Chapter 16
Crossroads Of Deception
Elena
My feet were frozen to the spot as I stared, dumbstruck.
The both of them hurriedly disentangled from each other and Damien's eyes flashed when he looked up at me.
"What are you doing here?" he snapped, his chest rising and falling in quick succession. The lady in his arms turned her back to me, she was buttoning up her shirt.
"I…" I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My mind raced, trying to process what I'd just witnessed.
"Where did you go?" Damien continued, not bothering to adjust his tie or shirt. "You think you can just come and go as you please?"
Something in his tone made me snap to attention and my daze cleared.
"I left after what you did," I said, my voice low. "I think I was interrupting something," I glanced over at the lady beside him, a bitter taste in my mouth and I turned to leave.
At that moment Damien's secretary barged through the door, her eyes were wide with panic.
"I'm so—sorry sir," she stammered, her voice shaky. "I told her you were… busy but she wouldn't listen," the secretary gave me a death glare as she spoke.
Damien didn't react, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Leave," he waved his hand, dismissing her.
I turned to leave as well, but a cold voice rang out behind me. "Running away, I was hoping to make your acquaintance," I turned, meeting the cold gaze of the woman beside Damien.
My breath caught in my throat, I knew that face I thought, my mouth was partly open as I stared at her.
Sophia Beetle
She was a former runway model, I remembered when Father had briefed me about Damien, and his known associates, he'd mentioned her name a few times.
"Hahaha," I chuckled, a bitter taste welled up in my mouth. Damien and Sophia were lovers?
The thought sent a stabbing pain that shot through me, taking me by surprise.
I felt hurt.
I'd always known I was nothing but an inconvenience in the eyes of Damien but seeing it, finding out this way… the sheer weight of my discovery knocked the air clean from my lungs.
"So you're Elena," Sophia curled her lips. "You don't look like anything special, I can't believe Damien had to keep up with you for so long," her eyes flashed with cold light.
I remained silent, my heart aching in so many places I couldn't even breathe comfortably.
Damien had surely replaced me quickly, I thought, staring at her. She was tall, immaculate, with dainty curves in all the right places. I couldn't find a single flaw, even if I wanted to.
"You will go home this instant," Damien finally spoke, his face dark. "And you'll stay there till I get back," he barked out his orders, his eyes boring into mine.
I didn't say a word before turning to leave.
"It won't be your home for long I reckon," Her laughter trailed after me as I left the room.
My heart thudded in my chest as I walked out and into the elevator, I wasn't even present when I walked out of the company and into the street.
The image of Damien together with Sophia re-emerged in my mind multiple times until the dull ache in my chest became a full-blown sharp ache.
I stopped a cab and got in. "Llano," I muttered, sinking into the seats.
"You crazy or something?" The driver was about to launch into a stream of vulgarities but I simply tossed a hundred-dollar bill into his lap and he shut his mouth.
"I'll get you there in an hour," he nodded, his expression friendlier now. I barely responded.
It was a long ride back to Llano, I'd lost track of time but it was late by the time I arrived at Sarah's place.
I asked the driver to wait for me before I got out and headed inside.
Sarah didn't even bat an eye at seeing me come in so late. "Did you do it?" she asked, raising her head from the magazine in her hands.
"No," I stopped across the room, facing her. I was grateful for the sunshades I had on, I'd not closed my eyes for even a single second throughout the drive, my mind fixed on my thoughts.
"What do you mean?" Sarah paused and looked up from her reading. Her gaze was cold and despite my shades, I had the feeling that she could see through me.
"I…" I exhaled, trying to calm down. "I spoke to Damien," I began carefully, weighing my words. "I'll be going back, Sarah. I've realized my mistakes," I whispered, meeting her gaze that'd become dark and angry.
"Hmph! What do you think you're doing?" Sarah snapped, tossing the magazine away. "Do you think—"
"Please, Sarah," I spoke in a low tone, interrupting her.
"I'm sorry for all the hassle but I've made up my mind. I'm really grateful for all the help you've given to me," I met her gaze, mentally willing her to believe me.
I was a very bad liar.
That's right, everything I was saying was a lie.
Sarah fell silent for a long moment, silently weighing my words.
"This will be the last time I see you, and you me," she said suddenly, she picked up her magazine and continued reading, ignoring me.
Her maid appeared like a ghost, I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw Lily in her arms. She was fast asleep.
"Thank you," I whispered to the silent maid as I took Lily from her, cradling her in my arms.
"I'm grateful for all your help Sarah," I stared at her for one long moment. Sarah didn't respond, she completely ignored me.
I forced a smile before I turned on my heel and left, the weight of my unknown future pressed against me.
I wasn't going back to Damien. I'd made my mind up during the ride here. I wasn't going to have my life be controlled and manipulated, not any longer.
This wasn't the life I wanted for Lily.
It was time to take control of my life.
The cab lights flashed on and it slowly drove away into the looming darkness.
Destination, unknown.