Chapter 2
1972 Words
Damien's POV
London – February, 2022
The morning light filtered through the half-closed curtains, catching the bare back of the woman still sprawled on my bed. Her black hair tumbled across the sheets like she belonged there. But she didn’t.
"Get dressed," I said flatly, standing by the edge of the bed, already pulling a fresh black shirt from the dresser.
She turned lazily, her lips curled in a pout. “That's no way to greet a lady good morning.“
She smiled, wrapping the blanket around her chest as she slowly shifted to the other side of the bed, where I was standing. “You said we could talk…”
"I said nothing of the sort." I buttoned my shirt. "You’ve had your fun. Now leave."
She scoffed, dragging herself out of bed. "You’re such a bastard, Damien."
I didn’t flinch. She wasn’t the first to say it.
Once she was gone, I turned around as I stood before the full-length mirror, brushing a hand through my jet-black hair. My blue eyes stared back, tired yet sharp. I could almost hear my mother’s voice echoing again.
“It’s time you settled down, Damien.”
“You’re almost thirty, darling. Your father and I have found someone—”
Marriage? I chuckled bitterly. That dream had died when I was seventeen. I didn’t want a wife. I didn’t want love. I wanted control. And I had it— until now.
The water in the shower scalded away the last of the night’s scent, but not the weight in my chest. By the time I stepped out, dressed in dark tailored pants and a navy suit jacket, my phone buzzed.
Mum.
I sighed and picked up.
“What is it mother?“
“Good morning to you son.“
I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand and sighed.
“I believe you have a good reason for calling me this morning.“
“Of course darling. You better not be late tonight,” Eloise King said, her voice, stern. “Dinner. 8 p.m. And no excuses.”
“Ma…” I hesitated, exhaling deeply.
“What is it?“ she asked. “Don't tell me you're having second thoughts? I already told you, no excuses. Got it?“
“Noted,” I replied coolly and hung up. The day had only just begun.
---
Adrianna's POV
“Marriage?” Vanessa’s voice was nearly a shriek. “Are you serious?”
I leaned against the marble counter of her kitchen, sipping orange juice with a sigh. “Completely. They want to merge our families like we’re companies or something. I'm tired of this whole thing. Ugh!”
I shrieked, gently punching the surface of the counter.
“You are companies,” she teased, flipping her curly brown hair over one shoulder. “And your father is obsessed with legacy.”
I rolled my eyes, walking into the living room. “So are you going to advise me or just mock me?”
Vanessa grinned, following behind. “Both. But first… are you actually going to work today or just hide in my humble abode all morning pretending you don’t have a company to run?”
“I’m not hiding,” I mumbled, falling flat on her couch and hugging a pillow.
“You’re totally hiding.” She pulled me by the arm.
“What if I don't want to go?“
“Shut up. Let’s go, boss lady. Time to dazzle.”
---
Damien's POV
The conference room was dead silent—until she walked in.
Dirty blonde. Brown eyes. Bold. Stephanie Tortellini.
She sashayed down the aisle like she owned the place, pausing by a junior exec and arching a brow.
He looked up at her, confused, as she stared at him. She leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“Move,” she said with an amused smirk.
“Oh. I'm sorry.“
The poor guy scrambled out of the chair, and she sat, arms crossed, facing me directly.
I kept my tone level. “Miss Stephanie Tortellini, this is a business meeting. Kindly show some respect.”
She shrugged, unfazed. “I am respecting. I showed up before it was over, didn't I?”
She twirled her seat, looking at the whole board members as they stared at her.
My jaw clenched, but I continued with the meeting.
After it ended, I walked straight to my office, loosening my button and tie. Before j could settle down, Stephanie trailed in behind me and closed the door. She hopped on my desk like it was her playground.
“Miss me?” she whispered.
“No,” I replied sharply, heading towards my desk. I sat down, took a deep breath as she stared at me smiling.
“Liar.” Her lips twitched. She got up from the desk and started walking slowly towards me. Her hips swayed from side to side with a seductive smirk at the corner of her lips.
She stopped right beside me, tracing her finger down from my chin to my chest.
“So… you’re getting married, huh?”
I looked her dead in the eyes as I grabbed her hand. “Not by choice.”
I flinged her hand away.
She feigned a pout, rubbing her wrist. “Poor Damien. Engaged to a stranger while his ex still wants him. If you're not interested in the marriage and looking for an escape route, I'm always available.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t have the time or the patience for Stephanie’s games. She became frustrated at my silence and walked out of my office with stomping feet.
---
Damien's POV
Dinner at the King Estate was exactly what I expected—tense and theatrical.
My father sat at the head of the table, fork tapping impatiently. My mother, as usual, tried to keep things smooth.
Talk of the upcoming dinner with the Smiths filled the room like fog.
I barely contributed. My mind drifted to the conference room, to Adrianna’s name on those files as I ran my hand through my jet black hair.
I didn’t even know her and I wasn't ready to know her.
Suddenly, the dining room doors burst open.
“Mason. Haha.” My mother stood, arms outstretched in glee.
My cousin, fresh from Switzerland, strode in with a grin and a scarf tossed around his neck. “Mrs Eloise. How have you been?“
“Good, good,” she smiled, cupping his cheeks. She showed him a seat to sit at the dinning table as I looked over at my father. His face, hardened. “You weren’t invited.”
“Neither was I ever boring,” Mason replied, sitting down and helping himself to breadsticks.
“Hey man,” he greeted, hitting my arm with a slight punch.
I smiled at him and nodded. “Great. You came too early?”
“Had to.“
Mason was the lively type. He didn't seem to care if my father wasn't pleased with his presence and it was disturbing. I noticed my father's gaze on him, watching like an eagle ready to strike.
I simply nudged Mason by his foot, pointing towards the door and he smirked.
“I'm hungry. Food first.“
“Aish. What a foodie,” I muttered under my breath.
After dinner, we walked to the garden together, our shoes crunching on gravel.
“You really going through with this arranged circus?” Mason asked, lighting a cigarette.
“Apparently,” I said with my hands in my pockets.
“You want one?“ Mason asked, putting the cigarette in my face. I shoved his hand away, waving the smoke as I gently coughed.
“Quit that habit bro.“
We continued walking through the garden, as Mason plucked some lavender flowers.
“You met her?” he asked.
“No.”
“Think she’s hot?”
I shrugged. “Haven’t checked because I haven't met her.”
I rolled my eyes. Mason smirked. “Then I’ll check for you.”
I side-eyed him. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Haha. Is that jealousy or…”
“Shut up.“
---
Adrianna's POV
The morning sun escaped into my office window, illuminating the whole place even more as a new day has just begun.
I was reviewing the contracts on my desk when I heard a commotion. I scrunched my eyebrows, dropping the papers in my hand as I opened the door of my office. Vanessa was walking towards me as I looked at her in confusion.
“What's the house about? What's happening?“ I asked, closing the door behind me.
“There are reporters inside the building.“
I immediately stomped out of the office floor. Vanessa hurrying behind me.
“I don't know how they were able to get in. The security is holding them back,” she said.
Vanessa and I walked toward the lobby where flashing lights and noise buzzed around.
“Miss Adrianna Smith! What do you have to say about your engagement?“
“Miss! Are you going to go against your parents wishes. Because this is not the first time we're hearing of such an arrangement amongst wealthy people.“
Reporters shouted through the commotion, trying to get through the security as I stood in horror, breathing heavily and shakingly.
The engagement had leaked. Cameras turned and microphones pointed.
“Miss Smith, how do you feel about being Damien King’s fiancée?”
Another asked: “Is this arrangement for power or love?”
I smiled politely, motioning to an employee. “Get me a megaphone.“
I grabbed the mega phone, testing it as th noise began to die down.
I chuckled lightly, as I lowered my head before slowly looking up at the whole bunch of reporters.
“You've all asked your questions and in all respect, how do you feel about trespassing on private property?”
Murmurs began to arise.
“What I said doesn't require an answer. So, listen and listen well to what I'm about to say. You do not come into my company, unorganized, trying to jump the security. If you have any questions… ask the Kings. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to answer you.“
“But Miss…”
“If you do not leave here in the next one minute, I'll sue you all.“
I walked out of their sight, taking the elevator as Vanessa followed behind me.
Murmurs began to rise as they were escorted out. I was already back in my office, my face red from blush as Vanessa praised me.
---
Damien's POV
Her face was on every screen. Poised, elegant and unshaken.
“She’s got bite,” Mason commented, plopping onto the couch in my office. “Dang.“
“Hmm,” I said, not looking at the TV.
“She’s also very gorgeous. I mean… very. The way she handled it just so professionally but she's got words. You sure you can handle that?”
“Mason,” I called.
He grinned, holding up his hands. “Just saying. You might be luckier than you think, you know?”
I didn’t respond. I slowly looked up at the TV screen, her image shown on the news. Something about her lingered in my mind longer than I cared to admit.
---
Days passed and the media continued to buzz about the incident in LushLux Enterprises.
Some praised Adrianna for her grace and assertiveness. Others criticized her tone.
But one thing was clear: she was unforgettable.
Soon, both families agreed to a joint dinner to finalize the terms of the marriage between Adrianna Smith and Damien King.
Two strong personalities. One forced fate.
And the beginning of a storm neither of them was ready for.
- Writer
