CHAPTER 71

Lisa's POV

Not because I don't want this, but rather to avoid confusion with all of these vague kisses, I push him away.

He resisted discussing the first kiss and staged the second. He is giving it to me once again right now for no apparent reason.

Who the heck is he thinking I am?

I know I shouldn't have apologized to him, but I felt compelled to do so since I knew he had supported me in my time of need. Although I wanted to regret accepting the offer in the first place, I am unable to.

I've already come to the internalized conclusion that I won't regret it.

Romeo is someone I like, but not in the same manner. Romeo is someone I may think about, but not with him nearby, watching my every move.

His face twitches with surprise. He takes me once more and kisses me while tightly gripping the back of my head before I have a chance to respond.

Even while I want to fight him, I know I can't prevail.

I also want this. I just do not want this to continue. I don't want to be perplexed by my emotional choices anymore.

I want to be quite clear about my goals.

I muster all the strength to shove Damien away once again, but as he struggles for air, he takes my hand.

He repeats his apology while softening his gaze. This is nothing in comparison to the way he regarded me when he gave me that first day's kiss. His eyes that day accused me.

"You apologize? Is this the reason you kissed me?

He shakes his head and seems perplexed. "No."

"No?"

His left hand is on his waist as he turns his back on me. He must be aware of what he did and regret it.

I walk into the next room and softly close the door before he can turn around since I'm unsure of how to handle anything or how to face him again if he does. He may use the bed there to relax after his journey.

I have to organize my ideas. I need to reflect on all that is taking place.

His thumbs brushed away all of my tears as he kissed me as if his life depended on it, which is why my face already had dry eyes.

This kiss is distinctive. It's not comparable to a first kiss. It seems as if he poured all of his rage and emotions into this.

It was ferocious. Rough.

sensuous but strong.

I mentally smack myself.

Damien is skilled at what he does. I should also understand what I'm doing. This is not true. Maybe he was just trying to make up for calling me a whore.

He insulted me, and I f***ing apologized? What the heck am I doing wrong? Why even did I let the kiss happen?

I occupy the dining chair and lean my head against the table. I had wanted Damien to come along, but he declined, so I arrived alone.

Romeo and I ran into one other the second day I was here, and he grabbed my number to say sorry for almost having me trip and fall, even though I knew he wanted it for more than that.

Even though we are now in the same city, Romeo has been phoning and checking in on me, but Damien is miles away and doesn't care to check in on me.

He has just arrived and is kissing me. Does he anticipate a kiss in return?

Romeo kissed me in front of everyone, and I knew it was inappropriate. I ought not to have permitted that. The only error I made was that. But when I gave it some more thought, I learned something about the call from last night. Not because I didn't realize it was him who had phoned at first, but since he overheard me joking with someone and even hearing me answer Romeo's call, Damien seemed fairly irritated.

He became furious and drove all the way here to accuse me of forgery.

Is he the only focus here? Is he really that vain and egotistical?

My phone rings in the other room, and I get up from my chair to run and pick it up before I have a chance to come up with answers to the many inquiries.

When I open the door, Damien is there to hand me the phone. I don't pay him any attention, take his phone, and enter the house. Romeo's name comes on the phone screen as the caller slams the door shut.

"Shit!" I swear. Romeo must be wondering who Damien is as a result of my response, which Damien would have noticed if he had seen the name.

My coffee spills, and I shove him away. I also instructed him to hurry up and depart.

How do I explain Damien to him? Will he handle it well? Will telling him to make him stop pursuing me? Will it make me happy if he no longer comes here?

Should I continue to pretend Damien is my friend? Even with that embarrassing response, which is comparable to a lady being discovered cheating on her lawfully wed husband, would he still believe my lie?

I take up the phone when it starts ringing once again.

"Hey!"

"Hola!"

Before he can bring up the subject, I immediately respond, "Sorry about earlier."

"It's fine, are you feeling okay now?"

I give him a nod as if he can see me. "I am considerably more at ease. I informed you that all I needed was some rest.

"You did, indeed. I'm glad you're doing well now. I am phoning because I was so scared and I couldn't stop thinking about you.

"Romeo, I'm really grateful. I emphasize the word "friend" and remark, "You've been a fantastic friend. We are still friends; we haven't advanced from being friends to becoming lovers, and before that happens, there are many issues to discuss and take into account.

He is a very kind man, and he always makes me laugh. He is charming and sincere. In only one night, he told me everything about his life. However, I couldn't bring myself to tell him anything about me, especially not anything that concerned Damien or our pact.

I'm aware that he's been silent for more than a minute. The question "Romeo, are you there?"

I had finally discovered my own Romeo in the city of Romeo and Juliet when he revealed that his name was Romeo. It felt amazing and like something spectacular was about to happen.

He was also beaming, and I recognized that he was here for the same reason as me.

I'm sorry. He replies honestly, "I was lost in contemplation.

Losing track of time? What are you contemplating?

The question "Who is he?" Suddenly, he makes a request of me, and my heart starts to beat more quickly than normal.

That's it. I should have realized he wouldn't let it go. I would be interested in finding out who that guy is if I were in his position. The person who influenced my behavior. The person I dread the most.

"Lisa?"

Damien is one of my cousin's brothers, so please don't be offended. I was really taken aback when he yelled my name since I never anticipated running into him here. I had been certain for days that no one knew who I was, but he disproved my theory. "I apologize for my prior clumsiness. I was shocked.

It serves no use to misrepresent his name. In Romeo's presence, I yelled his name, and he responded by addressing me as Lisa Russell.

Even though I feel awful about lying, I can't help it. As time goes on, I'll tell him the reality. But for the time being, he must get by with this half-life.

"Okay, well. Possibly tonight? I really need to speak to you about something since you have claimed that you feel better.

Even though I know I said that because I didn't want to go out at night since Damien was coming and I didn't want to give him the idea that I was here for more than just a vacation, I am now having second thoughts about it.

Right now, Damien and I can't stand each other. It would be better if I went outside to be away from him for a little time since we just recently exchanged words and an aggressive kiss that has implications.

He ought to have left by the time I return to attend wherever it is he is holding the business meeting. Most of these gatherings might take the shape of a dinner party or take place at night.

Romeo won't visit us in this manner, and Damien won't see him either. As long as Romeo is around, all I have to do is make sure their paths don't intersect for the time being.

I'm not going to open the door for him anymore. I'll always make the trip down to see him.

It implies that I will have to spend the evening with him. He could start to worry about me and decide to come see me.

"Lisa, could you please?"

"Okay, OK, fine. When is it?

He says, "I'll come get you," and I shake my head.

"No. Let's meet at our exclusive location," I joke, trying to mask my nervousness. The waterfall is a wonderful place for us. Before going wherever he wants to take me, we often spend a significant amount of time there.

He grunts with a hearty laugh. "Sure, see you later tonight."

"Yes, I'll be there by six o'clock."

"Great. Love, bye.

"Bye." He cuts off the phone, and I heave a heavy sigh.

I'm curious as to what he wants to discuss with me. I should go meet him there, wherever it is. It would be a catastrophe if I let him come here.

Even if Damien could wind up destroying my plans, I still want to demonstrate that I am in complete control.

It's time for me to take complete control of my life since it's mine. Damien can't bully me anymore, I promise.

no more.

until the conclusion of our agreement.