Damien's POV
The glow from my laptop screen reflected faintly against my face as I leaned back in my chair, one hand resting against my jaw while the other scrolled through architectural drafts.
"Well, the business structure seems solid, Mr. Collins. We can definitely work with that," I said, my tone measured.
On the other side of the video call, Mr. Collins nodded, his expression bright with satisfaction."Yes, Damien. I like the structure and that landscape angle. It's bold. What do you think?"
A small chuckle slipped past my lips, my head tilting slightly as a teasing smile tugged at one corner of my mouth, "Anything you want, boss."
He laughed, shaking his head. "You're something else, Damien. But I'm serious, I want this building to stand out in Dubai. I want people to see it and know it's mine."
My eyes sharpened slightly, a calculating glint settling in.
"Then you'll get exactly that."
"Good. I'll be expecting you soon."
The call ended, and silence filled the room for a while. Then a knock.
My gaze flicked lazily toward the door. "Come in."
The door swung open, and Celeste walked in like a storm dressed as a woman, her posture stiff, her jaw tight, her eyes blazing with restrained anger.
After our banter last night, she decided to stay just until there was no doubts regarding our marriage in the minds of her board members. Although lame, I could work with that.
I exhaled quietly under my breath, barely audible. "Here we go…"
"Damien," she began, her voice tight, controlled but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her.
I leaned back in my chair, folding my hands together, watching her carefully.
"I promised myself I would stay away from you… avoid anything that would make us fight until this arrangement is over."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, her chest rising slightly as she steadied herself.
"Okay," I replied simply, my tone was calm. Her brows furrowed instantly.
"Then why did you tell them to make breakfast only for you?"
A smile crept onto my face
"I don't know, babe," I said smoothly, my voice laced with mock innocence. "I thought you were still mad at me… figured you might refuse to eat. So I cut costs."
I paused, watching her closely, enjoying the way her nostrils flared slightly.
"I told them to make food for just me. When you're hungry, you'll sort yourself out."
She inhaled sharply, her fingers curling slightly at her sides as she fought to hold back her temper.
And I smirked…. God, I loved this.
The way she tried to stay composed. The way her eyes betrayed her emotions.
"Mr. Damien," she said through clenched teeth, "you are so not a gentleman."
I tilted my head, resting my chin on my hand, pretending to consider her words. "Hmm… is that so?"
Leaning forward slightly, my voice dropped into a softer, almost playful tone. "Tell me about it, princess. I'm all ears."
She scoffed loudly, throwing her head back slightly in disbelief.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Of course not, princess," I replied immediately, lying without hesitation.
"Stop calling me that!" she snapped, her hand flying to her forehead as she paced once. "I'm losing my mind…"
A quiet smile spread across my face.
"I apologize, my darling," I said smoothly, though there was no real remorse in my eyes. "It wasn't my intention."
I leaned back again, crossing one leg over the other.
"I'll have them make you your own personal breakfast. How about that… wifey?"
She froze for a second, staring at me like she wanted to throw something.
"I don't need it," she shot back sharply. "You could have just left me in my house instead of bringing me here to suffer."
Her voice softened slightly as she added, "At least Mama Tina knows what I like."
I nodded thoughtfully. "That's not a bad idea. We could bring her here and make her your personal chef. She'll take care of everything you need."
She scoffed again, but this time it was weaker, more tired than angry.
"I'm not in the mood for this, Mr. Damien. I have a business to run and you are not going to spoil my mood."
With that, she turned sharply and walked out, her heels clicking against the floor in quick, irritated steps.
I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head.
"I can't spoil it, baby!" I called after her loudly as the door slammed taking me back to my silent moments
I stared at the door for a moment… then turned back to my laptop, resuming work, emails, company stock, and Everything precise…. Unlike her.
Minutes passed, maybe more.
Then, the sharp, fast clicking of heels echoed again. I didn't even look up this time. I already knew.
I paused my typing, waiting and the door burst open.
"Why did you ask him to drive me to the office?" she demanded, her arms folded tightly under her chest, her weight shifted to one leg.
I finally looked up, raising a brow.
"What's wrong with you driving the car?" I asked casually. "Besides, it's a gift. For being my wife."
She exhaled heavily, her shoulders dropping slightly.
"You're getting on my nerves, Mr. Damien."
"Really?" I leaned back, studying her with a faint smile. "It doesn't seem that way, darling."
"You know all this ends in two years," she reminded me firmly.
"Yeah," I nodded slowly, my gaze steady. "I know, Celeste. So why not enjoy it?"
I shrugged slightly. "Many women would want to be in your shoes."
That did it.
Her eyes flashed with something sharper than anger mixed with disbelief.
She let out a dry, humorless chuckle, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"So that's what this is about?" she said, her voice quieter now but more dangerous. "You're flaunting your wealth… and expecting me to be impressed?"
My expression shifted slightly, the smile fading.
"I didn't mean it that way—"
She raised her hand immediately, cutting me off.
"Don't."
Her eyes locked onto mine, unyielding.
"Listen to me, Damien. We owe each other nothing."
Her voice was steady now "You can annul this contract whenever you want. I don't care."
She stepped closer, placing the car key on my desk with a soft but deliberate sound.
"But don't ever test me with those words again. Next time…we might go our separate ways."
A brief silence followed. "Take back your gift. I don't want it anymore." Then she turned and walked out.
I leaned back slowly in my chair, exhaling deeply as I rubbed my forehead.
"Where did I go wrong…" I muttered under my breath.
My phone rang suddenly, breaking the tension.
"Damien!" a loud, excited voice burst through.
I sighed. "What's up, Xavier?"
"Yo man, I'm good! You home?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. I'm coming over." The call ended.
I stared at my laptop for a moment… then shut it.
My mood was gone completely.
I walked out of the office, heading straight for my room. A quick shower later, I was just stepping out when—
"Damien!" Xavier's voice echoed through the room as he walked in like he owned the place.
Before I could react, he pulled me into a tight hug.
"Man, you look off. What's up with you?"
"You should stop announcing your presence in my house," I muttered.
He pulled away, scratching his head sheepishly. "Yeah… sorry."
"Why are you here?"
"Wow. So you don't miss me?"
I sighed, my patience thin, then my mind drifted back to Celeste…. The look in her eyes.
"…Did I overdo it?" I murmured under my breath.
"Are you even listening to me?" Xavier tapped me lightly.
I turned to him.
"Is it wrong to give a woman a car as a wedding gift?"
He blinked. "Of course not. That's a great gift. Wait—did she reject it?"
"…Yeah."
He leaned forward slightly. "Why?"
"She thinks I'm trying to…" I stopped, shaking my head.
"Never mind." I stood up.
"Wait," Xavier said slowly, narrowing his eyes. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
I let out a small chuckle. "You don't want to know."
His grin widened. "Hold on—you're actually worked up… because of a girl?"
I smiled faintly, shaking my head. "Funny enough… yeah."
"Wow," he laughed. "Who is she? Curvy? Sexy? Hot?"
I looked away slightly, my voice quieter now.
"She's… different."
I paused.
"She's amazing."
"And she's completely triggered by me."
Xavier smirked. "I hope you marry her."
I chuckled.
"Well… you guessed right."
He froze.
Then his eyes widened.
"…You did what?"