NOT LOOKING GOOD TOGETHER

DAMIEN’S POV

I spotted Adrian as he returned to the party, but he was alone. The fiasco that had gone down earlier seemed forgotten, but I knew that the issues was far from over because almost every news and gossip outlet would be abuzz with it by tomorrow.

I had to do what I came here for. Elena and I had planned to pit the couple against each other and divide them slowly. The thought of Elena suddenly left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. Everything about her screamed impulsive, rash, sizzling hot, and dangerous, even, telling me to run in the opposite direction. She was an embodiment of the opposite of everything I was. Too wrong for me.

Yet strangely, I couldn’t bring myself to run away. I had to keep consoling myself with the fact that our contract would end the moment she proved who the killers were. Till then, I’d have to keep her close, make sure she wasn’t deceiving me just to get out of prison.

The applause from the crowd brought me back to reality. Adrian and Charlotte were going upstage, hand in hand and looking at each other like new lovebirds. I almost vomited, it was fucking disgusting, and the performance they put out to the public. I still wasn’t understanding why we were here, but from the looks of it, Adrian and Charlotte were Lucas’ murderers. My blood boiled, although I knew I didn’t have proof to go after them. Elena’s plan will work better.

Speaking of Elena, she stood beside me while the couple gave their speech. My heartbeat quickened, but I maintained composure. I remembered how she stepped on me. Super childish of her. Nearing her, I whispered.  “I’ll deal with you for what you did to me earlier,” I ground out lowly, then took my gaze off her and turn my attention to the speech. 

I heard her scoff. “I don’t know what they’ve told you about me, Damien Vance, but you must mistake me for a bitch who’d grovel at your feet in fear for whatever punishment you want to dish out. Grow up, you’re not twelve anymore.”

My jaw ticked. 

“...Once again, thank you all for coming to celebrate us tonight. It was a very rough time for us all after all these years. My husband has been my support system from that day, so thank you for being here. It means so much to us,” Charlotte said, and everyone applauded. I fought the urge to gag, hating the way they were painting a horrible picture of Elena. “There will be an after party as soon as this event is over. We look forward to having you all there,” Adrian finished, and another round of applause rang around the room as they exited the stage. The whole event smelled of pretense, facades in different shades and lies.

Elena looked visibly shaken; the words they insinuated on stage really got to her. I could tell from her demeanor that she couldn’t have been the killer. This was enough confirmation I needed. “Do you want to leave?” I asked, placing an arm on her shoulder.

“Have you spoken with Adrian?” she returned, still looking at the stage even though they were no longer there.

I shook my head in response.

“I guess we’ll have to stick around for the after party,” she replied.

“What about Charlotte? You’re done with her, right?”

“Yes, but I’ll create a distraction for you.”

“Let’s get going then,” I suggested, and we made our way back outside to head to the venue for the after party. As we reached outside, the paparazzi rushed towards us, with so many cameras flashing in our faces, and they were asking so many questions. 

Damian, one word for your competitors on the Vanetti deal.

Who is the woman by your side tonight?

Tell us, is she your girlfriend?

You look so great tonight. Tell us who the woman with you is.

I pretended not to hear and guided Elena to the car amidst all the ruckus. It was great how we were slowly exposing Elena to the outside world; that way, when our plan was complete, she’d not be shunned by the public. When we reached the after party, I led her in, and we both grabbed a drink.

She gave me a look, and I nodded instantly, knowing what to do. She got up, making her way straight to Charlotte. Within a few minutes, Adrian was alone. I carefully walked up to him, but I didn’t approach him and acting aloof, not wanting to make him suspicious. Pretending to make small talk with somebody I absolutely didn’t know, I waited for him to spot me. As he approached me, I dismissed the other person and turned to him.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t have the time to finish that conversation we were having earlier.”

“That’s fine,” I said, my tone pinched. 

“Your lady is absolutely stunning. Celine, isn’t it?” he complimented. Fucking suck up. 

“She’s my wife,” I deadpanned, my tone still flat.

“Oh wow, the two of you look amazing together,” he gushed, and I fought an eye roll. He couldn’t even tell it was Elena, his ex-girlfriend. Then again, the plastic surgery was a success, and it was hard to tell that it was actually her. And we definitely didn’t look good together.

But then I thought of it. What if we actually looked good together? She was enamored, but I had to be guarded. There was only one purpose we were together, and it was bound by a legal contract.

Stop thinking of her, idiot.

“I really wanted to discuss a few things with you,” he started, leading me to the bar near us. “One of them being how your company has been doing so incredibly well, these past few years.”

I rolled my eyes internally. I already knew where this conversation was going.

“And I was thinking, it would be great if our company could be of help to you. I assure you, we are an asset and we’ve equally been expanding...”