Beyond Doubts

The email read: "Congratulations, Lisa. Saw the news online."

Brief, yet laced with undertones. I quickly picked up my phone, dialling Sophie's number, my heart racing with anticipation. The phone rang several times, each passing moment amplifying my anxiety.

Sophie finally picked up, her voice neutral.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Sophie," I replied, trying to sound calm.

"Lisa." Her tone was polite, but a hint of reserve lingered.

"I wanted to talk to you..," I said, hesitating.

"I saw the news," Sophie said, her voice measured.

"Can we meet at the coffee shop on 5th Street?" I asked.

Pause.

"Okay."

"4 PM today?" I pressed.

"Okay," Sophie repeated.

I sensed a subtle tension beneath her calm demeanour.

"Thanks, Sophie. I appreciate it."

"See you then."

The line went dead.

I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear..

I arrived at the coffee shop early, nervously fidgeting with my cup. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but my stomach was too knotted to appreciate it.

At 4 PM sharp, Sophie walked in, her elegant stride commanding attention. Her expression was serene, but her eyes hinted at underlying tension.

"Sophie," I said, standing up.

"Lisa," she replied, her smile polite.

We ordered our drinks and settled into a quiet corner.

Sophie's gaze pierced mine. "So, tell me what is it you want to talk about?"

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I wanted to explain...about Damian and me."

Sophie's expression remained neutral, but her eyes narrowed slightly.

"I figured as much," she said, her voice measured.

I fidgeted with my cup, unsure how to begin.

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I didn't want to marry him, Sophie. But family circumstances...and I'll find ways to end things with him."

Sophie's expression shifted, her eyes flashing with pain and anger.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she spat, her voice trembling. "Instead, you went behind my back and married the man who destroyed my life, Lisa."

Her words cut through me like a knife.

"This isn't how much you care, is it?" Sophie's voice rose, her face reddening. "I'm sorry? You're sorry? Oh, come on! You could have rejected it, declined or something."

I reached out, but Sophie jerked away.

"I knew you had eyes for him," she accused, her voice dripping with venom.

"Stop it, Sophie!" I protested. "Why would you think of me that way? I care about you a lot, and I would never do anything to hurt you."

But Sophie's anger had reached a boiling point.

"You did," she hissed, her eyes blazing. "You f**king did. Betrayal."

With that, she stormed out of the coffee shop, leaving me stunned and reeling.

The door swung shut behind her, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

I slumped back in my chair, defeated.

The coffee shop's warmth and bustle seemed to fade away, leaving only the chill of Sophie's anger.

I sat there, stunned, as the coffee shop's chatter and clinking cups faded into the background. Sophie's words echoed in my mind: "Betrayal. You did this to me."

I felt a wave of guilt and regret wash over me. How could I have handled this differently?

After what felt like an eternity, I gathered my thoughts and stood up, leaving my untouched coffee behind. I needed to make things right with Sophie.

As I stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, I scanned the sidewalk, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sophie. But she was already gone, vanished into the crowded streets.

I pulled out my phone and dialled her number. Voicemail.

"Sophie, please listen—"

I hung up, unsure what to say.

As I stood on the sidewalk, lost in thought, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out to find a text from Damian:

"Hey, where are you? I'll come pick you up. We can head home for dinner together."

My mind racing, I wondered what his plans were. Was he going to confront me about this yesterday's tension? Or would he ask questions about James?.. I hesitated, unsure how to respond.

He dialled almost immediately, the phone ringing in my hand like an ominous warning.

"Hey," I answered, my voice tentative, barely above a whisper.

"Where are you?" Damian asked, his tone firm, with a hint of concern etched beneath the surface.

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal, my eyes scanning the crowded sidewalk as if searching for an escape.

"I'll be at the office," I said finally, mirroring his earlier brevity, my words clipped.

Damian's pause spoke volumes, heavy with unspoken questions and tension.

"I'll see you there," he said, his voice measured, low and even.

The line went dead, leaving me with an unsettling sense of foreboding.

I felt a shiver run down my spine, the cool evening air amplifying my unease. What awaited me at home?

As I walked, the city's sounds – car horns, chatter, and wailing sirens – seemed to amplify my anxiety, echoing the turmoil within.

The office building loomed ahead, its sleek glass facade reflecting the darkening sky.

I stood at its entrance, my eyes scanning the driveway. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city.

Suddenly, the sound of tires crunching on gravel broke the silence. Damian's sleek black custom-made Bentley Continental GT, emerged from the darkness, its gleaming black finish reflecting the fading light, drawing admiring glances from passersby.

The car halted before me, and the engine purred softly. Damian's face remained expressionless behind the tinted windshield.

I took a deep breath and slid into the passenger seat.

"Hey," Damian said, his voice low, his eyes locked on the road.

"Hey," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

The tension between us was palpable, a thick, unspoken weight.

Damian shifted gears, and the car glided smoothly out of the driveway.

As we drove, the city lights blurred outside the window, a display of colors.

I stole glances at Damian, his profile etched in shadows.

What was he thinking?..

******************

As we arrived at the mansion, Damian turned off the engine.

"Let's go inside," he said, his eyes locking onto mine. "You must be tired. Go freshen up. I'll do the same."

I nodded, still sensing the tension between us.

"Take your time," Damian added, his voice softening.

I stepped out of the car and into the crisp evening air. The mansion's grand entrance loomed before me.

Inside, I made my way to my room, my mind replaying the events of the day.

After freshening up, I returned to the main area, expecting to find Damian in the living room. Instead, I was greeted by a beautifully set dinner table.

Candles flickered, casting a warm glow over the fine china and crystal glasses. Soft music played in the background.

I felt a flutter in my chest. What was Damian up to?

The table was set for two, with a stunning floral arrangement at its centre.

"Damian?" I called out, my voice barely above a whisper.

"In here," he replied from the kitchen.

I walked towards his voice, my curiosity piqued.

What had he planned for tonight?

I walked towards the kitchen, my flat heels clicking on the polished marble floor. The aroma of roasting vegetables and herbs wafted through the air, teasing my senses.

Damian stood by the counter, expertly chopping fresh parsley. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his strong forearms. A hint of stubble framed his jawline, adding a touch of ruggedness to his refined features.

"Almost ready," he said, looking up. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

The warmth in his gaze caught me off guard. For a moment, I forgot about the tension between us.

The kitchen was transformed into a cozy haven. Soft lighting highlighted the sleek, modern appliances. A bottle of wine chilled in an ice bucket, beside two delicate glasses.

"Wow, you've outdone yourself," I said, trying to sound casual.

Damian's smile widened. "I wanted to make it special."

Special? What did he mean?

He gestured to the dining area. "Shall we?"

I nodded, my heart beating slightly faster.

As we sat down, Damian poured the wine with a flourish. The golden liquid sparkled in the candlelight.

"To new beginnings," he said, his eyes locking onto mine.

I hesitated, unsure how to respond..

"To new beginnings, Lisa," Damian repeated, his eyes locking onto mine with an unwavering intensity. The candlelight danced across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jawline and the gentle crinkles around his eyes.

I searched for words, but Damian continued before I could respond, his deep voice filling the silence.

"Lisa, I'm sorry for how I spoke yesterday. My words were thoughtless, and I regret them." His apology was laced with sincerity, his tone softening.

The flickering flames cast a warm glow on the elegant dinner setting, and the aroma of roasting vegetables wafted through the air, teasing my senses.

"I realize knowing the past...complicates things," he said, his voice measured, his eyes never leaving mine. "But I want you to know that I'm not the person you think I am."

Damian's gaze intensified, his pupils dilating in the dim light.

"I want to prove it to you, Lisa. I want to show you that I'm committed to making this work between us." His words dripped with conviction.

He reached across the table, his hand covering mine. His touch sent shivers down my spine.

"I don't care about your past, Lisa," he said, his voice low and persuasive. "I care about our future. I want to build something real with you."

The warmth of his hand seeped into mine, and I felt my defences wavering.

"Give me a chance," Damian urged, his voice filled with emotion. "I promise you won't regret it."

His eyes burned with sincerity, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of vulnerability.

Could I trust him?...

As Damian's words wrapped around me like a warm embrace, melting my doubts, the candlelight danced across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jawline.

"I want to believe you," I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest, my voice barely audible over the soft crackling of the candles.

Damian's eyes flared with desire, his gaze dropping to my lips. The air thickened between us, heavy with anticipation, as he slowly rose from his seat.

He towered over me, his presence commanding, yet gentle. His fingers grazed mine, sending shivers down my spine.

"Lisa," he breathed, his voice husky, low, and seductive, sending my pulse racing.

He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. The distance between us dissolved, our bodies inches apart.

The world around us melted away, leaving only the soft glow of the candles, the scent of roasted vegetables, and the sound of our ragged breathing.

Damian's hand cradled my face, his thumb tracing my jawline. His touch ignited a fire within me.

"Lisa," he whispered again, his breath caressing my skin.

Our lips met in a gentle, exploratory kiss. The tension between us snapped, like a thread pulled too tight. Damian's arms wrapped around me, pulling me close.

His chest pressed against mine, the warmth of his skin seeping into me. His heartbeat synchronised with mine, our pulses racing together.

Damian's hands roamed my back, tracing the curves of my body. His touch ignited a fire within me, melting my doubts and fears.

Our kiss deepened, our lips moving in perfect harmony. The world around us dissolved, leaving only the sensation of our entwined bodies.

Damian's fingers tangled in my hair, his mouth devouring mine. I felt the rush of his breath, the taste of his desire.

Our bodies swayed, lost in the moment. Time stood still as we surrendered to the passion between us.

Without breaking contact, Damian guided me to his bedroom. The city lights twinkled outside like diamonds, casting a magical glow.

We stood before the bed, our eyes locked in a silent understanding.

"Are you sure?" Damian asked, his voice low, husky.

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation.

Damian's lips curved into a smile, and he drew me close.

Our bodies entwined, our hearts beating as one. The night dissolved into a haze of passion and love. Damian's hands explored my body, tracing every curve, every contour.

Our lips never parted, our kisses deepening with each passing moment.

We moved in perfect sync, our bodies entwined as one.

The city lights outside faded into the background, replaced by the sound of our ragged breathing.

Damian's touch ignited a fire within me, melting my fears, my doubts.

I felt alive, free, and wanted.

It was all just a slow, sensual dance, each movement deliberate, each touch calculated.

The world outside receded, leaving only the two of us, lost in our own private universe.

Time lost all meaning as we surrendered to our desires.

In Damian's arms, I found solace, comfort, and passion.

Our night was a tapestry of whispers, sighs, and moans.

The darkness enveloped us, a velvet cloak wrapping around our entwined bodies.

As the night wore on, We climaxed together, our bodies shuddering, our hearts beating as one.

The aftermath was a haze of contentment, as though we wanted it.

Damian held me close, his arms wrapped around me.

"Lisa," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.

I smiled, feeling the same sense of belonging.

We drifted off to sleep, our bodies entwined.