The Billionaire's Redemption

Chapter 8

"Did you give him your number? Are you guys planning to meet behind me? You want to run away with him just like your boyfriend did?"

Damian asked so many questions at a time as we headed to God knows where. He kept turning to look at my face. He was burning in anger and he couldn't hide how hurt he was. I could not say if he was hurt that he saw me with another man or because of what Richard said but I could tell he was hurt deep inside.

"Do you think running around with men to tarnish my image will make me leave you?" He yelled as we got to his room. For the first time, he let me enter his room. He must have wanted to yell at me without doing it in the presence of his guards.

I was ashamed of myself, and could not form up a word.

"I-i..."

I cried.

"You're a slut. That's what you are. I have always known it. There is no difference between you and the rest of the girls I've met. You are all birds of a feather which will always flock together"

Hearing him call me slut, I was heartbroken. I haven't done anything wrong right?. I did not do anything to make him call me a slut?. Is the word not too harsh to be used on me?. Why did he think I was flirting with Richard?. I would have yelled at him if the situation was different. If he had not seen me with Richard and had called me slut, I would have given him the piece of my mind. But I could not get angry or yell at him.

When I made to say something, he wouldn't let me. He wouldn't give me the chance to tell him he was mistaken. That he had read the expression wrongly.

"Just go. Get out!!!"

He yelled and I ran out in tears. When I got to my room, I broke down completely. Why is he so angry with me?. Why did he take this incident so seriously?. Why?

"I shouldn't have let Richard sit with me"

I thought. I should have let him know from the beginning that I am a married woman. I should have told him to leave when he asked if he could sit with me. Maybe things would have been better.

I should have followed Damian when he left and not let Richard hold my hand and drag me with him. I should...

There were so many should and shouldn't that I thought I should have done or ignored, and I wished I had done things in the right way instead of regretting it now. 

**

After the incident that happened with Richard, Damian ignored me completely. He stopped me from seeing him and he made two guards guide my door for the rest of the day. When I was served my dinner, I couldn't eat. Without tasting the food I was sure I have lost my appetite. I watched them pack my suitcase and I could tell we were leaving soon.

"Isn't his meeting supposed to end in a week?"

I thought. Why the sudden change?

I tried to talk to the guards but they wouldn't budge. Their looks could tell they were angry and disappointed also. I was left to be alone and I could not call Andrea to tell her what had happened. She would blame me for going that far.

I was only trying to have fun. I never thought it will get to that stage. I tried to take it off my mind. After all, he doesn't love me and no one will find out about it. But as much as I tried to take it off, it wasn't working. I felt I had cheated on him, with someone else and he has every right to get angry.

We returned to New York the following day and all through our ride and flight, the atmosphere was awkward. I kept staring at him but he kept a straight face. The look on his face did not show if he was still angry with me or not. And I couldn't mutter any courage to say a word.

When we got to the house, I was happy and breathed a sigh of relief. Diana was there to welcome us and for the first time after the incident, Damian smiled. It came as a shock to me. 

Diana kept asking to know what had happened in South Korea. she wanted to know if I had a lot of fun. But Damian stopped her.

"She's needs rest"

He said but I knew he was trying to get rid of me as soon as possible. He had been tapping his feet to the floor for some time now and he kept staring danger at me. I wanted to leave his presence too because his look was suffocating. I nodded in agreement and yawned.

"H-he's right. The journey is a tiring one. I should get some rest"

Diana pouted.

"I thought we could get to talk"

"We can have our conversation next time"

"Why can't we have it now?"

Diana asked. I wanted to stay back and talk to her so badly but Damian's glaring eyes wouldn't let me. I stood up quickly.

"How about you chat with your brother. We can have our conversation tomorrow"

She smiled.

"Is that a promise?"

"Yeah"

"Then I will be sleeping over"

Damian frowned.

"You can't sleepover"

"Why can't I?"

"Won't that be a disturbance to the newlywed?"

Damian answered impatiently.

"Can I stay over?"

Diana pouted. I looked at Damian who frowned at me.

"I think Damian is right. You can't. Just come back tomorrow"

Diana sighed. 

"I can't believe you are now like my brother. I thought you like me?"

"You know I do"

Damian stood up. "Enough of that. Charlotte, go inside and I will drop Diana off"

"I came in my car"

Diana stood up and Damian sighed.

"That's good. Let's go"

I watched them leave and then return to my room. I couldn't tell how long we will have to live like this. I mean Damian ignoring and trying to get rid of me at every chance he gets. I wasn't in love with the new atmosphere that had been created, but there is nothing I can do about it.

**

Andrea asked if she could visit me at home since I haven't been coming out lately. She said she missed me a lot and wanted us to have our usual girls' talk. I wanted that too and I missed her so much too but I could not tell Damian about it.

He had been busy lately or rather he had been claiming to be busy so he won't have to see my face or talk to me. Hunter visited us so frequently and we get to talk a lot. Seeing he could talk to Damian for me, I decided to talk to him about Andrea's visit and he offered to help.

"I will go in and talk to him. Just wait here"

He entered Damian's room and I waited for him in the corridor. I kept pacing around hoping he will have some good news.

When I saw the door open, I ran to the door only to see Damian coming out. I moved backward and he stared at me. I turned pretending to be looking for something.

"Did you send Hunter to me?"

He said and I turned.

"Y-you say?"

He frowned.

"Don't play dumb with me. Did you send him to me?"

I placed my hand on my hair to twist it around my finger.

"I-i"

Hunter stepped out. "Hey, Damian, you promise you will let Andrea come over. Why are you asking Charlotte questions again?"

"Whatever"

Damian muttered.

"Tell her, Andrea can come over if she wants to"

"Charl, Andrea can..."

Hunter stopped talking and stared at me then at Damian.

"Did you guys have a fight or something?"

"We..."

"No"

Damian answered quickly.

"No?. The answer came too quickly. That can only mean that something is wrong"

"T-there is nothing wrong"

Damian answered.

"I don't believe that. Both of you should follow me"

Hunter ordered

"I have work to go to"

Damian said and made to leave but Hunter held him back.

"Not so fast, young man. You are coming with me"

Hunter dragged him and I laughed, but when Damian glared at me, I stopped.

"Come with us, Charl"

Hunter said and I followed behind.

We got to the living room and sat down.

"Start talking, what is going on?"

Hunter asked and Damian scoffed.

"Nothing is going on. I can't believe you made me sit here for nothing"

Hunter ignored him.

"Charl, what's going on?"

I sat upright.

"Damian caught..."

Damian coughed and I looked at him. He gave me the don't say a word look and I shook my head quickly.

"N-nothing is going on. We are fine"

"You wanted to say something. Why did you suddenly have a change of mind?"

I chuckled fearfully.

"Me?. I wasn't saying anything. I..."

"You are..."

Damian stopped Hunter from speaking.

"She doesn't have anything to say"

Damian answered standing up.

"Did he threaten you not to say a word?"

Hunter asked. He moved closer to me. 

"Tell me"

I shrugged.

"N-no..."

Hunter sighed.

"He did threaten her"

He muttered.

"N-n-n-n-no"

I skipped. I knew though I was trying to sound like everything was fine, my voice and action has betrayed me. Damian scoffed.

"I'm leaving"

"Whatever"

Hunter answered.

"You should leave"

Damian said and Hunter furrowed his brows.

"Why should I leave?"

"Don't you think she needs some privacy with her friend?"

Hunter sneered.

"Are you trying to make me go so I won't be able to ask her questions?"

"No. Why will I want to do that?"

I sighed and stood up. Damian doesn't have to worry, I won't tell Hunter what had happened. And Hunter does not have to stay back if Damian doesn't feel ok with it.

"Hunter, don't worry you can leave. Damian is right, I need some privacy with my friend"

Damian smirked and Hunter frowned.

"And Hunter, you can ask me anything you want when next we see"

I said. It was Hunter's time to laugh while Damian frowned.

"Is that a promise?"

I nodded.

"Sure. I keep to my word"

I watched Damian's reaction. He was angry but he hid it so quickly.

"I'm leaving"

He announced.

Hunter stood up.

"I should go with you"

"Don't you dare"

Damian yelled and I couldn't help but laugh. I conceal it quickly not to anger Damian the more. I left them and returned to my room to call Andrea to come over.