Chapter four

Damien

“Did you just… ask me to marry you?”  

My lips curved into a stunned smile, but there was no humor in it.

Because that wasn't what she was saying five days ago when I asked her to marry me instead of Ethan. However, she only looked at me like I was some poison. She said she’d jump off a cliff if I ever came near her again.

At first, I vowed to never stop chasing after her because she stirred up something in me. But if she was willing to kill herself because of her hatred for me, I knew I needed to stop.

The loathing I saw in her eyes that day broke my heart into the tiniest pieces. I was stupid to have thought that someone could love me after the ungodly things I had done since I had been born into the Greyson family.

I wanted to laugh or scream at her to scram. But instead, I asked, “Are you drunk, kitten?” The nickname slipped out instinctively.

She didn’t flinch. She stared at me with those blue eyes that I had imagined would one day give me pleasure while on her knees.

She was the prettiest girl I knew, and I got so addicted to her that I had secret pictures of her. I would stare at her every night, and on a freaky day, I could jerk off to them. I knew it was wrong and twisted, but I couldn’t help it.

No… no. I mean it. I want to marry you. Her eyes were filled with desperation, as if her time was moving too fast. But her voice only sent currents to my groin.

Fuck! I muttered under my breath. This wasn't a good time for such thoughts.

“You should leave.” My voice turned colder than I intended, but I needed her to go because my memory still echoed with rejection, and I wasn’t ready to feel that again. And maybe it's for the best since my world was filled with nothing but darkness.

“Drake,” I said tightly to my assistant, not looking at her. “Escort her.” I didn’t trust myself.

“Yes, boss.” He said and walked towards Liora while I turned my back against her and walked away.

“one year!” Her voice rang out like a shot. I froze mid-step.

“one year, and I’ll disappear forever. You have my word,” she said again. I turned towards her, looking into her eyes that held promises. There was something that couldn't be explained but felt similar to pain and vengeance in her eyes.

“And why should I agree to that?” My voice sliced through the air like a blade of ice.

“I know it sounds weird. But I need to get married to you”.

“It's a win-win for us. I can help your business… and maybe quiet the rumors about you being gay.” Her eyes darted between me and my assistant, judging us directly.

“Gay?” I heard my assistant's amusement.

You see, one of the things I liked about her was how daring and courageous she was. Other women acted coy and weak, but that wasn't Liora. My Liora was a strong little girl.

And I didn't blame society for labeling me as gay. I had no scandals with women, and the only people around me were usually men.

I walked close to her and bent towards her until I arched my back. She was so small. She looked like a little girl when compared to my height.

“Don't play with me, kitten,” I whispered without raising any facial muscles.

“I am serious, Damien. I want to get married to you. And after that, I'd like my things to be picked up from my family house and brought here. In return, I will be your little wife who lights up your dark world.” She said without fear,her voice did not quiver, neither did she blink.

“Do you know what you are getting into kitten?” My voice was stern and low.

“Yes,” she replied without hesitation, not even the slightest.

I looked at her. This bold little creature stood there like she had nothing to lose.

She proposed marriage? To me? But wasn't it too late? Because I had already come to realize that I wasn’t built for love. I was built to destroy.

But she wasn’t asking for my heart. She was offering hers for one year.

“Alright,” I finally said. “One year.”

Drake stood in stunned silence, mouth half-open. He probably doesn't recognize who I was at that moment. But I didn't care. I was a sucker for Liora, and for her, I would burn the world.

It was already late, so we had to wait for the next day to register our marriage. Liora kept blushing when we were asked to kiss and take a picture. But I wanted her to be comfortable, so I gave her a peck instead.

I could see the appreciation in her eyes, and it made me feel the need to protect her with my life.

“Damien!” My name coming from her mouth sounded like music to my ears.  

"I want to visit my stepmother. And I want you there with me,” she said slowly, her tone dripping with danger. “But before that, I need a makeover.”

I nodded my head at her decisions since I was a man of few words.

“Holy shit,” I cursed under my breath as Liora stepped out of the changing room. We were already at the boutique to get her clothes.

For a second, I thought I imagined her. No one could look that good. The dress hugged her like it was made for sin, every inch of crimson silk worshipping her body. My throat tightened. I couldn’t even blink.

She looked at me with a soft smirk, as if she knew exactly what she was doing. And damn it, I was drowning.

The jewelry she wore further enhanced her appearance. And you know well by now that I wasn't going to bring her to a cheap boutique. Everything here was sold at a price starting from a million dollars and above.

“You look beautiful, babe,” I murmured.

Liora’s cheeks warmed as the boutique staff gushed in the background, but oddly enough, her eyes were focused on me.

I made sure she got everything she needed before giving my assistant the instruction to send them home.

***

After a few hours of shopping, we were finally at the Langford family house.

“Liora!” Her stepmother echoed in shock, and from her voice, you could tell she didn't want to believe her eyes.

“Why are you here, dressed extravagantly in a dress you clearly do not own?” Kate stared at me throughout while speaking to Liora.

Her voice was smooth, but her smile twitched with something ugly beneath it. “I am so sorry, Mr. Grayson. Liora can be a brat sometimes. But I didn't know she is now a thief who steals dresses and jewelry. How can I repay you?” She jumped to conclusions.

“How desperate can you be, Liora?” Her sister, whose name I didn't give a fuck about, added.

Kate's lips curved into a tight, practiced smile one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. There was a flicker of satisfaction beneath her carefully painted expression, quickly masked by a look of regret. She placed a delicate hand over her chest, as if the very accusation had wounded her personally.

But I knew better. Both she and her daughter were no good.

“Come on, Kate. You really think I stole this?” She gestured down to her extravagant dress. “Did I steal this too?” Liora raised her hands to show the diamond ring I had given her.

“How did you…” Kate stammered while her daughter looked like she had just woken up from her nightmare.

“Mr. Grayson, I will make sure she is punished and arrested for stealing from you... please forgive her,” Kate started to plead while my kitten just watched with an amused smile.

I, on the other hand, remained cold before I finally relieved them of their misery.

“KATE…” My rigid voice echoed her name. “I gave her that ring,” I said slowly, coldly and loud enough to crush whatever lies Kate had left in her mouth.

“What?!” The mother and daughter duo echoed at the same time in disbelief.