Chapter Fifty Six

"You broke your guitar. are you okay, Damien?"

I asked as soon as I got the chance to.

He smiled. "It's nothing to worry about. I'll get another. I'm okay, now that I have you back by side."

I blushed. "You know, I never told you how much I loved you. I love you so much, Damien, and it was really hard to live without you," I said.

"You know I love you more."He winked.

"Let's get out of here."

Holding on to my waist, he led me back to the sitting room.

"This house is really big, Damien. And it works on AI system, like a presidential Villa."

"It's not mine. I was given the house. I can't be this extravagant."He hissed.

"Tell me more about the man who saved you. I'd like to meet him. He saved my life too."

"I'll go get drinks first."He disappeared into a corner and arrived with a fruit juice and two glass cups. I remembered immediately that he wouldn't be the type to drink alcohol. Little wonder he

managed to maintain his perfect physique three years after high school.

 Well, I drink a lot. Ria's fault!

"Thanks,"I said.

He nodded and sat by my side, wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"He isn't a billionaire or he is. Whatever, he's a politician. I can't tell you his name and you can't meet him."

"Why didn't you tell me immediately that you were Damien?"

"I was following instructions."

"What instructions?"

"I can't tell you, Paige. It's complicated."

"And you want me to trust you?"I shouldn't have said that. But that's how it looked. 

He sighed. "I know how you feel, seriously I do."He said. "You really need to trust me We are in a big mess right now and I'm trying hard to fix it. I can handle it, with God's help. I would not like to bring you into these. We've been through a lot already."

"You..."

"Trust me Paige. Like you used to. Please."

" But if there's really a mess that needs to be cleaned up, I can't let you do it on your own again?"

"Just trust me Paige. That's all I need. We'll be fine."

I nodded solemnly. Things just weren't making sense.

"Are you seriously engaged with someone else?"

I smiled. "I wasn't gonna become Henry's girlfriend ever, because I was already engaged with Damien."

He kissed my hair.

"Do you know how my family is doing?"

I blamed myself for not visiting.

"I didn't see them after..."I trailed off. "I got transferred to this country immediately after the incident. I was in a comma."

"Did they hurt you too?"He looked pained. I had to explain.

"I hurt myself. After I saw that, I..."I swallowed. " I'm sorry. I tried to kill myself again. I regret so much now."

"Don't beat yourself up."He said. "You were very young. And I'm sorry."

"No, I should be sorry. I'm the one who overreacts every time. I'm the one who allowed you into my messy life. I'm the one..."

"And I love to be in that life!"He interrupted. "I don't care about those things, Paige. We'll get through this together, understand?"

"Thank you."I whispered. He stroked my hair tenderly.

We were quiet for a while.

"Can I ask a question?"He broke the silence.

"Sure."

"Your Uncle, does he..."

He didn't have to complete his sentence and I would not let him into that part of my life again.

"No."I snapped. "You were right. I think I've gotten my freedom now. Thanks to God."

He didn't seem convinced.

"Are you sure? "

"I am. "

"Okay..."

I knew he wasn't convinced, but it's better that way. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life and I've learned a lot of lessons. One of which is knowing when to lie to save a soul.

Damien, I'm sorry for lying to you but I really needed to. You have too much guts and I'm scared.

*

"Thanks for the ride." I said before exiting his car. My car had a flat tyre and he volunteered to take me home. I spent all day at this house.

Ria met me at the door.

"My goodness! I was worried about you."Ria hugged me.

"I'm good. Thanks for the heads up."I dropped my bag on the couch and slumped into it.

"Were you with Henry all day?"

I arched my brow, intently. "Why would you think that?"

"He dropped you just now. You didn't come in your car."

"Yes, I..."I pursed my lips. "I went to his house. To ask him the questions..."

"And!"She snapped, overjoyed.

"He's not Damien. I'm the crazy one."I winced. 

"So..."She wanted more.

"We had a great time."

"And..."She winked.

I laughed. "What else do you want to hear?"

"Are you kidding me right now?!"She shrieked. "You left this house very early this morning. I told you not to come back home because our house was surrounded by thugs."

"So?"I teased.

She winced. "When are you gonna grow? You mean you guys didn't talk about anything interesting? Or did you reject him?"

"Oh,"I gasped. "I will get a boyfriend. I really think I need one. I need to forget..." 

"Damien!" we echoed.

She laughed. "That's the spirit girl. When are you meeting again?"

"Tomorrow. Don't keep your hopes high."

"I will. I know Henry likes you. I saw it in his eyes. He'll ask you out tomorrow, trust me."

I nodded.

"And he's so cute."She giggled.

I smiled.

Yes, he is.

*