CHAPTER NINE

"I won't be joining for dinner", Damien announced as soon as he entered, after a short pause, he continued, "Wifey, join me when you are done", he added with a smirk.

The composure Joan had managed to arrange earlier vanished as she her eyes blinked rapidly, her mouth opens to speak but inserted she stammered, "but… but… Uhmn…" she searched for the right word but is met with Mrs. Ivan's death stare.

She didn't want Joan to disclose the discussion they just had, she wanted it to look as if Joan willingly left the room.

Joan swallowed hard, as she watched Damien leave, his height made him look like a model and his broad shoulders a great frame matching and elevating the look of his elegant suit, his strong male scent still lingered in the air, igniting flames inside her as the cold she felt earlier disappeared.

"You are lucky you didn't disclose what had happened, that would have been the end of you", Mrs Ivan fired with scorn once again.

Joan's gaze was still fixated to the floor as her mind wandered, fantasizing about Damien, she wasn't supposed to feel this way after all she had to suffer from him, but here she was thinking about being with him.

He had asked for her, surely she would go to see him, but why did he really call her, and his stern rude behavior seemed to have lessened. 

"You also need to limit the way you for for your so called dance class, I can't bear answering questions when people start seeing you leave and return regularly, just stay away from sight, is that clear?" Mrs Ivan ordered.

But was greeted with silence, Joan's gaze was still fixed to the floor as her mind wavered.

"I see, so much audacity, you now ignore me" Mrs Ivan added, but Joan still doesn't respond, lost in her maze of fantasies.

The maids entered immediately with trolleys of different delicacies.

And then Mr Taim's is helped up by his special nurses to sit with them.

He was sick but now he had realized how much he had neglected his family, he thinks his time is limited and wants to spend all possible time with his family, though he still spends more time going about his business than his family.

The noise from the maids arranging the table and the nurses helping Mr. Taim brought Joan out of her maze.

She had been lost for a while and needed a few seconds to process what had happen and what is currently happening.

"Oh!, Good day sir", Joan greeted with a bow as she stood immediately.

Mr Taim's face brightened, truly he was delighted in meeting Joan for the first time in his mansion. 

He had known her but as a sweet little girl, for years he had admired her and had pictured her as the perfect woman for his son_Damien, but then the Dave's kept her hidden and protected her.

Besides he understood their reason, he took Joan away whenever he felt that the Dave's were not working hard enough to pay for the huge debt they owed him.

They had contributed to a huge loss in his business that slowed down the growth and increase of the company drastically, he never forgave them until now, he had satisfaction, the Dave's had paid fully, with their innocent daughter_Joan.

"Come here my dear", he opened his arms wide for Joan to embrace him.

She hesitated for a moment, her gazed locked with Mrs Ivan's for a swift moment before she finally summoned up the courage, shrugging away all negativity on her mind and embracing me Ivan Taim.

She had paid the price at last, at least there should be no any grudge with him, he is the only one accepting her willingly in this Mansion, if she had to survive here, she needed his support.

She takes her seat once again as they began eating.

Chatting and answering calmly and respectful, she tried to be professional and formal by all means.

*****

In front of Damien's room.

Joan's hands hung in the air as she froze, she was about knocking when she remembered the warning Mrs Ivan had given her.

The corridor had failed light, or they just weren't turned on, she didn't have the energy to search for the switch as her head ached, she still had cold flashes surging through her.

she placed her palm on her temple to relax, turning around to leave, But then a sound in her head, like static and her veins felt like they were pulled in a straight line out of her head.

She shut her eyes, trying to compose herself, leaning on the door.

She needed to locate her new room, then she'll order the maids to get her belongings, she thought, but now her vision was even becoming blurry.

"What is happening?", she questioned herself, immediately she came sliding through the air, Damien had opened the door while she still leaned.

The only thing she could see was the corridor turning upside down and then Damien's face in the blue light of his room.

Her eyes shut as his masculine scent which always draws her spirit hit her nose once again.

Her whole weight leaned on him for balance and support, It seemed as if he just showered as his skin felt cold and masculine still.

"Damn, wifey, you're boiling up, what happened to you?", he asked as he swept her off her feet, she tried to stop him but she is too weak to even lift her arms.

"I can't stay here, please let me go!", she managed to plead as Damien placed her on his bed.

"You should worry about your condition and leave the thought of me now wifey", Damien advice as she her face turned red immediately, the soft mattress welcoming her as Damien let's go of her that she regretted asking to leave a few seconds ago.

She felt his hot breath on her face and her eyes open slightly, just a little to see blurred.

His eyes…