Chapter Forty-nine

Lunch was lively, especially with Ryan and Lola there. Lola, as always, couldn't keep her loud, talkative nature in check. She said all sorts of silly things, probably just to grab Ryan's attention—and, of course, it worked.

I spent the whole lunch watching how she flirted with him, both in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Even though I had already shared the advice Damian gave me, Lola wasn't interested in listening.

She said that even though Ryan is a known womanizer, she wanted to take her chances and enjoy the thrill while it lasted.

I let her be. It's her life, after all, but I can't help but worry about her heart. She may be enjoying herself now, but I'm afraid she might end up hurt.

And now, here I am, preparing for my dinner date with Damian's parents. It feels strangely like a wedding day, and my nerves are getting the best of me with every passing second.

I just hope this doesn't raise my blood pressure. 

Lola said she'd stay over to watch Bailey and Molly until we get back. Ryan, however, won't be staying—he has to rehearse with his crew in preparation for his live concert in a few days.

But right now, none of that is on my mind.

I stood in front of the vanity mirror, taking in my reflection in an aqua-green, body-hugging dress that stopped just above my thighs, with a small slit on one side.

It felt too short and revealing. I'm not a fan of outfits like this, but Lola insisted it was perfect for meeting his parents for the first time.

Still, I couldn't help but feel uneasy seeing so much of my thighs, my open back, and my cleavage exposed.

The heels are great, though—high enough to give me some extra height, since I'm only 1.6 meters tall. I don't want to look too average in front of my future in-laws.

The dress has an 'X' strap design at the back with a large cut-out that reaches the top of my hips. And I couldn't ignore how part of my breast showed from the sides, thanks to the 'C' shape at the upper edges.

Fashion isn't really my thing, but Lola gave me this dress as a birthday gift two years ago, and today is the first time I'm wearing it. 

The dress was stretchy, but it still felt a little tight—maybe even too tight.

I clutched my silver, ball-shaped purse, the sparkling straps dangling loosely around it.

I just hope my makeup isn't overdone. I've never been a fan of makeup—whether light or heavy—but Lola convinced me to try a light touch, so I went with it. I really don't want to look silly when we get there.

A part of me wants to back out, but I know I can't.

I've made a real commitment to him, and it's important to meet his parents.

I just hope his mom is as easygoing as his dad. Honestly, I'm not ready for a headstrong mother-in-law. Tonight will be the second time I'm meeting his dad. He's a nice guy—friendly and welcoming.

Suddenly, I realized I haven't spoken to Mom or Nifemi in what feels like forever. I miss those two. I'll definitely call them when I get home.

But right now, I need to face what's ahead.

I fixed my hair and gave myself one last look in the mirror.

I'm ready for this.

"You've got this, Bummi. Just think of it like a movie date, not a job interview," my inner voice whispered to me.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and walked toward the door.

I wasn't expecting to bump into Damian at the entrance. But what surprised me even more was how great he looked.

He was wearing a thick black suit. I've hardly ever seen him dressed like that.

Do you know what's sweetest of all? It suits him perfectly. I honestly felt like kissing him right then.

"I was about to come and call you—" He suddenly paused, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. The look on his face was one of awe, as if he had never seen a woman quite like me before, and I immediately became self-conscious of what I was wearing.

I had known this outfit might be a mistake, but—

"Good lord, you look absolutely heavenly…" I heard him whisper softly, almost to himself.

But am I? "Are you sure?" I bit my lower lip, doubtfully. "Damian, I feel like this outfit makes me look like a harlot or something ungenuine." I really think so. Just look at it and the way he is looking at me lustfully, obsessed with the hints of infatuation in his deep dark eyes. 

He just couldn't take his eyes off me. "You are really beautiful, Pearl." 

I smiled and blushed a bit. I even blushed harder when he kissed my forehead.

He tilted my face up gently to meet his gaze. "I don't want to ruin your makeup," he said, his voice soft. "Otherwise, I would've kissed your lips already." His eyes landed on my bold, red lipstick. "I'm afraid the world will talk."

I blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

"They'll say my wife is too beautiful, and I look like a fisherman with a big catch," he continued. "Who knows, maybe my dad will outsmart me and steal my catch."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. Playfully, I punched his chest. "Stop it, you're being silly."

Am I blushing?

He took my hand and kissed the back of it, sending a shiver down my spine. I bit my lower lip, trying to steady myself. "I can already tell our future kids will have your beauty," he murmured. "It runs in your veins."

This man… I rolled my eyes. "Damian…"

He extended his arm and casually crossed the other behind his back, striking an almost aristocratic pose. I smiled and intertwined my arm with his when he asked, "Shall we?"

We shall.

He led us carefully toward the staircase, but just as we reached it...

"Oh!" I gasped in surprise as he suddenly lifted me into his arms. I hadn't seen that coming. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Damian, you scared me."

He chuckled at the grumpy look on my face and kissed my lips and nose. "I don't want my wife tiring herself out walking down these stairs that go on forever," he said with a grin. I rolled my eyes—he was definitely teasing me.

"Seriously? Am I really that hot that you have to carry me?"

He feigned a frown. "Super duper hot, baby." I rolled my eyes again, unable to fight a smile.

As we made our way down, I noticed some of the household staff watching us from the corners, clearly distracted from their work.

And where was Lola? Wasn't she supposed to wish me good luck?

When we finally reached the outside, my nerves kicked in as I saw Simon, Nathaniel, and Maxwell approaching us from behind. Damian had already noticed them, though, and with a subtle gesture, he signaled for them to stay back. They obediently hung back, allowing us to pass.

"Don't worry, I just want to go alone with my wife. I'll drive—"

"No, I will," I interrupted, holding up my car key in front of him.

He stared at it, looking confused for a moment. "Honey—"

I knew exactly what he was about to say, so I quickly added, "Babe, please, let me drive. I really want to."

It was clear he was hesitating. He probably hadn't seen me drive before.

"Some other time, okay? It's late, and as a woman, it's not safe to drive at night. Yes, I know I'm with you, but driving a Lamborghini on the highway alone at night is risky."

Risky? Then why did he buy it for me?

I pouted, clearly not happy. "But you got it for me."

"Yes, sweetheart," he sighed, gently cupping my face in his hands. "Specifically for the day, not for night, darling. You can drive one of my other cars tonight, but not the Lambo. You know how fast it can go."

But I'm stubborn. I'd rather sit at home than choose another car.

After I started grumbling, he finally gave in. "Fine!" he said, surrendering.

Yes!

"Only because I'm riding with you, okay?"

Of course, I knew that.

********* 

I hit the highway, and Damian's reaction was priceless as he watched me handle the car and drift smoothly.

He was buckled in, but still gripping his seat like his life depended on it. "Jesus Christ! Where did you learn to drive like this?"

A smug smirk spread across my lips.

See? When I told him I could drive, he didn't believe me. Now, he was getting a firsthand lesson.

With my eyes still on the road, I answered casually, "My dad. He had an old Volvo when I was a kid. Taught me how to drive."

"How old were you?"

"Ten."

I could feel his eyebrows furrowing without even looking. "Ten? Wasn't that a little dangerous? He should've waited until you were—Woah! Woah! Woah!" he yelled as I made another sharp drift.

I shrugged. I was just following the directions on his map. 

"Babe, can you slow down a little?" he pleaded, his voice tight.

"I am."

"No, you're not." His face was a picture of fear now. "Can you drive like it's a car and not an F1 racer?"

I shook my head, a little amused, and finally eased off the gas when we hit traffic.

The car, which had been roaring just moments ago, now gilded calmly. I leaned back in my seat, fingers tapping the steering wheel rhythmically as I waited for the light to change.

Something nudged me to look to my side, and when I did…

I caught Damian staring at me, his eyes locked on mine without blinking.

"What?" I asked, a little unsure.

It took him a moment before he finally spoke. "I love you." Those three words landed deep in my heart, unexpected yet soothing.

"Okay…" I replied, my voice soft. "And I love you too." I smiled, still a bit caught off guard.

I thought that would be the end of it, but he added, "I can't leave your side or stop loving you."

Really? "Same here…" I said, confused. What was going on with him? Why the sudden intensity?

"And that's why you have to come with me to London this weekend."

"Of cour—wait, what? London?" So all the sweet talk was leading to this? I knew something was up. "I've lived my whole life in Nigeria. I've never even been to a neighboring country, let alone travel outside. Besides, I don't have the credentials to visit another country."

When he didn't respond right away, my frustration built up. "What are we even doing there, Damian?"

He stayed calm, the picture of a gentleman, and answered me with a question. "And who said you need credentials when you're going with me?" He chuckled, shaking his head, then looked back at the road ahead.

Seriously, this guy was impossible to figure out. If he were a game, I'd call him "MAZE."

Sometimes, he's so hard to understand, and other times, he makes himself so easy to read.

What is he up to? What are we going to do in London?

I don't know why, but I felt a mix of excitement and unease.

Either way, whatever it was, I was excited—this was going to be my first time on a plane.