CHAPTER 61

Damien's POV

I hastily wrap up our conversation as my heart is nearly in my ribs. My thoughts were on Lisa and what she may do if Sabrina didn't give her much attention.

Given that Sabrina was going out with her female friends as well, she may not have time to keep Lisa entertained, I recalled that Gabriel would be joining me tonight.

Fear arose in my heart when we arrived at Gabriel's house to meet Lisa and Sabrina's absence, and I started to pace the courtyard while dialing my home phone to contact Sandra and Gabriel was on the phone with his wife.

Lisa wasn't at home, according to Sandra, but Gabriel's wife claimed that she was. I sighed in relief at that point, but I wasn't quite convinced until they showed there.

I make a large step toward them as Gabriel walks behind me as the driver shifts the vehicle within the courtyard.

I haven't been concentrating on him. My ideas and state of mind have been disorganized. I've been considering what I'd do if she left.

As soon as Lisa steps outside, she recognizes me. Sabrina descends as well.

I mumble "Good evening" in a hurry. "I came to get her," you say.

Sabrina grins and shakes her head in agreement. I linked my fingers with Lisa's without thinking and headed for my own automobile.

I personally open the automobile door for her as I see her getting in. Without saying goodbye to her or Gabriel and his wife who are standing outside the door watching us, I crawl in next to her and shut the door.

Since I dropped her off, I've been a different person. I had a sudden dread. a worry that I couldn't identify. I kept wondering about this anxiety.

I seldom get nervous in circumstances like these. I don't get upset when anything like this happens since I can quickly resolve it.

However, it seems that there is no answer in this situation. I'm not sure whether it's because of my reputation or the worry that Lisa would be accused of being a gold-digger.

She is sitting right next to me, so I can finally be myself without feeling foolish for worrying over nothing.

Lisa is obligated to uphold our agreement.

Are you alright? Just as the vehicle pulls out of the gates, her worried face pops up in front of me.

I question why I must be so terrified of her departing as I fix my gaze on her face. She is only a woman like the other girls, and I can simply find another lady to take her place.

Will it really be that simple? Will it be simple to let her go, find another lady, agree to a new contract, and file for divorce once more?

I slap my forehead. "I'm good!"

Her face suddenly vanishes from my line of sight, leaving me with a heavy sense of shame.

that voice. My voice was stern. She was only trying to be sympathetic. as usual.

Why does she care so much despite my harsh treatment of her? She isn't appearing upset despite the nasty way I talked to her earlier this evening about staying. Is she acting this way because I'm her employer, or is that simply how she is?

We both become silent, and I keep my eyes glued to the vehicle window. As the stillness lasts for a considerable amount of time, I start to wonder what is going through Lisa's thoughts as well.

Lastly, I inquire. The question "Where did you go?"

After some time passes without a response, I turn my head in her direction. She beams. We attended a party.

My heartbeat quickens.

What?

The question "A party?" My eyes are becoming bigger as I ask a pointed query.

Did they attend a party?

It's a ladies' party, and I had a great time.

With this gown? I cut her off and turn my attention to her clothes as I desire. I saw it before she left the house and it's simply a plain gown. Because I knew she was coming and I had forgotten about Helena's purported excursion, I simply kept quiet.

She anxiously brushes her head while looking down. I was unaware that we would leave.

I nod. "Alright."

I slowly turn my back on her and rest more securely against the seat.

"Damien?" She calls my name, and I turn around to face her. She moves her fingers while looking down.

The question "What is it?" I quietly inquire, hoping I could support her trembling fingers with a hand.

Why does she feel hesitant to ask me whatever is on her mind? Does she need anything?

"I wanted to know whether I could acquire Alex's phone number from you. The first week of October is next week, so I should really start getting ready.

"Alex?" I try to disguise my rage by pretended ignorance. "Who is Alex?" you ask.

She makes a little frowning motion with her face and slightly parted lips, which reminds me of the time she opened her lips for a kiss from me.

Alejandro, with whom we had supper, I mean.

I cut her off, "Oh, Alejandro Lorenzo?" before she can finish.

"Yes. I want his phone number.

I dismiss it with a "Don't worry" gesture. Tomorrow, I'll call him on your behalf.

She addresses him by name casually, as if he were a friend of hers, and that bothers me. Alejandro is not her buddy; he is.

It's pretty strange how my confidence in her trip to Italy is starting to waver. Alejandro will be there to show her around, which implies their relationship will develop. I do not want that.

If I truly want Lisa gone, she has to be completely removed from my life since she is susceptible to falling for Alejandro. She shouldn't fall in love with a person like Alejandro, who I can see at any moment.

Even if Alejandro marries her and we cross paths again, it will be very difficult for me to forget that kiss.

No! I shake my head sporadically to shake the silly ideas out of my brain.

"Can't I handle it on my own? She insists, jolting me out of my daydream, "There are certain things I would want to ask him.

What inquiries? I inquire as I look down at her.

She gives it some thought before rejecting it with a hand wave. "Nothing. Forget it. Please call him and let me know what he says.

I say, "I'll take care of that tomorrow," and we lapse back into silence.

I push the notion aside when it returns to my head. Although Alejandro supports marriage, none of his unions have lasted more than two years. He has two divorces under his belt, therefore I would never allow him to interact with Lisa.

Although Lisa can find someone else, it ought to happen after we have split up. I won't permit it, even if Alejandro expresses interest in her while we are apart.

But the idea of being around him for the whole two weeks she would be in Italy terrifies the very daylights out of me.

Alejandro is a devoted partner.

Shit! I sigh internally when I get a glimpse of her glaring at me.

Damien, are you all right? With an anxious tone, she demands.

The answer is "Yes, yes!" I shout my mantra. "I'm good. I just realized I needed to pick up a file from the office that I would need tonight.

My untruth could never have been shown to include anything even somewhat honest. It had such an ideal tone.

I don't lie often. What others think or feel doesn't matter to me. I always speak things as they are, but now that I'm lying, it doesn't seem real.

"Oh, I apologize. Then, should we leave? While you get it from the office, I can wait in the office.

"No, no! Already past midnight. When I say, "I'll work on it tomorrow when I get to work," we lapse into silence once again and continue to do so until we have traveled a fair ways from home.

Lisa glances back to me as the vehicle slowly moves into the driveway of our house, as if she has something she wants to say to me about.

I carefully turn my head to face her after noticing that she has been gazing at me for a while.

She seemed ashamed that she was seen spying, but before I can ask her what the issue is, she speaks out. "Can you accompany me to Verona?"

"What?!" I speak out loud while expressing uncertainty in my face.