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
- We're sure we can meet Imperium's demands, Mr. Mason. - the lawyer smiled confidently in my direction.I looked at the papers in my hands a little uncertainly. The representative of the company that was counting on our investment had put things in a very promising light, but investing in a company that had serious financial problems didn't seem like good business to me.- I don't like investing in anything that doesn't give me guarantees. - I reflected.- And I can see that you have some serious problems.- Nothing that can't be solved if we have a company as big as Imperium as an investor. - He smiled again. - We're just asking for a chance to prove that we can be great partners and bring even more profit to your company.- A dream proposal. - I admitted. - But a multinational doesn't live on dreams.I got up from the table and he got up too.- Mr. Mason, we're just asking for a vote of confidence.He insisted.- Trust is something that can be dangerous. - Ellen returned to my thou
I looked impatiently at Nicholas as he spoke on the phone. He signaled for me to wait a little longer. I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. Now that the sting of anger had passed, I was feeling even guiltier.- You've done a lot of harm, Damien. - Nicholas sat down in the chair opposite me and hung up the phone. - Ellen must be scared now.- I know, I know. I've lost my mind. But damn it! She told me it didn't have a price! She told me it wasn't for sale! I thought I was being an asshole and it's your fault too.- It's my fault? - He looked surprised.- You planted those ideas that Ellen wasn't that kind of woman, I was unprepared.- Don't put the blame on me. And I stand by my view of Ellen. - Nick ran his hands through his hair. - Have you ever wondered why she decided to accept your proposal out of the blue?- Because she wants money? - I said angrily.- But why Damien? What does she want that money for?- I don't know, Ferraço. Women have many futile expenses. - I stood up.
Ellen frowned in confusion.- You don't think I'd pay to have someone frigid by my side. And that's how you were a few minutes ago and how you were yesterday. But I realize that was just another one of your masks. - I smiled. She still wanted to be mine. - You can hide it, but you won't be able to escape the desire you feel for me and that's why I'm willing to make an interesting clause.- What are you talking about? - I'm telling you that I'm not going to force you into anything, Ellen. - I've given her the contract. - I'm hiring you as my escort, but it won't include the services I had in mind at the beginning.- I don't understand.- I'm saying that you won't have to go to bed with me, at least not under contract. - I left my chair and walked over to her. Then I turned her armchair around and pinned her down by putting an arm on either side of her on the upholstery.- I don't want to have you like this, Ellen. And I know I don't need a contract to make you mine, I think I'm quite
Damien offered me his hand to help me out of the car and smiled at me:- Welcome to the Palace, again.I blinked, perplexed that I hadn't realized where we were. I'd sat on the opposite side and hadn't noticed when we'd stopped on the sidewalk I already knew.- Is this another reception? I thought it was dinner. - I replied, keeping my eyes on the magnificent hotel and trying to control the nervousness that Damien's gaze was causing me.- No. This time we're just having dinner. - He offered me his arm and I took it. - Be back by ten, Tom.- Yes, sir. - Tom replied and got back into the car. Damien then began to guide us into the hotel. It wasn't as surrounded by people and cars as last time, but it still contained a fairly generous number of people.We passed through the Lobby and the staff greeted us with restrained courtesy. I smiled politely, but they seemed a little taken aback by my reaction, leaving me confused too.- Don't worry, Darlings. They're just not used to it. - Damien
Arianna and Jenny were already starting to find my frequent outings strange and I was afraid of my aunt's reaction when she found out. It was true that I wasn't sleeping with Damien, but I had still sold myself to him as his luxury escort. The name itself had a heavy charge.- Is there a problem? - I heard Damien call me and I put my cell phone back in my bag.- No. I think everything's fine today. - I said without looking at him.- Today?I lifted my head and realized he was staring at me in confusion.- The desserts are very nice. - I diverted the subject. Damien continued to stare at me. Finally, he sighed and nodded.- They are. - He nodded. - You're spending the night with me tonight.- What? - I swallowed the Fondant hastily.- At my place, Ellen. - Damien smiled mischievously.- I can go back to the house.- It's not convenient. Besides, I want to enjoy it some more. - His eyes analyzed my face. - I'm sorry about what happened in the store earlier. His comment caught me off gu