Adrianna Valdez’s POV
I watched Damien leave the dining room dejectedly, and I turned to my father. “I hoped that you would have been happy that I moved on from Jake especially after he had died. Why can you not be happy for me that I have Damien?”
My father narrowed his eyes. “I am glad that you have moved on, but of all people, why did you have to be with that damn Greek billionaire? He is a womanizing cad, Adrianna. He will break your heart, and after what you have gone through, I do not want to see you pick up the pieces after he is done with you.”
“I am the one who breaks his heart, not him. I always hurt him when I do not mean to. You have nothing to worry about,” I said quietly, remembering the times I had hurt him when I tried to avoid him and other incidents like that.
My father had scoffed before he commanded, “As your father and head of this household, I forbid you to be with him!”
I shook my head. “I can’t. I am in love with him.” It was true. I had fallen in love with Damien, and the realization made adrenaline rush to my veins.
“Oh, my,” My mother whispered, and my father grew dangerously angry.
“Leave him now or leave this house!”
“Markos, what is this ultimatum of yours?” My mother’s frantic voice called out.
“I was actually here to tell you that I would be moving in with Damien back in New York. I guess this trip here is wasted,” I said evenly, turned my back against him and walked out of the dining room to find Damien.
I knew my father was judgemental, but I thought to see me happy would beat his need to be critical and judgemental. I guess I was not as important to him as I thought. I chewed on my lip when I couldn’t find Damien.
“Antonio, do you know where Damien is?” I called out anxiously, hoping Damien had not left without me.
“Oh, he is in your room Ms. Valdez, I hope you do not mind.”
I gave him a weak smile and murmured a thank you before rushing to my bedroom. What if Damien had left? I couldn’t have him leave without telling him how I felt. I knew it was strange that I had fallen in love with Damien in just two months, but it happened. And the realization made my heart pound faster and a smile to grace my lips.
“Damien?” I called out anxiously and spotted his tall figure standing in front of the window, his hands in his pockets as he stared out of the window quietly.
“Damien, I am so sorry about my father. I knew he would be judgemental but not like that. Let’s just go back to New York and forget this ever happene—”
“Stop. He is right about me.”
I frowned confused. “What? About what?”
Damien turned towards me. I made a move towards him, but he avoided me. I swallowed down the bite of rejection.
“What is my father right about you? What he said about you is not the Damien I know and have come to lo— care very much for,” I stuttered and righted before he could notice the four letter word I had wanted to say.
Damien shook his head. “He is right about how I am a womanizing, self-centered bastard who only cares for himself.”
“Damien, that is not true. I have been with you for two months, and you’re not how my father sees you unless you knew about my inheritance all along…” I trailed off.
Damien shook his head vigorously; his eyes filled with indignation. “No! I didn’t know who you even were when I was interested in you.”
“See, my father is wrong about what he said—”
“He may be wrong about that, but he is right. I do not deserve you. You can and could do so much better than me. I am a self-centred bastard when it comes to business matters. You deserve someone who is naturally caring and not possessive. And since I am in love with you, I should let you go so you could find someone better.”
My breath caught in my throat, and a huge smile spread across my face. “After all, isn’t love supposed to be sacrificial? So Adrianna, I—” Damien continued as he avoided my gaze.
“Damien, shut up.”
Damien frowned and opened his mouth to retort, but I kissed him quiet. My hand cradled the side of his face, and the other clutched his shoulder. “I love you too, Damien,” I said softly, and a shocked Damien stared at me speechless.
“W-what?”
“I love you, Damien,” I repeated, and Damien stared at me surprised.
“Really?”
I nodded my head and smiled. “Yes.”
Damien stared at me with happiness in his eyes before they dimmed, and he sighed heavily. “Even if you do love me, you deserve more than me. I am not good enough for you. You deserve someone like Jacob. Olivia told me how he was like, and he is everything I am not.”
I stared at him before asking quietly, “Damien, do you really love me?”
Damien snapped towards me, and his blue eyes burned with love for me. “Of course. You are the most important thing in my life now.”
My heart melted, and a small smile graced my lips. “You are the most important person in my life too, Damien. And I love you for who you are. I love that you are possessive, domineering, easily jealous. I love that you are family-oriented and you are just who you are. Jacob is Jacob. You are you. Both of you are two different people. I love you for you. Nothing can ever change that. Jacob was my past, you are my present and my future.” I finished with my gaze fixed on Damien. My heart thundered in my chest as I waited for Damien’s response.
Damien’s eyes appraised me to see if I was serious before his mouth crashed against mine hungrily.
I moaned, and my arms wrapped themselves around Damien’s neck and slid them to his dark slight curls on his head. Damien’s right hand cradled my cheek and the other on my waist.
This kiss we shared was filled with love and passion. I could feel my heart beating loudly in my chest as Damien’s kiss consumed me. I could also feel his heart beating an erratic beat as not an inch of space was between our bodies.
I pulled away from Damien to catch my breath and leaned my forehead against him. “I love you, Damien. Do not ever forget that,” I murmured and caressed his face gently.
“I love you too, Adrianna mou,” Damien replied softly as he gazed at my face with a gentle smile. His lips had pressed against my forehead before they landed on my lips again.
A knock on the door sounded, and I pulled away from Damien. “Yes?”
My mother glanced into my room cautiously and stood at the doorway. “My darling, I-I do not know how to explain your father’s outburst. But, rest assured, you will be welcome here. He is just very upset, and he fears for you, but he really does love you.”
I stared stonily at my mother. “If Papa loves me, he should respect my decisions and support me through them, not fight me about them.”
Mama sighed heavily. “Just bear with him, my darling, after what has happened with Jacob, none of us want you to sink that low in your life ever again. It was a very terrifying period. He is just looking out for you in his own twisted way.”
I nodded and shrugged. “Yes, I know. Damien and I will be going back to New York today.”
My mother nodded reluctantly. “All right, stay safe and give your father some time. He will come around.” My mother pressed a kiss to me forehead stroked the side of my face before leaving.
I turned to Damien who was watching the exchange and smiled up at him. “Let’s go home.”
Damien smiled. “All right, my love.” My heart fluttered at his words as now I knew they were more than endearments. They were words that truly described what I was to him.