Fading Boundaries

Chapter 6

DAMIAN POV

“Clara, it's been ages. How have you been?” I was unable to hide my surprise as I looked at her.

“Damian, it's God knows how long. I'm fine. How are you?” She was all smiles and I could tell her smiles were genuine.

“I'm fine.” I said slowly as we both gradually stood up.

She looked far from the lady I knew. There was something different about her, I couldn't quite figure it out but I knew it. She seemed more beautiful, confident and elegant.

“It's nice meeting you.” She said with a smile, I tried to lean on for a hug but she held out her hand instead.

“Yeah, it's nice meeting you again.” I said with a tight smile and tried to hide my disappointment.

“Clara, I've been looking all over for you.” We both heard and turned to find a beautiful redhead smiling sheepishly at Clara. “You are missing out on the party.” She started to speak when she saw me and paused. “Who's your friend?”

“Oh, this is Damian, Damian this is Cassandra, my friend.” Something about Cassandra’s cold stare told me that she knew about me but she didn't betray any emotions.

“Cassandra, it's a pleasure.” I said and realized I was still holding Clara's hand, I didn't want to let go because I felt it would be the last time but I also didn't want to look awkward. I let go of Clara's hand and took Cassandra's hand in mine.

“I hope you don't mind if I steal her from you.” Cassandra begged with a disarming smile and I simply nodded reluctantly.

I turned to have a final look at Clara and I saw her watching me. I suspected she must have seen the disappointment and yearning in my eyes. I don't know if she saw it, but she didn't give any indication. She simply smiled and left with her friend.

I stood there, watching her leaving hoping she'd turn around and give me one final glance but she didn't. I suddenly felt sad, the evening suddenly took on a bad taste. Did I hurt her that bad that she has cut off everything about me?

“Hey Damian, what are you doing? Standing there and watching the fun instead of partaking in it.” Matt said from behind me, “What's wrong?” He asked when I turned to face him.

“Why do you think something is wrong? Nothing is wrong.” I countered.

“Nah, something is definitely wrong. Your mood, they are…” he trailed off, unsure what to say. “This wasn't your mood before you left.”

“Knock it off Matt, I'm fine.” I quipped back and turned to leave with him. Matt was someone who kind of knew how to figure out those things you'd rather he didn't know.

I turned to look at the direction Clara and her friends had gone, hoping to see her but she was not there. “What are you looking for?” Matt asked again, pausing to scan the crowd with me.

“It's nothing man, let's go back to our table.” I interjected dismissively and led him away.

As we walked back to our seats, I kept trying to figure out what was different about Clara. We arrived at our table and Matt tried to bring me up to speed with what he has been doing. “So I met the most beautiful lady in my life.” He sounded really excited.

“That's good, maybe it's time you settle down.” I suggested and he nodded disapprovingly.

“Hey, I just met her, I have to date her first before I decide if she's someone I'd want to spend the rest of my life with. I don't want to end up like you.” He fired, I didn't see the stray bullet.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I asked with a chuckle.

“We both know you are not happy in your marriage, you are in a loveless marriage Bro, and I don't want that for myself.” He explained calmly.

“That's not true, how can you say I'm in a loveless marriage. Stella is just perfect.” I argued.

“That's the thing, everyone knows Damian. It's unfortunate you let Clara go but Stella is not someone you make a wife. She's someone you sleep with and forget you ever met them in your life. Every bad boy would profile her as a gamer the moment they set their eyes on her. She's street and will never be anything else.” Matt explained in a soft tone.

I knew I should be angry about the things that Matt was saying about my wife. I would have punched him in the face for disrespecting my wife but I knew he was telling the truth. How he could have profiled Stella with almost ninety percent accuracy was surprising even though I had never discussed my marriage with anyone.

“I think you've had so much to drink already, Matt.” I chuckled mockingly.

“Perhaps, it's all the rambling of a drunk man, or maybe I'm just intoxicated by the beauty of this goddess I just met.” He confessed, he looked a bit tipsy.

“Who's this beauty you've been ranting about for so long?”

As if talking about her had somehow summoned her, a beautiful redhead strode elegantly to our table. “Talk of the devil.” Matt said and I forgot how to breathe for a while.

“Damian, allow me to introduce my newest friend. The most beautiful and dashing woman in this ball. Ms. Cassandra.” Matt made the introductions.

“Oh shut up, is he always this good with….” She trailed off when our eyes met. “...words?” She completed softly.

“Yes, Matt is hopelessly romantic. This is the first time he is being very positive about a lady.” I gave her my best smile and took her hands in mine. “ I'm Damian, we met earlier.”

“Oh, yes. We did.” She muttered but I could tell she was not entirely comfortable.

“Why not join us?” I offered.

“Yes, join us.” Matt concurred.

“Very well, but not for long. It's getting late, I need to be on my way.” She reluctantly accepted.

“I know, we all have big days together.” I quipped back.

“Except me, could we do this time again, but just three of us this time and no crowd?” Matt asked.

“Really, what'll your day look like?” Cassandra spoke over him.

I felt bad that he had disrespected my friend, but she was focusing on me. I was a billionaire and famous, and Matt wasn't. But it didn't matter at this point.

“I have a big project I've been working on. They've been postponing because the boss has not been around. I got an email today scheduling my meeting for tomorrow. I heard the boss just got back from a vacation in Germany.” I explained, excited with the idea of partnering with this new company.

“Well, here's to a successful tomorrow.” She raised her glass and we all clanged our glasses.