CHAPTER 59

Damien's POV

I had plenty of time on the quiet trip home to reflect on all that is going on as well as our conversation just before Mother left with her chauffeur.

Since getting in the vehicle and having Jude drive me home, I haven't spoken a single word with him. However, I have to tell him to wait until I take a brief shower and change into something comfortable before he drives me to the location of our rendezvous with Gabriel.

I've been avoiding Lisa, and I alternate between sleeping on the couch and at my office.

Since that day, things between us have been really uncomfortable. Even though I've been trying to prevent it, it keeps getting in the way of our growing connection. I cannot just deny that we kissed.

I also find it extremely difficult to share a bed with her for fear of losing my temper and acting rashly. What struck me that day is a mystery to me. Perhaps it was because she reminded me of Helena on that particular day, dancing about in my shirt and nothing else but a bum short.

It felt comfortable. Surprisingly, I was content. It seemed as if Helena were present. I was so very delighted right then and there that it had been two years.

I may have kissed her for that reason. I had lost all sense.

I prevented Lisa from bringing it up. On our drive back, she attempted to talk to me, but I preferred the stillness, so I ignored her until we arrived home.

She has been a major contributor to her continued disregard for me, and it hurts so much. I'm unsure of what she now thinks of me. I've previously vowed to do all in my ability to avoid hurting or abusing her, yet here I am treating her like s— while ignoring her.

I'm unable to resist. I don't want to make a decision I'll later regret. Lisa deserves a superior person. Not a damaged guy like me who is incapable of loving a woman and has no idea what he wants.

She deserves a guy who is incapable of giving all he has to her. sincerely and with passion.

She is aware that I am not the right person for her. I simply don't understand why, when I kissed her, she didn't pull away. We would have labeled everything as a mistake if she had pushed me away, but she didn't. It seems that she shared my enjoyment of it.

F**k! As the automobile stops in front of the gate, which opens automatically before he drives in, I grumble internally.

He pulls into the driveway, parks the vehicle, and then gets out to help me open the door.

I tell him to wait, I'll be out in a flash as I exit the vehicle with my briefcase. I make my way to the front door when he nods.

Gabriel must already be waiting for me. In order to return home in time for Sabrina to finish her excursion with her pals, he claimed he didn't want us to remain out too long.

When I get inside, I hastily go for the stairs while considering what casual attire to don despite the fact that it is a work event.

I won't eat supper before leaving since we could go out to eat as well. I approach the door and ring the bell before entering.

Even realizing that I haven't knocked in days takes me a moment. Because Lisa and I don't speak to each other, I didn't knock on the door because it seemed like I would be attempting to talk to her if I did. Instead, I simply walked in.

It seemed like too much of a favor to me.

But even after knocking today, I still had no plans to accompany her. I need time. It's time to erase that kiss from my memory.

I assume that because it hasn't been a week, the whole experience is still very much in my mind. By the time a week has passed, I must already be too busy with work to consider giving someone a fu**ing kiss.

Lisa is sitting up in bed, but she has her back to me, as I had anticipated. She has been reading a book while pretending to be unaware that I am home and that she isn't the only one in the room while generally being in bed when I get there.

She doesn't even give me a look, but every now and then I find myself sneaking a glimpse to see what book she is now reading.

She reads romance novels much too much, which I assume is why she has a strong belief in true love and is probably the actual reason she wants to go to Italy in search of love.

It's ridiculous.

traveling abroad in search of love. I'll let her leave despite the cliché and stupidity of it. The least I can do for her is that.

You may discover love just where you are. I can't tell her that because she could believe I don't want her to go or that I don't want to fund the trip as promised since it finds you wherever you are.

It's unsettling to consider that she will be with Alejandro for the whole journey. He is endearing.

I remove the suit off my body and throw it on the bed after dropping the briefcase on the floor next to the bed. I turn to check whether Lisa is looking, and as soon as I see her doing laundry, my breathing becomes labored.

She is moving? Why is she packing up her clothing like she's going somewhere? Is it a result of our recent interactions? Is she sick of my stoicism toward her?

I grumble and turn to get my towel out of the closet so I can see what she's doing.

She is carefully folding the clothing and placing them in the luggage while a little purse lies on the floor next to it.

My eyes enlarge, and I am eager to inquire into her activities and destinations.

When a contract keeps us together, why in the heck does she constantly threatening to leave? After a year, she may go. Can't she see that?

I hiss loudly before running to the restroom. I'm not sure whether my racing heart is a consequence of the worry that she could finally depart and I'll have to face my mother and the public tomorrow, or if it's something else entirely.

What justification can I provide my mother?

I am certain that I was able to persuade her that Lisa is staying and is not chasing my money.

If Lisa departs right now and her mother finds out, won't she resume her view that Lisa is a money digger? If I can't maintain my wife for a few more months, won't I be made fun of by the public? How is it possible that our marriage will end in a month?

I fling open the door because I can't get my clothing off to take a shower, and I emerge with the towel firmly in my grasp.

I approach her and halt just in front of her. As I work to control my breathing, she ignores me for a time before turning to face me.

Her eyes seem to be puffy from weeping. Her hair looks like she hasn't had a wash in days since it is unkempt.

I ignore the outward signs and the emotional pull. Asking "Where are you going?"

"Pardon me?" She makes a face like she doesn't comprehend what I'm saying by furrowing her brows.

Can't she just for once quit pretending? Was she attempting to flee before I returned from work, I wonder? She wants to act as if she wasn't intending to leave now that I am back.

"Have you carefully read the contract?" She appears perplexed when I ask her again for a while before nodding. It was written there that the defaulter would be required to pay the amount if any of us violated the terms of the contract. I pause, recalling that the price there was one million dollars, and that if I tell her it is a million dollars, she won't be scared.

She obviously did not read the contract carefully. She hastily signed it after giving it a cursory read because she was afraid I may change my mind and deny her the cash I had promised to provide her for her Grandma's operation.

My mum is giving her a million dollars to leave me. It won't be an issue if I tell her it's a million dollars since she can simply get in touch with my mother to accept her offer and get the million dollars to pay me off before she leaves.

No!

She's unable to go.

She looks at me with bewildered eyes as I shift uneasily. She must be quite startled that I am speaking to her and that I am discussing the contract when I should be saying anything else.

I spit out my throat and go on. I tell her, "If you leave, you will be required to pay the sum of two million dollars for breaching the contract."

Despite the fact that she looks astonished by the high sum of money, she answers casually, "I never knew it was that much."

I nod. "Therefore, it's best that you stay."

Why do you believe I was planning to leave? She keeps folding her clothing.

I point to the clothing all around her and say, "You are packing your things." "Why don't you go?"

"No!" She answers sternly. My mouth drops wide, and I let go of the cloth. She giggles. Even though I wasn't going anywhere, I had plans to go out tonight. Just now, I was considering how to inform you.

Going outside? Where?" She's too good to be true, in my opinion. She must be joking, I think. She was packed at first, and now she's telling me she wants to go.

Over to Sabrina's house. She says, "I'm bored," and I find myself feeling sorry for her.

"Sabrina?" I query her. That is not an issue if it is Sabrina's residence. Then, she wasn't really leaving. Gabriel and I will be leaving, so all I have to do is drive her there myself. After our meeting, we will go right to Gabriel's house so I can pick Lisa up, and we can then return home.

great concept

"Sure, may I?" She asks with a dubious expression on her face.

I respond, scooping up the towel from the floor, "Sure, you can go."

"Really?" Her eyes sparkle with joy, and I can't help but smile. I said, "Thank you."

Yes, but you're coming along.

"What?" Her grin almost instantly disappears into thin air. "You going with me? Why?"

I grin and turn around to use the restroom. I'll drop you off to Gabriel's apartment since we have a meeting tonight.

I enter the restroom by opening the door. After making sure the door is secured once I'm inside, I complete the sentence in my head.

That way, even if you have the desire to quit, you won't be able to. You're stuck with me for a whole year, f*** it!"