Chapter Ninety three

Guests trooped in from all over the place and from our room in the penthouse suite, I saw the huge crowd that waited for us outside, they looked so small from up here.

I stared at myself in the mirror. I couldn't believe it was me because I looked so fierce and feisty with the smokey eyeshadow and red lipstick, my cheeks were well highlighted. My sleek ponytail stood tightly behind my head even as my finely laid edges crowned my creamy face.

I stared at the form hugging black V-neck sequin dress and rubbed my hands over the material. It shone so brightly in the dark. Damien had it picked out for me because he was going to wear something similar.

Speaking of him, he had been away since the fall out that afternoon. The make over team had been doing their magic on me and I did not have time to think about him up until now.

I knew after tonight it was going to be a rollercoaster of emotions for all of us. But I didn't want that to bother me.

"Don't let anybody see through you." I said to myself. Just then, the door came open and he came in, looking suave in his shiny tux and a white shirt without a bowtie. His hair was tousled up and gave him a sort of sexy 'just got out of bed' look

"Hey." He said standing by the door.

"Hey."

"You look gorgeous." He said breathlessly with that usual hungry look in his eye as checked me out.

"Thank you. You look good too." I said courteously. He nodded, thinning his lips like he wanted to say something.

"Ariana, I just want to apologize-"

"Damien, not now please. I just want to enjoy the night." I cut him short and walked past him.

Just as I stepped out of the room, I spotted Aleena coming out from the other room at the end of the hallway. She was all dressed up like us and then it was clear that Damien had been with her since when he left the room we were supposed to share. I shifted my gaze from her and walked ahead of both of them.

The ride down the elevator was an awkward one. I could feel his eyes on me all through but I kept my gaze glued to my louboutin heels.

After a long ride, we found ourselves on the down floor with all the workers lined up on either side of us leading to the grand entrance.

They clapped and cheered as we walked by and we waved in return. I turned around and saw that Miguel had ushered Aleena through a corner that would not be visible to the cameras.

We stood at the entrance and the applause from the large crowd situated outside increased. Our fake happy smiles grew wider even as we waved back eagerly.

Damien had his hand on the small of my back and we posed for a few photos before he took the mic and spoke up.

"First of all, I'd like to say thank you to you all for coming out to celebrate with us."

His opening statement was met with a light applause.

"Over six months ago we started this project and I've been here so many times since then. The people of Rome have been warm, welcoming and very hard-working too."

More applause and whistling from people I assumed were indigenes came through.

I zoned out on the speech. I was bored and mind was clogged up with lots of things. I just wanted to get the night over with.

Damien eventually finished his speech and declared the resort open.

"The DLK Aurelia resort." I read out after the name was unveiled with fireworks.

"Nice name." I said with an impressed look.

"Thank you." He replied.

The night went on pretty smoothly thereafter until you know who, tried to annoy me.

I picked up a glass of champagne and was sipping on it while Damien went about talking business with some of the influential men and women present.

I left him and watched from the sidelines after he had me introduced to lots of people whose names I did not care to commit to memory.

"Good evening ma'am, would you like anything else?" One of the waiters who for sure knew who I was, asked me.

"I'm alright, thank you." I said with a polite smile.

A few other waiters came around the same way and I declined as usual. I could feel the stares and whispers of a few guests even as I nodded and smiled in acknowledgement of those who bothered to salute me.

"You must love how you're the center of attraction everywhere you go." I heard the mocking voice of Aleena from behind me.

When I said nothing in response, she came closer. Rolling the liquid in her glass, she stood next to me while I stared straight ahead but watched her from the corner of my eye.

"Oh you're ignoring me now?" She chuckled and continued sipping on her drink.

"You aren't supposed to be drinking." I stated plainly although appalled by her demeanor. Who wouldn't know that taking strong undiluted alcohol while pregnant wasn't a healthy choice? Just what was this woman thinking?

"Oh are you worried about your husband's heir? Awww." She hiccuped and giggled. She was apparently tipsy.

I shook my head and searched the room for the father of her child but he was nowhere to be seen amidst the large crowd. I sighed.

I raised my left hand and beckoned for one of the guards - situated on strategic points around the room - to come over.

"Yes ma'am." He said, giving me a small bow before standing up straight.

"She's a bit tipsy. Escort her to the penthouse suite please." I gestured at Aleena who gave me a spite filled glance.

"Sure thing ma'am." He said with a nod, gently held on to her arm and started leading her away.

"Enjoy it while it lasts." She audibly whispered and continued laughing boisterously even as she was taken away from the room.

I turned away from their direction and my heart missed a beat when I saw Damien coming towards me.

"Babe," he pulled me gently by my waist.

"was she bothering you?" He asked me staring in the direction Aleena had gone before looking down at me.

I exhaled and shook my head in the negative.

He held my chin and leaned in to kiss me but I turned just in time for it land by the side of my mouth. He was a little tipsy too, I smelt the alcohol in his breath.

"I'm just going to retire for the night." I said moving away from him before he could speak further.

"Good night." I mumbled and walked away feeling his stare on my back.

I really wanted to run back into his arms because that was my body wanted but at this juncture there was no hope for even an idea of us. Aleena's pregnancy was the much needed sign I needed to leave with my heart still in one piece.

"Too late now." I said to myself as the elevator ascended.

****

Damien's POV;

As I watched her walk away and I felt a crack in my cold heart. I had messed up big time. I should have told her the truth from the beginning. I really should have. Now, my wife officially hated me.

The funny thing was that whatever just happened wasn't even intentional. I don't know what hurt her more; The fact that I cheated and lied about it or the fact that I got another woman pregnant despite not wanting kids.

Either way, Ariana was pissed and it would take a lot to get her to forgive me. She reacted so maturely when she first heard the news, I expected her to freak out and even board a flight out of Italy but she didn't and I loved her for it.

I did not want the child and I confronted Aleena about it. There was no way she was aborting it but I made it known that I wanted nothing to do with her. She could dream all she wanted but I did not want her, not at all.

I was going to have to take responsibility for my child after proving that it's actually mine.

Of course any sane person would want to do a paternity test to prove whether or not they were going to be parents so that was what I was going to do. I knew Aleena and for sure I knew she could not be trusted.

This was certainly not how I planned my trip to be but here I was, stuck between two women. One who held the key to my heart and the other who manically thinks that I'm meant for her alone.

"Just great Damien Liam Kingston. Just great." I muttered sardonically, inwardly cussing myself out for being so stupid when it came to things like these.

I called it a night and left the people to party all they wanted.

I got into the suite and saw that the living room was empty and the place was so quiet. I went into the bedroom and found her getting ready for bed. She did not even spare me glance when I made an entry.

I took my jacket off and next I took off my shoes, then my cufflinks. After which I slowly unbuttoned my shirt. All these, I did, making one form of noise or the other so I could gain her attention but she did not budge.

I got into the bed and when I laid down I tried wrapping arms around her but she moved away from me.

I exhaled.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, hoping she would hear me. I'm sure she did but with her back turned to me, I didn't know what to think. There was no reply.

I sighed again.

This was going to be one of the most difficult things I'd have to go through in my life.