CHAPTER 36

Lisa's POV

I emerge from my room wearing a one-piece velvet short gown with long sleeves and ankle strap shoes, determined to make a good first impression on Damien's buddy and his wife and to convince them that we are in love.

As usual, I have my hair pulled back in a loose bun, nude lip gloss on my lips, and little facial makeup. I don't want to take it too far.

I need to dress like a billionaire's wife because I am the billionaire's wife, exactly as Damien had told me when he told me that his closest buddy Gabriel and his wife Sabrina would be coming over for dinner.

I know Gabriel, who often visits the workplace, and the only time I have ever met his wife was on the day of our wedding.

I feel a little uneasy.

They would probably be waiting for me so that we could have supper because Damien had been down for more than ten minutes.

I descend the stairs to hear Gabriel's laughing. He speaks really loudly, and I am certain that my spouse does not have such a voice.

I arrive at the landing and go toward the dining room. When I approach, they all turn to face me, and Sabrina gives me a grin.

After we say hello to each other, Sabrina stands up and hugs me. I am quickly freed from Damien's embrace, and he pulls out a chair for me to sit on without getting up from his own seat.

They were waiting for me, and as I had expected, supper was ready. While the two guys spoke and laughed, Sabrina and I very briefly interacted before we began with the entrée.

When we get to the main course, there is stillness until we finish. The red wine on the table seems to be brand-new. When I was giving a tour of the house this morning, I didn't spot this kind among the ones I saw in the cellar.

And it tastes good too. I refuse to ask Damien to refill my glass cup after I finish the last of the contents and drop it.

I'll take more when the visitors go, but for the time being, I need to respect myself and conduct myself like the billionaire's wife that I am.

Sabrina and I are left out as Gabriel and Damien start discussing their company. As Sabrina starts to contribute, I feel excluded.

She turns her head in my direction, indicating that she has heard me speak. "I'm positive Lisa has a thought."

The comment shocks me awake, and I blink in bewilderment. I have no idea what she is referring to.

Do you not? She smiles and asks.

I respond, trying to cover off my embarrassed expression, "Yes, of course." I have no idea what she is referring to, and I don't want to anger her by asking. Perhaps Damien won't be happy.

Saying, "You see?" She shoots Damien and Gabriel an "I told you so" look.

Gabriel and Damien both seem astonished, and I am unable to allow my curiosity to consume me any longer.

The question "What is it?" I giggle softly to mask my anxiety.

I was just saying to Damien that every woman has a lot of unrealized business ideas.

Damien cuts her off, "I don't think Lisa does," she replies.

Not all females. The majority of them focus on shopping and other materialistic things. Gabriel adds with a little chuckle as well.

She takes her husband's hand and says, "That's what makes it fun." I feel guilty that Damien and I weren't seated closer together so that our bodies could contact. "I get ideas when I go shopping when I dine out, and when I work out at the gym. Every aspect of us oozes ideas.

They both grin at each other before Damien turns to face me and says, "And that is because you are different, sweetheart."

Have you thought of any business ventures? He speaks to me, but I believe Sabrina overhears him, as she moves in closer.

I nod while nervously grinning and keeping a close eye on Damien, trying to figure out how to relate whatever it is I want to say to our relationship so that these two individuals would understand it.

"Show us. With a new smile, Sabrina encourages me, "Prove to them that you are different too.

I turn my attention back to Damien's face and say, "The thing is." He takes a drink of the wine and then drops the glass cup. "When I first met Damien, I had an idea."

They all seem astonished, and Damien and Gabriel are looking at each other. He turns his face back to me, but I keep my gaze fixed on his.

"I had an idea because of the clothing he was wearing when we first met. And while I'm not sure whether it was his appearance or the style of his attire, it was love at first sight for me. I give him a peculiar grin.

I finally turn to face Sabrina, whose mouth is hanging open, and glance away from him. "That concept is fashion. And I dream of having it. being a designer or owning a fashion firm.

There is a growing hush. Gabriel expands his lips, trying to imitate his wife. I turn my attention from him to Sabrina before focusing on Damien's startled face.

He croons into my ears as he draws closer. They're aware.

The question is, "They know?" What is he talking about, I wonder aloud. "They know I adore fashion,"

He grits his teeth and says, "No," but I can see a flash of rage in his face. He looks aside as he reclines on his chair.

As Sabrina and Gabriel start to laugh loudly, my face again flushes with humiliation.

I now realize that this is what Damien is referring to. Although his pal is aware that our marriage isn't true, his mother is unaware. Since his acquaintance is aware, his wife is undoubtedly also aware.

What was I thinking, God?

I almost facepalm myself in embarrassment. Damien's jaws are set, and I feel bad for making him feel bad.

Sabrina lays her right hand on mine once they have both calmed down. "Sweetheart, we know, so there's no need for you to be stressed about it."

Gabriel laughs even more but stops as Damien gives him a stern look.

I grin as I nervously puff out and nod at Sabrina.

What do you know? She says in a quiet voice, "Gabriel and I wanted to get a buddy of mine for Damien. But it wasn't successful.

Why? I almost questioned aloud.

Do you want to discover the reason? I nod enthusiastically as Damien gestures for Gabriel to stop his wife but Gabriel doesn't respond.

Gabriel joins in on her laughter as she says, "Damien told her there wouldn't be sex and she bailed out."

Damien suddenly stands up, which startles me and makes Gabriel and his insane wife stop laughing. I'm curious as to what they find amusing.

There are two odd couples there.

"Good evening, Gabriel. Without further ado, he declares, "You two have overstayed your welcome. He lifts his companion and gestures toward the door.

I recline in my chair before getting up. Damien's urge that they depart didn't seem to bother Sabrina. Instead, she keeps grinning mischievously and seems delighted.

I don't believe we could ever be friends. We used to be friends because our spouses were buddies, but that is no longer the case.

Damien mirrors Gabriel's forward motion, perhaps to ensure that he won't say or do something foolish. Along the way, Sabrina follows me and whispers in my ear.

"Good luck to you, Lisa. She firmly says, "I wish you good luck in your marriage," then takes my arm and walks out the door, leaving me standing in the center of the room, perplexed.

Good fortune! What kind of luck is she referring to?

Damien will soon return inside after Gabriel and his wife leave, so I don't have much time to consider it.

I spin around and go for the stairs above, thinking just one thing.

Before Damien returns to the room, I have to take a shower!