Adrianna Valdez’s POV
I strapped on my heels before making my way to the vanity table and touched up on my appearance before slipping on the diamond charm bracelet onto my wrist. Now, there were three more charms on it from the past two days where Damien had been touring us around Greece.
I brushed through my hair and added some clear gloss before looking up through the mirror to see Damien watching me with the same funny expression on his face.
I raised an eyebrow. “Is everything okay?” I asked as I turned around. Damien blinked before giving me a brilliant smile.
“Everything is fine. Let’s go.” He led the way to his car and helped me in before going to the driver’s seat.
“I do not see why we have to dress this fancy. Where are you taking me?” I asked curiously as Damien drove. I was dressed in an elegant white halter dress and simple black heels. Whereas, Damien was in a black suit with a black shirt with the first three buttons undone.
“We are going to see a musical,” Damien replied, and his hand that was not on the steering wheel took my hand and intertwined them together. I smiled at the gesture. “A musical? Really?” Damien was bringing me to see a musical. I loved musicals! I had seen several kinds over the years like Annie, Beauty and The Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and much more.
Damien glanced at me before turning back to the road. “Yes, really. The Phantom of the Opera.”
My eyes widened in disbelief. “I’ve wanted to see that for years,” I said in awe.
Damien looked extremely pleased by my answer as he gave me a satisfied grin. He gave the valet the keys from his car, wrapped an arm around my waist and led me into the theater.
***
“I cannot believe you cried!” Damien grumbled as we walked out of the theater.
I rolled my eyes, “Why not?”
Damien grunted a reply before narrowing his eyes. “It seems like you would choose the phantom over me!”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you jealous of a fictional character?”
Damien frowned before shooting me a disgruntled expression. “No, I told you I do not get jealous!”
“Really?” I asked, peering up at him as we strolled down the sidewalk.
Damien glowered at me. “No, why would I be? Jealousy is for people who have low self-esteem, and they resort to childish means to express it.”
I blinked. “So you have low self-esteem?”
“I am not jealous!” Damien almost shouted.
I glanced down at my heels trying to hide my grin. “All right. I believe you.”
Damien saw right through me before narrowing his eyes. “You’re baiting me, aren’t you?”
I burst out laughing, and Damien glowered at me before a smirk crossed his face. “You are going to pay, Adrianna dearest.” He grabbed my by my waist and hefted me over his shoulder. His hands cupped my bottom, preventing my dress from being flipped up by the wind.
I laughed, “Put me down, Damien! Please!” Damien ignored me and began walking to the beach. “Damien, don’t you dare throw me into the sea!” I warned as Damien continued stalking towards the sea.
“You should have known better than to mock me, agápē mou. Now, you have to pay the price.”
I snorted. “Mock? I was stating a truth!” I squealed when Damien lifted me off him and dangled me above the shallow part of the beach where the waves were lapping at the sand.
“Take it back! I was not jealous!” Damien grinned wickedly at me, and I struggled before giving in.
“Fine, all right. I was wrong, you were right. Damien Doukas does not get jealous ever!” I almost shouted.
Damien smirked, gave me a lazy smile, satisfied with my answer, and released me gently onto the ground. “You are impossible!” I exclaimed, and Damien grinned.
“But you like me like this, don’t you?” He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me flush against his body.
I blushed furiously when I felt his erection against my torso. His lips suddenly crashed against mine, and I relaxed in his arms, my lips pressing against his urgently. Sparks of desire raced across my skin, and my toes curled. That was how amazing Damien’s kisses were. Damien’s hands left my waist and cradled my face tenderly as he continued to kiss me passionately.
He tugged on my lower lip before pulling away and gave me a tender smile. I smiled up at him. Damien’s fingers caressed the side of my face gently as he said, “Adrianna dear, I think I lo—”
“Adrianna, is that you?” My head turned around to face the person who had called my name. Immediately, I paled. “Mrs. Bertinelli.” I murmured, and all the memories with Jacob came back.
“What?” Damien frowned as he studied the approaching female figure.
“Adrianna, it’s been a long time. It’s good to see you. What are you doing in Greece?”
“It is good to see you too. Oh, uh, Mrs. Bertinelli, this is Damien, my boyfriend. Damien, this is Mrs. Bertinelli, Jacob’s mother.”
Jacob’s mother sighed. “I thought I told you it’s Danielle, Adrianna. There are no formalities between us.” Danielle beamed softly at Damien. “It’s good that you’ve moved on Adrianna. Jacob would have wanted you to do so especially after he passed. He really did love you.”
I nodded mutely, and Danielle sighed. “I should be going. Leo is waiting for me. It was nice to see you again, Adrianna.” Danielle gave me a small smile and nodded to Damien before leaving.
I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding and faced Damien who was watching me with concern. “Are you all right?” he asked quietly.
I nodded, and Damien gently caressed my cheek before pressing a light kiss on my hair. “All right, let’s go back home.” He then pressed me gently to his side and cradled me against his body as we went back home.
***
As I got ready for bed, I observed Damien through the mirror. He had been awfully quiet ever since we got back from our date. He was just lying in bed and staring at the ceiling deep in thought.
I had a feeling of what was bothering him. Knowing Damien, he would not explain himself, but I had a few tricks up my sleeves. However, female persuasion could do wonders. I crawled onto the bed and Damien watched me as I lay down beside him. “What is going on, Damien?”
Damien frowned and shook his head. “Nothing. Everything is fine. Let’s just go to sleep.”
I shot him a flat look and straddled him, taking him by surprise. Damien sucked in a breath when he realized I was wearing a thong. “Damien, I know when you’re brooding. You are transparent like glass, clear glass,” I stated and stared him down. Damien gave me an insolent look in response.
“Come on, Damien, you can tell me anything. We are together, are we not?” I coaxed. Damien studied me for a while before pushing me gently off him and sighed.
“Do you still love Jacob?” he asked quietly.
I blinked. I was shocked and stunned. The question had taken me by surprise. Did I still love Jacob? I pondered over the question.
Looking Damien in the eye, I answered, “Yes.” Damien’s face fell, and hurt and rejection took over. “I love him, but I am not in love with him anymore. Without him, I would not have met you or even be together with you. Without him, I would not have met Olivia or be a godmother to Trevor. In a way, I think I would not even be who I am today had he not passed. That is why I love him.”
Damien seemed pleased and surprised by my response. He hugged me, strong, muscular arms wrapped around me, and he nestled his cheek against the top of my head. “Do you think you could ever be in love with me?”
“Yes,” I answered immediately, and I could sense that Damien was elated by my reply.
“Good night, my love,” Damien said silkily in my ear as he spooned me, and we started to fall asleep.
My last thought before I lost consciousness was that I did not think I could fall for Damien. It was because I was already falling in love with him.