FAILED PARTNERSHIP

DAMIEN’S POV

I cut him off, pulling out a video. “I’ve been informed of some activities of yours, as I was considering going into partnership with you. It appears that you’ve been having an affair.” His face blanched, fear in his eyes as I played the video. 

The video showed him in a hotel room with another woman and they were having sex. From the foreplay to the BDSM shit he was doing to her. In the middle of the video, the woman left and soon another woman walked into the room. Adrian looked at the video in shock. “How did you get this?” He choked out.

I ignored him, laughing. “This is really funny,” I let out. “Who knew that Adrian Steele was into this type this?”

“I said how you got this video?” he ground out.

“I’m sure your wife does not know about this,” I snapped, saying darkly. “Or maybe she does and she’s also doing the same thing to you. Really, I can’t imagine otherwise. I should leak this video to the press.”

He looked flustered and began stammering. “P-p-p-p-please d-d-don’t tell my wife,” he pleaded and I smirked, a look of satisfaction on my face. I loved how he looked uncomfortable and was trembling in fear. It was just the tip of the iceberg compared to what we have planned for the pair of evil accomplices. It was enough to help me resist the urge not to kill them both.

“I’ll do anything,” he was saying.

“I’m still investigating if you’re worth investing in. Maybe I should look into your wife well, seeing she’s the face of the company. She’s probably cheating as well, I don’t expect less.”

“Please, trust me just this once,” he said, sweating profusely despite being in a well air conditioned room. He wiped his face with a handkerchief. “It was just a one-time thing, just a harmless fling, I swear. I promise you, Carter Cosmetics is worth investing in,” he continued, looking exasperated.

I let out a laugh. “Spare me the pretense. I know you’ve been lobbying clients and running the same sob story to gain support and sponsorships for years. Your ex-girlfriend got what she deserved. Why are you still pouring dirt on an old grave?”

This time, he was quiet. Shocked at the extent of my knowledge.

“Maybe investing in you will be a terrible idea for me,” I said, getting to my feet, ready to walk away. My job tonight was done.

He shot up after me, looking like a madman. Not caring whether people were staring. “Please, reconsider.”

“One more thing,” I turned back to him. “If anything, Carter Cosmetics will not be an asset to me, but a liability. I was only considering it because my wife had suddenly taken a liking to your company.”

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ELENA’S POV

I spotted Damien approaching Charlotte and I as we talked to two other women. He stopped in front of us and cleared his throat. “Good evening, ladies,” he greeted. One of the other ladies blushed, and I held in a gag.

“Hello there,” the other lady replied, fanning herself and eyeing him like a fine piece of lunch. I raised an eyebrow, I just couldn’t understand what the women saw in him that made them go gaga and lose it around him. 

“Apologies, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to steal my wife for you all,” he said, taking my hand. Charlotte swooned, looking at him dreamily. One of the two ladies, Kathrine I think, looked at me and winked, mouthing You’re so lucky. 

If you only knew, I wanted to say to her.

She turned to him, shaking her head. “Oh no, we don’t mind at all. Celine, we could have brunch some time, no?” She asked me. 

“Yeah, we can. Call me?”

“Sure, bye Celine.” We said our goodbyes as Damien led me away.

“Let’s go,” he said when we were out of earshot. I swiftly but deftly slip my hand from his.

“Is it done?”

“Yes,” was his reply.

“How did it go?”

“He was flustered as hell and scared shitless. I didn’t say it exactly how we had planned, but it was obvious that I had gotten to him,” he said as we made our way to the car where the chauffeur was already waiting. We got in, and soon we drove off.

I was not impressed, shooting him a side glance. “You have to follow the plan to the very last detail; if not, it won’t work.”

“Whoa, whoa whoa, calm down, little Sherlock. And quit being bossy,” he snapped.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me, stop being a bossy ass bitch. You’re not some prime minister or president’s daughter. Watch your tone.” 

I couldn’t believe my ears. How dare he insult me. Angrily, I moved to smack my heels on his shoe again, but he was quick and calculating as he shifted his leg away from my heels. I tried to hit him with my purse, but he held my hand in place.

“Let go of me,” I spat, venom in my tone.

“You really think I won’t know what you want to do? It’s showing more childish by the minute,” he said darkly. My breath hitched. I was suddenly aware of the position we were in.

His leg, in a bid to stop me from stubbing his toe, was wrapped around mine. He held both of my hands, and I leaned over to him. All my senses were on fire just being in close proximity to him. I could smell him, the musky scent of his cologne. The slight tinge of mint in his breath, mixed with the whiskey and champagne he’d taken tonight. 

My gaze dropped down to his lips. It looked plump, rounded. Kissable. Oh God, help me.

He gently pulled me closer, and I shut my eyes, scared he might kiss me. The next words I heard as his lips reached my ear, shook me out of dreamland in an instant.

“Stop ogling me. Sexually frustrated isn’t a good look for you, really.” He let go of me, sitting straight and looking like nothing happened. My cheeks burned.

Fucking bastard.