Chapter Six

My apartment is located in a housing complex, a few miles away from where my aunt lives. The place had been a relatively good choice, considering it wasn't too far from Camilla and the price was quite affordable. I share a room with my roommate, Emily who got engaged just a few weeks ago and was planning to move in with her boyfriend. I love Emily but I had damn well been looking forward to having the apartment all to myself. At least, till Camilla comes to live with me. Sadness fills my heart at the fact that I won't even be able to enjoy such a little luxury anymore. 

Damien De Luca pulls into the parking lot and turns the engine off. He glances up at the looming apartment complex. "This is where you live eh?". He asks. I'm listening hard for a hint of judgement in his voice but I find none. That had just been a pure statement. 

"Yes it is". I say shortly as I unbuckle my seat belt.

He chuckles dryly to himself. "I know the bastard that owns the place". 

"Good for you". I mutter under my breath as the stupid seat belt finally comes free. I guess this is the rich people lifestyle. They know each other almost like we commoners know the grocery man in the shop two blocks away. He makes to unlock his door but I stop him.

"Mr. De Luca?". He turns back to me. "What's your name? I'd like to address you by your first name?".

A smirk appears on his face. "It's quite peculiar that you claim to be a business graduate and yet you know nothing about the business world. Or else you'd know my name for sure, Vanessa". I make to interject but he quickly continues. "The name is Damien. Damien De Luca". And he climbs out of the car.

"Asshole". I mutter under my breath as I open my door and climb out too.The night air still blasts cold and i wrap my arms around my torso tightly for warmth. "This way". I call out to him as I quickly make my way inside. We take the stairs and every step of the way, Damien grumbles. I can't help him though. The elevator barely works and the elevator guards only give access to the occupants on the 6th floor and above. And finally, we get to my floor. There are four rooms on each floor and we make our way to mine, the farthest room to the left. I insert my key and turn the lock, welcoming the familiar scent of home as the door creaks open. 

I haven't been here for about 4 days now and yet it still feels like I just went out for a walk. I smile to myself but it takes me a second too long to realize that there are no footsteps behind me. I turn to see Damien at the doorway, his size even more exaggerated by the room. He's looking around warily.

"This is your place?". He asks.

I eye him suspiciously. "Yes it is".

He walks in deeper into the room. "Do you live alone?". 

And right in that moment, the bathroom door bangs open and Emily steps out, her hair and skin wet and a pink towel wrapped around her protectively. Her face breaks into a smile when she sees me.

"Ness, when I heard the door open, I knew it had to be…..". Her voice trails to an end when she spots Damien. Emily can be quite dramatic and looking at her facial expression now, I can almost see the wheels whirring in her head as she calculates the best possible way to assimilate why this man is in our living room that doesn't involve the possibility that he's about to kill us. I come to her aid. 

"Emily……". I step forward, letting the door shut behind me. "It's nothing, I promise". When I had received the news three weeks ago that I'd be getting married, I hadn't been able to bring myself to tell Emily about it. I had just hoped it was a bad dream that'd soon pass. Standing before her right now, I feel a minor panic attack rise in my chest as I think of what lie to say. I'm not the best at lying under pressure. I turn to Damien. "Damien, this is my roommate, Emily. Emily? This is Damien. Damien De Luca. He's uhm…..".

"Hi". Damien's face breaks into a smile and he steps forward, a hand extended in a shake. "I'm Damien, Vanessa's husband". I nearly die on the spot I'm standing. For a whole minute, I quietly wish the ground would just be kind enough to open up and swallow me. It takes all of my willpower to look at Emily's face. Her jaw has literally dropped open.

"Uhmm….Damien". I rush forward, hoping to intercept this little acquaintance on time. ".....that won't be….".

"Husband?". Emily echoes. I curse under my breath before turning to face her, a plastic smile stretched across my face. 

"No. I mean...yes…..".

"You got married without telling me?". She sounds so hurt and disbelieving. Shit. I rush forward and grab her arm, steering her shock stricken figure towards the bedroom. 

"Let's go inside. I can explain". Thankfully, she acquiesces. I shut the door behind us and with much dread, turn to face her. "Emily, it's not how it looks".

"How could you, Ness?".

"It happened all too fast. I swear everything literally just happened yesterday. I can't give you the details but…..this isn't exactly a most conventional marriage. I can't give the details I'm sorry". I feel so embarrassed about my family's dilemma and what it has come to for us. I absolutely would never share that piece of information. Emily peers into my face.

"Is he the Mafia?". She whispers. I laugh at that point. Damien might be filthy rich and obviously influential but no, I don't think he's a member of the Mafia. Or is he?

"You watch way too many films, Emily". 

"Do you see him though? He's…..". She glances over the top of my head where the closed door is. She leans in closer and whispers furiously. "He's gorgeous!!!!!! And he looks rich!!! And scary but only in that way rich people do. Where the hell did you find him from?". 

"Okay okay let's slow down. We'll talk more about this later. When he's not a door away. For now, i need to pack".

"You are moving in with him?" Her eyes are wide with surprise. I turn away from her and head towards my wardrobe, proceeding to bring out everything I can. I really don't want to look Emily in the eye right now.

"Yes, Emily. I believe that's what married couples do". I hate that I'm using a line straight out of Damien's dictionary.

"I can't even wrap my head around this….".

"We'll talk about this later I promise. Can we...can you just help me pack up now though?". 

She looks at me skeptically for a few seconds before coming forward, throwing on a sweater over her head while at it. "You better have a good explanation, Ness. Else I'm gonna strangle the life out of you".

I chuckle humourlessly. "I hope i have a good explanation too. How's Alfie?".

We engage in little conversations as we pack. I leave a few of my things behind. I don't know what the condition of this marriage is going to be but if I ever need a place to come back to, I still want to have somewhere to call home. Finally, we drag my luggage out, Emily eyeing Damien suspiciously the whole time. I actually can't wait for us to leave. When he sees us come out, Damien gets up to his feet and gives me an acknowledging nod.

"And you are finally done. He looks down at the array of luggage behind me. "That's a lot".

"You said the other one was little just a while ago. Be careful what you wish for".

His lips curl up in an amused smile and he turns to Emily. "We'll be going now, Emily. Have…..". He glances at the sparse apartment. "...well, you have the apartment all to yourself. So goodnight". And with that he turns and leaves. I hug Emily one more time and glare at his disappearing back. The asshole didn't even offer to help me. I push the bags through the doorway and shut the door behind me, and he's standing there by my right, leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. His smirk is mocking.

"Need help with the bags?". He asks.

He knows I do . But he obviously gets off by his ego being pumped and he expects me to do the same right now. "No, thanks. I'm good".

He nods once and straightens, and then makes his way down the stairs without even waiting for me. With horror, I gape at his back. But I've already said it. I can't take it back now. And with that, I begin to struggle with my bags down the stairs.