PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 3

DANA'S POV

I walked into the mall with my head held high. I was bored; the mansion gave nothing but the sickening sight of my sister and her husband being overly affectionate with each other.

I wanted so much to be happy for Eerah, but every time I saw Damon's face wrapped in a passionate kiss with her, I felt a knot of anger in my chest.

It was really gross! I'd rather walk till I'm tired than see Damon's smug face again. The world was a very small place; can you believe the odds?

She had to marry Damon out of all the males in the world. I was ready to go into a*****e when someone bumped into me by accident.

Yes! How could she be so dumb as to run into me? She started saying sorry over and over again before I could even give her a proper glare.

"Ma'am, I'm so sorry," she said hastily and awkwardly as she brushed off my clothing. I wasn't as shallow as some of the other socialites, so I really did stare at her. She looked so flustered.

"Next time, please be more careful," I said, attempting to keep my voice calm before I walked into the store.

That's annoying! I already had a lot going on, and her clumsiness almost destroyed everything.

It was a good thing I was already in the store because I didn't have to go far to change if there had been any significant damage.

I saw a fitting black dress that I liked right away, tried it on, paid for it, and went. I went to the next store once I was done shopping at the boutique.

The Pixie dust. I had seen this well-known high-end store here, along with the boutique. I began looking for bags and shoes.

This helped me deal with stress. Instead of drinking to forget my problems, I utilized my seemingly endless supply of money to buy luxury shoes and bags.

Before, I wasn't really into this whole designer thing. But, like I said, people evolve, and I was proof that when you're really upset, you become a better person. At least that's what I was telling myself.

The saleswoman smiled at me right away and said hello. She appeared truly nice and not just trying to get my money, so I smiled back.

"This is a limited-stock item, ma'am." She held out a bag and said, "You might like it." When I looked at the bag she gave me, my eyes lit up. It was just right. I said, "I'll take this," without even looking at the price.

Then I kept looking for other bags. Someone next to me talked before I could decide what to buy next.

"Oh my God! Hey, Dana! Is that you? She questioned, which made me look around to see where the noise came from. I spotted a female with big sunglasses staring at me. I said "Annika." with a pleasant smile.

"I knew it! I saw you talking to the staff outside earlier," she said, and I merely smiled back.

"Where's Eerah? Are you by yourself? She looked around as if she thought my sister would burst out from behind a display and said, "Yes. She's with her husband," I said, my voice getting a little harsh.

I watched her raise an eyebrow, and her sunglasses didn't do much to hide how funny she thought it was.

"Are you jealous?" she inquired, which made me stop.

What did she mean by that? Please don't tell me she knew about Damon and me. Did my hidden feelings reflect that much?

"Come on, Dana! With a knowing smile, she said, "You can't deny it to me." I couldn't talk because I didn't know what to say.

I was thinking quickly about how much she knew. "You're jealous of Damon because he gets Eerah's attention, right?" She inquired, and I was glad to hear her say that.

She didn't know what was really making me jealous. "Are you okay?" she said, and I instantly smiled and nodded.

"Of course, Sis. Of course not, I mean. "I said, "Sis Eerah deserves to be happy," and I smiled even though I didn't really agree.

I didn't want her to think anything was wrong because Sis's friends were very attentive, and I needed to keep my genuine feelings hidden from them.

"I told you, you can't deny it. I have to leave now, by the way. Jade's calling me," she said farewell with a smile, and I nodded before taking a big breath.

Crap! I had to do something so they wouldn't see what I was doing. I couldn't let anyone think I was up to something.

What would I do if they were always around, observing everything I did? I paid for my things and then promptly left to go for another walk.

I didn't want to stress myself out with that dumb plan; I just wanted to relax today. It was the appropriate time for it, but not now. I had to be patient and wait for the right time. Hours went by.

I went home shortly after eating a quick meal. It was five o'clock in the afternoon. When I got to the mansion, it was eerily silent, and Nanny was cleaning the kitchen.

"Good evening, Ma'am. Just let me make your food—"

"Nanny, there's no need. I've already eaten," I said. I was going to go upstairs when I turned around.

"Where is my sister?" I asked her. "Ma'am, she's already gone. She was in a hurry, like she had to get somewhere important," she said.

"Okay," I said, even though I was a little curious. She shouldn't have gone to a bar so early.

Where would she go at this time of night?

"Nanny, please take my things to my room," I said before heading upstairs. When I got to my sister's room, Damon was just leaving, so we ran into each other.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, as if he didn't want to help me up. But I instantly stepped back and looked away from him. I answered, "No thanks," and went into the room fast.

I didn't know what I was doing before. That was my moment to put my plan into action against him. I looked in the mirror again. I looked at myself.

"Come on, Dana. Now's your opportunity! You can't just stand there and let that guy win! "He needs to learn a lesson!" I yelled at myself in the mirror. I wasn't crazy.

This was how I got myself to go through with my strategy even if it wasn't working. I just wanted to get back at you! He had harmed me, and I wasn't going to let him get away with it.

My plans slowly started to come together.

When I thought about them, I couldn't help but smile.

They were sneaky, clever, and just right to make Damon pay for what he had done. I had to arrange everything meticulously because I couldn't fail.

Everything had to be just right, and every possible problem had to be planned for. I got up early and got ready quickly.

I knew Kira had the day off on Sunday, so I decided to call her. But before I could even pick up my phone, someone knocked on my door.

"Ma'am, you have a visitor downstairs," which made me raise my eyebrows. "Who?" I inquired out of curiosity.

She didn't answer, so I hurriedly exited my room and raised my eyebrows when I saw Hannah downstairs. I asked her, "What are you doing here? Are you sure you want to hang out with me?" she inquired.

"Yes, but I think it's later. What are you doing here at this time? I asked her. She said, "Actually, I have something to tell you," so I didn't say anything.

I waited for her to say more. "Hey! "I said I have something to say," she responded, evidently annoyed. I just raised an eyebrow instead of answering.

She lifted her hand, showing off a ring. I was shocked when I saw that. "Really? "Really?" I asked, not sure what to say. She merely grinned and agreed.

"Who's the unlucky guy who asked you to marry him?" I asked her.

"You're so mean, Dana!" She added, "You should say, lucky guy, because I said yes to his proposal last night."

"That's why you kept calling me?" I asked her in a harsh tone. "Of course! You're my buddy! I wanted to tell you first, but Arky is a gossip.

"That's why he was the first to know," she remarked. "I want to see him. Who is this person?" I asked again. "Calm down, Dana. Also, don't look at him with anger! Miguel is a good person," as if she were happy.

"Hey, Miguel?"

"Yes, why? Is there a problem?" she inquired, seemed worried.

"Nothing, I'm just shocked he asked you to marry him," I answered with a laugh.

"Hey, Dana! There are more lovely people here too! I am too, you know! So, of course, I have the right to be happy!" She said it in a harsh way that made me giggle.

We headed to the kitchen because I hadn't eaten yet. Kira was there too, and she was already busy.

She was too early to hear the talk. That turned into my breakfast instead of real food.

"Hey, where are we going?" she questioned me. I didn't say anything. I merely smiled after looking at her.

"Oh my God! I'm nervous about that smile, Dana," and it was evident she was worried. "Relax." With a smile, I continued, "I just have something for you to do."

"What is it?"

"You'll find out. Just relax for now." I laughed and added, "You're too nervous."

"Who wouldn't be terrified if Dana Cathaleia smiled like that? I like your mean side better because it comes naturally to you, but that smile?" she said.

"Calm down, I'm not going to kill you for what I'm going to ask you to do."

"What are you going to do, and why are you smiling like that? I'm restless," she asked, wanting to know.

I kept eating and didn't respond. I only knew Kira could help me. I called Kira instead of Arky because he was too busy.

I could always count on her to maintain my secrets, and she was always up for a little trouble.

Damon, just wait for my sweet revenge. You will taste it soon. You injured the wrong person.

A beautiful smile came back to my lips. The plan was coming together flawlessly, and I couldn't wait to see Damon's expression when it all happened.