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A small smirk of a smile curls at one side of his mouth but it soon disappears into the stern, dark stare that he usually wears.
“You do not owe me anything Bella. I thought this was something we both wanted,” he says as he strokes the tip of his finger from my shoulder down my arm. Goosebumps follow his trail. “I guess I misread the signs, please forgive me.” He straightens himself and returns to his powerful demeanour, entering the lift and immediately closing the doors behind him. I’m left staring at my reflection in the mirrored lift doors.
Had I just made the worst mistake of my life? Maybe.
Damien
I am livid. Livid with myself. Why does this woman have such an effect on me? I lose control of my senses when I am around her. I feel extremely shaken by the experience. No woman has ever turned me down before. You think this would encourage me to move on, but it only makes my desire for her stronger. I have always acquired what I wanted in life. I work hard to ensure I get what I want, and this is no exception. I will have her, it may just take a little longer than I originally thought.
My Bella conquest needs to take a back seat for now, as tomorrow is my father’s burial and private funeral. He is finally going to be laid to rest next to my mother. I’m feeling unnervingly emotional tonight, Bella has really got under my skin. I down a scotch and go to bed- I have had enough of this day.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” the vicar says as my father is lowered into the ground. I am surrounded by family members and my father’s closest associates. My mind however, is a world away from here. It’s a warm sunny day, not a cloud to be seen and the sky is the most beautiful shade of blue. It reminds me of Bella’s eyes. I think back to last night, how she felt in my arms and her skin on my lips, until she abruptly dismissed me. There’s a pat on my back and I realise the service is over and I’m standing mostly alone by the grave. To anyone else, I suppose I look like the grieving son; little do they know. I must put this unfamiliar obsession with Bella down to the emotional experiences I have been through the last 12 months. Losing both parents in such a short space of time maybe has had more of an effect on me than I thought. I turn to see George, who has also been a strong father figure in my life. I nod and we leave to join the guests at the wake.
I have done my rounds, speaking to everyone that has attended to pay their respects. I have always known what a kind and generous man my father was, but hearing stories about his life today, has made me even more proud and even more determined to ensure that his great legacy continues. I’m getting ready to leave when I hear a commotion outside. My blood boils as I see who is responsible. Pete.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I storm at Pete, but Josh steps in between us. Pete is clearly drunk, he looks angry and upset.
“I came hoping to see you in pain having lost a loved one. I hoped you might now feel the suffering you have inflicted on my family. Only now I’m here, I remember what a cold, heartless man you are. Your father was a great man Damien, but you…… he must have been so disappointed,” he says bitterly.
Before anyone can intervene, my fist locates with his jaw, breaking it with a crack. As he begins to fall, two of the security team grab him by the arms and carry him down the path, preventing me from doing any more damage. His legs scramble to keep up with their pace.
“I’ll get you one day Damien!” he shouts back at me. I laugh at his statement. This guy has a death wish.
Bella
It’s a couple of weeks until I see Damien again properly. I have seen him now and again walking through the hotel or speaking with employees. I have secretly observed him from a distance. He hasn’t once looked at me or tried to contact me. I thought maybe he had given up on me since I rejected him that day by the lift. I hoped not though; I missed him. I’ve started to regret turning him down that day. Every night, I lie in bed imagining what might have happened, what it would have felt like. I am starting to drive myself mad. I throw myself into work to take my mind off him. After all, that was why I had come to London to concentrate on my career.
In a few weeks, there is an important hair and beauty event. The Foster & Thomas team are doing the hair of the models. We are teaming up with fashion stylists and makeup artists to create a unique but on trend look to help promote a new sustainable and eco-friendly hair products and tools company. The event is being held in the Trinity Hotel. It is an invitation only event, so only the best in the industry will be there. It is to be an evening of gourmet food and fancy cocktails, with an entertaining exhibition showcasing the latest eco-friendly products, fashion, makeup and hair designs. It is going to be spectacular. There is a whole production team organising it.
The models will be doing a dance routine. There will be music, lights, even little fireworks. I am very excited. First, the models are doing a routine in casual clothes, then while the guests are eating, we will be backstage transforming them into glamour, fit for a ball. Once finished, the models will do another routine which is much more upbeat with lights and fire sparkling things. At the end, one of our stylists is to present the work we have done and talk all about the wonderful products and tools which we have used. The whole team assume that Rebecca would take the lead on this, as she is the manager and franchise owner. However, the eco brand ask if I would be the one to present.
Apparently, they feel I am more passionate about their ethos. I am not sure Rebecca is happy with this but she doesn’t say anything other than that as long as the brand is happy, so is she. When I am first asked, I almost say no. I had panicked. I am still panicking now, but this is the whole reason I had moved to London, for opportunities like this. I need to do it. The stylist’s and makeup artists are brilliant. We all get on really well together, bouncing ideas off each other, all really motivated, and we come up with some amazing results.
It’s a Thursday evening, after the salon has closed, and we are all meeting in the King Suite. This is where the event is being held. The King Suite is the biggest most spectacular room in the hotel. This room is used for weddings and other very special events. I dread to think how much it would cost to hire this room for an event.
The room takes your breath away when you enter. The floor is a white and grey marble that glitters ever so slightly. One wall has six floor to ceiling arched windows, revealing the most beautiful view of Trinity Square Gardens. Three modern crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The crystals appear to float in mid-air; they sparkle immensely and project tiny rainbows across the arched ceiling.
The events team are setting up a stage with a runway down the centre of the room. I start to feel flutters of nerves and excitement. I look around the room, taking it all in. To my left, I catch sight of those captivating eyes upon me. There he is, Damien. As handsome and as dreamy as ever. My heart skips a beat and begins to flutter in my chest. What is it about him? His dark hair, looking ready for a trim actually, his strong jaw and cheek bones covered with a little more stubble than I’d seen him with before. The usual scowl on his face. The twinkle in his eye. Damn, it is like we are the only two people in the room when he looks at me. He is wearing all black. Tight, black jeans and a black long sleeve T-shirt. He gets sexier every single time I see him. He literally takes my breath away. My legs buckle slightly as his eyes run down my body.
I start to walk around a little to hide my stumble and jelly legs. He is with four other men, all wearing black; they have ‘King Security’ jumpers on. They must be planning the security for the event. I have to look away, his appearance makes me feel all kinds of weird sensations. I am here to work. I need to pull myself together. I continue to look around the room; most of the women have their eyes in Damien’s direction. They look at him admiringly and flirtatiously, I feel jealous! Their gazes start to move, and they begin to chatter. I then realised this is because he is on the move- he is heading in my direction.
“Bella, I was hoping to see you tonight.” His deep masculine voice vibrates in my every nerve. In my head I do an excited dance- maybe I would get a second chance. I have been kicking myself ever since I turned him down.
“You were? And why is that, Damien?” I ask, trying to remain calm and not give away the excitement that is burning inside me.
“Yes, my hair is ready for trim, I wondered if you would be able to fit me in before Monday? I have a meeting I need to look my best for.” My heart sinks a little- he just wanted his hair cut.
“I can check the diary tomorrow, but I’m sure I’m fully booked for the next couple of weeks,” I reply. I really want to see him, and I am not going to waste this opportunity. “I do feel as though I owe you a favour,” I continue, “so, I’d be happy to do it tomorrow night when I finish work or over the weekend?”
I then realise that tomorrow is Friday, and he most definitely would have plans, and I had blatantly just told him I literally have no plans. What a loser. I do regret turning him down, but I don’t want to appear desperate.
“You owe me nothing Bella. Tomorrow night will work for me. What time do you finish at the salon?”
“I finish around 6pm,” I say, hoping I’d have time to change and refresh before seeing him. A Friday is a long, busy day in the salon, I’d definitely not be looking or smelling my best when I had finished.
“7pm tomorrow then, I will text you the details.” And just like that he turns and walks towards the security team. No small talk, just matter of fact, and gone. It takes me a couple of minutes to register what just happened and catch my breath. I take my phone out of my bag and open my calendar. I add an entry for tomorrow evening. Damien, haircut. Not that I will forget but I just need a minute while my heart rate returns to normal.
I just about manage to compose myself while the events team run through the order of the evening. We discuss our ideas for lighting and music to go with our themes. Everyone is really excited, and the energy is infectious. It is going to be a great night and I am feeling more confident. I just wish I had as much faith in myself as everyone else has. Everyone seems to value my opinion on everything.
