His blue eyes locked on mine and he brought his mouth close to mine, brushing his lips across mine, and I almost gave in. I was burning up with all that game-playing, but I had to stay strong, they were different worlds, so no closer. Suddenly, the lights in the hall came back on and I remembered my situation. I was an imposter at his party. I didn't belong there. Damien and I didn't really suit each other. What's more, I wasn't enjoying my reactions at all, or noticing how I was losing control of the situation around him. That had never happened before, not even with Stephen.
- I need to go. - I pushed him away from me and tried to leave the dance floor, but he stopped me with his fist:- I'm sorry, but I can't let you. - His voice sounded authoritative and his touch was possessive. What? What do you mean? And since when did he have any authority over me? Neither he nor any man would. I didn't want a man controlling me and telling me what to do, like that monster I once called father did with my mother and then beat her when things didn't go the way he wanted.- I'm sorry, but I don't think I need your permission, Mr. Mason. - I pulled my arm away abruptly. - Excuse me. Damien looked astonished at my reaction. But then I saw his eyes flash with irritation. I didn't wait to see him freak out.I left the dance floor certain that I was crazy. I had just dumped the guest of honor at the party, who happened to be filthy rich and drop-dead gorgeous. How many women in the world would have that chance and how many would make such a blunder?I tried not to think too much as I crossed the hall in search of my deserting friends. It didn't take me long to find them. Jenny was chatting animatedly with a young man with tanned skin and a gentle smile. I noticed that it was the same boy I had been watching crack a joke at the beginning of the party. She seemed interested in him, but I could see that the man's eyes were on Arianna, who didn't even seem to see him sitting on the white upholstery.- Ellen! We were worried! - Jenny said as soon as she saw me. Oh, yes. You certainly were.- Look Ell, this is Nicholas Ferraço. - Jenny continued, making the introductions.The boy came forward and pulled my hand to kiss it: - Nice to meet you, Miss Ellen. - A mischievous smile played on his lips and again I felt a sense of empathy.- It's a pleasure, Mr. Ferraço. - I turned to Arianna. - I don't thinkI'm not feeling well. I'm going home.- Really, Ell? - Arianna jumped up from the sofa. - I'll come back with you then.- There's no need, Ary. I can go back on my own. You can carry onenjoy the party. - It wasn't fair to take them away from the reception so soon. They were both very excited when we left the house and I didn't want to be inappropriate.- I'm not letting you go alone. - Arianna protested.- Ary, I'll manage. Don't worry about it.- Don't give me that "don't worry". Yes, I do. I'm leaving with you. - She turned to Jeniffer. - You can stay if you want Jenny. Jeniffer snorted. Probably because she didn't want to be alone.- I can take you home, girls. - Nicholas offered and stood by Arianna.She looked at him, seeming to see him for the first time.- That won't be necessary, Nick. I can take Ellen home, so no one has to leave the party. - Damien's voice sounded behind me and I turned around instantly.He gave me a predatory smile and I felt my knees wobble once again. It seemed that my attempts to push him away had backfired. Damien had a glint of obstinacy in his eyes, like a hunter facing his target.Oh, shit! I'd ruined everything.Arianna looked from Damien to me, waiting for an explanation. With my peripheral vision, I could see the shock on Jeniffer's face.- Have you met, Damien? - Nick was the first to speak up.- I've just had the pleasure. - Damien approached us and stopped in front of me. - Do you really want to leave, my Darling?Now I was at a dead end. If I said I'd given up, Damien would be on my tail for the rest of the party and could take that as my consent to the proposals that were shining in his eyes. On the other hand, if I left alone with him, because of the unusual reactions I was getting, I could easily end up committing something crazy.I felt a little sweat break out at the roots of my hair. Damien seemed to notice my embarrassment and a wry smile appeared on his lips. Now he was having fun at my expense. It was better to go through the torture of leaving and get rid of him once and for all. I convinced myself. I was strong. A pair of blue eyes wasn't going to make me fall for him, not really.Suddenly, I remembered that he couldn't take me away, or he'd find out about our farce. Because how could a supposed socialite live in the slums of Alemão?I cast a desperate glance at Arianna. She understood instantly:- Ell, before you leave, can you come to the toilet with me? I think I'm having a little problem with the zipper on my lingerie.- Of course, Ary! - I said, eager to get out of the situation.- Excuse me, gentlemen. - Arianna took my hand and in an instant I found myself in the ladies' room:- How did you manage to get in the way of the owner of the party with over two hundred people in this hall? - Arianna said after making sure we were alone in the bathroom.- Bad luck? - I replied.- Now the guy is interested in you and wants to take you home, Julia Roberts! - Arianna tried to look annoyed, but her comparison between me andme and Julia Roberts made us both start laughing.- I knew I shouldn't have come. I knew it wasn't going to work out. - I started walking around the bathroom, nervous.Arianna sat down on the luxurious upholstery outside the toilet.- Calm down, we need to think. - She ran her hands through her hair, not caring about the bun. Suddenly her dark eyes sparkled. - Jenny's rich uncles! They're traveling, aren't they?- I think they are. Everest this time. - I replied.- Of course! You can give me the address of their house in Ipanema.- Yes, Ary, but what about when I get there? What do I do?- Isn't Jeniffer looking after their house? She gives you the keys and you pretend it's yours. - Arianna smiled with satisfaction at the solution she had found.- But how are we going to talk to Jeniffer? She's not here.Suddenly, Jeniffer entered the bathroom.- You're not even waiting for me, are you? - she complained.- Tell me you've got the keys to your aunt and uncle's house in your bag, please, Jeniffer. - Arianna jumped in front of Jenny.- Yes, I am. I thought it would be easier for us to spend the night there tonight. It's closer. - She reached into her bag and pulled out an elegant key ring.- Great. Give Ell the keys. Give her her cell phone too. Damien wants to take her home and we need to keep up this charade at least until the end of the reception. - Arianna turned to me. - Let me know as soon as you arrive.Jeniffer agreed and handed me the keys and the phone. I held both with trembling hands.- Now let's get back to the party. Jenny, we're going to stay here at the Belmond for a while longer so as not to arouse suspicion. - Arianna held my hands. - Now you Ell, be careful. Damien doesn't seem like the kind of man to be trifled with. Find a way to get rid of him.I agreed and then the three of us left the bathroom.When we got back to the lounge, Damien and Nick were sitting on the armchair previously occupied by Arianna.- Have you solved the problem, girls? - Nicholas gave Arianna a mischievous smile.- I had to give it a few squeezes, but I solved it. - Arianna teased Nick and his brown eyes flashed.- Have you made up your mind, my Darling? - Damien turned his blue eyes to me and stood up.- Yes, I have. I'm off. - I smiled confidently.He smiled back and then approached me.- It will be an interesting walk. - Damien slipped his arm around my waist.- Mr. Mason, Miss. - A uniformed man greeted us and opened the car door. Damien made way for me to get in first. I nodded and slid into the other side of the car, hoping he would understand my subtle gesture, but he ignored it and sat down next to me. I felt nervous when I found myself in the car with Damien by my side. I ran my hands down my suddenly uncomfortable dress as I calculated how long it would take us to get to Ipanema. - And where does the beautiful lady live? - Damien asked me. His face was dangerously close to mine and his lips were pulled into a mischievous smile that I already recognized as his trademark. It took all my concentration to breathe: - In Ipanema. - I gave him the address. Damien finally moved away, giving me a bit of space, and relayed what I had said to the driver. Then he pressed a button and a black barrier went up in front of us, dividing the car and leaving the uniformed man out of my sight. - That's better. - He pulled me by the waist,
I was sure I had been there before. The narrow corridor with its unfinished walls, carved only in brick, was no stranger to me. I continued down it towards the dim, yellowish light that hung slightly in front of me. I stopped before reaching the door and observed what was going on inside the room, which I now recognized as a kitchen. A young woman and a man with a frowning face were at the table talking. I couldn't see the woman's face because she had her back to me, but her hunched posture and the slight trembling of her shoulders indicated that she wasn't very comfortable with the man. She seemed to be afraid of something.Suddenly the man stood up and abruptly pushed the chair over, causing it to fall to the floor with a thud:- I've had enough of your whining! I'll come in whenever I want because I'm the man of this house and I'm in charge of you. And right now I order you to shut your fucking mouth! - The man approached the woman with hatred in his eyes.- You can't keep spending
I entered through the back door of the cafeteria, trying not to attract too much attention.- You're late! - Arianna said to my back, making me jump in surprise.- What a fright, Ary! - I put my hand to my chest. - I know, I know. I missed the first bus.I passed her and walked towards the cupboard which contained some aprons and hair protection.- You're lucky Mr. Frazão is lenient with his employees. - Arianna spoke in a whisper and followed me through the kitchen. I grimaced at her words. Of course he was condescending. He was a dirty jerk who was always hitting on the girls in the cafeteria. There were many times when he gave me dirty looks and made insinuations about a relationship other than a professional one. Arianna also dealt with his harassment. We even thought about leaving our jobs, but there we had a formidable schedule and we didn't know if we'd find another job quickly. And I couldn't allow myself to be out of work for any length of time. So we decided to put up with
- You're kidding me, Shar! You have to be!I looked once again at the piece of fabric in my hand, unable to believe that I would have to wear it all night. The whole thing could only be a sick joke.- I'm sorry, Ell, but I'm not joking. The theme of the evening is The House of Bunnies and all the girls have to be in costume. It was the house owners' orders.Oh no! I wouldn't be able to work wearing just that piece of cloth over my body.- I can't work wearing that, Shar. I'll be practically naked! - Don't get carried away, Ellen. It's just a black dress with a fuzzy bottom, black stockings and bunny ears. - Sharon took her green eyes off the computer, fiddled with her blonde hair and looked at me. - And the dress isn't even that short. I chose the biggest one I could find for you. Because I know you're not here for other things.- But I'm still not going to make it. - I sighed and put the dress back in the bag with the other costume items, leaving it on her desk. - I think I'd better
The night went on getting more and more hectic. I lost count of how many drinks we made ourselves and also how many times I was made fun of by Mr. Gouveia. Luckily, Takashi was big and strong, so he showed respect and made the men give up.I let out a tired sigh as I finished another Apletinni and heard TK calling me.- Ell? - Ell? - I said as I put the strip of apple back in the cup.- I think Morgana wants to talk to you.- Morgana? - I turned to the counter. - Your drink, sir. - I placed the glass on the counter in front of the customer who was waiting for me. To my relief, the blond man thanked me and left. No harassment.She waved at you. - Tk said, making me look at him. - But now she's coming.As he closed his mouth, I turned to find Morgana leaning smilingly over the bar counter.- You're the luckiest rabbit of the night, Ellen de Souza. - Morgana smiled excitedly and took one of my hands.- I am? - I smiled at her enthusiasm.- Yes, I am. - She pulled me closer to her, makin
I seriously considered running away, but my legs were still shaking after the terrible event inside Garota Devassa and I doubted I'd make it very far. So I didn't have much choice. I got into the car and felt my body relax a little as I sank into the comfortable leather seat.Damien closed my door and took the driver's seat. Then he put the key in the ignition and the car's dashboard turned on. He pressed the button and a bluish light illuminated everything inside, making me startle at the elegance of the vehicle.Not that I'd never been in a car before. But never in one like it. I felt ecstatic and at the same time intimidated by all that opulence. The car began to glide through the streets of Rio de Janeiro and I tried to ignore the nervousness that was growing in the pit of my stomach.I glanced at Damien. He had his eyes fixed on the steering wheel and his jaw was clenched, showing that he was very angry. Eeven faced with the possibility of a rude response, I ventured to ask:- W
Damien bonus part lShe turned her back on me.I felt my hands clench into fists and my smile give way to a scowl as I saw the statuesque stranger turn and walk quickly in the opposite direction of the hall. She was clearly running away from me. Did she not know who I was? I was stunned by her not-so-subtle rejection, but as soon as the numbness passed, surprise gave way to a strong hunter's instinct. A new and primitive sensation overwhelmed me and I found myself walking in the same direction she was going as fast as she could.I felt a feminine scent enter my nostrils and delicate hands tried to grab my arm, but I didn't allow them to stop me. I untangled myself and continued walking, scanning the crowd in search of the bare-backed beauty who had dared to refuse me.I spotted her in the distance, entering the Golden Room, and did the same, but this time I was careful not to let her see me too soon. I skirted a small crowd and watched as she stopped near the band to admire the musici
Damien Bonus part ll I tried to stay focused on the document I was analyzing. There was a pile of them on my desk in front of me waiting for my approval. But I was too nervous to check everything carefully enough.How long would it take? Wouldn't two weeks be enough to get the information I wanted? I put the pen down on the table and let my back rest on my armchair.Then someone knocked on my door.- Come in.- Mr. Mason. - Margareth, my blonde secretary, gave me a broad smile and walked over to my desk. - Mr. Fontana has just arrived.- Ask him to come in. - I stared at my papers again in a clear signal for her to leave.I knew she was easy prey if I wanted her to be. But she didn't fit my standards.I heard the sound of my door being opened and watched the thin man sneak into my office with a briefcase in his hands.- Good afternoon, Mr. Mason. - I stood up and shook the hand he offered me.- Good afternoon, Dr. Fontana. Please have a seat.I indicated the armchair in front of me a