CHAPTER 37

Damien's POV

I check to make sure the moron I consider a friend and his idiotic wife have left before turning back inside and stifling my rage.

How the heck did I meet Gabriel and start a friendship? Why can't he be serious all the time? Where in the heck did he find a lady who is just like him in terms of craziness?

I sigh deeply before entering. I ought not to have invited them. Lisa and I both felt humiliated. I felt a little irritated with her for not reading between the lines even though she was just doing her job by stating all of those things.

She acted foolish. just like she did when she served as my assistant.

My phone pings as I approach the stairway, but I ignore it since I believe Gabriel is calling. I reach into my jeans to get my phone and it beeps for the second time as I ascend the stairs.

I wonder why Alejandro is texting at this hour of the night when his name suddenly appears on the screen. He and I have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning, so he could text me about that.

As I ascend the stairs, I tap on the message.

"Hello, fellow. I am texting because I think it would be wrong for me to phone at this hour of the night. You are no longer a bachelor, but rather a married man. Can the appointment for tomorrow be rescheduled for midday or even 2 p.m.?

I touch on the second message while shaking my head. "I'll be there at two since my flight was canceled. I'll let you know if I don't show up before 2:00 p.m. Good evening, companion.

I sigh.

My business partner and another pal is Alejandro. We have an agreement that has to be finalized tomorrow, and I truly hope it does. I hope to finish it by tomorrow so I can devote more of my attention to our robotics plans, but if he doesn't arrive tomorrow, it will be closed next week.

When I reach the door, I unlock it. I go inside to find the space vacant. I look around the room, wondering where Lisa has gone when I hear the shower running but she isn't there.

I'm sure she's in the restroom. I mistakenly believed she had left because of how embarrassing what she had done to make me feel, but it was okay.

I am aware that she is only trying to assist.

My attention is drawn to the book on the sectional couch as I consider leaving to allow her ample time to come out and get ready.

I take it up because it seems like a novel.

MAIL-ORDER BRIDE is the title, and it seems to be the title of a romance book from the 20th century. I can infer that from the book's cover, which features a bride and a guy dressed in a gown.

As soon as I open it, my eyes catch sight of her handwritten name on the dedication page on the first page.

"Lisa's Copy" is what she signs.

My mouth becomes a grin. Who the heck would act in such a manner? I wonder why she signed her name on it in this manner as it seems to be a brand-new book.

The book's title is intriguing, and I had no idea Lisa was a book reader. When the restroom door opens and she exits without seeing me, I am considering snatching it.

She yells and lifts her two arms over her to conceal nothing as she lifts her head to look at me.

"Shit!" I mutter an expletive and turn away from her. If you want to get dressed, I won't be watching.

I am tempted to look around to check why she isn't replying when she doesn't react. I still have the book in my hand and am waiting for her to complete getting ready before I ask her to lend it to me.

The sight of this catchy title has reignited my enthusiasm for romance novels.

She hesitates for a while before speaking. "You're free to go back now."

I release breath I wasn't even aware I was holding before collapsing heavily onto the couch. Since we would be sharing a room, I suppose we will have to get accustomed to seeing each other just partially clothed. Even though I know she will be disturbed, I actually don't mind exiting the restroom while she is in the room wearing nothing but a towel.

Lisa is a virgin, and I find it humorous that she is.

"You enjoy reading, too?" I can hear her asking. When I suddenly looked up, she was already clothed in a nightgown. a smooth silk dress.

I say, returning my attention to the text. Can I borrow it?

She says nothing, so I look up once again and lift the book. "Can you lend to me?"

"Sure." She hesitates for a second before speaking.

I give her a sincere "thank you" grin.

She is twiddling her hands, as I can see. She asks as I am about to inquire as to the issue. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

I slap my head and recline on the couch. "No. It has no value. I should have said they are aware.

I apologize sincerely. I didn't intend to make fun of you like that.

"I know."

Once again there is silence, and I find myself turning back to the book's pages. I confront her after seeing the name. "Why did you sign the book with your name?"

She laughs enthusiastically while wearing an embarrassed expression. "When I was a senior in high school, I became accustomed to doing it. My weaknesses were novels, which is why I respect them so much.

I murmur, "I never knew," cocking my head to the side to catch the sparkle in her eyes. Just talking about books makes her seem joyful, and it sounds similar.

One thing Helena and I have in common is this. Books. I like reading, and thanks to Helena, I've learned how to read more romance fiction. She purchased a lot of them.

I'm feeling conflicted right now. While I am thrilled to be able to read again, I find it sad that all of my books are confined in my office.

I began using the one downstairs, which doesn't have a book in it, since I was avoiding the office in this room.

Although Lisa is still grinning, it now seems more like she is grinning to herself in memory of something as she falls to the other couch.

She glances swiftly to my side, and I turn away.

"Damien?" She gently beckons, and I fix my eyes on her.

"Yes?"

Why didn't you wed Sabrina's buddy, I wondered? My brows furrow as she makes an unexpected inquiry. "I'm certain that her companion is someone who is similar to her, and she seems to be in your class. I just wanted to know why you asked me to be your wife rather than rejecting someone like that.

I have no idea why she is so preoccupied with anything related to this marriage, and it irritates me whenever she brings something similar up.

Before I had a chance to respond, she hurriedly got up after seeing the scowl on my face. Don't worry, I'll simply turn in for the night.

Before entering her area and facing away from me, she quickly moves over to the bed and arranges the pillows to mark the boundary.