REISS

18. The Epiphany

Damien's Pov

Dan barged into my office without knocking as usual. He strided straight to infront of my table and his jaw ticked. He was definitely angry. I wonder-

"Are you fucking out of your mind?" He yelled at me.

What did I even do?

Breathe.

"Leave me alone. I'm not in a mood for this, Dan." I sighed as I pinched the bridge of my nose. I was already stressed with Loviana and now I don't need him to add into it.

He yelled again "Why don't you just accept it that you love her?" His question had me dumbfounded. I wasn't expecting that question. Especially not now. And not from him. I hadn't seen Dan's outburst on me since his rebellious phase.

I wanted to say something but I couldn't find the right words so I stayed silent.

"She is perfect for you. She is the right one for you. Everyone can see that but not you, I can only show you the truth if you want to see it." He continued but this time his voice was softer.

Then he said "I just want you to be happy and when I can see that you love her. I know that even you can feel it."

He rubbed his hand on his face and  said "She is going on a date with that casanova Eric Sinclair."

I knew it even before he told me. I was just still appalled by his outburst.

I just nodded. It flared his temper again.

"Fine. Just sit there and do nothing. I'm sure she will find someone better than you but you definitely won't." And with that he stormed of the room.

I knew that she was going on a date with that Eric Sinclair. I overheard her talking on the phone that night when I came back from the work early. I was about to open the door to the mansion when my hand on its own halted before turning the knob. I heard her talking on the phone with Ben, I suppose. They were talking about something like going on a date and for some reason it pissed me off.

I texted her saying I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to explain her that I was only trying to protect her from me. Because I could break her heart. I didn't do relationship since sixth grade form college only because I didn't believe in love. And if I didn't believe in love, how could I promise to give her that. I'm not willing to get my heart broken again either. I'm not willing to go through the same pain again ever. Being a handsome rich billionaire only makes a eye-catching prey for women. They just want to leech off of you and get their own life in order. But Loviana was different. She wasn't that type and yet I was scared. I was scared because this was deeper than lust. This was way much deeper than what I felt for any woman. I just was unwilling to accept it till now but, it just became more and more clear to me.

She was so stubborn. Just because I said I didn't want anything serious she withdrew herself into her shell. She wouldn't even look at me. It hurt. It hurt when she ignored me, when she avoided me. It hurt when she wouldn't talk to me. Its only been 2 days but I missed her cute giggles, her captivating smile, her enchanting eyes. I loved how they grew wide everytime I stepped into her personal space. I loved how she would look away to hide her face when she blushed.

I couldn't even concentrate on my work. I just sat in my office infront of my laptop just staring at the screen and not really getting anything done. I so wanted to... I dont know... just hold her in a hug and tell her that I need her to stay with me. I want her to listen to what I want to say. I want to talk to her but I really don't know what to say. When I don't have anything to offer her. I can only give her a fling or no strings attached kind of relationship but she deserves so much better.

She's kind enough to continue working here even after I was so mean to her.

Uh! I'm losing my mind.

"Shit!" I cried in frustration. I didn't even go to the office today so that I could see her once and try, if she allowed to talk to her. But she took a day off today. I let out an exasperated sigh and grabbed my car keys and went to the only place I felt at peace. It was still in the evening so I drove to the only place I felt at peace.

                        ***********            

I parked my car near a tree and strolled on the pavement till I reached her, the woman who meant a world to me. I sat on my knees infront of her grave and said, "Hi, Mom. Its me. I know you are upset because I have been not visiting you as often as I used to. I'm sorry Mom. I haven't been myself lately. I was so worked up in getting dad to appreciate me that i didn't think about anything else." I cleaned the dust on the grave with my handkerchief. "Yes, I have been eating well and resting well lately" I lied straight through my teeth. But then I added, "Dan has been improving quite well. It's almost as if he got over everything that happened. I'm so glad Loviana came into our lives. She has helped Dan so much. He is literally like a new person. She has changed everything about Dan. Not only Dan, she changed me to-" I stopped myself not believing the words that were coming out of my mouth.

Even when my mind rejects it, my heart and soul knew it way better that Loviana is what they want. She is what I need. I stood there in silence for a while. A gentle blow of wind caressed me, brushing the hair on ny forehead as if it was my mom. I closed my eyes for a moment, thats when I saw her. She was sitting on a bench near the old oak tree in my mansion. Her brown hair was flowing like a river of chocolate behind her back. She then turned her head to me as she patted the space on the bench beside her and called "Damien." I snapped my eyes open. I know what she wanted to say. She was to telling me to do what is right. "Mom, Gotta go. I love you." I practically ran to my car.

I sat in my car and buckled my seatbelt and I checked the time on the dash. 7:00. It's a one hour long drive to the city. I pressed on the gas with only one thing in mind. On repeat.

I need her. I love her. I have fallen for her.

Yes. I am still scared that she might break my heart. But its okay if its her.... I guess.

I was sure Eric would take her to one of the restaurant he owned. I decided to call Loviana to ask where she was but what would I tell her. How would I ask her to not go to date with him. But still, with no words in mind, I still called her and I can't waste my time anymore. So I decided to check all the restaurant they owned in London. A total of 7-8. I drove as fast as I could. I went to almost 5 restaurant starting from the closest to the outskirts. I asked the receptionist if there was any reservation for Eric. But all of that was in vain. I ran to my car again and everyone eyed at me as if I was crazy. Next I was heading to was their Italian restaurant.

Please be there, Loviana. I just want to talk to you.

I drove as fast as I could. I reached the Italian restaurant in ten minutes. It was already 9. I was really hoping she was here. I asked the receptionist with my eyes holding hope. And she nodded I just rushed inside.

I saw Loviana sitting in the private area for the VIPs. She looked so different from her usual self. She was wearing a dark grey short dress which resembled that of a ballerina. Her hair was made into a cute braid with few loose strands hanging. She smiled tucking a stray strand behind her ear. When I felt my heart race as I saw her smiling like that, I knew I was falling hard for her. But something about her smiling like that irked me. The fact that she was smiling like that with someone else, irked me. That she wasn't smiling at me like that, too irked me. I feel jealousy running through my veins. I could feel the heat bubbling in me. I took long strides towards them. And when I faintly heard what Eric said and how she giggled. That was all. I stood behind her chair and called her name, holding back the anger, jealousy and love I felt for her. I tried my best to control my tone but I knew I failed miserably.

She titled her head and gasped "Damien."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••