At the end of the lunch break, just before 1pm, the doctor approached us. His expression was neutral and he was carrying a clipboard.- What's up, doc? - I stood up from my chair.- We already know what your brother has, miss. - He confessed without any change in expression.- And what is it? Is he going to be all right? - I asked anxiously.The feeling was indescribable. Nervousness was choking my throat and my heart seemed hypertrophied for the place it occupied in my chest.- David has a rare stem cell disease characterized by hemolytic anemia. The causes of the disease are not known for sure, but what occurs is a mutation in a specific stem cell gene within the bone marrow. - He continued slowly. - These modified cells go on to produce defective platelets, which can form blood clots, and red blood cells that break down easily.- That's why thrombosis occurs... - I thought.- Exactly. One of the clots formed fell into the bloodstream and blocked a vein. But that's not the only risk
The steel and glass façade of Imperium Enterprises resembled its president. Beautiful, refined and impersonal. I had to take a deep breath before entering the building and concentrate on the real reason I was there: my brother. The dark marble floor was spotless and executives in different colors of suits crossed the lobby. Some of them gave me curious looks, probably wondering what such an off-beat girl was doing there. I tried to ignore the attention and concentrated only on the low rumble of my footsteps.There was a c-shaped bench near the elevator entrances. A brunette woman with serious brown eyes gave me a surprised look when she saw me standing in front of it.I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it:- What can I do for you? - her smile was polite and cordial.I put my weight on my left leg, nervous about the situation, and considered giving up, but the image of David in the hospital bed dominated my mind once again.- I came to talk to Mr. Mason. - I looked firmly i
I haven't told anyone. Not even Arianna.Although I knew it wouldn't be easy to hide something like that, I couldn't face my own friend and say what I haddone. So many times, when we talked about the club, I had emphasized that I would never use my body as a bargaining chip, that I would never be able tosleep with someone for money. How cruel circumstances could be sometimes.I hugged my knees and rested my chin between them. I couldn't cry anymore because of the whole situation. Even my tear glands had reached exhaustion. All I could do was hug myself and sit in the middle of my bed. I knew Arianna was worried about my condition and I could the sound of dishes being cleaned in the kitchen. Bringing me home in an attempt to calm me down was an imposition of hers when she saw me returnto the hospital. I wanted to stay with David, but I ended up giving in to my relatives' pleas. I didn't want my brother to see me in that state either.My cell phone beeped with a new message, but I di
Damien smiled and kissed me quickly. Then he pulled away.- Your first appointment with me is next Sunday. I have to attend a golf match with some investors. It will be an afternoon at the club. - He opened a drawer and put the contract away. Then he took out an envelope and handed it to me.- What's this?- It's your credit card. You'll need something new to wear. Appearances count for a lot at this kind of event, Ellen.- How could you make a card for me without knowing if I would accept it and without any documents of mine? You... - I started to speak but stopped when I noticed a solitaire diamond in the middle of the black card with gold edges. - Good God! What's that? It's a...- A diamond. Yes. I think it's only 0.235 carats. It's a decoration from Dubai First. - Damien smiled, amused by my countenance. - I made your card with the help of my manager and the information I have about you. It's not hard for someone like me to get that kind of favor from the bank branches.- Here. -
I put my bag on the hospital chair and watched David asleep. He was no longer intubated and the color was back in his face, filling my heart with hope. I let my fingers run through his soft hair gently so as not to wake him. Then I sat down in the armchair to continue watching him.Suddenly, my cell phone beeped. I searched for it in my bag and realized it was the new device Damien had given me. When I saw his name flash up on the screen, I almost dropped the phone.I quickly recovered from the silly scare and slid my finger across the screen to answer the phone.- Missing you, Darling? I'm just calling to make sure we have dinner tomorrow.- Dinner? What dinner? - my voice came out loud and David moved on the bed. - You didn't tell me anything about dinner! - I whispered.- I didn't, but I thought better of the afternoon at the club on Sunday. Before that event you need to know a few things about what you'll find there. And since our lunches are always troubled, I opted for dinner th
I hung up the phone and sat down on the sofa. Julia wanted to go home, but I barely stayed at our house myself and Julia needed a routine and a schedule. It took me more than half an hour to convince her to stay at my aunt's, but in the end my arguments were convincing. Even more difficult was convincing Baby that I couldn't go out with her anymore. She was dying to know what we were going to do and was a little disappointed when I said I couldn't go anymore. But I consoled her by saying that we'd have another chance.Luckily, Arianna didn't need any explanation. She was working and so was Jenny. My aunt took my place at the hospital with David as soon as the morning arrived and all I had to do now was wait for Damien's driver.I cast my eyes around the room and my attention was quickly caught by the portrait of my mother on the bookshelf. I stood up and approached the picture. She looked beautiful and we had all taken that picture together on the twins' twelfth birthday.I held the p
- Thank you, George. - I thanked him when he put the last shopping bag down inside the large bedroom. The same one I spent the night in the first time I was at Damien's house.- I'm always at your service, miss. - He smiled amiably. - Mr. Mason asked me to let you know that you'll be leaving at 8pm. And you can meet him in the first room downstairs.- That's fine. - I smiled back. - And just call me Ellen, George.- Whatever you say, miss, I mean Ellen. Is there anything else you'd like?- Thank you, but I'm fine. - I thanked you once again.- So, I'm going to take my leave. - He smiled one last time and left, closing the door.I smiled at the situation. It was funny to be treated with such ceremony by all those people. Especially when I remembered who didn't even have a place to drop dead. It was very contradictory. I let my eyes linger on the bags with striking emblems. Louis Vitton, Valentino and even Tiffany's. Damien made me go into all of them and buy something. By the end of t
- What are you doing here? - She asked, visibly nervous.For a brief moment, I forgot what I had actually come for.- I came to get my blazer. - I entered the room and retrieved it from one of the chairs. Then I walked over to her.- How long did you stand there?- She was flushed from the exercise, making her even more attractive.- Practically from the time you started your challenge. - The color drained from her face instantly. Ellen looked horrified to hear that I had witnessed her entire dance. She tried to move away from me, but the table behind her made my job easier. - You're a great dancer, my bunny. - I lifted her face to make her look at me.Her lips trembled at my approach. This time I wouldn't leave without tasting them.- Don't come any closer, please. - She cringed when I reduced the space between us.- I tried, Darling. I swear I spent the whole evening ignoring your luscious legs sliding between the guests. - I stroked her cheek. - But you're creating new fantasies in
BONUS DAMIENI stopped before entering the balcony, just enjoying it. She looked even more beautiful against the classic Italian backdrop. Her hair took on bronze tones in the sunset and the exposed skin that slipped through her robe glowed, capturing my attention. To think that the woman sitting on the parapet with her eyes focused on the Italian landscape was my wife filled me with pride and relief. I tightened my fingers around the glass, silently thanking her for having me. I wouldn't risk losing her ever again. I would take care of her. My eyes went down to her abdomen with our little miracle that still had no sign. I would take care of them both.She wouldn't suffer any more, I would make sure that everything for her went full and happy. That's what she deserved after so much suffering. I made her my life from the moment we walked up the aisle on the island of Solstice and I would love her until the very end.Ellen raised the coffee cup next to her to her lips and her well-drawn
To my surprise, Nicholas and Arianna managed to get along and ended up giving a speech together. Damien and I danced together once again in the Golden Room, to the same music we danced to the first time. When I heard Michael Bolton's final chord, I managed to snatch him into the garden before we were surrounded once again by guests. He looked as surprised as I had imagined when he saw himself in the hotel's empty garden. - Where's my present? - You'll have to look for it. - I nibbled my lower lip and took a step back.Damien frowned in confusion. - All over the garden? - In the immediate vicinity. - I nodded positively. He smiled and ran his hands through the hair on the back of my neck. Then he looked around and I smiled when I realized he was lost as to which direction to go first. - Look, Mr. Mason! - I urged him. Damien looked at me and smiled in my direction and then started walking towards a flowering bush. - It's not there. - I warned him. He stopped immediately. Then
" - I promise to protect and respect you, loving you and our family above myself and my desires. I'll be there every time you need me, because you're the woman I've always hoped for and the only one I've ever really loved, Ellen. As long as my heart beats, it will beat for you and to you."His words still rang in my ears, like a sweet dream. I closed my eyes to remember the recent emotions I had experienced in front of the altar, when he promised me that we would be each other's forever. I opened my eyes and looked at my reflection in the mirror. The happiness was so great that I couldn't keep the tears at bay. We decided on an informal ceremony on the beach before sunset. sunset. Solstice Island was the chosen location. There, six months after an intense night, Damien and I exchanged the vows that would last the rest of our lives. rest of our lives. It was almost impossible to believe that after the troubled way we met, things would end in such a beautiful way.However, things weren'
- No, no, no... - He pulled me close and wrapped his suit around my waist. I wanted to help him, but I was feeling weak and dizzy.- My love, don't... - Damien sobbed and his lips touched my forehead. - It's all my fault...I reached out slowly and took his arm. He hadn't forgotten me. He had come back to me, as he had promised. And although I was in a lot of pain, my heart warmed inside with happiness.- You came back... But when you called me... I thought...- Ellen, forgive me... - her fingers brushed my right cheek.- It was supposed to be a surprise... I wanted to make you happy...He seemed to despair even more and his sobs became louder.I held his face between my hands.- It's all right... Damien, I... - I felt a twinge and let out a groan, but I didn't give up. I had been foolish to hide my feelings from him and now there was no turning back. It was the deadline. - I love you. I love you with everything I am.Damien let out an agonized moan and more thick tears rolled down hi
I spent Monday trying to distract myself. I bought ice cream and rented romantic comedies to watch, even alone. Jenny and Arianna tried to persuade me to go to a club in Urca, but I refused on the grounds of feeling unwell. Which, in a way, wasn't a lie. They accepted my excuses, but assured me that they would come and visit me later.At lunchtime, I put a supermarket lasagna in the oven and mixed it with some rice. At times I couldn't help shedding a few tears and convinced myself that I was only doing it out of emotion for a few scenes in the movies. At least that's what I'd tell Julia and David when they arrived in the evening. I curled up on the sofa and stared at my cell phone. I'd called Arianna just before four o'clock, but she hadn't picked up or returned my call. She must still be at the club with Jenny. So I kept my cell phone in my hand, staring at his name.I should have told Damien. Told him how I felt. He was right when he said he was the only one fighting for what we ha
I watched the black liquid drip down and gradually fill the cup with dishes of the same color. I continued to pour it slowly and without any pretense of paying attention to the task at hand. That's how I'd been acting since that morning after the Solstice.The cup finally reached the goal I had hoped for. I sighed and brought it to my lips, trying to convince myself to face the hours that awaited me outside. I concentrated only on the taste of the strong coffee for a few moments, but soon the scene was back in my mind. His blue eyes had a melancholy glow and were as hazy as the cloudy morning sky when we arrived at theinternational airport. He tried to convince me to accept the keys to his house one more time, but I stood firm in my decision.Finally giving up, he gently took my hand and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss full of devotion under my skin. I choked back a sob and Damien moved closer, placing his cupped hand on my left cheek.- Are you sure you don't want to come wit
He seemed to hesitate and then let out a long sigh.- I need to go back. - He revealed what I already knew, but added something more.Things in New York have changed a lot and I'll have no choice but to leave. My trip is scheduled for tomorrow. - Then I finally understood what was happening. The whole thing was our farewell. It was to end our relationship. I felt my heart speed up and then tighten in my chest. This was the momentthat I had always dreaded, even though I knew it was bound to happen. Damien and I were from different worlds and at some point the gap between us would become apparent.- It's all right. - I stroked the hair on the back of his neck and held his gaze, but when I felt my eyes getting teary, I put my face on his shoulder. - I'll understand.I had nothing to complain about. When we got together, our time together became something precious to me. So it wasn't fair to spoil the moments he had prepared for us with tears.- Ellen. - Damien called me, but I couldn't
Damien rested his free hand on my waist and we walked to the garage as if we were once again going to one of the usual parties. He chose the Ferrari this time and before long we were crossing Rio de Janeiro.Damien kept silent about our destination and really surprised me when he maneuvered the car and parked it in front of the international airport.- You'll be well looked after, Mr. Mason. - A man in a suit with an airport badge met us. - The platform is ready for you.- Platform? - I looked at Damien without understanding.He just smiled and led me into the airport. Another employee greeted us with a smile and I was stunned when we stepped onto the take-off platform.- Your private jet is ready, sir. I wish you a safe journey.He waved goodbye.- Jet? Damien, we're going...- We're going somewhere special. And since I know how much you like that airplane movie, I got a bit of inspiration since I know how to fly and I think I look better than Tom Cruise. - I let out a laugh.- Wait
David had a huge smile on his face when he entered the house and the first thing he did was announce that it was time to catch up on his series. Jenny and Arianna were also with us. Aunt Meiry had gone to the hospital, but couldn't follow us home, promising to come and see us later.- Things seem to be getting back to normal. - Arianna glared at me as I finished sorting out the chocolate cake I had made for David.- Yeah. It looks like they are. - I agreed.- What is it, Ell? - Jenny stopped pouring herself a soft drink next to me and stared at me. - You don't seem very excited.- I am. - I smiled at her. - I'm very happy that David is finally home.- But... - Jenny insisted. - You can't fool us, my friend. Go ahead.She gestured to Arianna who went to the door leading to the living room and then came back.- David is explaining something about that series he likes to Julia and Renata. We can talk about it.- I'm fine. - I assured them. They both looked at me incredulously. - Damien i