Billionaire's biggest mistake

Episode 3

Chapter 3

Damien’s POV

I had a love-hate relationship with being Damien Sinclair.

Most people thought it was just all about the money and power and having a name that opened doors and silenced rooms.

Well, I wouldn't say that wealth and influence didn't provide certain perks.

But these perks came with chains.

Expectation, scrutiny, the weight of the world. Add that to a father like mine and you're well on your way to depression.

The thing I hated the most though was the social events.

Galas like this one where every smile was like a calculated transaction and every conversation was like a chess game. The hall was a battlefield, just without Knights and swords.

I hated the small talk, the way the people clung to me like a moth to fire, hungry for my attention and favour.

However, for me, these galas were not a choice. It was necessary.

Alliances needed to be forged. Deals needed to be struck. And power needed to be maintained.

I had just walked into the hall when Kaelia Peters approached me. She was the host of the day and she looked impeccable in a red dress that hugged her curves.

“Mr. Sinclair.” She purred, “So good to see you tonight.”

Her voice was warm. Maybe too warm. And her eyes held her hunger.

We had a history. A fling from way back in college. More like a one-night stand that would have turned into a relationship if she was not obsessive.

I had moved past it quickly but Kaelia, she clung to it. At this point, it was just tiring the way she always tried to bring it up, serenading me with s****l innuendos.

“Is this the night I finally steal a taste of all this irresistible charm?” her arm wrapped around mine.

I was irritated but I maintained a neutral expression.

“Kaelia. You really outdid yourself here. The event looks impressive.”

She laughed and rubbed my arm. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Damien.”

She grabbed a glass of champagne from a server passing nearby. “But let's talk business. I was told that you're eyeing some real estate downtown. A partnership would benefit us both, don't you think? We can discuss it privately over drinks. Then I'll show you how persuasive I can be.”

She looked at me straight in the eye in an attempt to be what? Sexy?

“I have no time to waste on weak proposals. If it doesn't justify my attention, then don't bother. My interests are not swayed by promises or charm.”

Kaelia looked thrown off by his response. He had always been easy on her but tonight he wasn't in the mood for it.

Her smile wavered for a moment then she forced a laugh. “I’ll have my team prepare something you can't ignore.”

She leaned on, pressing her chest on his arm. “And I trust you won't say no - not to me.”

“You're not above anything, Kaelia. If the proposal isn't strong enough, I won't waste my breath on it. I have better matters that need my attention.”

And better people, I thought. I could see some of them hovering around and watching me, waiting for the perfect time to approach.

“I thought the years might have softened you up a little bit.” She said.

“This is business. Soft people don't get far in business. You should know that first hand. What was it? Two bankruptcies before your father finally begged for a bailout. He was too sentimental. And look where it landed him.”

Kaelia's smile disappeared completely at his words. Her father's failures had always been a source of humiliation for her and a lesson to others.

And no matter how hard she and her brother worked, it didn't erase the image of her father begging out of desperation at a gala just like this.

As Kaelia opened her mouth to speak, my gaze landed on a retreating figure, the familiarity nagging at me.

As if she could feel my gaze on her, she turned and locked eyes with me.

I had expected a lot of things tonight - new deals, old rivals, even Kaelia’s predictable flirtations - but seeing my wife who had disappeared one fateful day a year ago, was definitely not among his list.

My usual composure faltered due to the shock of it. But then, as she disappeared around the corner, swallowed by the crowd, I began to doubt myself.

What if it wasn't her?

What if it was just someone who looked so much like her?

Or was it just a trick of light and my eyes had deceived me.

But for some reason, my heart refused to accept that she was someone else. An instinctive pull tugged at me and I couldn't suppress it no matter how hard I tried.

I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind and just focus and enjoy the event but it kept drifting back to her.

The memory of Elena's absence, her sudden disappearance, all the unanswered questions I had haunted my mind.

Subdued by the weight of it all, I decided to go and look for her, to confirm it myself once and for all.

“Damien, I really think you'll find …”

“Excuse me,” I interrupted and brushed past her, the crowd parting instinctively as I moved. I took the same route that the lady had taken, my strides purposeful and unyielding.

I knew all too well that the route I was taking led to the women's room which was off limit for men, but at that point I didn't care.

Rules never applied to me - one of the perks that came with being powerful - and tonight, my heart was determined to find her and confront the ghost of my past that had haunted me for a whole year.

When I got to the women's room, I met the door closed. I knocked once and without waiting for a response, I pushed it open with a firm hand.

The door swung inwards, revealing the woman who stood at the sink.

I came face to face and the sight made me lose my breath for a moment.

“Ellie.”

Ellie was the pet name I had given her when we first met and fell in love and now, it slipped past my lips like a reflex.

The expression on her face confirmed that she was truly the one - my Elena.

Her eyes widened in surprise and recognition, then anger darkened her gaze.

“Mr. Sinclair,” She said, her voice cold. “What a pleasant surprise.”

She tried to leave but I went after her, my hands catching her wrist just as she crossed the door.

“Elena wait.” I said, tightening my grip but not enough to hurt her. “Don't walk away again.”

She froze and her body tensed but she didn't pull away from my hold.

I could see the anger in her eyes when they met mine, the hurt that she tried to hide but couldn't.

“Let go off me, Damien.” Elena said, her voice trembling slightly “You don't get to do this. Not after what you did.”

“Why did you leave? You just packed up and disappeared, just like that. I've not been able to understand why you left like that, Ellie.”

She yanked her wrist free, “You want to know why I left? So you're going to act ignorant now?”

“I'm not acting ignorant, Ellie.” I said, my voice thick with frustration and a desperate need for clarity. “I came home one day and saw that you had packed up and left. I tried to reach you but I couldn't. Alex wouldn't give me any information about your whereabouts either.”

“I'm not doing this.” She stepped back, her hands clenched into fists. “I -”

In a sudden, impulsive move born of desperation, I closed the distance between us and pulled her into my arms.

My lips crashed onto hers in a fierce and hungry kiss. A kiss that bore the chaotic blend of love, regret and unresolved passion that had simmered for a year.

When I finally pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers for a moment then I looked into her eyes. Those emerald green eyes that had charmed me the first day I saw them.

“Come with me, Ellie. Let's get out of here. Let's go somewhere we can talk.”

She began to shake her head.

“I'm not letting you go again, Ellie. You're coming with me.”

Seeing the resolve in my eyes, she swallowed and pulled out her phone. She punched a few keys and put it in her clutch.

Then she turned back to me, “Lead the way then.”