CHAPTER 4

DAMIEN'S POV

“Father, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not coming home,” I said as I moved my hand to end the call, but his voice called out before I could tap the red button.

“I don't know what grudge you have against your stepmother, but it's been nine years since you and your step-sister ran away from home. Don't you think you should let bygones be bygones? Can't you just see her as your mother-”

“She would never be my mother. Go ask your damn wife what she did to me. You claim to be my father yet you know nothing about your son's life. Go ask your wife how she nearly ruined my life!” I yelled and before he could say another word, I hung up.

Today just had to start on a very annoying note.

I flipped through the files in front of me in anger, and when someone opened the door without knocking, I was ready to transfer my aggression to whoever it was.

“Do you have no manners-” My gaze softened when I realized it was her but after remembering what she did, my gaze hardened immediately as my hands balled into fists.

“You seem angry. Who's trying to piss my man off?” She whispered in her soft voice, definitely not aware of the secret I found out and I let out a scoff of annoyance.

“Everyone seems to be getting on my nerves this morning,” I mumbled in dissatisfaction as she inched closer and placed the papers on my desk before moving to sit on my lap.

“Well, what can I do to help?” She asked softly as she wrapped her arms around my neck and a small smirk formed on my lips.

“You know what I want…” I mumbled as I nuzzled my face into her neck but she quickly pushed me away and got off me, just like she always did.

“I already told you I wasn't ready-”

“When are you ever going to be ready, Sylvia? I've been patient for two good years now! What exactly is my offense?” I nearly yelled in anger and she rubbed her neck nervously as she looked at me with a pitiful expression.

“Just give me a little more time…”

“A little more time? Fine. But first, you have to explain this to me.” I reached into the drawer of my desk and took out pictures taken of her and different men in hotels and clubs.

“Mind explaining what this means?” I pushed the pictures towards her and I watched as her expression changed from confusion to that of shock and horror.

“What… How… Who gave you this? Have you been stalking me?” She asked in horror and I let out a scoff of disbelief as I ran my hand through my hair.

“So it is true… I've been patient all this while, thinking it was my fault that you didn't want me the way I wanted you. But you've been cheating on me this whole time? Did you have fun messing with me? Was this why you had always wanted to keep our relationship a secret?”

“Damien, listen to me… I can explain-”

“Tell me the truth. Did you or did you not sleep with those men?” I asked bluntly and my heart sank when she nodded slowly.

“B-but I can explain! This was long ago before I met you!!” She tried to defend herself, but I wasn't having any more of her nonsense.

“I'm not stupid, Sylvia. Those pictures are dated! Last week, last month, last year… How could you do this to me?” My voice cracked as I spoke, and she started to cry as she approached me, trying to make up excuses, but I was done listening.

“Get out. We're over.” I pointed at the door as I glanced at her coldly and she stumbled backward in shock, desperation written all over her face.

“Damien, please! It was a mistake, don't do this to me… to us!” She cried out as she came close to me but I moved out of the way so that she couldn't touch me.

“You should have thought about us before you decided to cheat. I'm not firing you, I'm not that selfish. Just go. We're done.”

She stared at me for a while before wiping her tears and storming out of my office. I raked my fingers through my hair as I collapsed into my chair and tried to calm myself down.

I buried myself in the pile of work sitting on my desk so that I didn't need to think about how my girlfriend betrayed me and treated me like a fool.

The day went by in a flash and to my disappointment, Sylvia didn't show up again at my office after she stormed out. I had to get her off my mind, so I got into the car and drove around Texas to clear my head.

The car suddenly came to a stop in front of a club and I realized that I was low on gas.

“Fuck, how did I not notice this?” I muttered in disappointment as I got out and looked around. The place looked shabby and not my kind of taste. But I needed help so I swallowed in my pride and went into the club.

Before I could take two steps in, I was surrounded by a group of teenage girls who seemed to have no intentions of letting me go. I had no idea how to get out of this situation as I had never been to a place like this before.

Suddenly, a lady was in front of me, taking my side as if she knew me and helping me escape from their clutches. The moment I caught her appearance after she had taken me outside, I couldn't help but be mesmerized.

She was extremely beautiful. Her eyes held depths of coldness like she had deep secrets locked in there that she wouldn't want anyone to find out.

She demanded that I pay her for helping me out, but as we spoke, I couldn't help but notice the tiny movements she made when she met my gaze. She moved from one foot to the other and constantly played with her fingers like she was nervous even though her expression was blank.

I didn't think twice when the words came to my head so I blurted it out immediately, not caring about the consequences of my words or actions. I wanted to get revenge on Sylvia.

“Spend one night with me and I'll pay you a thousand dollars.”

“The fuck?” She yelled as she yanked her hand away from mine and crossed her arms in annoyance. “Do you think I'm some kind of harlot you can pick up on the street?”

“That's not what I meant. But apparently, you're lonely. I'm also lonely, so why don't we keep each other's company?” I suggested with a sly smirk and she eyed me for a minute.

What the fuck was I doing?

“The CEO of Daro and Co. is lonely? How hilarious. Fine, I'll accept your request. But I don't want a thousand dollars. I want something else.” She replied as she inched closer, a small smirk on her lips and I found myself gulping in response.

“Name it.”

“You give me a job offer in your company.”