Celebration

Damian’s POV

I sat down as my thoughts overwhelmed me. I couldn’t be so sure of the trap I purposely set myself into. How do I convince myself this is all my work and not Nikolai’s way of plotting for me?

The knock on the door startled me once again as I thought it was just Nikolai coming in to remind me again.

The knob on the door turned as Derek stood in his scrubs from last night, his eyebags swollen yet joyful.

He smiled deeply at me.

Tears pooled at the back of my eyes as I thought about the risk I had just taken.

“You finally did it!” Derek exclaimed, opening his arms for a brotherly hug.

I did not do it. I risked myself to get this.

I nodded, even as I sniffed back my tears, trying to struggle so they don’t come out as badly as I want them to.

“I’m proud of you,” Derek said, smiling at me, this time looking around the mini studio I made in his house… his father’s house, I mean.

“Let’s celebrate, it’s been a long ride coming,” Derek suggested before walking towards the door.

“No, this is on me,” I told him. I smiled at him, even if the smile did not reach my face.

He stopped and turned to me. “Have they called you now?”

I knew the people he was talking about. I couldn’t care less if they celebrated with me or not.

I shook my head sharply, an angry look crossing my face because I didn’t think I wanted to talk to them or about them.

He understood and closed the door.

This time it was just me getting used to the fame I had paid a lot of price to get here.

*****

The next minute, we were at the five-star restaurant, seated while we waited for them to attend to us.

A pretty boy walked towards me in his apron as he smiled at me.

“What would you like?” he asked, looking between Derek and me, then his stare lingered on mine much longer.

Derek was looking at the menu, trying to decide something for himself.

“I’d like something very nice,” I half-smiled at him. Derek looked up and offered a little smile before he ordered something very healthy, according to him.

I looked around the restaurant, taking in the ambience of the beautiful place. I hadn’t stepped out of the house in a very long time, and today was just an exception.

I turned back to Derek, who was smiling at whatever was on his phone.

“How is work?” I asked him, trying to make light conversation with him before the food got there.

He sighed deeply, adjusting the rims of his wristwatch.

“Work is a lot,” he paused. “But we are saving lives. That is all that matters.”

I nodded, smiling at him softly.

The food came in shortly. The smell tingled in my nose as my stomach growled. I couldn’t believe I was in a five-star restaurant eating again after a long time.

The door to the restaurant opened to reveal the man whose smile hid every dark secret about him.

I tried to act normal. I couldn’t really behave in a way that would question Derek’s interest.

How did he know we were here?

He smiled and waved at us, walking towards us in strides I could mistake for joy.

Derek spoke softly before he approached me. “I’m so sorry, he wanted to celebrate with us. You don’t have a problem, do you?”

I mean, I could, but I don’t.

So I nodded my head and smiled at him just before Nikolai got to the table.

“Look who we have here?” he exclaimed, his scent sending a tingle through my spine. The mixed scent of cinnamon and wood sent conflicting feelings through my body, causing me to have a hard-on.

I hated this man, but what his body did to me was impeccable.

I coughed, the invisible crumbs refusing to fall out of my mouth.

“I hope you are doing well?” Derek questioned softly, with a hint of concern.

While my enemy watched me fearfully, afraid I was going to leave his side.

“This is a good time to celebrate,” Nikolai commented while he carefully placed his napkin on his lap, making me see his bulge inside the trousers he wore.

Derek nodded as he put the fork into his mouth, savouring the taste of the food.

Nikolai spoke up after talking to the waiter to bring his food. “I’m proud of your friend,” he said, looking at Derek.

Derek looked back at me and smiled.

“I never knew he was this talented,” he continued, this time as his firm hands held the bottle of wine, pouring it into his cup.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my mind from the crazy thoughts that were coming into my head.

“But Dad, how did you know about it?” Derek asked while drinking the last bit of wine from his cup.

I froze.

I stuttered. I couldn’t let Derek find out about this. Not now. Not ever.

Nikolai laughed out loudly, causing everyone to stop and stare for a while.

“My assistant showed me the tab this morning, the moment I got to work,” Nikolai said with a hint of seriousness in his tone.

Derek’s smile disappeared.

He raised his eyebrow a little. “It wasn’t on the news, Dad.”

I stiffened, my breath taking an uneven rhythm.