Chapter Ten

I got into the vehicle after much deliberation. The whole thing was calling my neighbors' attention, something I had been trying to avoid.

"Hey mum! Isn't she that hot guy's fiancée?!"

I heard a teenager yell at her unsuspecting mother before I got in. I watched through the tinted glasses as they stared at the car dreamily. Only if they knew...

I stared out the window for a while before staring down at my feet. It was then it occurred to me that the driver did not ask for directions before moving the vehicle. The roads were familiar but I didn't understand how and why he would just decide to drive me without asking for my permission.

"Where are we going?" I asked finally after much contemplation.

"The boss said to take you to your father's place ma'am."

And how did he know I wanted to go there? Was this man spying on me? Or, was he some creep that knew my every move before I took them?

I frowned in distaste. The thought of Damien always have a say in my life more than I did, just within a few days of meeting him, irked me to no end. It was getting frustrating.

****

We arrived at my father's four bedroom bungalow in an lovely, warm and colorful neighborhood, I loved visiting him because the place gave such a homey feel very much unlike my apartment. I would have loved to continue living with my father but my apartment turned out to be much closer to my workplace or should I say, former workplace.

I ran inside the house, annoyance forgotten, I just wanted to hug my father.

"Dad!!!" I hollered excitedly but halted when I heard voices coming from his study. I walked stealthily towards the door. Seemed like he had company.

"Please take good care of her, she's all I have left." I heard my father plead with so much cemotion in his voice. I got pensive so quickly and I wanted to barge in there but I wanted to hear what the other person had to say.

It was quiet for a while before I heard the oh so familiar deep baritone.

"You have my word, Mr Delaney."

My mood suddenly turned sour at the realization of him being present when I just wanted a bonding session with my father. Way to go Damien! You just have to ruin my day every single time.

I knocked lightly on the door until I heard my father's voice urging me to go in.

I pushed the door open and walked into the room. The smell of old books wafted through my nostrils. This room was my father's favourite place to be in the whole house and I knew why. It reminded him so much of my mother, she was an avid reader and this was her safe haven. I read too but cooking makes me happy.

"Good morning Dad, Damien." I bade, walking over to my dad, I gave him a peck on the cheek while he gave me an infectious smile. I stared at him closely, he looked better than the last time I saw him but he still looked pale, and had wrinkles around his eyes. The resemblance between my dad and I could not be mistaken, I am a replica of him, just that I'm a woman.

"¿Cómo estàs papa?" I asked. (How are you dad?)

"Estoy bien mi Amor" He said, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. (I'm fine,my love.)

"¿Cómo estàs de salud?" I asked with a little bit of worry lacing my tone. (How's your health?)

"Estoy bien. Gracias. How are you?"(I'm fine, thank you.) He smiled at me. I shook my head at the question, I wasn't satisfied with his reply.

"¿Has comido?" (Have you eaten?)

"Si, Ariana." He rolled his eyes at me. (Yes)

"Te preocupas demasiado." He tsked. (You worry too much.)

"Papà no me preocupo demasiado, solo te amo." I told him and gave another kiss on his cheek afterwards. He blushed, oh yes he did! I giggled. (Dad I don't worry too much, I just love you.)

"Yo También te amo princesa." He patted my head softly as he said so. (I love you too princess.)

We were so caught up in our reunion, I had forgotten Damien was still in the room.

"Hey." He said to me, quirking his eyebrow.

I glared at him so hard that if looks could kill we would be attending his funeral and I was sure dressed in black for it.

"Dad, what is he doing here?" I asked with my gaze not leaving Damien.

He looked overly handsome in his grey suit and it matched his beautiful eyes. My inner self shook her head not agreeing to be swayed by his good looks cause he was an arsehole.

"Oh Ari, he came to get accustomed to his father in law to be..." My dad said smiling at Damien and me, I frowned. Why was he acting like this wasn't a deal? Like it was some fairytale marriage.

"Uh oh,did you two have a fight?" My father said dramatically and I could not help but roll my eyes at his antics.

"I'll leave you two to sort out your issues then. Remember what we discussed Damien." He said in a rush and before I could protest to him leaving me alone with the dashingly handsome man across the room, he was out the door.

I bit back a groan, tapping my foot on the tiled floor impatiently. He did not say anything to me and I just looked at anywhere but him.

"When are you coming back to Los Angeles?" He spoke up after the very stretched silence.

"I'm not going back until the wedding." I replied, looking straight ahead.

"And how are you going to plan the wedding?" His tone was undecipherable and I still did not turn to view his facial expressions.

"I'll keep in touch with your mother and I'll do my planning from over here." I said with a nonchalant shrug, one that I knew would get on his nerves.

"Look at me when I talk to you Ariana." He said firmly. I did not listen.

"Look. At. Me." He gritted, with emphasis on each word. A cold chill ran down my spine when I heard the harshness in his tone and I turned to see him staring fiercely at me, I stared back, I tried to not show any form of fear but my shaking fingers on the table almost gave me away.

"I have things to sort out here and when I'm done, I'll come back to Los Angeles." I finally conceded.

"That's more like it."

He stood up and walked slowly towards me. I gulped, I just wanted to sink into the ground at that point.

He held my chin with his index finger and thumb, making me look up at him. I tried to look away but he held me in place.

His eyes searched my face for a while before he leaned in, I squirmed and shut my eyes, hoping he wouldn't do what it thought he was about to do.

He kissed the the side of my lips slowly, I swear I had goosebumps as soon as his lips touched my skin. I shivered.

"One week." His minty breath fanned my face as he whispered in a husky voice.

The statement was absolutely unexpected.

"What?" I was in a daze and could barely comprehend anything. The close proximity was messing with my head.

"You have one week to sort whatever it is you have to."

"Hmmm okay." I agreed sheepishly. He smirked.

He moved away from me and placed a set of keys in my hand.

"It's yours."

"No." I shook my head vigorously. I was back to my senses.

"I don't need a car right now, Damien."

The extravagance was absolutely unnecessary for me. I was a struggling girl barely able to foot her bills and all of a sudden, I would be driving a freakin Cadillac! Just like that? There was no way I would allow that. It would give the impression that I was there for his money and all the glamorous luxuries that came with it. I did not want 'gold digger' attached to my name tags, not at all.

"Fine then, I'll have my driver take you wherever you want to go. All you have to do is call him." He said.

"I've been taking public transit for as long as I can remember and I'm not complaining." I argued hotly. He was pushing it.

"Feisty as always, I see. Have it your way then." He said tersely and strode out of the room the next minute.

Why was he getting annoyed now? I was the one who felt humiliated by him the previous day and he still did not apologize for it. He was just so controlling. I couldn't always let him have his way.

But then again, just like all other times I realized late that he had tricked me into a agreeing with him again. He knew the kind of effect he had on women.

Now, I had to pack my bags and move to Los Angeles in the next one week. Curse you Damien Kingston!

I grunted loudly as I stomped out of the study. I was going to argue with him for real this time.