "Yoooo! I shouted inside of me, what's with you and checking on me with lots of questions.
I'm getting uncomfortable, you're not like this on a normal day".
I looked at him without a word, just like he read my thoughts and faced his meal.
Eat something Eva! I called on another waiter before the silver-colored hair man. One of the executives asked if I wasn't going to eat something.
Aren't you familiar with the food served here?
You've been going through that menu for sometime now he said with a wry smile.
I get that sarcastic smile, I'm just about ordering I said waving the menu slightly.
At this point I was pissed, he shouldn't try to make a fool of me.
It wasn't my fault a stupid contract demands a family man and his boss came to me with an offer I couldn't reject.
She was just about ordering a meal, she wanted a smoothie first. Damien defended.
Oh I see, he said.
The waitress walked in with a whole tray of food too many for a person.
I looked at it surprised, Damien lower his head and said "calm down and enjoy "
Someone walked in.
Elara!!