Chapter 3

Jeanet

“Please lower your head,” I whisper to Damien.

He blinks once. His face is stoic, and I start to panic. He is about to say something embarrassing, and the entire room is going to laugh at me. He lowers his head, and our lips meet.

My hands around his neck are shaking, but I pull an act of bravery and kiss this man I hated ever since I met him. He kisses me back, his grip around my waist tightens a bit. The kiss plus the background music makes everything more magical. It doesn’t feel like it’s for show anymore, I am enjoying this more than I should. Why does he have to be such a great kisser?

I pull away, and I’m a little breathless. He is giving me that icy stare. Everyone claps, Rachel is nowhere in sight, and the song changes.

“You know that you could’ve just kissed my cheek. Right?” He whispers.

“Why did you bring your lips to mine?”

“Because I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

“How kind,” I roll my eyes.

“Kindness is…” He shakes his head. “No, I can’t even say it.”

“At least you are honest with yourself. But just for fun, I’m going to say it for you. Kindness is your middle name?”

He shoots me a dirty look. “If you say that one more time…”

“You know I could say it, and you would do nothing about it. So, will you please stop with the threats?”

A ghost of a smile appears on his lips. I finally relax, and we dance. This time, my head is on his chest. He doesn’t say a word. I'm listening to his heartbeat, and I don't really want the night to end.

When the song is over, everyone claps, and then we sit in our assigned seats, listening to long speeches about money, and I make a mental note to tease Damien about how his face is all lit up.

After the speeches, it’s time to mingle, and I get introduced as his date to everyone we come across. His hand is on my waist most of the time when he speaks to his friends, but it is respectful, and every time we are not speaking to anyone, he lets go. This probably feels like torture to him.

“Why are you introducing me as your date?” I ask.

“Because if you are my date, no one will ask questions next time when I attend an event with someone else.”

“You are proud of yourself for that?”

He shrugs.

“So, I didn’t get the job?” I don’t know why this hurts, but it does. This might have been my only chance, unless Linda whispers my name to one of her uncle’s rich friends. The problem is, the internet doesn't forget. When potential employers search my name, they find articles and videos about me that make them instantly reject my applications.

“I think you knew that already, but I will pay you for tonight.”

“Don’t bother,” I give him a faint smile.

“The money is already in your account.” He hands me a glass of champagne as if we are having a casual conversation.

“I’ll transfer it back.”

“I knew you would say something like that,” he sighs. “So, I left no trace.”

“I’ll send it to Linda to give it to you.”

“Why are you so frustrating?” His jaw tightens. “You need the money.”

He is right about that, but I feel guilty for taking the money he offered for me to stay away from Linda. I tried until I found her crying at my doorstep.

“Control your facial expressions, sir,” I say to him. “There are people around, and we don’t want them to see the facial expression that you only present when you are speaking to me.”

“I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“I don’t care. You are the one who forced me to be in this room, anyway.” I walk away, blinking back the tears.

When I’m outside, I sit next to a water fountain, and I take out my phone to request a cab.

“You!”

I cock my head to the side, looking for the source of the voice. Rachel is walking towards me, and as expected, she is furious.

“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” She hisses.

“What did I do on purpose?” I try my best innocent face.

“Don’t you dare give me that face or that attitude.” She wraps her hand around my forearm.

“Ouch!” I try to yank my hand out of her grip.

“Rachel, let her go!” Damien grumbles.

I turn around to face him. “I was doing just fine, even before you got here.”

“Really?” His eyes are on my arm. “It doesn’t look like it.”

I open my mouth to protest, but there’s no need. Rachel’s fingers left their mark.

“Are you doing this to spite me?” She asks Damien. “Because if that’s the case, you really won. You chose this harlot?” She points at me. “You went from a classy woman like me to her.”