Strangers in the Storm ✔

Chapter 35: Champagne and Sunlight

Heyy there! Only two chapters left until the end! Thank you for reading <3 

ROXANNE 

Roxanne hoped Damien would have gotten his life back together by the time she saw him again, but now that she's talked to him, the transformation took her aback. Of course, she wanted the best for him, she wanted him to be happy and thriving.

But a part of her didn't fully believe in him; the still scarred, hurt, angry part.

Brenda told her he was doing better, but she thought better meant he was somewhat holding it together, not that he was a changed man. Now she felt guilty for obviously doubting him.

"The first dance is in five minutes." Addy stood next to Roxanne and joined her in the guestroom, or guest-garden, observation. "You're dancing with Damien."

Roxanne choked on her champagne, "What?"

"What?" Addison frowned. "I'm not dancing with him, it's weird."

"Isn't it weirder if I dance with him?"

"No, you've already slept with him."

Roxanne groaned, "Fine."

"Oh, come on, don't pretend you don't want to." Addison bumped against her shoulder. "I've seen you ogling him since the beginning."

"I was not." Roxanne grabbed another glass of champagne from the passing waiter's tray. "He came to talk to me."

Addy arched her eyebrow, "And?"

Roxanne looked across the garden to where he sat, looking exceptionally bored talking to some guys who all looked the same. Probably Andre's work friends. As if sensing her eyes on him, he lifted his head and searched the garden. Roxanne looked away.

"He's... different." She answered Addy's question. "He seems better."

"He helped out a lot." Addison murmured. "With the wedding."

Roxanne eyed her, "Really?"

"Brenda told me." Addy shrugged. "She wouldn't tell you, because, well, you said you didn't want to know anything. He even talked to his father just so Andre could get this place for the reception."

Roxanne's eyes widened and jumped across the garden. Damien talked to Andre behind the bridal table. The first dance was soon.

"I'll be right back." Roxanne told Addy and walked past her.

"The first dance is in two minutes!"

"I know, I know." Roxanne looked through the crowd, searching for a certain tattooed individual.

When she spotted Mona talking to someone's grandparents next to a half-naked statue of a woman, Roxanne hopped in her heals towards her.

"Hey, Rox-"

"A moment, please." Roxanne put her hand on her shoulder and pulled her away.

"The first dance is, like, now." Mona chuckled nervously as they moved behind the privet hedge. "Now now."

"Okay, tell me." Roxanne faced the short-haired girl. "Tell me how he's doing. Tell me everything. I'm very nervous and very confused and he's not helping."

Mona's lips parted, "Uh... you should ask him."

"I can't." Roxanne sighed. "I'm scared- I'm not-"

"You wouldn't believe him." Mona crossed her hands on her chest. "You're asking me because you don't believe him."

"Alright, fine!" Roxanne's hands fell by her sides. "But you understand, don't you? I mean, I haven't seen him or heard from him in ten months."

Mona pursed her lips, "Okay, here's the thing."