Chapter Six

I stayed in my suite for the rest of the day. The thought of meeting his family had me nervous. It was too soon. It was quite understandable because the wedding was in just a month but I was still yet to recover from the shock of yesterday. 

I stared at my phone longingly for a few seconds. I had followed Damien's advise and put it off. I only managed to get a text across to my father to assure him that I was fine. I saw messages from Nolan but I couldn't bring myself to reply at that point. I sighed at the thought of how I was going to handle all the questions that he would throw at me. The contract had me bound and I could not disclose the truth to anyone except it was authorized. This was a heavy burden on my shoulders, I never lied but now my whole life was becoming one. 

I sat in a lotus position on the bed, staring out the window so deep in thought, I had shut my surroundings out. 

"Ariana."

It was funny, I thought my mind was playing tricks with me and I had imagined my name being called out by Damien but he would not be here for any reason except it was almost time for us to leave. I checked the time and we still had about two hours. 

   "Ariana?"

I heard it again and I looked up to be sure I wasn't hallucinating and surprisingly, there he was, leaning on the doorframe, one hand in pocket and the other seemingly occupied by two shopping bags. He looked like a snack. 

Now, where did that come from? My thoughts needed to be leashed. I shook my head to relieve myself of the many things that had filled it. 

"Damien? How did you get in?" I asked the first thing that came to my now cleared out mind. 

"Through the front door." He answered sarcastically. I scowled but decided not to pursue it further. 

"What are you doing here?" 

"I came to give this to you." He handed me the two shopping bags he held in one hand. I took them and eyed them cautiously. 

"You'll be wearing that for the dinner. Get ready." He turned to leave. 

"Uhmm, Damien," I called out softly. He halted in his quick strides and turned to me. I squirmed under his intense gaze and looked down. 

"Can you please not bring any of those beauticians? I'll get ready myself." I stated. I looked up at him for a response. 

He quirked an eyebrow in question but eventually gave a curt nod before leaving the room. 

I held my breath in as soon as I opened the first shopping bag. It was a simple light peach silk dress. It had long sleeves and was a knee length dress, with a little bit of glitter around the waist. It was a much welcomed improvement cause the dress from last night was just too flashy. 

I picked up the other bag and I was met with a pair of nude stilleto heels, they were really beautiful. 

It was past 4pm, so I knew it was about time I started dressing up. I took a quick shower, brushed my hair, applied light make up and put on the dress. The dress suited me so well, it marveled me. Whoever picked it up sure had an eye for good things and knew exactly what they were doing. 

I picked up my handbag and tucked my phone in it. It was still off but I just had to have it in case of anything. 

I walked into the living room at about 5pm and my heart almost jumped out of my mouth when I realized I wasn't alone. 

I had my palm on my chest the next second, exhaling heavily and almost in relief when I figured it was Damien sitting in front of the huge LCD TV in the living room.

"You scared me!" I exclaimed.

He turned in my direction, sized me up from head to toe before staring at his watch. 

"Let's go."

He swiftly walked past me without as much as a second glance. 

"What's his problem?" I muttered. 

"You'll be my problem, if you don't move quickly." I heard him say and reflexively quickened my pace to match his quick strides. 

Soon we were seated in one of his cars and on our way to the restaurant where his family was already waiting.

"Damien, your family, are they aware of this arrangement?" I asked the mind boggling question. 

"No and I'd like for it to stay that way." He responded shortly after, barely looking in my direction. 

"But what about when they start asking questions about us, what am I supposed to tell them?" I questioned with worry lacing my tone. His response had peaked my nervousness even more and from the looks of things he was really annoyed about something. 

"I do the talking. Answer the questions that concern you and I'll answer those that concern both of us." He answered curtly and before I could protest even further, he shut his ears with airpods and left me in silence, pondering over my dilemma

No words of encouragement, no reassurance, nothing. He just left me on the edge, walking on eggshells and not knowing what to expect. I did not like this feeling, not one bit. 

I stared out the window for the rest of the ride and completely ignored him when we arrived and alighted the vehicle. It was a restaurant, I had expected the dinner to be at his family house or something of that sort. Oh well... 

I breathed in and out, trying to get my confidence in check. I could not flop especially not because of him. He tried reaching for my hand but I pulled away, looking straight ahead. From the corner of my eye, I watched him smirk. I did well to hide my confusion on whatever was amusing him but I did not keep it in mind. I had only spent three days with this man but I knew he was more puzzling than anyone I had ever met. 

He suddenly put his palm on the small of my back and I really wanted to move away but for the fact that we had gotten to the large dinner table his family occupied. 

My eyes scanned the faces of everyone present and I did not necessarily see any form of cockiness usually associated with wealthy families. 

Looks could be deceiving so I decided to not draw up any conclusions yet. 

Here goes nothing...