Chapter Two - Damien’s Wife?
1535 Words
Elena
I drowned in his alluring gray eyes that were darker than I remembered. His face was now covered in dense stubble, shadowing the chiseled jawline I used to love. His jet-black hair was gelled back, making the diamond ear stud clearly visible. He towered over me, his muscular, tuxedo-clad form enveloping my delicate frame perfectly. Why did I fit into him so damn well?
“Elena! Why are you here?” He sounded annoyed. A nerve throbbed near his temple with fury. I noticed his use of my full name. Had he forgotten the name he gave me?
It brought me back to reality. Nothing had changed between us, it seemed. Damien was annoyed with me, as he always was. What a way to greet me after so many years! It didn’t feel like he had missed me a bit. Why would he? He didn’t love me the way I did.
“I was...” I couldn’t complete my sentence when he intervened.
“Who are you waiting here for? Go inside!” His eyes blazed fire, scorching me to the core. I felt like a truant schoolgirl bunking classes and waiting to meet my lover. His arm steadied me and released me abruptly. For a split second, his eyes swept over my body, and a frown marred his forehead. “And what the hell are you wearing?”
I followed his gaze to my bare shoulders and scooping neckline. What was his problem with what I wore? “Aunt Carol wanted me to wear this tonight. What’s wrong with it?” I bit my lip in disappointment. I hadn’t expected him to disapprove so blatantly. Was I looking so disgusting?
“Elena, stop dressing up for others. Wear something you like. Change right away!” His eyes darkened a shade more than before. For a second, he stared at me before turning on his heel and walking away.
My heart sank at his judgmental words. I wanted to protest. Weren’t his remarks contradictory? He wanted me to follow my heart and dress for myself. Yet he ordered me to change and dress as per his taste. No, I wouldn’t dance to his tunes. He had no right over me anymore. He lost me the day he kissed Victoria and married her.
I fumed at my state. Why did he always leave me tongue-tied? Why couldn’t I fight him tooth and nail?
Yet I couldn’t stop myself from glancing down at my dress. Did I look so unappealing?
Well, it didn’t matter. I had no one to please. A strange sense of defiance engulfed my heart and soul as I walked into the venue.
‘You can do it, Elena. Just ignore him. Enjoy for a few days with your family and get out!’ prodded my inner mind.
“Yes, I’m here for Alex and Mom.”
“Hey, who are you talking to, Elena?” Alecia chuckled at my condition. “Wow, you look hot in this outfit. Isn’t it from Mom’s boutique?”
I looked up to see Alecia with her best friend, Erica, and her sister, Veronica; my cousin Ashley, and another woman I had never met before.
“Maybe day-dreaming about Noah!” chuckled Ashley. She was Dylan’s older sibling and Uncle Jeremy’s daughter. Both Dylan and Ashley were architects and handled the family business alongside their mother, Teresa Seeger, a famous architect.
Alecia groaned, and I rolled my eyes. Alecia and the others joined in.
I couldn’t look at Veronica and her pregnant body. It made my heart constrict with pain. She looked so blissfully happy, the life I had dreamed for myself.
“Stop tormenting her! It’s so good to see you again, Elena!” Veronica smiled at me, leaning forward to hug me briefly. Strangely, there was no malice in her gesture this time.
“Good to see you, too.” I forced a smile and returned the hug. I wasn’t a mean person, but I couldn’t be happy for her. Although she stood up for me against their teasing, I couldn’t force myself to like her.
“So, you’re Elena! I’ve heard so much about you,” the stranger chirped, but I could feel negative vibes emanating from every cell in her body. Who was she? She didn’t belong to Alecia's or Ashley’s usual group of friends.
“Oh, I hope all good things.” I smiled while she glared at me. It made me feel uncomfortable. What was her problem with me? I didn’t even know her. “Sorry, I didn’t recognize you.”
“Oh, that’s Everly, my close friend and Damien’s...” Before Ashley could complete her introduction, an attendant walked up to Veronica.
“Mrs. Sylvester, someone is here to see you. Please, can you come this way?” She led the way, but my heart shattered into bits.
Veronica Sylvester! She was indeed Damien’s wife and the mother of his child. A dull ache started deep in my heart. What more proof did I need?
“I’ll freshen up..” I walked away in a dazed state, unable to face anyone now. I didn’t care who Everly was to Damien.
Only one thing echoed in my head.
Mrs. Sylvester.
I walked into my en-suite to get a grip on myself. The party was going on in full swing. I could hear their laughter, the lively music, the cheers, but for me, they held no meaning. How would I heal my broken heart and be happy for Damien? Did he love Veronica? Did Veronica love him the way I loved him – truly, madly, and eternally? Could Veronica give up her life for him the way I could?
No, I wouldn’t shed tears for someone who wasn’t mine. Damien had rejected me outright. He had never encouraged me. I shouldn’t have harbored feelings for him. I had no one but myself to blame for my condition.
Taking a deep breath, I stared at myself in the mirror. I wouldn’t break down in front of Veronica. I would show her how happy I was.
And the only way was to seek Noah’s help.
After all, what could happen in three days!
Once the wedding was over, I would disappear from here.
A knock on the door brought me out of my daze. I fixed my face and walked out of the en-suite. Who could be here for me?
The moment I unlocked my bedroom door, Noah tumbled in, clad in a jet-black suit. “What were you doing here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
I grinned at him, an idea hitting me instantly. “You’re the one I wanted to see. Come in. Quick.” I grabbed his lapel and pulled him inside, away from the door.
“Have you lost it?” He staggered a little with wide eyes while I closed the door behind him. “Hey, what are you up to? Why are you closing the door? Am I in trouble?”
“Shut up and listen to me, Noah. Um, can you act as my boyfriend as long as we’re here? Pretty please? It’s just for three days. I’ll treat you to dinner when we get back.”
His eyes widened further, and he choked on his spit. “Whoa! What? Can you slow down?”
I couldn’t. I had to force Noah to agree. He was the only way out. I didn’t need anyone’s pity, least of all Damien’s. I wanted to show him I didn’t need him anymore. If he didn’t want me in his life, others did. He shouldn’t know my real equation with Noah.
“Just agree to be my boyfriend for three days, Noah. I will be forever indebted to you.”
He froze, watching me with hurtful eyes. “I can’t act, Ellie. Be my girlfriend, then. You know how much I like you.”
His admission made my jaw drop. Noah liked me? I had no idea! “Oh! Um, I can’t think straight. Can we discuss this when we go back home? As for now, let’s announce our relationship to my family, please.”
He sighed and gave me a wary look. “But your family hates me. I hope I won’t fall into trouble, Ellie.”
“I’ll face them. Please agree, Noah.” There was no time to convince him. I had to get back before Alex realized I was missing.
“Alright. But tell me, who are you running from? Is he here?” He narrowed his eyes while I paled.
How did he know? Was I so transparent? It had to change. I had to master the art of hiding my emotions from the world, especially from Damien Sylvester and his wife, Veronica Sylvester!
“No one. Let’s join the party!” I unlocked the door and grabbed Noah’s lapel to pull him closer. We had to stick together to look like a couple.
“What the f*ck!” growled a voice farther down the corridor. I froze, knowing who it was.
But what was Damien doing near my room? Was he eavesdropping on our conversation? Why would he when his pregnant wife was around?
- Writer
