Elizabeth carefully slid out of bed. She got dressed quietly, smoothing out her shirt and stealing one last glance at Y/N's sleeping form before heading out of the room. She wasn't expecting to see Damien, but there he was in the living room, sprawled on the couch, whiskey in hand. He looked up at her with a knowing smirk.
"Happy to see you glowing, and able to walk..." he teased, his smirk widening as she shot him a look, cheeks tinged with color.
She gave him a light nudge as she sat down. "Where are the kids?"
"Fast asleep. It's 11 p.m., Lizzie. They're tucked away like little demons they are . Where's Y/N?" He raised an eyebrow, taking another sip.
"Asleep too," she replied with a smile, grabbing the TV remote as she settled in. Damien chuckled to himself, setting his glass down and watching her carefully.
"You good?" he asked, his tone softening slightly.
"Yeah..." she nodded, exhaling. "We didn't really talk, but I think... I think we're okay."
"Good. About time," he said, giving her an approving nod before leaning forward. "I do have another question for you, though."
"What's that?"
He handed her his phone, and her eyes focused on the screen. It was an invitation for The Annual Falcone Gala. "Is this still happening? Because if it is, I need to find a date."
Elizabeth blinked in shock, realizing that she'd completely forgotten. "Oh, no..." she muttered, cursing herself. "I'll have to cancel it."
Damien's eyes widened in near-horror. "No chance," he said, shaking his head. "The Falcone Gala is the best night of the year! That's where u make most of my business deals! Whatever you're missing, tell me, and I'll make sure it's done."
Elizabeth squinted at him, suspicious. "You're being... awfully nice to me lately... I didn't think you even liked me."
He rolled his eyes, smirking. "Believe me, I've had my doubts about you. But Y/N...She's miserable without you. So if making you happy keeps her sane, then... I'm all in."
Elizabeth paused, letting his words sink in. She hadn't realized just how much Y/N's friends, even Damien, wanted to see her and Y/N work things out. She gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Damien. I appreciate it."
He grinned, brushing it off with a casual wave. "Alright, so... party. Are we on?"
She hesitated, then nodded, feeling a renewed determination. "Yes. I'll take tomorrow off and focus on planning, but I'll need help finding a decorator and... a food person... thingy."
Damien nearly choked on his whiskey, bursting out laughing. "Food person thingy? And here I thought you were the classy one."
She shoved him playfully, laughing. "Hey! I'm too exhausted to think of real words."
He raised his glass in mock toast. "To the food person thingy. I'll make some calls."
She shook her head, still smiling, then thought of something. "Are you going to bring Miranda?"
Damien's smirk faded into a grin that was almost embarrassed. "Oh, no. She'd bankrupt me. Way too expensive to bring her out every time."
Elizabeth frowned, caught off guard. "Wait... expensive? You mean, you pay her?"
Damien shrugged, looking amused. "Yeah. She's a yacht girl, Lizzie.I'm one of her... clients."
Elizabeth blinked, her initial surprise deepening. "But I thought... she was your girlfriend."
He shook his head, chuckling at her shock. "Oh, honey, no. Miranda's hired—like Behati. The thing about them is that they can blend in anywhere, fit perfectly at events like these. It's... a skill... you can put Miranda anywhere and she will be perfect."
Elizabeth leaned back, processing. The image of Miranda—polite, intelligent, perfectly in place—didn't align with what she'd just heard. She frowned. "I didn't expect that. She seemed so..."
"Polished? Intelligent? Well spoken?" Damien offered with a shrug. "She is. That's why she's expensive. She's perfect that's why her rate is insane!"
Elizabeth took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She still didn't fully understand, but something about Damien's casual honesty softened her. For the first time, she felt like he wasn't talking to her as an outsider but as part of his world... Y/N world.
"You know, for what it's worth," she began, "I appreciate you being honest with me."
He shrugged again, taking another sip. "I figure you're in it now. Might as well know the ins and outs."
She looked down, suddenly thoughtful. "This world... its like a parallel universe... have you and Y/N always done this? Is there stuff you guys do that I don't know about."
Damien looked at her, nodding knowingly. " we do enjoy parties... I enjoy them for other reasons but yeah... Most of the women around me are hookers Lizzie, you pay them, they do what you need them to do and then leave."
" Has Y/N ever hired Miranda? Or someone other than Behati?"
He hummed " not that I'm aware of... I know that she had met Miranda before I introduced them but I don't know if legitimately or if she hired Miranda"
She nodded and turned the TV on and placed her feet on Damien leg. He laughed " You are getting too comfortable around me Olsen."
She laughed too " It's Mrs.Falcone and I am always comfortable around my friends."
He finished his drink " Friends... yeah... I think I can tolerate you Olsen."
He said and Lizzie rolled her eyes. " I think I can tolerate you... Manfredi"
