Chapter 67

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Chapter 67

-MILLIE-

Beating my five am alarm was slowly becoming a habit.

As my phone buzzed on my armband, I turned the alarm off and ceased running. Wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand, I chased my breath, the fatigue settling on my leg muscles.

I had a restless night, and when four am hit, I gave up trying to sleep and focused on wearing my muscles out. It was the only thing I could do to stop my brain from going back to what transpired last night. And here I am again, jumping back on the carousel of Damian’s stupid, s*xy grin, me falling for him all over again, and Damian slapping to my face how foolish I am.

I don’t want to think about him anymore, but there’s no switch–off button for my feelings for him.

My l*ps still tingle with the memories of Damian’s soft and insistent one. My b*dy knew who owned it, and its reaction to his touch was on autopilot. If he hadn’t revealed his diabolical plan with Ana, last night would’ve gone out of control.

When he walked inside the function hall, my lady parts kicked my reasoning out the window and took over. Images of Damian in that fitted gray tee, dark blue jeans, cowboy boots and hat, unbuckling his belt while he stared down at me in his bed, savoring me from head to toe with his eyes had clouded my head. Then, in his gravelly voice, he’d ask me if I would be a good girl for him. But it was a mere fantasy. Like a bucket of ice–cold water dumped over my head, Ana materialized on his side, hanging from his arms like a little doll in her pink cocktail dress.

For Dad’s sake, I endured the torture of seeing them laughing and talking cozily at their table. I’d die first before admitting this to anyone, but I was glad I had Xander’s annoying face to look at instead of ogling them. My night took a lighter phase when Gian showed up. Gian didn’t have to ask. He knew something was bothering me. When he offered to take me for a ride, I agreed, glad he would me out of my misery.

put

I thought I could finally escape the torment of seeing Damian cozy with another girl. Like a caveman, Damian had to throw me over his shoulder and turn my world upside down. I hated the relief that washed over me when he said Ana was only a friend. I almost gave in to his touch and k*sses. Then he told me it was for a show?

“Ugh!” I groaned, stomping my foot like a child.

“Rough night?”

My shriek echoed through the treeline and over the lake, disturbing the small animals lurking nearby.

Gian leaned against a tree. Patches of sweat graced his blue–fitted shirt. His short running shorts revealed his toned legs. A headphone hung around his n*eck, and the visor of a baseball cap shadowed his watchful eyes.

“Gian… God, you almost gave me a heart attack.” I pressed a hand on my chest, my heart drumming against my palms.

Tilting his head to the side, Gian studied me with those piercing blue eyes. “It’s not my fault you’re lost in your head, Amore.” There was a pinch of disappointment in his tone. You shouldn’t be running out alone at this time of the day.“..

Although this was still part of Dad’s property, I get where he’s coming from. If he had vile intent, I would’ve fallen into a trap… again.

“I just… have a lot on my mind.” Avoiding his gaze, I walked towards the clearing on the side of the lake. It was the same spot where Damian was picking his clothes one by one yesterday.

Shaking the thought of his b*dy out of my head, I stared at the clear water, unseeing.

With a sigh, Gian abandoned his post on the tree and walked towards me. “How rough was it?”

“What?” I grimaced at his innuendo. His grin was playful. “That’s… I’m not even gonna answer that.” He chuckled, throwing an arm over my shoulder, pulling me in, and ruffling my hair. “Gian! Not my hair!”

“I miss messing with you,” he said, releasing me.

Glaring at him, I shoved him in the arms. He didn’t even bulge. It was like punching a wall. I almost broke my knuckles. Wincing, I shook my hand. “For a moment, I was actually glad to see you. I take it back.”

His laugh was pure glee. “I miss you too, Amore. Want me to punch Damian in the face?”

“You’d like that, don’t you? I bet Damian would also like to punch you in the face.” Crouching, I sat on the grass with my knees bent in front of me. Gian followed

suit, and the silence swelled between us. “Thanks for coming to Dad’s party, by the way.”

“I had to discuss, business with him and knew you needed me.” He kept his gaze forward as I frowned at him. “And to make sure Damian is not making more mess than he already had.”

My forehead crinkled, and I was surprised that he was actually taking Damian’s side. This was being sympathetic in Gian’s book. “What do you know?”

He glanced at me. “Aside from him being the world’s più stupido? He’d do everything to keep you safe, Amore.” (biggest fool)

These words coming from Gian were unexpected. I don’t even know how to respond. He didn’t need me to say anything and continued. “Leaving you like he did was f**ked up, but he did it to protect you.”

I snorted. “Protect me? From what? Natalie was already behind bars, and Aidan was a wanted man. Damian didn’t need to chase after him. That was the job of the police.”

“Like I said, he’s the world’s biggest idiot.” He leaned back in his hand, stretching his long legs in front of him. “Amore…”

“Hm?” Hugging my knees as a cold breeze swept by, I tucked my chin and focused on the lone fish swimming near the banks.

“It’s love in Italian. Everyone in love turns into fools sometimes…” he murmured, the loneliness hidden in the deepest part of his heart slithering its way out. Gian rarely allowed people to see his vulnerability. He’d keep to himself and flaunt his brooding side, aloof and detached.

“What do you know, Gian?” From the direction of this conversation, it sounded as if he knew something I didn’t. Knowing Gian, he wouldn’t lie to me, but he’s best at sidestepping topics.

After a moment of contemplation, Gian let out a breath. “It’s not my story to tell, but trust me on this.” He pinned me with nothing but honesty in his eyes. “Damian is a fool who’s head over heels for you. I wouldn’t let him live if he wasn’t.”

Back in the cabin, Mom was in the kitchen making breakfast. The belt of her purple robe was left untied, revealing a plaid pajama underneath and her blond hair tied up in a messy bun.

I hugged mom from behind and rubbed my sweaty cheeks against hers. “Morning, Mommm.”

Mom groaned, scrunching her nose as she craned her face away from me. It was futile, though. “Morning, honey.”

I giggled and peppered her cheeks with k*sses. “What’s for breakfast?”

Releasing her, I went to the coffeemaker and pulled a cup from the cupboards. While filling it with coffee, I eyed the ingredients on the counter. There are leftover nachos from last night, sausages, and coleslaw. Mom was on the iron waffle, ladling the batter on it. My stomach grumbled as I spotted the made waffle plate on her side. I plucked one, but Mom slapped my hand.

“Wash your hands!” she glared at me. Pouting, I did what I was told and took one waffle from the plate. Her eyes narrowed. I gave her a toothy grin.

“You’re in a good mood,” she said, taking the waffles from the iron and ladling another set.

“You’re making my favorite, so why won’t I be in a good mood?” I reasoned. Mom’s waffle nachos would lift my spirit any time of the day.

Without throwing me a glance, she murmured. “It doesn’t have to do anything with your date with Damian?”

I choked on the waffle I was chewing. Reaching for my cup of coffee, I took a sip and glared at Mom over the mug. “What date?” I deadpanned.

She turned the waffle iron off and set aside the waffles, then started cooking the sausages. “You just missed him. He asked for Dad’s and I’s permission to take you out on a date later.”

I swallowed hard, my heart galloping as I remembered why he told Dad about our deal: ‘I need his permission so I can court you properly?

Like butter tossed on a hot pan, my heart melted. In my teenage diary, I wrote countless ways I wished Damian would court me. Though I knew Damian’s words weren’t empty, it still surprised me that he actually asked for my parents‘ permission.

Emotions filled my chest.

‘No. Stay strong, Millié. He just asked for permission. Don’t fall for it again?

I was saved from answering Mom when someone knocked on the door. “I’ll get it!”

JIL

I shrieked, startling Mom.

Her eyes were wide as she watched me skip toward the door. It was my turn to look shocked when I saw Andrea’s state.

She was still in her clothes from last night: a short denim short, a fitted white sleeveless crop top, and ankle boots. A huge pair of sunglasses covered her eyes. That wasn’t the shocking part. It was the k*ss mark on her cleavage that she tried hiding with her messy hair.

“Don’t ask.”

Of course, I asked. “What happened to you?”

Groaning, she pushed me aside and headed straight to greet Mom. Candice trudged up the three steps of the cabin’s porch, looking well–rested and glowing in her lilac floral mini–dress.

“What happened?” I asked Candice as I closed the door, crossing the short distance between the living area and the kitchen.

“The stable guy happened.”

“Xander?!” I hissed. Andrea glared at Candice, who merely replied with a shrug. Then Andrea turned to me. Her eyes were sharp. “What?”

As perceptive as always, Mom knew we needed a moment to ourselves. “I’ll see if Dad’s awake,” she said. “Can you finish this up?”

“Sure,” I said and turned off the stove. I turned towards the waffle on the plate and started cutting it into small bits, layering it on a baking pan.

Once mom was out of earshot, I turned to Andrea. “Okay, spill.”

Andrea was by the coffeemaker, filling a cup, while Candice stood beside her, munching down on an apple from the fruit basket.

Last night, Andrea said she wasn’t feeling well and headed to her room halfway through the party. I gathered she didn’t want to be in the same space with Xander, but looking at her now, I’m not sure what she wants anymore.

Andrea sighed, leaned back on the counter, and removed her sunglasses. Dark bags circled her eyes as if she hadn’t had a wink of sleep. “I went to the bar after I left the party. Xander followed me. We talked, and the next thing I knew, we were k*ssing.” She groaned, grabbed her coffee, and took a sip. “You get the picture.”

“We get the picture, Candice butted in. “But what happened to ‘We were not supposed to meet in the real world.” she quoted Andrea, even mimicking Andrea’s voice.

Andrea’s gaze could melt steel. I bet that glare brought men to their knees just to please her. If only Candice was affected by her threatening scowl.

“What? Your words, not mine.”

“Stop judging me.”

“Who’s judging you?” Candice feigned an innocent look. “It wasn’t me who said ‘I’m single, and I’m finally ready to mingle. I won’t miss out on life just because I’m broken–hearted.‘ Right, M?” I hummed a yes, smiling as Andrea’s eyes narrowed to thin slits.

“I think she’d already forgotten about Nick’s beautiful cock,” I pipped in.

Steam bellowed from Andrea’s ears, but Candice wasn’t done messing with her. “And what did you say again? ‘It’s called a one–night stand for a reason.”

“Fine. It’s a two night stand with Mr. Dark and Stormy, with a very wonderful dick!”

Mom giggled from the bottom of the staircase leading towards the rooms upstairs. Dad was behind her, shaking his head. Andrea’s cheeks were as red as ripe

tomatoes.

A

Before eating breakfast on the deck, I loaned Andrea a decent shirt. It would save everyone from the awkward situation of seeing the k*ss mark left by his two–night stand guy.

We discussed the partnership between Summerfield Acre and Effortless Events. It was a done deal even before we got into the details, but talking business with Mom and Dad was a breath of fresh air. It was a first time for us.

After breakfast, Mom and Dad left for their usual routine at the grape farm and wine cellar. The three of us then finalized the details for Constance’s wedding. Work distracted me from the dreaded decision of going out with Damian or not. I could say no,

but I really wanted to say yes. Until Candice and Andrea left, I was still at 50-50. When six p.m. came, I decided I would go and started getting ready.

‘It’s just a date, what could possibly go wrong?‘

45

While getting dressed, I made a mental list of the things I’m going to ask Damian. My conversation with Gian was a huge factor in my decision making. I needed to know the truth so I can move forward or move on. It was high time to put an end to this limbo of wondering why Damian ghosted me.

Choosing what to wear wasn’t a struggle since I only brought limited clothes. I was a nerve of taut knots, ready to snap as seven pm hit the clock.

Sneakers bouncing on the floorboard, I sat anxiously on the single couch in the living room, burning holes at the door as I waited for a knock… a knock that never

came.