CHAPTER 41

Damien's POV

My emotions were all over the place in only a few hours after I nearly called Lisa a loose woman for dressing that way around the home while I wasn't even aware that she went to the pool with a towel.

I'm still sorry, and I'm doing all I can to help her forget what I said.

I don't know what made me say it, but it was an insult. Since she isn't really my wife, I have no authority over her.

If only we were genuine, it wouldn't be insulting. Just on paper, that is.

She has made me feel bad for her without any justification. I'm not sure why I feel bad for her; she accepted this since it was what she needed.

During the meal with Alejandro, she made a comment about love, and I'm eager to hear what she meant by it.

Will she go to Verona in search of a guy who really loves her? She shouldn't go before our marriage has been together for a year.

When I originally made the proposition to her and she flatly refused it, I recall that she also muttered something about it.

Lisa is consistent.

I want to make it up to her because of this. We have been married for a week already, so I can't guarantee that I won't treat her badly.

When I can, I will try to be kind to her so that she will remember the moments I was kind to her and not only my harsh side.

The flavor I intended to acquire for her isn't available at the neighborhood ice cream store. Helena used to like gourmet ice cream as well, although she preferred strawberry and bubblegum flavors.

When they didn't have both tastes after I requested both, I took what they did have and left with it.

It's not in a bowl as I expected it to be. It has a large biscuit cone shape. I got 3. One for Jude and two for Lisa.

My brow furrows as I see a woman in a black dress standing in front of Lisa. I wonder who it is that she knows in this area.

I quickly move over to the other side, but before I can approach, the woman seems to be going to leave when she brushes into me and runs one of the ice creams over my suit.

"My God, my God!" In an effort to remove the stain off my suit, Lisa rushes to me after yelling. She quickly runs back to the vehicle to retrieve something from the trunk since the stain won't go away.

I lift my head up and raise the two ice cream cones to find Lisa's buddy glaring at me from in front of me.

I'm not sure of her name.

She says with a cheeky grin, "Hello, Mr. Billionaire."

Lisa returned with a handkerchief before I could question her about what she was doing in this location. I stop her and place my right hand over her shoulder so that we can both face Juliet directly as she attempts to wipe the stain away.

I glance at her and say, "Babe, I don't remember the name of your friend."

She responds while grinning at me. "She is Juliet, and she was my friend."

"Oh!" I mumble. "She is no longer your friend?" She shook her head and made a lovely pout.

I turn to Juliet with a broad smile. "What did you just say? What brought you here?

She folds her arms and scoffs at me instead of responding. You believe you can fool everyone, correct?

I release Lisa's hand and extend the two ice cream cones in her direction. Her eyes enlarge. "These two are mine?"

"Yes. Jude's own was destroyed.

"You didn't buy yourself one?" She enquires with worry.

"I'm good. I shrug it off and turn to face Juliet once again. "You can take both," I say.

She growls. "Unbelievable!"

"Who is the one here who is lying?"

"What?!" She shouts very loudly. "I am a liar,"

I don't pay attention to her and hold Lisa's hand, which is warm. Let's go home, my love.

She gives me a cute smile while licking the first cone's tip. Jude quickly exits the room and opens the door for us.

Lisa enters when Juliet moves out of Lisa's path. I instantly followed suit and shut the vehicle door.

As we go, Juliet is still standing and sporting a frown on her face. The automobile roars to life.

Making a frown, Lisa remarks, "She is so bitter." I grin without saying anything.

This, in my opinion, is the finest thing we've done since getting married. Up until now, we hadn't truly been able to express our closeness to one another.

She licks the first ice cream once more while holding the second in her left hand and licking the first with her right hand. My attention is drawn to her bright red lips as well as her very crimson tongue.

She nibbles on it while muttering in joy swallows it, and continues this cycle of licking, muttering, and chewing until the first cone is gone.

I can see the enjoyment on her face as she eats the biscuit cone. She glances at the second ice cream for a long, as if deciding what to do with it specifically, and I assume she will start the same procedure with it.

She quickly extends the ice cream in my direction. Say, "Take it."

My eyes enlarge. "What?!"

Take it," she says again, shrugging her shoulders.

"No," I object. "I purchased both for you..."

She cuts me off with, "I know," shoving it further closer to my face. I also adore ice cream. Well, I couldn't help but enjoy it. Helena cherished it. Everything she liked, I loved too. She even forces me to eat foods I used to dislike. It was great eating it with her.

The aversion for such meals generally returns without her. But when she's present, I like my food.

I slap my forehead. "No!"

"Go ahead. You have it from me. Just consider that confirmation that I have forgiven you.

I start to grin as I continue to shake my head. "Lisa, I purchased this for you. If I accept it, I'll regret not returning to buy Jude another one.

"Oh!" She mutters and enthusiastically nods in agreement. Her attention then wanders to my dirty suit and lingers there for some time. She then moves closer to Jude while he is operating the vehicle.

Jude, your employer wants you to accept this. Jude takes it with laughing as she instructs him, "But please don't shut your eyes while taking it so we won't end up in paradise.

She joins me in the back seat, and we both chuckle. She grabs the handkerchief that is lying next to us and leans closer to wipe the stain off my suit.

I assumed she had forgotten everything about it. We are going home, and I'm going to take the suit off, so I don't really see the need to clean it. I had no idea she still remembered, however. In addition, it is already late, so nobody will notice the stain.

She keeps cleaning it more swiftly despite my protests as if she can hear me. I almost chuckle as I unwind just enough for her to finish and release her grip on my suit.

I glance down to find that she has finished wiping it with the cloth when she pauses. She raises her head at the same moment and smiles at me.

My face feels nicely fanned by her breath. It combines the taste of the ice cream with the mint in her breath. Her lips are beautiful and plump. She also has thick brows, and her eyes are a dark brown color.

Ivory brown.

She has a sharp nose.

Her face is oval-shaped, and all of a sudden it is flushed crimson. I avert my attention from her as reality hits me at this point.

She releases her hold on me and reclines next to me while exhaling deeply.

The rest of the journey is silent. But my thoughts are scattered. I gape at how absorbed I became in her face.

Is this a part of my attempt to appease her resentment of me?

Why am I continuing to bother her after she previously declared she was no longer angry?

Why do I always see Helena every time I detect a connection between them or us?

Why must I draw contrasts between Lisa and Helena?

I don't attempt to concentrate my eyes on her; instead, I keep them set on the window as I observe the passing homes, businesses, street lights, and other sights until we arrive at our destination.

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