Chapter 4: No Need To Pretend

"Hi... Nice to meet you. For the first time." Damian said extending his right hand towards Devon for a handshake, with a smile which could easily be mistaken for a grin.

Devon stood right there, visibly stunned. This right here was the man he had met at the bar - his fiancée's brother, of all people.

This was a man he had wished to never come across again, with those almost amused curved lips of his. A man whose presence he couldn't seem to resist.

Damian's chiseled features and piercing eyes sparkled with amusement as he smiled, his sharp jawline and perfectly sculpted lips making the gesture undeniably captivating

Heart racing, Devon could really do nothing but stand there and stare at him. He couldn't take this handshake, he wouldn't, for the fear of himself. He wasn't sure he could control himself if he eventually touched him.

But then, Anabelle was here. Standing right beside them, waiting for him to take her brothers handshake. He couldn't refuse it. Atleast not now, in the presence of the woman he would be getting married to soon.

He couldn't allow her to suspect a thing, and so, he took the handshake.

"Yeah... nice to meet you," he said, his voice trailing off as he struggled to recall the name, "sorry, what was it again?" He asked, attempting to brush off the sudden jolt of electricity he felt as Damian's hands touched his."

"Damian." Damian said smiling, seeing the effect of his touch on him.

"Damian..." Devon repeated, like a child trying to pronounce a new word he recently came across.

For a moment or two, the pair stood there, smiling at each other although Devon was faking his. Then managing to get his hand off Damian's grip, he withdrew his hand.

He returned to his wine while he turned to face another direction, pretending to be paying attention to whatever was happening there.

Noticing the atmosphere, Anabelle who was a bit lost asked a question.

"Uhh...You two know each other?"

"No!' they said in unison, their eyes locking as they turned to each other. Devon quickly averted his gaze, the brief moment of eye contact enough to make him uncomfortable.

That was weird. She thought. Why were these two acting strange all of a sudden.

"Ok, that was totally weird. Cause it seems like you two know each." She pressed further.

"Nah!!" Devon replied almost immediately. "Definitely not."

She looked at her brother who was currently sipping from a glass, and he just shrugged.

Well, boys... What do I know? She thought.

"Ok..." She replied, smiling cheerfully, not wanting to stretch the matter any further. Just then, Damian's phone vibrated.

"Sorry I have to take this. Excuse me." He said to his sister, then left, leaving her with Devon.

The both stood silently for a while, after Damian's departure. Then after some time, Devon spoke up, wanting to take his mind away from Damian.

"So... Anabelle." Devon started after a momentary sip from his glass. "Business or Politics?"

"Oh my God." She said almost laughing. "Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah." Devon replied, also smiling. "Yeah, it is."

"You gotta be kidding me.. and here I thought—" She continued.

"Chill out. For real." Devon cut in immediately. "It's not really that obvious, I just happen to have certain super powers."

Anabelle couldn't really help but laugh at Devon's last words.

Damn! This girl was insanely, beautiful. He thought again, smiling as she chuckled.

"So... which one is it?"

"Ok..." She started. "Well, I earned my BSc Hons in Business and Politics from Aston University, followed by an MBA from the EADA Business School in Barcelona."

"Wow, That's very impressive." Devon said genuinely, as even he had not expected such level of education from her.

"Thank you." She responded. "I am most honoured." she added with a curtsy.

Just then, Damian walked in.

"Sorry Anna, but I'll be leaving now." He said. "You know how it is." He added before proceeding to hug her.

"Here, for the birthday boy." He added, as he left a small box on Devon's palm. And with that, he left.

"You sure you're okay?" Anabelle asked again, sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I? I'm getting engaged to one of the most beautiful women in the city." He said, with a hint of pride and adoration in his voice.

Anabelle blushed, and the pair fell into a comfortable silence.

"Here, I got you something. Happy birthday." Anabelle said after sometime, unveiling a small box on one of her palms. Devon dropped his glass on the counter, then reached out for it.

"I do hope that the future CEO of Mercury Technologies, find my present appealing." Anabelle added, smiling as she handed over a small box to Devon.

"Ah! A gift for me?" Devon asked, feigning his surprise.

"Of, course." Anabelle said, "What do you take me for, a witch with no conscience?" she asked laughing.

Devon also laughed.

"Because our marriage is an arranged one, doesn't mean I won't get to know you better."

"Well, if that's the case. I also have a gift for you." Devon said.

Surprised, Anabelle turned around to face him. "For real?"

"Yes!" Devon replied, "The night is our night, so i shouldn't be the only one receiving presents."

"Oh!" Anabelle, exclaimed softly. "How thoughtful of you?"

Devon carefully brought out a delicate, thin necklace crafted from pure gold, its intricate design featuring a small, exquisite flower-shaped pendant that sparkled in the light.

"Can i?" He asked gesturing for her to turn so he can fix it for her.

"Oh, yes please." She said almost immediately as she turned around to back Devon, moving her her out of the way for him to effectively wear her the necklace.

Her skin.. her skin felt so delicate. Devon couldn't help but think as he wore her the necklace.

"There." He said.

She then turned around to face Devon, smiling as she did.

It almost felt real. Almost felt natural.

The girl in front of him was stunning, her beauty captivating. Damian, too, was a vision of handsomeness, his chiseled features accentuated by those alluring lips.

And before he knew it, he was already thinking of Damian, again. Then after some time, he heard Anabelle speak up.

"Come on. You don't have to pretend anymore." Anabelle said as she hit his shoulder.

"Sorry, what?" He said, as he returned to full consciousness.

"Yeah, you don't have to pretend anymore...

...after all, I know what happened."