Ruined

Chapter 19

Aria…

I must have fallen asleep while waiting for Damien to arrive home, because when I opened my eyes, it was already morning and I was still in my expensive custom couture gown. For a second, a worried if something had happened last night before I left with Sergio and Emilio, as the space on the bed beside me was neat and empty. Had Damien not come home then?

I walked to the closet and chose some comfy looking clothes to wear and then made my way into the bathroom. After I had showered and wiped off all the makeup from last night’s function, I got dressed and then went downstairs for breakfast. Tony caught my eye and winked at me, pulling out a chair for me to sit at the table. “Morning, where’s Damien? Did he not come home last night?”. Lars sat down in front of me and scratched his head before answering. “Uh, no, he’s…around”. I frowned at the vague response I got from Lars and then thanked Joaquin when he placed down a mug of coffee in front of me and dished some fried mushrooms onto my plate. Tony added a chocolate muffin and I thanked him as well. I poked at my mushrooms with a fork and then heard a high-pitched giggle. I knew who that annoying voice belonged to. I stuffed the mushrooms into my mouth and forced myself to chew.                                                   

Just then Damien walked in from outside with Aiko in his arms. I tried not to let any emotion show on my face and sipped on my coffee instead. Why would he bring her here? After we had just spent the night together? Did it not mean anything to him? “Oh, good morning, Aria!” Aiko beamed happily as they passed me. “What is she doing here, Damien?” Tony asked as Damien sat down in his usual spot with Aiko in his lap, resulting in a stern frown from me.                                                                                                                        “You didn’t tell them, baby?”.                                                                                                   “I left the honour to you” Damien said and nipped at Aiko’s chin. What the hell was going on here?                                                                                                             “I’m moving in! We decided this last night. Maddox has gone to fetch my things”.

I battled to distinguish between the foreign emotions I was feeling, but quickly recognised them as jealousy, hurt and anger. I felt like stabbing both Aiko and Damien with a fork. On the other hand, I just wanted to hide away in my room and cry until I tired myself out. “That’s lovely” Joaquin answered sarcastically.                                                                     Lars looked at me with saddened eyes.                                                                              I sighed, nearly hiccupping on a sob and looked away from Lars. “It’s more than lovely, Lars, it’s perfect. Maybe she should have accompanied you last night”.                                                                                             “Damien, I’m not sure if Tony had a moment to mention to you the success last night with our new consignment” Lars said, obviously deviating the attention in the room to work related topics instead of Aiko.                                                                                                                    “As we speak the goods travel over the border from Mexico. Antonio will update us once the trucks have arrived”.                                                                          “That’s great. I have a meeting with Emmanuel this afternoon to discuss his payment”.                                                                                                                            “The dirty cop wants an increase?” Joaquin scoffed.                                                      “Money speaks in our trade. Fortunately for us, we have no limits” Dante said confidently.                                                                                                                          Damien narrowed his eyes at his cousin.                                                                                      “I have no intention of giving Emmanuel an increase. I know exactly how to deal with him” He said and sneered at me.