chapter Two- Spend the night with me

Damon POV

“Ladies and gentlemen, to honor both families…and because I happen to like her spirit… I, Damon Cross, would like to formally take my brother’s place and ask Zebulunia to marry me.”

Gasps. Lots of them.

Eyes widened. Whispers erupted like a storm sweeping across the golden ballroom. I could practically hear camera lenses snapping open.

But I stood there with my usual smirk, the microphone firm in my hand, and my eyes fixed on her.

Zebulunia.

The girl behind the mask. The one with fire in her voice and eyes, even after being humiliated by my brother. Her posture didn't crumble, her voice didn’t break, she reminded me of someone who had learned to stand alone a long time ago.

And hell….I liked that.

Helena Cross, my mother, blinked at me in open disbelief from the front row.

My father, Judge Cross, sat straighter, his lips parting in a visible twitch of confusion. They hadn't expected this. No one had. Not even me.

But here we are.

I stepped forward again and, for the first time in my life, I knelt before a woman.

Zebulunia froze,her breath catching. I could tell she wasn’t sure whether to run, faint, or hit me.

We haven't fully agreed to this….

“So,” I said, lifting her hand with a charming smile, I saw the twitch in her fingers, the questions in her eyes.

This wasn't just a joke. And she knew it.

Her parents were whispering frantically behind her, would they really want her to twitch the groom in a few minutes?

From the look from her mother's face, she was looking all excited.

“Damon,” my mother said sharply, standing now. “What is this?”

I turned slightly to face her. “Mother, I believe it’s called stepping up. You want a merger with the Patels, right? I'm taking responsibility Ethan couldn't.” I know there were more reasons for the engagement, but it's better something happens than nothing.

My father narrowed his eyes. “You expect us to believe this, Really?”

I shrugged. “You always said I needed to get a wife, let's say this is me doing that.” After my last break-up with Jessica, my ex, a year ago, I haven't dated and don't believe I would find any sort of love again.Though I never saw anything special about love, even with Jessica.

But with the lady before me, I would have an exception. She seems interesting to explore-for a year. Not for love surely.

My parents exchanged glances. Silent. Tense.

And then, reluctantly, they gave the faintest of nods. For some reason they don't want this, what's the big deal, the merger is necessary no matter who gets married to her.

Zebulunia’s mother clutched her husband's arm tightly. Victory gleamed in her eyes.

The drama continued. The music changed. People began clapping-hesitantly.

Still kneeling, I looked up at Zebulunia.

She studied me, cautious but curious.

Her mask hid her expression, but her eyes-God, her eyes said everything.

They weren't the eyes of a broken girl. They were sharp, intelligent, and angry.

And stunning.

I raised a brow. “You planning to leave me hanging, you know my arm is hurting” I teased and she rolled her eyes. There was really something about those eyes, “Or should we seal the contract proposal publicly?” I whispered that only she could hear, enjoying her expression.

She blinked, then slowly nodded.

I stood, still holding her hand. “Looks like I have a fiancée.”

The crowd clapped louder now. Someone let out a relieved sigh.

She leaned in slightly as we walked off the dance floor together.

“You're insane,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Takes one to recognize one,” I replied.

~~

Later that evening…..

The dining room was smaller-private. The long table bathed in warm candlelight. Just me…. and her. We hadn’t said much since the announcement. Not because we had nothing to say but because the silence itself had become a game.

She sat across from me, still masked.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “Do you always wear a mask at dinner too, or just for your dramatic exits?”

She smiled faintly, sipping her wine. “Depends who I’m dining with.”

“And here I thought I was special.”

“You were the only option left. That’s different.”

I laughed, low and full. “Fair enough.”

The silence that followed was tense. There was something magnetic about her…. And not just mystery. It was the way she held herself like a queen. A queen forced into exile and now brought back to rule.

I wonder why she would choose to always wear a mask, is she that ugly as rumour said it.

I wasn't sure what I admired-her silence, or the fire I knew was beneath it.

I poured her another glass.

She narrowed her eyes. “Trying to get me drunk on the first night of our fake engagement?”

“Trying?” I smirked. “Sweetheart, I haven’t even started yet.”

I took a slow sip of my own wine and then leaned back in my seat. Studied her; the graceful way she held her fork, the way her lips barely curled at the edge when amused.

God, she was interesting.

"Why aren't you considered the heir?" She suddenly asked that made me smirk,

"I would answer that ones we are married, so When would we be getting officially married?”

She raised her face, “Why do I have a feeling you love all these that's happening”

I smirked, “If I don't won't agree to all these”

“It's all for your treatment, but why do you even choose to say yes?” Her curiosity was thrilling.

I have never found a woman so interesting…..

“Because I want the treatment, I need it” something in me weakened as I said that. For her to be able to see I was sick from my eyes, she should be able to treat me.

Which I have been wanting so bad.

She remained silent.

I added, “You haven't answered my question yet, when would we get married officially?”

She arched her eyebrow, “when it's convenient for you and remembered, I don't want something more public since we would be ending things soon, just immediate family and few friends.”

“Let's go for court marriage in a week time,” I was expecting a refusal since it was too close but instead she nodded slightly….. so unpredictable.

I set down my glass and let the moment stretch….. before dropping the next line with that same low teasing I she wouldn't expect. “So,” I said, “seeing as you're officially my fiancée, will you be spending the night with me?”

She just stared at me with disbelief.