CHAPTER 6

Damian Adrian McLaren is in a foul mood. He rarely shows it in public, but tonight the man, who is talking to him started to stutter on his words when the over six feet man threw him a dark glare before taking a drink from his glass.

His eyes travelled towards the entry way and watched as the peak window of guests arriving has started. He stayed by his location as he scrutinized the arrivals briefly and his mood further darkened when the person that he is looking forward to see has not yet arrived.

“Waiting for your date?” Jacob Winthrope, his good friend asked when he noted Damian looking at the entry from time to time. “You’ve been watching the entrance consistently. Is Vittoria coming to join you?”

“She has more important things than come here and socialize,” Damian answered flatly. “I have a score to settle with someone tonight.”

Jacob stared at him curiously but before he could ask, Damian turned his back to him and started walking towards the direction of the entrance, where it started becoming a frenzy with camera lights flashing furiously whoever has arrived.

Damian’s eyes turned dark when he finally spotted the person he came here for.

Samantha Cameron looked tall and elegant in a classic mermaid shape, one shoulder design and luxurious satin fabric, creating a timeless look. She had her hair up neatly except for some few wispy tendrils, diamond, drop earrings paired with a three-strand diamond bracelet.

However, what set out the most was the color of her dress.

The color is nearly as the same as her skin, a shade darker, ascertaining her an icon for the night. She smiled politely at the cameras and only answered general questions, like who made the dress. She would smile when a personal question will be thrown her way.

Darren Whitehall, after a few minutes took her hand, waving at the press and telling them that she’s not answering anymore questions. He then kissed Sam on the cheek, making the cameras going even more berserk.

“Don’t tell me you came here for her,” Jacob finally commented as he stopped beside him. He remained silent for a while. “On the contrary, this is also the first time she’s been spotted on an event after a long while.”

Damian turned to him.

“Why do you think she finally appeared?” He scoffed.

His friend shrugged as he signaled for a waiter with some drinks. “She donated a necklace basing on the program. I have other thoughts, man, but I’m not going to indulge you,” he answered casually. “The real question is, what the f8ck have you got with her that made you attend this event? Hell, you hated going to one!”

Turning to his friend with a mischievous glint in his eyes, Damian took a drink from his glass.

“Watch me.”

For the next hour, Damian watched his prey carefully, studying her and shadowing her. There was one time their eyes briefly met but only further added to Damian’s anger because Sam stared through him, as if she they didn’t just meet a few hours ago.

“What is she even doing here?” Questions could be heard from different guests. “Looks like the poor senator is still under her web. When will he realize that he is being used by that scandalous woman?”

Damian listened attentively to the comments around him, not saying anything when the program and dinner had started. He was escorted to one VIP table, which is a few feet away from where Sam is sitting and got a good view of Sam, facing him as she sits between Senator Whitehall and someone she seems to be good friends with.

During the entire dinner, Damian never took his eyes off of her, staring at her intently. He would smile from time to time when their gazes meet and when an hour passed by, he had noted, to his delight, that Sam is starting to get uncomfortable. His companions in the table also notice his behavior and started whispering about it, throwing glances at Mrs. Cameron.

Damian felt some victory when Sam stood up and excused herself from the Senator, probably heading to the restroom to freshen up and perhaps, gather her bearings again. He turned to Jacob as his friend only shook his head at him.

“I heard she’s a difficult woman to deal with,” Jacob said.

“I have experiences with difficult women,” Damian replied arrogantly as he signaled a waiter for another drink. “Tomorrow, that woman will have a hard time getting rid of me. You know me. I go for something I want and will not stop until I get it.”

When Sam returned to the table, the time for the auction is about to start. He then noted that she is now wearing a Victoria-Transvaal Diamond Necklace. Damian looked at the catalog of the auction and noted that the jewelry she’s wearing is cut from a 240-carat crystal and suspended from a chain of 108 diamonds that totals to 45 carats. It was donated by the senator’s mother. He also noted that Sam donated a necklace.

“Care to spend some money?” He asked Jacob. “Perhaps something for your wife. It’s for charity.”

“I’ve sent her a copy and she wanted this pair of sapphire necklaces and earrings,” Jacob answered as he tossed the catalog back on the table. “It’s as if she doesn’t have enough of them already.”

When the auction started, the first few items were some limited-edition bags and shoes that mostly bidders were women. Damian noted that Sam never bided on any item and will just clap whoever wins the bid.

“Your item’s up,” Jacob commented.

Damian watched as the item he donated, a Yangcai Reticulated Vase that said to be in the Period of Qianlong. The item had never sat well in any of his residences thus the reason he decided to donate it. He hid a smirk when the bidding opened at five million dollars and listened as it reached to ten. The item finally sold at twelve million and as a courtesy to the donor, the winner approached Damian and shook his hand proudly.

“And now, it’s time for the most anticipated items for tonight!” The auctioneer announced enthusiastically. “As you have seen on the catalog given, we have some luxurious and one-of-a-kind jewelries ready to go home with their new owners tonight!”

The first jewelry on the list was immediately won by Jacob and when Sam’s donated item was announced, Damian heard some low murmurs from the crowd. The model stood elegantly in front, showing the beauty of the necklace.

“I wonder who will bid on that contemptuous woman’s item,” Natasha Barrington, the wife of a pharmaceutical company CEO sneered, several seats from his right. She the looked at Damian. “Is it true that you’re buying shares from Cameron Holdings, Mr. McLaren? Rumors have been spreading prior to your arrival here.”

Her husband sent an apologetic look towards Damian when his wife was only met with cold silence.

The bid had started at five million dollars and to his expectation, only a few participated.

Damian watched Sam’s expression, which remained passive, oblivious to the reception that her donation is receiving. He could see, mostly the women, hiding behind their hands sneering and laughing at the situation.

“Eight million!”

The crowd suddenly went into uproar and those with him at the table stared at him in surprise.

“It looks like we have a new bidder from Table No. 3!” The auctioneer said with glee, smiling happily at the turn of events. He looked at the crowd again. “Is there anyone willing to bid at 8.5?”

One did and before the auctioneer could ask, Damian already raised his hand to upped the bid.

That was the last call as the other bidder conceded. His secretary then appeared behind him and handed him the prepared check and signed it. He then stood up and handed the check to the in-charge and accepted the jewelry, already nestled in the case.

Damian then sauntered towards the table where Sam is and from afar, he could see the sudden panic in her eyes. He smiled charmingly when he finally stopped in front of her and watched her stood up slowly and extending her hand to shake his.

Loud whispers then started from the silent crowd as interested eyes watched them intently.

He took her hand and as what he did a few hours ago, brought her hand to his lips and drop a light kiss, his eyes not leaving her. He then tugged at her gently and then placed a light peck on her cheek.

“I always get what I want, Mrs. Cameron,” he whispered before finally standing up straight and smiling down at her.

Samantha pulled her hand away and only gave him a calm look before sitting down.

Damain returned back to his seat and silently chuckled at his feat.

It’s just a start, Mrs. Cameron, he thought as he handed the box to his secretary and sat back down. You won’t be able to escape from me tonight.