Chapter Eleven

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Damien's POV;

I smirked as soon as I heard her grunt. I had tricked her again. But I had to admit, this woman was really stubborn.

I knew she was expecting an apology for what I said the previous day but I honestly did not see anything wrong with what I said. It just was not befitting of my bride to be to live in such a place.

"Damien!" I heard her scream.

"Yes?"

"We're going to have to compromise on my returning to Los Angeles and no, I do not care what you have to say about it but I cannot leave in one week." She stomped her feet with her arms folded across her chest.

"Fine. What do you want?"

I could tell my reply greatly surprised her and deflated her annoyance.

"I'll leave in two weeks but I'll be helping to plan the wedding from here." She said meekly. It was so cute.

No, Damien! Stop calling her sweet things in your head.

"Okay." I said in response, confusing her even more.

"Okay?" She asked in surprise.

"Okay." I said.

"Just like that?" She prodded further. I nodded.

"Oh Dios mio! I must be dreaming." She exclaimed dramatically, her Spanish accent making itself evident.

I loved it whenever she spoke in Spanish, it made her look so sexy.

Sexy? Damien, really?

I inwardly shook my head at my thoughts. It was about time I left. I had some unfinished business to handle before leaving for Los Angeles.

"I have to leave now," I said, getting up to leave.

"Dad, Damien's leaving!" She called out like a child and bounced off in search of her father. Soon they were in front of me bidding me farewell.

I reached out to hug her and she went into my arms staring at me in suspicion. I almost chuckled at her child like trust issues whenever it came to me, minute, so little, but it kept her on her toes and at alert whenever she was around me. I had that effect on people and I loved it.

"I see you two have settled your differences, I'm glad." Her father commented happily when he saw her in my arms. She tried to move away but I held her closer.

"See you at the wedding Mr Delaney." I bade cordially.

"Ah of course. Do take care." He shook my hand firmly and exited the building immediately after.

Ariana obviously wanted to spend time with her father and I let her. She should enjoy it while it lasts, cause after the wedding she wouldn't have such luxury.

I got into my ride and had my driver take me to one of my establishments here in New York.

Lucio.It was a five star restaurant with great reviews. I came around once in a while to check it out and coincidentally, that was where Ariana worked.

****

We arrived nearly fourty five minutes later due to traffic. I walked in and saw business was in full swing.

The manager, Sabrina, sighted me from her office upstairs and ran down as fast as she could. I watched her pass stern warnings to the staff from where I was before taking long strides to where she stood with a seductive smile on her face. I smirked.

Yes, I had had a night of drunken passion with her once and she assumed we were in a sort of relationship.

"Hi, Mr Kingston, I wasn't expecting you." She said with a saccharine smile.

I checked her out. Sabrina sure is a sexy woman but she's definitely my type but her flamboyance was a red flag. I eyed the red dress she had on but it only reminded me of a certain Latina woman.

I wonder how she slipped into my mind so quickly. I shook it off and returned Sabrina's flirty smile.

"I'd like to check the records and see how the operations have been." I ordered, getting back in full boss mode.

"Sure thing sir."

She led me through the restaurant, the showing me around the cooking area and even offered me a few pastries. I had them and I must say I was pretty impressed by the taste.

"Who made these?" I had to ask.

"Oh it's Nolan, our amazing pastry chef."

"Hmm. Give him a raise, he deserves it." I instructed, wiping my mouth clean with napkin. I headed for the offices and called for the accountant to give me a review on the fiscal matters in Lucio.

I had only been in the restaurant for about an hour when I heard Sabrina's voice go up. I typically assumed she was yelling at a staff until I heard her mention my fiance's name in full.

I swiftly made my way out only to be met by a scene that made my blood boil.

****

Ariana's POV;

I spent some time catching up with my dad and I even made lunch for him before leaving. My next stop was my former workplace, I had to talk to Nolan. I knew he would be so mad at me especially after the proposal.

"You're still here?" My jaw dropped as soon as I sighted the driver and Miguel outside.

"Following-" Miguel started to say.

"The boss' instructions.'' I completed sarcastically.

I exhaled deeply. This was not going to be easy..

"Let's go." I hopped into the vehicle and soon we were off to Lucio.

****

I walked in and the smell of great food wafted through my nostrils making my stomach rumble. This place always had this effect on me.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here, if it isn't little Miss Ariana." I heard Sabrina's taunting tone behind me and I halted. I shut my eyes and cursed my ill luck. I turned around slowly and met with her pretty evil face.

"Hi Miss Sabrina." I gave an awkward wave with a fake smile.

"Where have you been?"

She jutted her chin and narrowed her eyes at me, a posture that spelt trouble.

"Ariana Delaney! I am talking to you."

Oops. I sort of zoned out while she throwing a fit.

"Uhmm it's a long story Sabrina."

"I'd like to hear it."

"Ariana?!"

That was Nolan. I spun around and locked eyes with him.

"Nolan." I called out, relieved that he was there.

He took off his Apron, wiped his hands and came to my side.

"Bebita, where have you been?"

"I uhmm, Nolan I need to talk to you, I..." I was finally going to explain myself.

"What's going on here?" A new voice came through from behind me, one that sounded oddly familiar.

"Sir," Sabrina switched up from her fierce demeanor and soon started acting flirty.

I spun around and almost had a heart attack when I saw Damien behind me.

"She's an irresponsible employee and I was just firing her sir," Sabrina reported like a petulant child pointing at me in an accusing me.

In all honesty, I was tongue tied. I stared at Nolan confusedly just as he thanked Damien for the raise in his salary. Damien gave a nod in response.

"Wait, you own this place?" I narrowed my eyes while pointing at him. He didn't say anything, he did not even bat an eyelid in reaction to my query

"You know him?" Sabrina sneered.

Nolan just stared at me both worried and confused at the same time.

I was so overwhelmed, it felt like the earth was spinning.

"I think it's about time you left Ariana Delaney." Sabrina ordered, beckoning on security.

"Sabrina?" Damien finally spoke up.

"Yes sir." She answered meekly.

"She's not going anywhere."

"But sir she's disrupting..." Sabrina protested.

Damien gave his signature hard glare that shut her up immediately.

I felt him come close. He wrapped his arms around my waist, I slightly shivered at the contact.

"Ariana is my wife to be. Show them your ring honey." Damien sounded so petty.

I almost laughed at Sabrina's expression but I couldn't look up at Nolan, I didn't know how he would take it. The gasps of surprise came in from both the staff and guests present.

Slowly I raised my ring with shaky fingers and the snap sounds from different phones filled the air. This was going to be on all media platforms again, a confirmation was just what they needed and Damien had given them just what they wanted.

Nolan marched out angrily and I really wanted to run after him but I couldn't. Damien would have my head on a plate if I tried something stupid that would tamper with his reputation. I was bound by him literally and otherwise.

I spun around quickly and hid my face in Damien's chest while he ushered us out of the chaotic place. His guards soon appeared and stopped the people from taking pictures and videos and that was when I burst into tears.

I ran outside, only to be met by the blinding lights of the paparazzi. Someone must have tipped them off.

Not again!

I froze on the spot until Damien came and took my hand tenderly and for the first I saw worry in his eyes.

This was just the beginning.