Lahat ng Kabanata ng Shadows & Whispers: Kabanata 111 - Kabanata 120

I wished I could Erin the whole truth. I wished there was a way I could tell her the truth and keep her in my life. I was almost certain that once she knew that I would lose her completely. Father was pushing me to end things with her and walk away before the truth was shown at the party. I knew that I needed to step up on that stage and introduce myself to everyone. I also knew how much of a shock it would be to everyone, but the worst thing was I had to do it in front of Erin. There was no way I could tell her first and risk her not being there, as that would raise more questions. Prue was at me at every turn. She had pushed us together but now that father had been in her ear, she had changed her mind and was now trying to split us up. I could see the tension between them in the office; it still confused me how oblivious Cleo was to everything sometimes. It was now an inevitability that I was going to break her heart; I just hoped that Cleo would be there to pick up the pieces a

She was leaving when I reached gently for her hand. I stroked her knuckles. “I really am sorry.” She nodded and I knew it meant she didn’t forgive me but was grateful for the apology. She stepped out with her puffy face and red eyes and I knew I had caused that. I just hoped that no one was out there to see what I had done. And then there it was, Cleo’s voice. Always, Cleo. Part of me was glad she had come looking for her friend though. “Erin!” She called. The look on her face towards me was hatred. She could see how upset her friend was and regardless of what Erin told her; we all knew that it was my fault. “What the hell!? Why have you been crying?” I gave her a gentle touch on the lower back and exited while I could. I knew Erin was capable of handling Cleo without needing me there to pressure her excuses. I hated the fact that she had to lie to her best friend because of me. I headed back into the office and could see the looks I was getting from everyone, but I didn’t

I had to put things in place after the party for me to take my place back at the head of the company. That meant that I needed to find someone to replace me in the office. It also meant that I needed to be at the head office so that I could set a lot of wheels in motion. This meant a lot of time away from the office and Erin. I could tell she felt the distance again by her messages, but I needed to get this over with. I had no idea what Prue was like with her, but she was horrendous with me, and I needed to keep Prue’s focus on me, so Erin did not experience what I was seeing. My parents had really gotten into her head about my undercover role in the office and how much the company was failing without me at the helm running things. It was all lies of course; they just wanted me back in charge and to stop playing the fool, in their words. In part, I had to wonder if it was because they also wanted me away from Erin. The more false truths they fed Prue, the worse she became, and the

My father sighed heavily as he watched Prue stamp her way out of the room. “Damian, I understand your thinking, but are you certain she cannot retain her job?” I laughed, “Are you serious. She just made me force my hand and inform the HR department of my identity. She has wrecked Erin and her trust, not to mention our relationship. I trusted her and she has broken that trust because you got into her ear. This is your doing just as much as hers. I will be back at the head of the company in 2 days, and the heartbreaking part of this all, is that I will not be there to support Erin through this.” “Son,” he sighed. “Leave it alone. You have done enough, all of you. I’m going back to the head office. There is nothing left at Leicester now for me.” The words broke my heart as I said them, as Erin was there. She was still there for me, and I could tell by her cry that she needed me and wanted me. But she would need something that I could not give her. At least not yet. I spent the

Cleo seemed to finally have her head straight enough to ask questions. “Ok, so Prue is really Damian sister?” “Yes.” “Which explains why he asked her to stay behind after that first meeting.” “I guess so, I have never really thought about it until now.” “Ok, so you two were attracted to each other, which explains all the extra meetings, the eyes across the room, the goofy smile on your face sometimes for no reason. Hang on, is that why you were given Project Orion?” “No!” I snapped, “Absolutely, not.” “I had to ask.” “I know but I asked Damian, and he said the same, he chose me because he thought I was the best qualified for it but what he told you and Prue was correct. He also did it to give you the experience of handling such a large account and give you the confidence that you could do it.”She simply smiled at me for a moment contemplating something. “When did you two eventually give in?”I had to laugh, “That’s your question.”“Hey, your bestie needs this info.”“So, we