CHAPTER 19 POWER PLAY.
1245 Words
Damien stood in front of the car, seemingly engrossed in a conversation over the phone. “Will you stop panicking? I said I’ll be there in less than an hour, try as much as you can to get those sneaky journalists into the hall,” he snapped, before ending the call with a frustrated sigh.
Just as he slipped his phone into his pocket, he sensed a presence nearby. Turning around, his eyes widened as they landed on Lila. She stood a few feet away.
He was caught off guard by her unexpected appearance, she looked stunning. For a moment, they stared at each other without saying a word.
She looked nothing like she did this morning when Hakim carried her into the mansion.
Her pale lips were properly hidden behind the nude lipstick that matched her pale skin perfectly. The same with her eye bags—they were no more.
She looked good in that dress. It brought out her curves on the right
places and the V-neck showed a glimpse of her round cleavage.
Damien cleared his throat. “When we get back, I want you to throw out any dress that exposes your cleavage. Trash them!”
She widened her eyes in shock, “That wasn’t in the contract!” She noticed Hakim warning look at her but she ignored it anyway. “Why would I do that?”
He ignored her question, walking straight to the car. “Hakim, get in the car. Now,” he ordered, his voice cold and commanding.
Hakim nodded before stepping into the car, leaving Lila standing outside, seething with frustration. She glared at Damien, who ignored her and got into the car, slamming the door shut.
Lila took a deep breath to steady herself. “I’m definitely done putting up with him” She walked to the side of the car where Damien was seated and yanked the door open forcefully.
“Use the other side” he said, giving her an icy look.
"Not so fast!" she said, her voice shaky. "If you want me to get in this car, you’ll have to open the door for me. Like a gentleman."
"Excuse me?" Damien raised an eyebrow, his face became as hard as rock.
"I didn’t stutter, husband.” she wore a creepy smile on her face. “You have to open the door for me like a husband should”
Damien's face became so hard, they felt like they could c***k any instance. His jaw tightened, and a muscle in his cheek twitched.
Hakim, watching from the rearview mirror, tensed up, he knew she was up to something when he saw her earlier in her room, but hell! This path she had chosen was far from the right one.
"Get in the car, Lila," Damien ordered, his voice low and commanding.
"No," she shot back. "Not until you open the door for me, husband."
Damien's eyes narrowed. "You're testing my patience."
“I believe we are going late honey, it would be best if you quit wasting time”
The air between them was so thick with tension, you could cut it with a knife. "What the f**k is wrong with you?" he asked, his voice a dangerous whisper.
Lila met his gaze without flinching. "Nothing dear, I'm just demanding respect, as your wife."
A tense silence followed, filled only by the sound of Damien's steady, controlled breathing.
Then, without breaking eye contact. "Get. In. The. Car," he emphasized each word.
Lila had doubts for a split second, but she stood her ground. "Not until you do the needful."
Hakim's eyes flicked between them, uncertain of what to do.
"Fine," he said. "You can walk." With a swift motion, he pulled the door from her hand and slammed it shut with a loud thud.
He turned away, signaling Hakim to drive off. Lila's heart pounded in her chest as she watched.
She stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Will he go without her?
Hakim looked at her apologetically through the window. As the engine started, Lila's heart sank.
But she refused to give in. She was determined to show Damien that she wouldn't be easily broken.
Just as the car began to move, Damien's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Stop!"
The car halted abruptly, and Hakim glanced back at Damien in surprise.
Damien stepped out at once, He walked to where Lila was standing and dragged her by the arm towards the car, pulling the car open "Get in,"
Lila hesitated, then slid into the seat.
"This is the last time you'll ever defy me." He shut the door with a forceful click and strode towards the opposite door.
As the car pulled away, Lila stared out the window. She had won this round, but the cost was high, and she knew she had to be prepared for whatever came next, she was tired of catering to his domineering nature.
"Do not speak to any of the journalists" Damien spoke, breaking the awkward silence. "Just stay by my side and don't say a word"
"what if I'm asked a question, what do I do?" She questioned.
"Nothing!" he snapped.
"What if I have something to tell the press?" She asked
Damien's eyes darkened, his gaze turning icy. "You will not say a word," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I am not taking you along to speak. You're here to be seen, nothing more."
"I have my voice, Damien. You can't control everything I do or say."
Damien leaned closer, his face inches from hers. "Watch me," he whispered, his voice dripping with menace. "If you dare defy me in front of the press, you'll regret it."
Lila met his gaze, refusing to back down. "Would I?”
Damien's lips curled into a cold smile. "Don’t you dare challenge me Lila."
"But sometimes, you have to take risks to get what you want." She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, "Imagine how thrilled those gossip-hungry journalists will be when they find out the CEO of Hawaii Corporation had his newly wedded bride's father thrown into prison."
Damien's body stiffened, his jaw clenched as her words hung in the air between them. For a split second, a flicker of unease crossed his face, but it was gone before Lila could fully register it. He straightened up, his hand tightening around her arm, pulling her closer as if to remind her of his dominance.
"You wouldn't dare," he said, his voice low and controlled, but there was a thread of tension there, barely concealed.
Lila's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Wouldn't I? Watch me!" she replied, her voice dripping with sweet venom.
Damien’s eyes narrowed, cold and calculating, and for a moment, Lila thought he might snap. Instead, he gave her a tight smile, his grip on her arm loosening just slightly.
"You have no idea what you're getting into," he warned, his gaze intense, but there was a flicker of something else beneath the surface—something that might have been admiration, or maybe even fear. But Lila couldn’t tell for sure.
"Maybe I do," she said quietly,
Then Damien's lips twisted into that familiar, cold smile, and he gave a low chuckle.
"Fine, Lila," he said, his voice tinged with amusement, but it was laced with something darker.
"Keep playing your little games. But remember, there’s a price for everything."
- Writer
