Every person has someone in their life. Like really an annoying one. But strangely, their absence bothered us much than their presence.
For Damien and Nathaniel, Julian was the person. Three of them were cousins come best friends. They were sitting in the VIP lounge of the nightclub, Red Rose.
On some other day Nathaniel was of pretty understanding nature unlike Julian but on days like today, they were nothing but annoying altogether.
Since Clarke had left Damien with that condition, they were finding it really thrilling too much for Damien's irritation.
Where Damien was expecting his mother, Caroline to be somewhat supportive to get out of this, it came out to be she was more excited than his father Clarke and both of them in unison was hellbound to see him married and according to them settled down.
"Damien, so when are we getting the chance of being your best man?" Julian asked dreamily getting Damien pulled out of his thoughts and glared at him.
Nathaniel laughed out only to get him even more irritated but one cold look from Damien, his laughter came to an end. He asked pulling out a serious expression, "Damien, have you thought of a way out?"
"No." For the first time ever Damien was being clueless about what to do not to mention his irritation for that.
Etheridge logistics was built by the hard work of his father and he would was supposed to be make it even more successful. It was his father's dream. Since he heard his father saying that, it became his dream too.
And to prove his capability, he had given his five years there but then..
"Right." Julian again got in with his suggestion, "Girls are dying to get this opportunity, man. Just choose one of them."
Damien knew there were plenty of girls ready to be his but no one was meeting his expectation. It was not exactly the matter because he wasn't searching for anything in them when it came to girls. What's the point! All of them are going to be the same.
"I hate woman of clingy nature and even more those who have some ulterior motive up their sleeves." Swirling his drink in the glass, he was holding he said and took it in one go and poured some into the glass again.
"So, you need a girl who doesn’t give a damn for your looks as well as your billionaire heir status." Nathaniel stated thoughtfully but on second thought, he spoke up, "Do you think there is a girl of this kind? I don’t think so."
"Irrespective of your cruel and playboy nature, girls really like the idea to be with you even for a night." Julian added sounding excited, "And this time Aunt Caroline and Uncle Clarke will be supporting her. So, there will be no way out for you like really."
"Right." Nathaniel nodded at Julian but the thought of a very specific girl as well as a bright exception for his as usual known girls popped into Damien's mind.
Eden McBride.
She would fit the role perfectly. Her words from their meeting at that coffee shop got ringing in his mind, "To be very frank, I don't dislike you. But I am just not necessarily excited about your existence nor do I want to entangle yours to mine. I have my life planned out and I am happy with it. I can do really well without someone like you."
Though her words irritated him that time, now it didn’t sound that much irritating. Rather..
"Damien, are you even listening to me?"
Julian was still going on with something, that Damien had totally missed being zoned out. But he knew his words would be of no help to him even if they weren’t irritating.But it wasn’t something that irritated him now. What irritated him was, he would have to talk to her and the very notion that she would be pissing him off with her words and this time, he would be the one giving her the chance to do that.
He placed the glass on the table almost with a bang that the drink from it splattered and it was about to break down into pieces.
Julian and Nathaniel looked up at Damien, confused as ever. Shrugging, Damien got up, "Anyone needs a ride?"
"With that attitude of yours! No, thank you." Julian said and Nathaniel was second to nod at that.
"Well then." With that, Damien left the VIP lounge and made his way downstairs, his eyes searching for a specific figure in the club but got disappointed.
He, himself calling his father to ask him to set a meeting with her was impossible and his calling her for that was just out of question. His goddamn ego was concerned here.
"So is your life." A little voice buzzed somewhere in his mind getting Damien irritated to the core.
But still, he hesitated to choose either of the options, well aware he had to do it anyway.
Destiny seemed to be favourable to him this time strangely. His father called him to inform that he had to fit his big shoes for the next two days in the office after this weekend.
For a few ridiculous moment, he thought his father was going to put an end to his ridiculous demand of getting him settling down but no. He seemed to be adamant enough for that.
It's just Clarke was going out of the town with his wife for attending a programme or something.
Damien had always loved the loving nature of his parents which just increased to some extent this time as his work became somewhat easy. For these two days, Eden was going to be there as his secretary and he would really make a good use of this chance.
~~
Damien didn’t expect Eden to be this professional and serious with her job. He expected her to be somewhat clumsy that would have been more girlie and his forte to get her listen to him for whatever it was. But nothing of his anticipation got working with his girl.
As much as he was happy that she was what he would like as his secretary but on second thought, he was at a disadvantage here.
He wasn't a begging man and he was sure as hell, he wasn’t going to start being one with Eden.
So, he thought of the most generous thing offering her that she would never be able to decline.
Though he was sure, it would work, he had other ways as well to make her agree. Either way he was sure to have his way with her...
Thinking of the girls, Damien had been with till now, were obsessed with trying to look flawless and classy with their dresses, jewellery and all. Remembering last night and Eden's spoiled dress, he thought of showing off some money to her first that girls liked the most according to him.. He ordered a dress for her from Nicci, a mall, people getting average paychecks like her wouldn’t even dare think of visiting. Just to taunt her, he even asked to put the price tag in front. Damien expected an amused expression from her anyway but her look got him taken aback instead. He could really make out her words with her expression but was in no mood to take that now. So, pulling out a deadpan expression, he shot first, "Ms. McBride, do you really need this job?" Was that even a question! If it wasn’t necessary, why the hell was she doing it in the first place? Eden pressed her lips tightly though to stop the way out for her words knowing Damien was her boss here and she should stop bein
It was a long back Damien had left the cabin but Eden was still in her chair. She didn't even seem to be in a hurry to leave the cabin as she tried to brace herself.But no matter how much she tried to come up with a way out, she couldn't reach a conclusion.She didn't know why Clarke didn't come to the office today. But she couldn't reach the conclusion that Clarke was well aware of Damien asking her to do this.She didn't know if it was a good idea, she called Clarke but much to her disappointment, the voicemail response came to her hearing for her every attempt.Destiny seemed to be playing a prank on her. A very frightening one to be specific that would cost her so well planned life of hers meeting a dead end in no moment.How come her life reached this point? Eden wondered for a moment.What should she do?It wasn't a marriage that Damien was looking forward to but a game. A game that she never thought of taking a part in. Not even in her worst dream.The shopping bag from Nicci
Eden really didn't think Damien would make her do this. But then talking to Clarke Etheridge wasn't a problem here but talking to her parents was. Eden thought. She could see it would be the next ridiculous thing she had to do. Out of nowhere, she couldn't just start saying to her parents that she wanted to marry the billionaire heir, the son of her boss. They knew really well about Eden's choice not to mention the person from her college time. Eden never hid anything from her parents but this time.. If not this, then what? Eden thought for a moment. There was no way she was going to say she fell in love with him and would like to marry him. She mentally groaned at this thought. When she remained quiet in her place at night, her parents could feel something was wrong with Eden but no matter how much they tried to talk to Eden, she just said about work pressure and all. Even if they weren't convinced but they didn't push her to speak up right now because they knew sooner or later,
Well aware that every pair of eyes were only on her, Eden stirred in her seat. She knew it would sound ridiculous but as she already said this, she should go ahead as well. Nodding at her thought, she added softly, "I want a Summer wedding." Damien knitted his brows at her, not liking the idea at all. It looked like Eden had all the time but for him in the next weekend, he was turning 29, reaching the finish line, his father gave him for choosing his girl. He considered for a moment. Even if Clarke might not say anything to him with this now but.. Not like he was so desperate to marry Eden but Clarke would surely smell the rat if they pushed it this far as Summer was still months away. No one said a word for some time. Caroline looked upset as her dreamy plan seemed to have to wait to be executed. But then with a thought, she turned to Eden, "Eden, we won't push you for it, dear. Your wedding will happen when you want it." "And that is never." Eden thought and let out a sigh of
Eden's POV Did you ever pray that your ears should serve you wrong sometimes? Well, I am praying for that now very desperately to happen to me as I asked Apollo to hear otherwise. But for the third time, he said the same thing as he glanced back at my laptop. His tone seemed to be quite irritated this time, "The folder is empty, Eden." My legs walked near on their own to have a check for myself. After getting confirmed about my file being gone, I turned around.Everyone seemed to be confused except for Damien. He was staring at me coldly and as if I could read his thoughts. I would be so dead if I happened to mess it up.But it didn't bother me as much as his look from last day that was saying he did know already that I was going to mess it up and I somehow did it. After spending a sleepless night, I was feeling somewhat sleepy a little back but now as per the demand of the situation, I was all awake. Not just wake but I felt suffocating. To get myself together and to catch my bre
Eden's POV "Didn't you hear me? Coffee, two cups." Damien yelled at me. Groaning mentally, I made my way to the refreshment counter. What the hell is going on here! He should at least keep his personal life and professional life separate. The way Laura smiled at him, anyone could tell they didn't have just boss employee relationship but beyond that. Then why the hell he was trying to get married to me! Laura would have been perfect for this role. Then why me! Leaving the thought aside, I made two cups of coffee and made my way back to Laura's cabin. Damien was saying something but just with me appearing at the doorway, he stopped. Like I care! Without bothering to look anywhere, I placed the coffee on the desk and left from there. I thought Clarke would still be in the office but no. After the meeting, he was nowhere to be seen. I barely settled on my chair after entering my cabin when Damien barged into it. His face was cold as ever when he said, "You look bonkers. Take a h
Author's POV When Eden was out for doing the asked, Laura was about to open her mouth but one glance from Damien kept her lips sealed. Damien took a few strides and stood near the window wall seeing down the streets, the bustling city. After one minute or two when he turned to Laura, his look was as cold as ever, "What did you do?" "Damien, I.." Laura started but with the look getting colder, she corrected herself, "Mr. Etheridge, I didn't do anything." "In that case.." Damien's words got interrupted when the door pushed open and Eden entered the cabin. He waited for Eden to say something or at least stay there but all she did was leave from there. He didn't stop her though. He turned to the tray with two cups of coffee. One of them he thought for was Eden actually when he asked. Anyways he reached for one and again stood leaning against the window wall as he took a sip. "What's the progress of getting an announcer? You were working on that." Damien changed the direction of his
Eden stood still at her place as her eyes stubbornly stayed at Damien. His face was gleaming under the bright lights. The masculine jawline looked sharper and firm. His hair looked glossy. Damien was looking far way more handsome in his three-piece suit; a white smooth, cotton shirt, black skinny pants, and slim fit blazer. Damien's laughter dried down when he caught the sight of Eden staring at him. Her eyes strangely looked mesmeric to him today that was not covered with the thick frame glasses that he had been seeing since the very first day of their encounter. His eyes took her appearance in effortlessly and then turned to her face again. Both held each other's gaze for a moment or two before Caroline took Eden to the place where Damien was standing and introduced her to the people who weren't many in number. Just the family members of Damien and some close relatives to be specific. The pleasantries were shared for a good long time and then Damien and Eden were made to stand f