SECRETS OF THE BILLIONAIRES DIAMONDS

Chapter three: Diamonds Are Cold

Diamonds Are Cold

It’s been weeks since the shocking proposal from Desmond. The city still scream about it like some world news headline. Billionaire heir Desmond green stuns everyone at the Green Global annual gala with surprise proposal.

I saw myself everywhere- magazines covers, newspaper, billboards. I was the new sensation of the city. Although it didn’t feel like it.

Desmond, I mean my fiancé, who had confessed his love to me like prince charming to Cinderella seems to have forgotten that I was the one he was spending the rest of his life with.

His words became fewer as did his attention towards me. Sometimes he barely even knew I was around, he walked passed my office every morning without so much as a hello or a good morning, not even a smile to show he knew I was alive. But when the camera flashes come he suddenly has his hands around me and kisses me like a couple with no flaws, happy and glamorous.

I sat alone in my apartment having dinner- but not really. I just stared at plate wondering what was happening, a million questions flooded my mind – was he really in love with me? Was it real love?

Each question that went unanswered weighed heavy on my chest. Wasn’t love supposed to soften the edges of life? To heal and bring extraordinary colours to your ordinary world, to bring that warm feeling within you every day. Yet everyday Desmond drifted further and further away, leaving me in this place colder than ice.

At first I told myself it was fatigue from the gala that he just needed time to adjust. It is a lot of pressure getting married especially for someone like Desmond. But maybe the chatter of his engagement to me had worn him thin. After all, his whole life had been a stage, and now here he was- getting married to me; an ordinary woman with nothing but looks and a smile to offer.

As the days turned into weeks and the New Year approached. I had now moved into his mansion with enthusiasm that this step meant commitment, that he was finally willing to make the effort of actually being my husband. I thought that this time we would be more connected and communicate- since we would be seeing each other every day.

I sat alone in the mansion, quiet and cavernous, its hallways echoing with my unanswered question. At night I wandered its white marble floors barefoot, listening to its stillness. Even the air seemed to carry its own absence, as though the walls endlessly held their breath. And I have some moments were I remember the words he said to me that night- don’t feel like I’ve trap you. And of course, then I didn’t feel trapped, but now not so much, the only thing missing was chains.

It was Claire who noticed first- the shadows underneath my eyes, the tremor in the smile I used to disguise my new reality.

‘’ Sam,’’ she called, her voice soft but unmoved. ‘’ You’re crumbling, ‘’ she takes a seat in front of my desk. Tilting her head sideways, lips bent.

I tried to smile ‘’ I’m fine,’’ I tell her but she saw through my wavering camouflage.

‘’No,’’ Clair says to me. ‘’ you’re not.’’

The words broke something within me like a locked door busted open

‘’ Sam, I’ve known you since college, I know when something is wrong. You can talk to me’’

I stare at the diamond that sat on my finger. Looked back at her. ‘’ I don’t think I want this anymore,’’ I say, my voice trembling as I confessed about the last few days.

‘’Sam,’’ she said, her voice calm and tender leaning forward, her hands closing firmly mine.

‘’ Desmond isn’t like other men. He’s different, he’s was raised in these boardrooms, this business is his entire life. I don’t think he is pulling away, I think he’s just adjusting to this … to you.’’

My eyes stung, my throat thick with unshed tears. ‘’ but I feel like, he can’t stand me.’’

Claire shook her head. ‘’Or maybe he just needs time to allow himself want and you have to be there when he does. Some times desire can terrify men like Desmond. Just give him time.’’

I felt relieved finally talking about my situation with Desmond, especially with someone who knows the family, speaking with Claire shone light on who I was engaged to, it also helped me realise what I had to do next.

I walked down the halls that night. I needed Desmond to know I was going to do whatever he needed, I wanted to tell him he could trust me.

Desmond stood in the doorway, half in the shadows, his phone pressed to his ear. He didn’t realise I was standing in the shadows, he didn’t know I could see him- the light bouncing of his shoulders, the line of jaw highlighted, his voice cut through the quite like a blade.

‘’ tsk, no she is asleep. She doesn’t know anything,’’ he hissed, low but urgent. ‘’ she doesn’t suspect anything,’’ ‘’ I know that dad, don’t worry about it.’’

I leaned on the wall, my back taped the painting causing a thud. I froze, my heart pounding through my throat.

Desmond ended the call swiftly, sliding the phone into his pocket as he creeped down the hall. He didn’t see me move in the darkness.

But I had heard enough, I knew something was wrong, something Desmond and his father wanted hidden from me.

I sat in silence in my room at other wing of the house, thunder rumbling in the distance, the rain beat harder against the windows. Questions surged like a storm wave; what was Desmond talking about, what didn’t want me suspecting him for? What was he and his father trying to hide?

Slowly I realised that Desmond’s retraction wasn’t born of fear but was an element of deception.

A diamond may shine, but it’s cold.