Chapter 5

Ariana’s POV

Shan took me to the bench outside and we sat down, sipping our drinks which was probably a mix of fruit juice and alcohol because I noticed the more I drank it the more relaxed and tipsy I felt but I'm not complaining, this is exactly what I wanted.

He held my hand and was caressing it lightly, “Tell me more about yourself.” He said.

I looked up at him with admiration and chuckled. “ There's really not much to know about me.” I said plainly.

He frowned, “ Come on. Just tell me something, okay let's do it like this, where do you live? Are you still in college? How old are you? Do you live alone? What are your interests, likes, dislikes?” I laughed, cutting him off.

“So basically everything about me, right?” I asked while laughing.

He smiled and nodded, “Yeah, I wanna know everything.” Trust me Shan, you don't want to know everything. But I decided to tell him a little at least.

“I live in New York, I'm in college, I go to NYU, faculty of art, fashion design major, I'm 23, I'm interested in fashion and design, I like reading, swimming, sewing, and writing down my feelings. I dislike mangoes, skydiving, controlling men, and rich people.” I wasn't sure where those last two answers came from but I know they were influenced by someone somewhere. He looked shocked to hear it too.

“First time I'm hearing a woman say she dislikes rich people, can I hear the backstory?” He asked.

“There really is no backstory. I just don't like how controlling and dominating men behave when they are extremely rich, I mean they just always feel like they think the world is at their feet. They feel like they can just tell you to do anything they please…hey get me a new car….hey marry me .…hey you pack up your bags and move in with me” I said laughing and he followed suit. I guess the alcohol is beginning to kick in quite heavily now because I'm beginning to blab too much.

“Well I guess it's a good thing I'm not rich.” He said, his arms was around my shoulders now.

“So what are you?” I asked giggling and reaching for his dreads, I like the texture, so I play with it.

“I'm an electrical engineering major at NYU. I'm 25, I live in New York, I work part-time remotely as an AI engineer, I like exploring, working out, gaming and meeting pretty girls like you Ariana. I hate liars and cheats.” As he said he hates liars and cheats, I laughed.

“You're really cool.” I chuckled.

“And you're very unique and pretty. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Was he asking me out? Did I have a boyfriend?

Technically, I used to have a boyfriend named Ryan—until he dumped me because I wouldn't be intimate with him. Now, I was stuck with a husband. But a husband is completely different from a boyfriend, and it’s not like Damien and I would ever share a real connection or bond anyway. It was all just a contract. Besides, Damien would never step foot into a party like this; his world was strictly corporate.

“I don't have a boyfriend.” I said, stopping myself from overthinking.

He shifted closer and moved his other hands around my waist. “ Can you be my girlfriend Ariana? I promise to be minimally rich and never control you.” He said, smirking.

And I smiled, I can't believe this hot guy that looks like the perfect match for a Prada runway model was asking me out in a proposal style, he is such a gentleman.

“Shan, I just met you. I can't give you an answer now.” He looked deflated for a second then smiled two seconds later and nodded.

“I understand, I will give you some time. But can you at least say yes to this?”

“To what?” I asked confused but tense because of how close he was.

“Can I kiss you again?” His fingers left my shoulders and gently started stroking my cheek, jawline, lips.

I couldn't open my mouth to say yes so I nodded in approval.

He took charge immediately, he locked his lips around mine, hungrily feasting on it, his tongue was reaching everywhere in my mouth slowly. His other hands were gently caressing my ass. I was more than enjoying it, all these feelings were new to me because I have never been with with a man sexually, yes I am a virgin, I never had sex before because I didn't want to risk getting sexual diseases or maybe I was just waiting for the right man.

“Get your hands off her!” someone yelled. I thought the voice felt familiar, like that of one rich controlling man that I know., but I continued kissing anyway.

He shouted again and this time it felt closer, “Get your fucking hands off my woman!” I was very sure it was his voice this time.What is Damien doing here?

I broke the kiss and looked up, he was standing at the doorway. His fist were clenched and his eyes staring daggers at me and Shan. Why is he so angry? What's the big deal, I'm not married to him yet.

Before I could say anything, he had already marched across the room, next thing I know, his fist crashed into Shan’s jaw.

“Damien stop.” I screamed but he didn't stop. “Please stop, you're hurting him.” I begged.

He looked at me, and looked away. “Bruce get her away from here. Take her to the car.”

Bruce started walking toward me and I moved away. “Don't fucking touch me. I'm not going anywhere until he leaves Shan alone.”

He looked at Shan and then me and he left Shan, “Stay away from her.” he said and turned to me. “We are going home.” He threw me over his shoulder.

And I kept shaking and telling him to let me down but he wasn't listening. He passed the crowd in the living room and went outside the house and opened the car and he sat inside the car and I tried to sit up but he didn't let me stand up. I was laying across his lap, like a baby and his hands rested on my back and lower back.

“Why are you even here? How did you know I was here?“ I asked.

“I knew you were going to cause trouble so I had Bruce watching you and you proved me right.”

“Is that why you had to beat up Shan? And why I'm uncomfortable? Let me sit down.” I urged.

“Shut up Ariana, you don't get to disobey my rules and go scot-free. This is the price you have to pay for kissing another man, letting that boy touch you, going to a party.” The next thing I felt was a slap on my butt. One slap, two, three and it fucking hurt.

“Damien stop.” I begged.

“Bruce, drive the car.” He said to Bruce, and he finally let me sit down properly. Then he looked at me and said, “We will continue at home.”