THE BROKEN PENDANT

Upstairs in the hotel suite, Damien layed comfortably on the couch while Vanessa sat rigidly in the armchair, her gaze fixed on the small velvet pouch in her hand.

“Give it here,” Damien said suddenly holding out his palm.

Vanessa blinked clutching the pouch tighter “What?”

“The necklace.” His tone was relaxed but his eyes were fixed “Let me have it.”

Her lips pressed into a fine line “It’s broken there’s no point”

“There’s always a point,” Damien cut her off. “I know someone who can fix it hand it over.”

She hesitated that pendant was her father’s heirloom could it really be repaired?

Damien exhaled “Do you trust me?” Her gaze flickered “Yes.” “Then give it to me.”

After a long pause Vanessa placed the pouch in his palm her voice dropped “If it can be restored, I will owe you.”

“You already owe me plenty,” Damien smirked, pocketing the pouch. “But I’ll take interest later.”

Vanessa shook her head faintly “Thank you.”

He leaned back examining her grim face “You look like someone just stabbed you, this is not just about the pendant is it?”

Her eyes dimed but she didn’t answer.

Damien tilted his head “Is it because of what that brat downstairs said? Something about a ‘new sister-in-law’?”

Vanessa froze “…You heard that?”

“I heard everything,” Damien said easily but his jaw clenched “So it’s true then? Jacob already has someone lined up?”

Vanessa didn’t reply. She simply rubbed her temple, exhaustion written across her face.

Damien’s mouth twisted. A pang of jealousy trail up his chest but he hid it with a grin “Forget him. He doesn’t deserve your frown. You should be smiling preferably at me.”

She let out a small huff. “Damien”

“Speaking of which.” He clapped his hands together suddenly on purpose shifting the mood. “I am hosting a charity banquet tonight my very first as CEO and guess what? You are coming with me.”

Her head lifted in surprise. “…What?”

“You heard me. Banquet. Tonight. You’re my guest of honor.”

She frowned shaking her head “Damien, I do not think that’s a good idea i just got out I don’t want attention. I will rather rest.”

“Rest?” He leaned forward, lips curving into a pout “You can rest tomorrow and this is important to me, Vanessa. It’s my debut. My first major event. How can you not be there?”

“Damien.” She rubbed her forehead again “I’m serious i can’t. Not tonight.”

“And I’m serious too.” without warning he slid closer draping an arm across her shoulders.

She stiffened “Damien!”

He only grinned wider “What? Comfortable, isn’t it?”

“Move your arm.”

“Nope.” He leaned in shamelessly “Not until you say yes.”

Her lips parted in disbelief “Are you seriously blackmailing me with your arm?”

“Exactly.” He rested his chin near her temple “If you don’t show up tonight i will just keep holding on. Maybe even tighter.”

She tried to push him away but he stayed rooted “Damien, you’re impossible.”

“That is what makes me charming.” She sighed exasperated “You’re ridiculous.”

“And yet,” he said smugly “you’re smiling.”

She caught herself and quickly straightened her face “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are i saw it.” He tapped her cheek playfully “There it is again. Admit it you can’t resist me.”

Vanessa rolled her eyes, but her voice softened “Fine. I’ll go. But only because it’s important to you.”

Damien’s grin widened like a child handed candy. “Knew you’d come around you won’t regret it.”

She shook her head helplessly “One of these days you will push me too far.”

“One of these days you will realize you like it.” He finally removed his arm, smug satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

Meanwhile, across the town sat Mrs Aurora on a hospital bed with a bandage wrapped dramatically around her forehead with Clara sitting beside her holding an ice pack to her cheek.

The phone on the table buzzed. Mrs. Aurora grabbed it and immediately called her son.

“Jacob!” she cried the moment he picked up “Finally! You have no idea what happened today. That woman your so called wife was released from prison. And do you know what she did the moment she got out? She latched onto some rich man!”

On the other end, Jacob frowned, his voice cool “Mother, what nonsense are you talking about?”

“It’s not nonsense!” Mrs. Aurora wailed dramatically “She humiliated us, Jacob. She had her man’s bodyguards beat us up! Look at your poor sister we’re in the hospital right now!”

Before Jacob could reply, Clara snatched the phone “Brother! It’s true! She was with him at the hotel entrance. Everyone saw! If you don’t believe us, come see us in the hospital. We’re both injured because of her!”

Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose “Enough Clara. I don’t have time for your exaggerations.”

“But I’m not exaggerating!” she insisted “If you don’t believe me then come right now!”

“I can’t,” Jacob said flatly “I have a banquet tonight. Business.”

The moment Clara heard that, her eyes lit up. “Banquet? Is Lily James with you?”

Jacob stiffened “Why are you asking?”

“Because she is your future wife isn’t she? She’s perfect for you! I just knew it!” Clara gushed into the phone “Sister-in-law! Can you hear me?”

There was a soft laugh on the other end. Lily James’s voice drifted through, smooth and gentle “I can hear you. Sister-in-law, hmm? That’s an honor. Thank you for acknowledging me.”

Jacob’s jaw tightened “Clara enough she’s not your sister-in-law. We’re only business partners. Apologize.”

Clara blinked in shock “But”

“Apologize,” Jacob repeated, his tone steel.

Clara grumbled, muttering an insincere, “Sorry.”

Lily James’s chuckle was warm “It’s quite alright, Jacob. I don’t mind. They’re just being sweet and besides, isn’t it every woman’s dream to be acknowledged by your family?”

Jacob said nothing. He only instructed coldly, “Get checked thoroughly at the hospital. I’ll deal with this later.”

Then he hung up.

For a moment silence filled the car and Lily James glanced sideways at him “You don’t need to worry,” she said gently “Tonight, everything will go well. With me here James' cooperation will surely cooperate with you.”

Jacob gave her a polite perfunctory smile “I hope so.”

But his thoughts weren’t on James' cooperation. They lingered on his mother’s words, echoing relentlessly

“She’s already moved on.”