CHAPTER 76

Lisa's POV

My jaws drop.

nor at his poisonous voice. but at what he said.

He knows Damien, right? Why is he speaking in this manner when he doesn't even know who he is?

The fact that Damien wants to give this a go even though I know it could take a while for him to start loving me is what counts. All that counts to me most is that he wants to give us a chance.

I have a lot of patience. I can wait till he's prepared to accept me as his partner and is willing to open up. After all, we are wed. All I have to do is love him, provide him joy, and always be there for him.

"How do you feel? Does he alone care about what he wants? Do you believe that the goal of life is to be selfless? You are unsure even whether he is in love with you. Romeo adds as if he had heard what I'm thinking.

I slap my forehead. I don't want to be deterred from continuing the relationship that Damien and I have just barely begun by his statements.

We haven't discussed us or what the future may bring, but I am certain that everything will be well.

In an instant, he is standing in front of me and saying, "I love you, Lisa," as I get up from the bench we are sitting on. As I see him, his two hands are stroking my cheeks. "I want to claim you as mine because I really love you. That wealthy guy likes the knowledge that he can take advantage of you at any moment with only a kind word or the prospect of financial gain—not that he loves you.

I swiftly shove him away. That's it. I shouldn't have told him my secrets. I should not have let him know about our agreement. He wasn't going to be as responsible and understanding as I had anticipated.

Damien is not a kind speaker. That is not his style. He is not a liar. He expresses things as they are.

Romeo may try to persuade me all he wants, but I'm not going to fall for it.

The woman who was walking by us turned around and smiled at me before whirling back on her heels and shouting, "I love you, Lisa!"

I only utter "I should go" when feeling unjustifiably worn out. I recognize this emotion. In only two nights, I've had too much, and I need some time to comprehend it all.

"What?" He says, staring at me in shock as I take my suitcase off the bench.

"Lisa…."

"Romeo, just stop this. Do you not believe that telling you to stop on the phone would have been considerably simpler? I yell at him, and he has his lips open. "But I refrained. You have my utmost respect, and I figured you were old enough to comprehend what I was getting at and let go. Why are you being so challenging? I'm married, for goodness' sake. We can't be together even if I don't love him.

He interrupts me, "But I can wait," his eyes filling with sorrow. After a year, you two may still proceed with the divorce, right? Go ahead; I'll wait.

"No!"

I cannot allow this compassion to control my thoughts or actions. I've always been like this. establishing relationships with individuals out of pity. accepting to do something I wouldn't have done normally out of compassion for individuals.

This will fail.

"I will…"

Saying "Stop it!" I extend out my hand to stop him. "Put an end to this. This is not why I am here. I came here to be completely honest with you about my connection with Damien, so if you could keep this between the two of us, that would be much appreciated. Sleep well, Romeo.

Without waiting for his response, I spin around. From across the street, I see Damien exiting the vehicle with his phone firmly in his ears.

I quickly walk to the other side of the street, gulping loudly and hoping Damien didn't catch all of our drama in my rush to get away from Romeo.

I go closer and see that he is too preoccupied with his phone call to even see me. I exhale a sigh of relief and gradually approach him before he realizes I'm there.

I kiss his cheeks, and he pulls me in with his left hand while holding a phone in his right hand up to his ears. His hand then moves directly to my waist.

Before switching to English, he spoke Italian so easily. He was speaking like an expert in Italian, and I wish I could hear more of it.

Romeo has gone when I glance across the street, and I heave a heavy sigh.

Damien's remarks "I guess I have to come tomorrow" startle me from my reverie.

What's up? I fix my gaze up at him. He gives me a tearful farewell grin and cuts the phone before turning to look directly into my probing eyes.

"What happened?" you ask. I ask him right away after seeing his dejected expression.

"I have to go to New York at dawn tomorrow. The draft for our vehicle firm has a flaw, which might delay the debut. I must go there to handle this since Gabriel won't be able to, and our shareholders are worried.

What became of the draft? Is it really terrible?

He nods and clicks his tongue without saying anything.

I'm sorry for him. Perhaps this is a result of his being with me in Verona. Perhaps this wouldn't have occurred if he had remained in New York to manage all of his business.

I find myself replying, "I'm sorry", and he quietly laughs before releasing his grip from my waist and taking hold of my hand. He opens the door for me after leading me around to the other side.

He shuts the door when I go inside and then gets back in the driver's seat. I've never seen him drive before, so I'm in awe as I watch him start the car's engine.

I'm sorry I had to go so quickly.

I stop him mid-sentence and say, "It's not a problem," as I buckle my seatbelt and lie back further on the seat, thinking about what Romeo and I spoke about tonight.

Damien hasn't even inquired about it, which is something I appreciate. His thoughts are dominated by the problems at home.

"Really? Are you certain? I had hoped to accompany you for the remainder of your trip, but that is no longer feasible.

That's also not an issue, I repeat, smiling.

"Really?" I yell out as soon as he pulls out of the parking lot.

"Yes," you say, "because we're returning to New York together."

I shut my eyes so I won't see his response, but as he laughs deeply, my eyes fly open to view the most stunning set of blue eyes I've ever seen. His eyes also contain glimmers of amusement and appreciation.

The question "Are you serious?" He looks at me briefly before returning his attention to the road as he asks while driving brilliantly.

"Yes, I am certain. Verona has already got my attention enough. Having you here is plenty, yet I already miss home.

I'm not thinking much about my choice to return home before my vacation is through. What counts is that I'll be with Damien and that I'll provide a hand wherever I can.

I can't believe Damien's mansion is now where I call home. Is that location indeed my house?

I don't want you to pass up any opportunities.

"No. Ignore it. Simply said, I'm coming with you.

I exhale as a result of the ensuing silence since I assume he won't say anything further about it. We should just return home, kiss, and most likely fall asleep once again.

I can't believe that after just one day after losing my virginity, I'm already fantasizing about having sex. I can't wait to go back home with Jayden so we can have sex on our marital bed and room since having sex with him is paradise on earth.

It will get increasingly absurd as a result.

"Why?" He makes a sudden inquiry.

I asked him with my brows furrowed in perplexity, but he gave no response. The question "Why what?"

Why do you want to cancel your ideal vacation and go to New York with me instead? I am aware of how eagerly you have anticipated this vacation.

He periodically turns to face me, waiting for a response.

I am aware of the solution. But I'm not sure whether now is the perfect moment to let him know how I really feel.

How will he know if I don't say it out loud?

Lisa, are you...

I see the shock on his face as I say, "Because I love you."

"What?!" As he yells, his jaws tighten and he tightens his hold on the wheel.

I say without any embarrassment, "I love you, Damien."