CHAPTER 19 PRETENSE

Lucy pov

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I walked into the dining room. The smell of pancakes and orange juice greeted my nose, causing my stomach to rumble. But that wasn’t the only thing I could smell—I could smell pretense.

I saw Damon sitting on the table, checking his business stock on his tablet.

“Good morning, Love.” I leaned over from behind, caressing his chest, before settling in the seat nearest to him.

“Good morning, Love.” He greeted me back without taking his gaze off his tab.

I bit my lips as I traced his thighs with my foot, sliding upto his dick beneath his suit trousers.

“It’s too early for this.” He replied, his eyes still glued to his tablet.

I did it again, accidentally knocking over a glass of juice. The liquid spilled across the table and onto his suit.

Damon turned, anger flashing in his amber eyes. "Happy now?" He tried to dab the stain, but it was no use.

"Well, if you had paid attention to me, this wouldn't have happened." I took the napkin from him, and instead of cleaning the table, I gently rubbed his dick. I felt him pulsating beneath his trousers.

Damon grips my hand. “I promised; when I come back, I will fuck as hard as you want.” He said.

Thoughts of him banging my head till my brains blew out slipped into my mind, causing rivers to form between my legs. I still remembered that night—the way he kissed me, the way he held me, and the way my body jerked out of excitement. Yet it was short-lived.

I would have believed him if this wasn’t the fifth time he had promised me.

Damon got up and headed towards the stairs.

“You have promised many times, but when you come back, you always complain about being tired—one thing or another.” I trailed behind me.

“Because I am.” He replied, opening the door that led to his room.

He wouldn’t even share a room. When I moved in, he insisted I stay in a separate room. Desperate to live with him, I agreed.

He went into the closet, closing the door behind him, to change his clothes.

I scoffed. We would soon get married, and he couldn’t even change in my presence. He kept hiding his perfect body from me.

In a few seconds, he came out in a navy blue suit that accentuated his body frame.

“Why won’t you have sex with me?” I mumbled, stomping my feet to the floor.

Damon paused and looked me straight in the eye. “I didn’t want to tell you this before.” He sighed and continued, “I’m practicing celibacy.”

What the hell? What kind of lie is that? Did he really expect me to believe he hadn’t had sex with his “toy”?

I blink rapidly.

“I am out.” He pecked me on the cheeks.

My cheeks, not even my lips.

As he left the house, I brought out my phone and dialed a number.

“He’s leaving the house. Make sure you follow his every movement, where he goes, and who he sees.” I ordered.

“Yes ma.” My employee replied before ending the call.

Does he think I believe this facade, pretending to love me? He really thinks he can stay without his toy.

My blood began to boil. What does he see in that girl?

I had known Damon since high school, and we were very close until we got to college, where he met Ariel and fell in love with her. When I warned her to stay away from what’s mine, she reported it to Damon, and Damon developed a hatred for me. When I heard about her death, I was so glad, only for her lookalike to come back and haunt me.

A call drew me out of my thoughts.

“I thought I told you not to call me again.” I clenched my fist as I settled on Damon’s bed.

“The cops are after me.” Came the voice on the other end.

"Well, I didn’t tell you to get caught.” I rolled my eyes.

“You didn’t tell me your fiancé would be there.”

“He was where?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"At the event planner's place. I was about to carry out the plan when your fiancé showed up and knocked me out. Your other person didn't even show."

So that's where he was that day.

"Aren't you ashamed that a man smaller than you knocked you out-" I started.

"Well, if the cops catch me, I’ll just tell them. It’s you who sent me. Imagine the headline: Lucky Beckham attacks her fiancé's ex.”

“Enough.” I yelled, my voice shaking the house as my muscles shuddered.“Stay low, and I’ll find a way to help you.” My voice dropped to a whisper.

“And what about the money?” His raspy voice annoying my very core.

“I’ll send it.” I replied, using all the strength in me to control the anger building up. He didn’t even get the job done, and yet he had the audacity to threaten me.

“I’ll need it by tomorrow. 9 a.m., don’t be late.” He demanded.

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes again and ended the call, tossing my phone to the bed.

I reached for it and called another number.

“Hey X. How’s our plan going?” I asked.

“Slow but progressing.” He answered.

“Why slow?” I snapped.

“Because it’s not an easy task, you gave me.” He replied before bursting into a cough.

“Are you smoking again?” I asked.

“Why do you care?” He shot back. “I’m an employee; you don’t need to interfere with my personal life.” He added.

“Well, it’s hard for me to trust a man who says he will do something but ends up not doing it,” I stated, twirling my hair around my fingers. “Such people lack discipline and don’t keep to their words.” I continued.

He chuckled on the other end. “You take things too seriously. Anyway, when I’m ready, I’ll let you know.”

“Be fast. I want that toy out of his life.” I frowned and ended the call.

Exhaling, I crashed onto his bed. None of these useless men could get the job done. I don’t even know where I found such employees. I don’t know how long it takes to get a job done.

My heart raced at the thought of me finally getting rid of Aria and having Damon all to myself—she would never see this coming. That day, she called me crazy—she has no idea what crazy is.