Chapter Sixty nine

Ariana's POV;

It was the tenth of December already, it was my birthday. I just turned twenty four but I did not feel any different. It was just another day for me. I woke up to some calls and lots of messages. My father called and even sang for me, that was one of my favorite moments from my birthday, I was just sad I could not spend it with him present but he assured that he was there in spirit.

It seemed like no one knew it was birthday around here and even Damien left for work early, so he must have forgotten about it. I did not let it get to me though, it's just a birthday.

I went to the office and got about my day until Stephanie came in with a cake to wish me. From the looks of things, our department had a tradition to make every worker feel special on their birthday. It was a really sweet gesture as all my coworkers wished me warmly.

I had just received a call from Damien while I was working a little after lunch time. He said that I had to be home early because we had somewhere to be and when I asked him where it was, he said it was a surprise. Crazy huh?

With permission from my boss, I clocked out early and exited the building. Miguel was outside waiting for me with the car without me even calling him. I got into the car and we sped off straight for the house.

****

I got into the house and found that the place was eerily quiet. It was usually quiet but this was different. Too different.

My heels clicked the floor as I walked through the lobby and entered the living room.

"SURPRISE!!!"

I was so startled, I stumbled back with my eyes wide as saucers. I looked around and saw that every family member and worker was present with wide smiles on the faces.

"Happy birthday!!" They chorused.

My eyes went around the room quickly and saw that it was decorated slightly with gold balloons and shimmery ribbons. The balloons had my name and age shaped out, with fancy birthday cards all over the room. The fancy three tier cake looked so yummy, I couldn't wait to dig in.

"Oh my! I don't even know what to say." I really was tongue-tied and too happy to speak.

"Thank you." I said to everyone as they wished me one after the other.

My eyes unconsciously searched for Damien but he was not in. That was saddening but I did not let myself think about it.

I was locked in Ma Rosa's arms as she showered me with sweet wishes that I continuously thanked her for.

"Oh look, Damien's here!" Fiona exclaimed excitedly.

I turned around and was met with the wonderful sight of my suave husband walking in. I gulped the moment I saw him smile slightly when our eyes met.

He walked over and pulled me by my waist into a hug before he drew back a little, leaned down and kissed my lips.

"Happy birthday babe." He was smiling against my lips as he said so.

"Thank you." I said, smiling back.

I leaned back a little and ooked up at him with a knowing smirk. He mirrored it.

"You did this." I said knowingly.

"It's your day." That was all he said. I smiled and nuzzled him, he chuckled.

"That's not all though." He said and my brows furrowed in confusion.

He stepped aside, my eyes followed his movement and then roved over to the door behind him.

"Dad?!" I screamed so loud, I was sure my voice reached every part of the mansion.

"Happy birthday, my baby girl." He said with a wide grin.

I jumped into his arms and held on to him tightly, like my life depended on it. I burst into tears, tears of joy and absolute happiness. His presence had made my day complete.

"I thought you said you were going to be here in spirit." I said amid happy tears as he patted my back lovingly.

"It's called a surprise for a reason and this wouldn't be possible without your husband." He said and I drew back in shock. I practically gawked at Damien who looked up at the ceiling like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Let go of your father and go thank him properly." My father scolded mockingly. I shook my head at him as I rolled my eyes. My father was something else.

"Babe," I said with a pout as I went over to Damien. I wrapped my arms around his waist and placed my head on his chest. I felt his arms around me a second later.

"You're the best! Thank you." I said in a pouty voice.

"Anything for you babe." He said as he planted a kiss on my forehead.

This man was tugging at my heartstrings badly. I stayed in his arms for several seconds until Ma Rosa interrupted us.

"Now lovebirds, we don't have all day. Let's get this show on the road." She clapped her hands repeatedly as she spoke. We all chuckled at her.

It was time for me to cut my cake so I went over and did so while the maids saw to it that everyone had a piece.

We had a toast and afterwards, I clung to my dad like a leech. He got along well with Damien's family especially considering the fact that they hadn't seen each other since the wedding.

"Dad, how's everything?" I asked when I finally got to take a seat next to him.

"Everything's alright." He said and sipped on his wine.

"How's-"

"Don't even start with your doting all over again. I'm perfectly fine and I can see you're fine too." He did not let finish. My father and his silly ways.

I facepalmed in disbelief with a sigh.

"Fine, I'm not trying to be on your case, I'm just looking out for my father." I said, raising my hands in mock surrender.

"I'm fine, stop worrying so much." He retorted.

"Uh huh." I said sarcastically. I hugged him close.

"I missed you." I confessed.

"I missed you too but I'll be leaving soon." He said gently.

I sat up abruptly.

"Dad come on, I haven't seen you in three months! Spend Christmas with us." I whined like the baby girl he always saw me as. I had proved him right again.

"Don't be silly. I wouldn't want to be a bother to you people." He declined quickly.

"I'll speak to Damien if that's what you're worried about." I said hurriedly.

I really would have loved to spend the holidays with my father but I knew Damien would not let me leave and miss our first Christmas as a married couple.

"Speak to me about what?" Damien's voice came through just at that moment.

I quickly reiterated the whole conversation with my father and he nodded in agreement.

"You're very welcome to stay over Mr Delaney." He said and I nodded as I turned to my dad.

"I'd rather not. Thanks for offering." My dad still declined and it sank my heart.

"But-" I tried protesting with an evident frown.

"I'll stay for the night Ariana, that's the most I can do." He said. His tone declared finality, I could not push for anything further, I just had to take what I could get.

We soon were having dinner. While everyone chattered animatedly at the table, Damien stood up while a guard walked over to hand him something.

My eyes followed his actions just as everyone turned their attention to him.

"I have an announcement." He said and that kept everyone quiet with immediate effect.

"I have arranged for a honeymoon trip as a birthday present for my wife and I and we'd be taking our leave tomorrow morning." He said and I gasped, pleasantly surprised. This was the best birthday ever!

"Awww." Mom cooed with a dreamy sigh.

"Finally you two get to go on a honeymoon, it's been so long." Aiden said with an exaggerated eyeroll.

Yes, he was present and was in on the surprise. He sat next to Tracy who had hardly spared him a glance all evening.

"So, where are you two going?" Tracy asked before sipping on her glass of orange juice.

"Bora Bora." Damien said and I squealed. I had always wanted to go there.

"I'm so excited." I clapped my hands like a happy kid and grinned up at him. He gave me a small smile before sitting back down.

I looked around me and saw that everyone had knowing smiles on their faces and as usual, I blushed. These people were already getting funny ideas, I could tell.

I felt his hand on mine and when I turned to him, our eyes met. We were locked in each other's gaze for a while before we went back to eating. The PDA was cute though it actually felt like it was more than that, I blamed it on the fact that I had developed a crush on him.

I hurriedly finished my meal because I had to start packing up for our trip.

****

Later that night...

"Hola Papa." I said to my father as I got into the guest room we had prepared for him to stay the night. It was on the same floor as Damien and I and pretty close to his study.

"Hola Miel." He said back with a grin. He was seated on his bed and most probably about to tuck in for the night but I had to see him before the next morning when we would go our separate ways again.

"Are you comfortable?" I asked as I sat on the bed and brought one of the several pillows to my thighs.

"Of course. Everything's perfect." He said and I smiled.

"Damien has been treating you well, I can see it." He said confidently.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked, trying to contain the blush that crept up my cheeks.

"Hmmm, very." He hummed with a self-assured nod.

"He's nicer than he's ever been and I'm confused about how I feel about it." I confessed.

"I think your husband is falling for you." He stated with a lopsided grin.

I snorted in an unladylike manner. This was hilarious.

" 'The Damien Kingston'?" I rhetorically asked while making air quotes.

"Falling for me? Impossible!" I exclaimed with a loud laugh.

"He's just being nice because we agreed to be friends just so we can make this easier until our contract ends." I explained but my father shook his head in disbelief.

"There's an end?" He asked in shock.

"Yes dad, nine months. But our marriage can only be annulled at the one year mark." I informed him.

"Wow. I had no idea." He said like he was still trying to process what I had just said. I shrugged.

"Maybe after the divorce I could move back to New York or have you move down here so we could be together?" I suggested, eager to hear his response. He went silent for a long while.

"Papa?" I called out to him softly and he looked up at me for a brief moment before looking away again.

"None of that would be necessary." He state sullenly.

I adjusted in my sitting position. I was not ready for that answer.

"Why? Is there something I need to know? Do you have other plans?" I asked all at once as worry seeped through me. His countenance made me anxious.

He opened his mouth to speak but just then the door came open and we both turned to look at whoever it was that came in uninvited.

"I apologize for interrupting." Damien spoke, the moment he came in.

"It's alright son, come sit." My father said with a chuckle.

"I would have loved to but I just came to get my wife. It's pretty late and we have to leave early for our trip tomorrow." He said, placing both hands on my shoulders from behind me while I stared up at his chiseled face.

"Oh that's right. You two have a honeymoon to prepare for. Go on and have a good night." My father said cheerily.

"But dad we aren't-" I was protesting, I really wanted us to complete our conversation. I really felt like something was off with him.

"Good night sweetie, I have to sleep now." He cut me short and evaded my statement.

Damien pulled me up just then and I could not speak further.

"Good night, Papa." I conceded with a sigh and pecked my father's cheeks before exiting the room with Damien who bade my father as he shut the door behind us.

Slowly, I walked behind Damien who was headed for his bedroom we were back to shazring.

He pushed the door open and let me walk in first. I did and he followed.

All of a sudden, I felt myself being pulled and my back was against the door as he held me in place.

"Damien what are you-" I was asking before I felt his lips on mine.

Without delay, I kissed back. I felt his tongue slide into my mouth as we both battled for dominance but I eventually let him win, I let him take the lead.

I was up the next second with my legs wrapped around his waist as he tortured my neck with lots of kissing and sucking while I moaned his name over and over, holding on to him for dear life.

One of his hands made it's way under my top and he squeezed repeatedly on my right boob which was apparently not trapped in a bra. I took in a sharp breath and moaned. This was the first time, he took things to such a level and I was afraid that if we didn't stop, we would end up doing the deed. My heart was racing now.

"Sorry, I couldn't stop myself, I've wanted to do this for a while now." He confessed as he stopped just as suddenly as he started. Both our breaths were ragged from all the kissing we had done. His head stayed on my forehead for a few seconds before he let me stand on my own.

"Hope you aren't mad?" He asked, scrutinizing my facial expressions with his entrancing eyes. He looked genuinely concerned about my answer

I shook my head. I did not trust my voice at this point. I did not want to think about what just happened so it was best that I got into bed without delay.

He pulled my hand and led us to the bed, where he cuddled me to sleep.