CHAPTER 81

Damien's POV

A knock on the door occurs just as I'm about to get up to go.

I had warned the maids not to bother me, so I glanced up from where I was sitting and wondered who it was.

Since Lisa left the home, this has been my peaceful time. All I've been doing is hanging around to make sure she's still staying with her grandmother because I can't bring myself to go and apologize.

I have no idea why, but I genuinely do believe that she would go find Romeo wherever he may be and welcome him back into her life. I should be delighted that she will at least be content that she has found true love someplace else, but I don't feel content.

My mood is terrible. I am unhappy.

I'm having a hard time letting go, but I think that's because I'm used to her being in the home.

I must admit that I miss her. Everything about her that I f***ing miss. The way she chews her lip, the grin that appears on her face when I say something amusing, the way her eyes glisten when she looks at me, and the way she expresses care for me even when there is nothing wrong.

Everything about her that I miss, and everything here makes me think of her.

Only the maids were aware of her extended absence, and none of them dared to inquire about it. Mother would have likely questioned me where Isabella had gone if she had visited the home since she departed, but she hadn't.

I really hope she contacts me again.

Even when I start to consider letting go, the noises she makes and the way she writhes under me over the two days of sex drive me insane with need.

I don't know what I'm doing. And unresolved.

There is so much pain everywhere. She remembered both Helena and herself. What Helena wants from me is unknown to me. Helena would want me to be happy, but Lisa said that she would be unhappy if she saw me happy.

I have no idea what else to do. I dislike how I'm feeling. I feel as if my yearning for Lisa has become stronger. With her being away from home, it continues getting worse every single day.

Another tap on the door causes my member to immediately get harder, jolting me out of my daze.

"Shit!" I swear under my breath as I stroke my aching body. "Come on in."

With a little grin on his face, Gabriel enters as soon as the door opens. I quickly scowl at him before stepping away.

Since our recent dispute in which he failed to attempt to understand why I did what I did, we haven't spoken to one other.

I suppose the reason I was disappointed in him was because I had high expectations from him.

For the last two weeks, I've been unhappy and alone. It hurt me so much that Gabriel didn't stop over to check how I was doing. Knowing that he is taking such drastic measures when he is aware of the consequences just so I may be with Isabella enrages me.

Here, Helena's reputation is on the line. my promise, too.

He says "Hi, buddy" as he approaches, eschewing the typical grin of mischief he wears every time he pays a visit.

If I had married the woman Gabriel's wife found for me, do you think Gabriel would still be doing this?

Will he be convincing me to be sincere with her in the same manner that he is with Lisa? Or is it the fact that Lisa is unique compared to the other girls?

I said, "What are you doing here?" I start to gather the papers I had thrown over the bed to occupy myself while he is here.

They are all over my bed since I was meant to work on them but I couldn't focus.

I have a sense that I can't explain.

I suddenly got the awful suspicion that Lisa would start seeing Romeo shortly, which would require her to leave New York—unless Romeo had to fly down to New York himself.

Surely one of these things might occur. Lisa is a passionate lover, as seen by the way she gazed adoringly into my eyes as we were having sex. I should have seen she was already completely smitten with me.

If she really loves Romeo, she would sacrifice everything for him, and he could even fly down to New York for her.

I saw his gaze as it seemed to be literally robbing her of her clothing. His look was lustful all over.

"Shit!" I sigh and leap to my feet. I should check on her at her grandmother's house.

When I got there two days earlier, I was still unable to enter, but her Grandma had already emerged. I'm not sure how she saw me, but I felt like I did a decent job of concealing myself. I was appreciative of her advice to allow Lisa some time to comprehend things.

I believe I can't wait much longer at this point. Romeo is definitely not a smart decision if she doesn't agree to return here.

Are you departing for somewhere? Gabriel uncomfortably stands in the center of the room while I hastily stuff everything into my briefcase. They will be resolved after I return from wherever I am going.

I only respond "Yes" after tossing some of the papers into my open briefcase, which is also lying on the bed.

"Lisa, I came to see you."

"Can we do this at a different time?" I interrupted him in the hopes that he would leave and allow me time to go to Lisa's grandmother's house.

My thoughts won't stop racing whenever I get this awful sensation until I am certain that my predictions are incorrect. By being here, I cannot verify whether or not I am mistaken.

I must visit her. Today.

We must speak. Clear things up.

I need to put my ego aside and say I'm sorry to her for what I did. There was no doubt such an approach was improper. I ought to have taken a different course of action.

Gabriel tells me, "It's about Lisa", and I swiftly turn to face him after putting the last of the papers back on the bed.