by Phavy Prieto
"My? Have I just thought 'my'? Since when do I consider him mine? From the moment he kissed me in that intoxicating way."
"I don't feel offended. I know everything about Damian, he told me about it himself. There are no secrets between us," I replied smiling and sipping my drink. "I’d better go to sleep. It has been a long day."
"Of course! I am going to sleep as well. Tomorrow I'll have to be lucid," said Rebecca getting up with me and making me understand that she wanted to follow me since most likely she did not expect me to leave.
"I bet she is going to drop some of her malicious comments when no one else can listen," I thought as I wished good night to the rest of the girls who were going to stay for one last drink. I headed for the elevator with that stupid snob.
God! I hate this woman! After all, first impressions are often accurate. From the moment I saw her, she has been a pain in the ass.
"Nice ring!" she said as she entered the elevator.
"Thanks," I replied laconically.
"It looks quite similar to the ring he gave me when he asked me to marry him. Of course I gave it back to him. I couldn't have kept it. Do you know if it's the same?" she asked looking away to make me believe that her comment was not malicious.
One must be a daughter of a dog to say something like this. You fucking asshole!
If I had really been Damian's fiancée, I would have strangled her right there. But I was able to control myself and smile, probably a macabre smile never seen on the face of the earth yet.
"If you're curious, I can ask him when he gets back," I replied in a neutral tone to show that cock-teaser that she didn't achieve her goal to make me angry. "I told him that I didn't want a ring, that I didn't need to receive anything as a proof of his love. I love him, not his money or his surname."
Can you say the same, cheap giraffe?
"Of course," she replied condescendingly. "I only said it because of its resemblance. I hope you didn't get offended. I am pleased to know that Damian has finally found someone he deserves. I was distressed that he would never get over our separation: just a few weeks ago he called me, desperate..." Her voice suddenly died and she put a hand on her mouth, as if she was apologizing for the inappropriateness of her statement. "Sorry, I think it's the alcohol that makes me talk more than I should. Forget what I said," she added with that overbearing smile that I would erase by hitting her head repeatedly against the walls of the elevator.
May you fall into the elevator shaft! Do everyone a favour.
Poison had to run through her veins to be able to say certain things and remain impassive. What was going on in her head? Was she the kind of person unable to live and let others live? If she was the one who had decided to end their relationship to be with Damian's best friend, why the hell was she upset that her ex was with another person? It was clear that the bully could not accept that Adonis had forgotten her.
"Don't worry, it doesn't bother me," I replied with a smile. "I know perfectly well what kind of relationship exists between Damian and me. There are no secrets between us," I added as I got out of the elevator. I didn't even know if that was my floor, but I wanted to get away from that toxic person. "Have a good rest. Tomorrow you’ll have to be radiant." I bit my tongue to prevent myself from telling her that no matter how beautiful she could be on the outside, she was rotten inside.
It was clear that this woman was with Michael only for his money and his belonging to the Scottish aristocracy. Good. What a disgusting life awaited her by marrying someone she didn't love!
It was my floor after all. I opened the door of my room leaning against it. I was glad that Damian got rid of such a viper. Was it possible that men were incapable of realizing what she was really like? Her beauty allowed her to hide her true nature.
Then I remembered Damian's request. I went into the shower to freshen up. I wore a lace-trimmed nightgown paired with lingerie. I turned on the television set to keep me awake. I checked messages and emails on my phone to kill time. Then I couldn't keep my eyelids open anymore. The last time I looked at the clock it was around two in the morning.
I was awakened by a few knocks at the door. As I opened my eyes, I saw the daylight filtering through the partially closed curtains. Repeated knocks on the door forced me to get up. It was then that I noticed something on my stomach. I turned and saw Adonis. He was sleeping on his stomach, half naked with his arm around me. Someone kept knocking insistently. I got up to open the door.
"I apologize for any inconvenience. Room service."
"Don't worry," I said. The waiter took the tray with the breakfast from the trolley and handed it to me.
Back in the room, I looked at that sleeping face: he was too handsome for my weak heart!
"Good morning," I whispered, leaving the tray on the bed in the space where I was a few moments before. I went to the window to open the curtains.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," came a hoarse voice behind me, even more seductive.
"For the record, I tried to stay awake waiting for you. What time did you come back? I didn't even hear you come in."
"Quite late. We stayed up until 5 in the morning. I was careful not to wake you up."
"You could have woken me up," I whispered.
"Would you have wanted it?" he asked as he bit more than half a croissant in one bite.
"You'll never know," I said taking the other croissant.
"Touché!" he said with his mouth half full. I had to contain my laughter so as not to choke with food.
"Did you have fun last night?" I asked sitting on the bed.
"Yes, it was nice to reunite with all my friends."
"I am glad to hear that. I knew you would be late," I commented, pouring coffee into the cups.
"I have to admit that part of me was pushing to come back sooner," he whispered as he observed my movements. "There was something that I would have liked to do much more than being with them."
I swallowed. I knew what he meant. Just imagining it made my underwear hopelessly damp. He shouldn't be telling me these things while wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. If it weren't for the sheets twisted around his waist, I could have seen how well they fit him. Seeing him without a shirt made me excited. If only I could have admired the area covered by those boxers!
"If there is ever a next time, you'll come back earlier, and we'll see what happens," I replied. As I was about to get up Damian held me.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said with that hoarse voice. He approached slowly. I could see from his look he was overwhelmed by an intense desire.
I'm not stupid to let him kiss me with this morning breath and risk killing him.
"I think I should..." I began to say but did not have time to finish the sentence, as his lips clung to mine. The warmth of his body was transmitted through the light fabric of my nightgown.
To hell with the morning breath and the whole world! Adonis kisses tremendously well.
He hurled himself on my body and I felt all his ardor – to call it discreetly – on my weak flesh.
Oh my God! Oh God! React, Maria! Touch him! Do something in your miserable life, but don't stay still! This man is offering you a package that many would want to receive for their birthdays!
I couldn’t believe how stiff it was. Just as my hands began to feel his firm buttocks and I twisted my legs around him, someone knocked on the door – again.
Who the hell could it be? Could a lightning bolt strike down that moron who had decided to knock on our door! We both decided to ignore it. Damian placed that sinful mouth on my neck, leaving a trail of passionate kisses that made me burn more than the flames of hell.
"Why do they keep knocking on the door?"
"Argh!" Damian shouted, standing up.
Who would think to open the door wearing boxers only and with an erection in progress? Damian Devoir, of course.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to talk to you," I heard Michael's voice coming from the entrance. When I saw him in
our room, I blushed and instinctively covered myself with the sheet.
"I apologize. I'm sorry. I didn't know that..." he said turning his back. I saw Damian shrugging.
"I think I'll go take a shower," I said, getting up quickly and disappearing behind the door before hearing Michael apologize again.
I took a long shower for two good reasons: to let them finish their conversation and in the hope that Damian would decide to come and join me. The second thing didn't happen, but I hoped that I wouldn't find Michael in our room yet because I would show up half naked with only a towel on. When I opened the door there was a dead silence.
"What did he want?" I asked when I saw Damian sitting while he was typing on his phone.
"He asked me to be his best man."
"His best man?"
It must be a joke! I guess it is something important to Michael because Damian is his best friend, but – holy shit! – Michael had practically stolen his girlfriend.
"And what did you answer him?" I asked as if what had been asked of him wasn't so serious.
"Could I refuse?" he mocked. "He convinced me by saying that he would never have asked me, but seeing me deeply in love with another woman, he deduced that what happened with Rebecca was now part of the past. He also offered to be my best man at our wedding."
"Deeply in love, Mr. Devoir?" I answered smiling as I approached him.
"Apparently they will give us an Oscar for the best performance of the year."
He had a serious tone. As much as he tried to make it sound like a joke he couldn't. Realizing how despondent he could feel, I was moved. I knelt in front of him, despite wearing only a towel with my wet hair dripping onto my shoulders. I took his hands to make him put down his phone and look at me.
"It’s not appropriate for me to say it, but I am sincerely sorry that your best friend is marrying that harpy in whose veins poison flows instead of blood. I understand that you may still love her and that all this is difficult to digest."
"Love her?" he snapped sarcastically. "More than once I have come to think that I have never felt what is called love for her."
"Then why do you feel this way?" I ventured to ask bluntly.
"Because it annoys me that Michael doesn't realize that she only wants his stupid title!" he admitted with concern.
"I thought it didn't seem so obvious," I whispered.
"Everybody knows. All except him, who seems to be blind."
"No offense, but I don't think you're the best person to judge on his blindness. You asked her to marry you."
"You'd better not remind me. I get irritated every time I think about it," he cut short, getting up suddenly. I realized that he didn't have a high esteem for the Barbie-giraffe.
"Have you talked to her recently?" I asked remembering the conversation I had in the elevator.
"With Rebecca?" he asked as if that name disgusted him. "Of course not."
He didn't even wait for me to reply and went into the bathroom to take a shower, probably ice cold to cool his soul.
"I can't even imagine what it's like to be in his shoes," I thought as I began to wear some makeup using my tiny powder compact mirror.
The disheartening thing about that situation was that the moment of intimacy, which began less than an hour earlier, now seemed light years away.
Damn marriage and damn that fucking Rebecca! I can't wait for the ceremony to be over and that they leave us in peace.
Something told me that that cock-teaser would not be beautiful forever, even less beautiful, when married to the marquis, no matter how rich he was. She was a snake which couldn't be happy about the air she breathed and would create discord until the end of her days. Maybe someday Michael will realize what kind of viper he married. Unfortunately, as soon as my performance was over, I would return to my reality and would not have the pleasure of knowing it.
"We all need to be downstairs in half an hour," he said as soon as he went out of the bathroom. The masculine scent that flooded the room caused a sort of jolt between my legs.
Holy Mother, why does this man cause these spasms in me?
Well, apart from the abs more marked than the squares of a chocolate bar, he had sensuality he probably wasn't aware of – or maybe he was, why fool yourself? Damian had to know he was irresistible. He was like a lighted torch and I was his little moth in a suicidal flight towards the flame that would toast me.
"Sure! Why not now?" I said hoping to be able to fix my hair in the short time allowed.
I heard his light laughter and was glad that the cloak of sadness was fading away.
After exactly thirty minutes, thanks to my calculation skills, I presented myself perfectly made up, combed with a low bun, dressed in the midnight blue dress, sober and elegant, and in the high-heeled shoes that I already had worn the previous night.
"Just in time!" I exclaimed observing the clock.
"Something is missing," he said as he approached me. From my point of view, ten centimeters higher than usual, I looked around in search of what I had forgotten.
"What did I forget?" I asked, touching my neck and feeling my bare skin.
"This," he said, approaching slowly. I saw that he had something in his hands that didn't look like another box containing a jewel. When he unrolled a velvet cloth, I realized I was wrong. He showed me a necklace with a pendant made of diamonds and emeralds.
Spectacular!
"This... no," I began to stammer.
"It's only on loan. It is a family jewel, and I would be very grateful if you wore it tonight."
Family jewel? Was he asking me to wear an heirloom from his ancestors? What if I lost it? Never ever!
"No, no, no, no," I refused. "I can't do it. What if I lose it? What if..."
"Don't worry, nothing will happen. You know that I will not leave you alone even for a moment," he reassured me.
"Are they diamonds?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, they are."
"Shit!" I exclaimed, unable to avoid it. I saw his white teeth appear as if my reaction amused him.
"You are the first woman in my life who refuses to wear a jewel of incalculable value."
"Incalculable value? Are you sure I won't get in trouble if it gets broken or something happens to it? Something like your mother cutting my throat?"
"If I may reassure you, the pendant belongs to me."
"Seriously? I don't see you sporting something like that. It might suit you though."
His laugh dispelled my doubts. Damian stood in front of me to fasten the necklace.
"It’s a present from my grandmother for the future Mrs. Devoir. Only my mother and my future bride can wear this jewel."
"Holy sh..."
Now I understood everything. Rebecca surely knew it too. There was no need to ask.
"Okay," I said swallowing, as I felt his fingers on the back of my neck fasten the necklace. It felt heavy, probably because I wasn't used to carrying anything. There were no such traditions in my family. The value of that jewel probably approached the capital accumulated by my father during his entire life. The Devoir family had to be far richer than I thought. And to think that that idiot girl had replaced him with a marquis. She had to be retarded.
"It perfectly matches your eyes," he whispered, touching my cheek. "You look wonderful."
I felt a shiver running down my spine. I was not used to such a gallantry, even less from someone so handsome. Men dismissed me as a weird or insane girl shortly after they met me and then ran away. The fact that a man, who was already acquainted with my innermost secrets told me something like that, unsettled me.
"Is that a compliment, Mr. Devoir?" I asked smiling, trying to ease the tension.
"I would rather say it's the reality," he replied, wrapping his arm around my waist and opening the door to leave the room.
On the way to the elevator he never let me go. I was more focused on that jewel to make it stay in its place rather than feeling how his fingers gripped my
waist keeping me close to him.
Michael was already standing in front of the altar set up in a hotel hall. As soon as he saw us, he hurried to join us.
"I'm tense. Is it normal that I'm so tense?" he said rubbing his hands. I felt Damian's muscles contract.
"You are about to marry the woman who will be with you for the rest of your life. I guess I'll be nervous on my wedding day too," said Damian trying to encourage him.
"I'm going to sit down," I said, addressing them both. Michael seemed to notice my presence only at that moment and showed me a conspiratorial smile. I could not interpret his reaction, but when I was about to leave, Damian stopped me to give me an affectionate kiss by placing his lips delicately on mine in a way that a person deeply in love kisses.
Undoubtedly he deserves the Academy Award for Best Actor.
"I won't lose sight of you, Miss Acosta."
"I really hope so, Mr. Devoir."
When I felt his hand rest on my left buttock I gave him a look of surprise to which he simply replied with a wink. I went to find a seat that was secluded enough to go unnoticed.
The ceremony lasted just an hour. The busty giraffe showed up in a beautiful dress that really made those silicone breasts stand out. No matter how hard I tried to find her ugly, she was too beautiful to deny it.
"Unfortunately, the inside is not as beautiful as the outside," I thought as they pronounced "Yes, I do" in front of the marriage officiant. I was watching Damian's expression who stood a few steps away from Michael.
When the typical phrase "I now pronounce you husband and wife" was uttered, I saw Damian look for me and, as soon as he found me, he gave me a wink again accompanied by a conspiratorial smile. I also answered with a smile, perhaps because only he and I knew the truth: I was there only to make everyone believe that Damian had moved on, had rebuilt his life and healed all his wounds. Even if there was something going on between us, it was not what we were pretending it to be and it was far from being love. But there was an irresistible attraction between us that sooner or later would explode.
As soon as everyone started applauding, I got up to move away from the group that approached the couple to congratulate them. Suddenly someone grabbed me by the arm and pulled me towards the corridor. It was Damian.