Chapter Sixty Three

He came back after what seemed like an eternity with a cup of coffee and a coat. I remembered my clothes were drenched with the rain. I took them from him with shaky hands. I dropped the coffee on a table and wore the coat.

"Thanks."

"I'm sorry." He muttered.

"No, you…"

"Ssh." He shunned me." I should not have judged you. I overreacted. I'm sorry. "

I just nodded.

"I'll talk to Ria. "He said. "And you Paige…" He sniffed.

"I don't know what to say. I stopped by to see you. And… You know what? I believe you. I just…"

"I'm sorry, Damien. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay." He sat by my side. " I'm glad you came to the church. I told your spirit to do so."

He chuckled.

I didn't know whether to smile or not.

"The fear of God, Paige, your fear of God isn't enough. Ria wouldn't have influenced you that much if you did fear God."

"I just hope he'll forgive me, Damien." I leaned in on his shoulders.

"You know He will." He patted my wet hair. 

My phone beeped. It was Tristan. I stylishly switched it off.

"You should give Ria some space. Both of you needs some time off each other. I believe things would become normal that way."

That's Damien!

He always has a solution to everything.

I suddenly realized how shameless I have been, a tear dropped from my eyes. He embraced me.

"Everything will be okay, Paige." He kissed my hair.

I just nodded with a smile, a smile that hid thousands of words, suppressed oral expressions of my love for him. Of how I wouldn't have a life without him by my side. Of how a minute without him felt like being plunged in a dark circle.

"You can stay here for a week. I have a lot of rooms here."

I didn't have to think about it.

"You really want me to stay away from her."

"Hm." He said. "You need to. I can't let you get lost in girl love, Paige."

"And I would rather not get lost in it."

"Thank you, Damien." I smiled. 

"Come on, It's late. You need to get some sleep."

I didn't want to. I felt a lot at home in his arms.

"I haven't told Ria about us. And you visited just like that. Were you planning of revealing your identity or something?…"

"Actually, I wanted to pay you a surprise visit. I didn't think she'd be home. "He said. "About Identity, I'm Henry to everyone but you. Henry Brooke!" He chuckled, 

I smiled.

"I love you, Damien." I whispered.

He stood up. "I heard that." He announced. "And I would hold that here." He pointed playfully to his heart and laughed, I laughed. "I'll go get a room ready. Make yourself comfortable. "

He left.

*

I laid on the comfy bed in the room Damien asked me to sleep. I wondered how he managed to stay in this big house all alone. If I counted right, it had four bedrooms and the AI system was everywhere.

He's quite rich. I grinned at myself. I had numerous missed calls on my phone. From Jude, Tristan, and Ria. Ria sent a voice message.

"Hey girl, I'm so sorry. Where are you now? A man came to the house. I mean men, he had body guards. He says he's Tristan and asked that you call him when you get back. You didn't tell me about this new guys. Not fair. You switched off your phone. I'm worried. Please call me when you get to see this message."

Then another.

"Come on, Paige, I tried calling Henry. His phone is switched off too. He's not at school. I wanted to talk to him about… I'm truly sorry, Paige. I promise I sort all these out as soon as I can reach out to him.

 Are you okay? Paige, please call me. I might die of tension if you don't." She cried.

I pitied her. Poor Ria. I called her immediately. I didn't expect her to answer, but she did. I guess she too didn't find sleep. Poor Ria.

"Oh my goodness, Paige!" She shrieked on the other end. "It's almost two am. Where the hell are you?"

"I'm okay, Ria. Just decided to spend the night somewhere else."

"Because of me?" She sounded dejected even on the phone.

"I'm sorry, Ria. I just can't look you in the face after that…"

"I understand." She said. "But you got me distressed. I thought something had gone wrong. I've never seen you that angry. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, love." I teased.

"Aww. Thank you, Hun." She said. "I thought you'd hate me now."

"Who would hate Ria?" I laughed and she did too. "It's just that we sinned against God, and we need to talk to Him. We're not doing that again, understand?"

"Yes ma." She murmured. "I'm glad you're not mad. I promise I'll settle the thing with Henry. I just haven't heard from him."

"Okay. What about the men you talked about?"

"Oh!" She laughed on the phone. "You jerk, you never told me about your Prince Charming. He asked that you call him. I will not forgive you if it's what I'm thinking."

"What are you thinking?"

"Don't ask me." She hissed.

"He's not my boyfriend. I haven't gotten over Damien, remember?"

She laughed. "I really thought you have! So, who is Tristan then?"

"Hmm… Let's say a suitor."

"My goodness Paige!" She shrieked. "What kind of luck do you have? You always get the best guys. Forget suitor. Call him now."

"What? Ria, I can't date…"

"Shut up and call him! I command you!"

"You're a jerk, Ria."

"Call him." She said. "I'm hanging up now. Good night Hun, don't forget to call your prince charming."

"Get some sleep, babe. Goodnight." I winced.

Ria's wish is my command. The next morning I placed a call to Tristan.

"Hi Tristan" "Hi Paige. How are you doing?" He didn't sound like I've stressed the hell out of him.

"I heard you were at my house."

"Yeah. That's true."

"Ehm. I'm curious. I never gave you an address."

"I needed to see you so…" He trailed off.

"So?"

"Can we meet today?"

"What time?"

"Same time. I understand you're a student, but please stop ignoring my calls."

"I apologize for that. See you later then."

"Okay Paige. Love you."

I hung up.