CHAPTER THREE

A week. That was what Easton Grant gave to me to think about his proposal.

Why did he want to marry me?

He was older than my father and to my knowledge, has been divorced twice. He has been unmarried since fourteen years, why the sudden change?

I told my Grand mother about the offer and she insisted the ball was in my court, she also added that such power did not come without sacrifices.

Was I really going to do this just to avenge my old self?

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I was relaxing by the pool when a convoy of exotic cars arrived in my father’s compound. I took off my sun shades to see properly who the visitor was.

Gabriel Damasco.

“How dare you, Imelda!?”

He growled as soon as he was out of his car and walked angrily to me.

He was in one of his expensive Prada business suits—the devil wears Prada and Gabriel Damasco was a handsome Devil at that.

“I assume you have received the papers from Hernandez.”

I said, casually as I got out of the pool. I was wearing a red bikini that revealed the nice work of my doctor and my soon to be ex husband ran his hungry eyes all over my body—something he will never have again.

“You have a lot of nerves sending me some stupid divorce papers!” He spat.

“And you have a lot of nerves coming into my father’s house to yell at me!”

“Shut up!” He thundered and I couldn’t help but jerk from shock. Gabriel was a dominant man by nature and it was hard to stand toe to toe with him.

“Now go inside and pack up whatever you need, you’re coming home with me!”

“No! Never!”

I snapped at him.

“I don’t care what you want Imelda! No woman will divorce I, Gabriel Damasco especially not a little brat like you!”

“Leave my grand daughter alone, Damasco.”

I heard my Grandmother say from behind and I was relieved to have backup.

Gabriel was a force to be reckoned with but so was my Grandmother.

“Juliana.”

He greeted with a curt nod.

“What is this shenanigans about?”

My Grandmother asked.

“My wife has been missing for two years and I suspect she planned her own abduction only for her to come back and serve me divorce papers!”

“Then I hope you are here with the papers properly signed.”

My Grandmother told him with a cold stare.

“I am her husband by law and I reject this divorce. She’s coming home with me!”

He said, defiantly to my Grandmother.

“You seem to forget who you’re talking to, Damasco .” She scoffed.

“I’m giving you twenty four hours to sign the papers or you’ll force me out of retirement and trust me, everything you’ve labored for will be burnt to the ground.”

The subtle fear in Gabriel’s eyes was the highlight of this back and forth. He was not a man easily scared but my Grandmother was no ordinary woman.

“You will regret this.”

He gritted to me and smirked at my Grandmother before leaving.

“Don’t ever be frightened by a man who picks on a woman, do you understand me!?”

My Grandmother scolded me.

“Yes Grandma.”

I nodded, still shaken from Gabriel’s visit.

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It wasn’t up to twenty four hours before Hernandez called me to tell me Gabriel had finally signed the papers.

I was supposed to feel free, happy and fulfilled but instead, I felt heartbroken. Cutting ties with a man I’ve always loved and endured so much for was hurtful and I wished it didn’t have to be this way.

I wished Gabriel had loved me and I was happy in his home, but, none of these was reality.

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I received a two million dollars customized dress from Easton Grant to attend a business gala with him. I still haven’t given him a reply and it was four days since he made the proposal.

The gala had a larger crowd than I had expected, I recognized most rich and famous people—mostly business related.

I felt like a princess in the dress Easton had sent me, it spoke of luxury and was easily the best dress in the room.

“You’re a beauty to behold, Imelda.”

Easton said, looking marveled by me.

It felt good being praised, something my old self was starved of.

I was doing this for her, she deserved a better life.

“Thank you, I love this dress.”

I told him, blushing.

“What about my offer?”

He asked, refusing a drink offer from a waiter.

“Um..”

I stalled, looking around and suddenly I caught sight of Gabriel approaching with a beautiful tall blonde lady in a black exquisite dress, they were walking hand in hand and gave the picture of a powerful couple.

Who was the lady!?

A new fling?

I tried to pipe down the jealousy rising within me.

“What a sight! Easton Grant and my recently divorced wife.”

He said with a smug smile .

“Damasco.”

Easton greeted and the men made a tight handshake while I and the blonde lady sized up each other.

“Didn’t know you can still attend galas like this. You must be getting too old for this.”

Gabriel said in a mocking tone. Evil bastard.

“Well, I am Easton Grant and my influence is immortal, lesser men like you might become too invalid in the future to attend galas like this.”

Easton told Gabriel and the stupid smug on his face vanished.

Good comeback!

“Who is the lady? Another fling?”

I asked, eyeing his plus one.

“Oh no dear ex wife but don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough.”

He told me and then bowed mockingly to Easton before leaving with the lady.

“You still love him.”

Easton said to me and I felt called out.

“I’ll get over him.”

I muttered, hoping I eventually would.

At the end of the gala while we feasted, the host made a clink on his champagne and stated there was to be an announcement.

Soon, Gabriel stood up with the lady he brought and flashed me a smirk before saying;

“I wish to announce my engagement to the love of my life, Jennifer Hilton, daughter of Chris Hilton.”

And then there was a round of applause.

The pain from all the surgeries I went through was nothing compared to the pain I felt deeply in my chest on hearing Gabriel’s engagement announcement.

This was the height of it. A deliberate public disgrace!

“I accept.”

I gritted.

“What?”

Easton asked, leaning towards me.

“I accept your proposal.”

I told him and his eyes glowed with happiness.

“Welcome to power, my dear.”

He told me and I smirked, the urge to destroy my ex husband stronger than ever.