Promises | ✔️

Chapter 39: Official

NAYA POV

"I love you, Damien." I lightly squeezed his hand.

He shot up from burying his face in the sheets. I instantly noticed his red eyes and eye bags, probably from not sleeping. How long has it been?

"Belle." He smiled and came up to me, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "You're awake."

"I am." I feigned a smile because I was still weak.

"I'm so sorry." He frowned.

"It's not your fault, Damien. They were angry. Something was going to happen." I tried to reason with him.

"No. I should have been there to protect you. It should have been me."

"Don't say that. I'm awake now. That's all that matters." I took my other hand and sandwiched his hand between mine.

"Darling, what happened?" He asked.

The smile instantly left my face. "Can I tell you later?"

"Of course. I'm right here whenever you're ready." He kissed my hand.

"So. What was that whole speech?" I grinned.

"You heard it?" Damien smirked.

"Well, I heard the end of it. Something about Beauty and the Beast. You should say it again." I beamed a big smile at him.

He chuckled. "I'll record it and play it everywhere. Let the whole world know I love Naya Gardner. My girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" I raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember you asking me to be your girlfriend."

"Oh, so you want to play that game? Ok. Naya, will you be my girlfriend?"

I put my finger up to my chin and looked up. "Uh. I'll have to add you to my waiting list. I'll get back to you shortly."

"Waiting list?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Of course. I'm a popular woman. Lots of contenders waiting for me." I joked.

"Contenders? And who are these supposed contenders?"

"The guys in my DMs obviously." I shrugged.

Damien stood up from his seat. He cupped my face in between his hands. "Well. Tell those contenders that their wait is over. You've already chosen someone."

"Oh really?" I giggled.

"Yup. He's right here." Then, Damien slowly placed his lips on mine. Wow. I missed this feeling. It was a slow, gentle kiss that I definitely needed.

We pulled away from each other. "Hmm. I guess you're a good fit." I smiled. "Boyfriend."

"I know, darling. I know." He leaned down and kissed me again softly, then came back up. "Can you repeat what you said when you first woke up? I don't think I heard it right."

"I. Love. You."

***

The doctor came in a few minutes after I had woken up. They had to run a couple of tests, so Damien had to leave the room. After him arguing with the nurses and whining to me that he wanted to stay and me telling him I was fine, he finally went outside.

Now, he was back. He was sitting in the chair next to me, watching me eat the last few bites of the bland hospital food.

"I probably look disgusting right now," I said while grabbing the water bottle.

"Darling, you're beautiful 24/7. Nothing can change that."

I pushed the table with the tray to the side, leaned back on the bed, and turned to face him. "I'll tell you what happened." Damien sat up in his seat and looked me in the eyes.