Chapter 40
DAMIEN
북 43%
The car ride was far from peaceful. Rosalie’s drunken ramblings filled the silence as she leaned against the window, her laughter spilling out every few seconds. She wasn’t loud–at least, not in an obnoxious way–but the way she jumped from one topic to another was enough to make my head spin. Still, 1 found myself glancing at her more than I should, drawn to her carefree demeanor despite the chaos it brought.
“Damien,” she slurred, dragging out my name as she turned her head to face me. “You’re being so quiet. Why are you always so serious? Like, seriously, do you ever have fun? Ever?”
I didn’t bother looking at her, my hands tightening around the steering wheel. “I have fun.”
“No, you don’t,” she declared, laughing as if it were the most absurd thing she’d ever heard. “You’re, like, the poster boy for boring.”
“Just because I don’t act like you doesn’t mean I don’t know how to enjoy myself,” I replied.
“Oh, please,” she said, waving her hand dramatically, almost smacking the dashboard in the process. “Enjoying yourself? Damien, the most ‘fun‘ thing you’ve probably ever done is. I don’t know, read a business report for pleasure.”
“That’s not true.” I suddenly became so defensive. “I have fun. I go out. My life doesn’t revolve around my work. You are mistaken rosebud.”
“Well I’ve never seen you have fun. Face it Damien. You are just a boring and rigid person.” Rosalie taunted me.
“No I am not!” I snapped back. Was I really arguing with a drunk Rosalie?
I sighed, keeping my eyes on the road. “You’re drunk Rosebud.”
“And you’re boring, Damien.” She grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “It’s okay. I’ll teach you how to have fun.”
The corners of my mouth twitched, but I forced myself to stay stoic. She didn’t need to know how much her ridiculous antics amused me.
When we pulled into the parking lot of the Italian restaurant, Rosalie squinted at the glowing sign as if trying to decipher it. “Ooooh, fancy!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “Who knew Mr. Serious had good taste?”
“I married
her door.
you,
doesn’t that show I have a good taste Rosebud?” I responded as I got out of the car, walking around to open
She stumbled slightly as she got out, grabbing onto my arm for balance. “Thanks, Damien,” she said, looking up at me with a lopsided grin. “You’re not as bad as you pretend to be.”
I ignored her comment and guided her toward the entrance, her grip on my arm tightening as she wobbled in her heels. The waiter greeted us and led us to a secluded table near the back. Rosalie plopped into her chair with all the grace of a tipsy toddler, resting her chin on her hands as she stared at me.
“This is nice,” she said, her voice softer now. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”
I arched a brow, sliding into the seat across from her. “Don’t get used to it.” I smirked, my tone light.
Her laughter rang out, drawing a few glances from the nearby tables. She didn’t seem to notice–or care. “Oh, Damien,
you’re such a charmer”
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Chapter 40
The waiter handed us menus, but Rosalie didn’t even bother opening hers. Instead, she pushed it toward me. You pack. I
Trust you.
“Since when do you trust me?” I asked, skimming the options.
“Since now,” she said with a shrug. “Besides, I don’t like my decisions. Your problem now.
I sighed but didn’t argue, ordering for both of us when the waiter returned. As Rosalie played with the edge of her napkin her gaze flitted back to me, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
“Do you ever smile, Damien?” she asked, tilting her head. “Like, a real smile? Not that fake, polite one you do.”
“I smile, now don’t make me argue with you again.” I said, my tone dismissive.
“Liar,” she teased, leaning forward. “You’re like a robot. A really handsome, brooding robot.”
I stared at her, impressed. “You think
I’m handsome?”
She nodded, “uh yes. Don’t I ever tell you that you are!”
I smiled. “You’ve never actually complimented my looks. I began to think I wasn’t attractive to you.”
Rosalie shrugged her shoulders, “Maybe I never told you how good you looked because you were always a pain in the ass Meet your numerous mistress to compliment you.”
“You are so ridiculous Rosalie.”
“And you’re overbearing,” she shot back, giggling. “But it’s okay. I like you anyway.”
Her words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond. She was drunk, I reminded myself. She didn’t mean it
The food arrived shortly after, and Rosalie’s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. “Oh my God, this looks amazin she said, practically drooling over the plate of pasta in front of her.
She dug in with gusto, managing to spill sauce on her chin within seconds. I reached across the table, grabbing a napkin and handing it to her. “Stop eating like that Rosalie. You will make a mess.” I chided her.
She wiped her chin, unbothered by my remark. “And you’re too neat. Balance, Damien. It’s all about balance.”
We ate in relative silence after that, though Rosalie occasionally mumbled something about how good the food was nice the restaurant looked. I watched her when she wasn’t paying attention, unable to stop myself. She was beautiful- always had been. But tonight, there was something different about her, Something softer, more vulnerable
wanted to
to forget
Staring at Rosalie as she sat there, drunk and unguarded, brought back memories I wan
“Why do you hate me?” Her voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. She wasn’t looking at me anymore, her gaze focused on the empty glass in front of her.
“I don’t hate you,” I said quietly.
She snorted, clearly not believing me. “Could’ve fooled me. You’ve spent years being awful to me. What did I ever do to
you?
ho
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bed my jaw, the works bedding to the surface before I could stop them. Your hurt me, Rosalie
Her head napped up, her eyes wide with surprise Turt you?” she repeated, laughing incredulously “Damien, you’ve foriented me four years. How exactly did i hurt your
“You wouldn’t understand: Imtered, looking away.
Try m
aning forward
“I dont matter, I said, my tone sharper than 1 intended. “Just drop it.”
She leaned back, crowing her arms. “You’re so frustrating Always so closed off. It’s like you have a wall around you, and no
I diduct respond, knowing anything I said would only fuel her drunken interrogation. She let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head “You’re impossible, Damien. Abolutely impossible”
The tension between us hung heavy in the air, but before she could say anything else, the sound of soft music filled the restaurant Her expression brightened instantly, and she turned to look at the small dance floor in the corner.
Do you dancer” she asked, her tone casual but her eyes glinting with mischief.
“No” I said immediately.
She grinned “Come on, Damien. Just one dance?
“I don’t dance, I repeated, trying to sound more firm this time.
She pushed her chair back and stood, wobbling slightly. “Well, I do. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Konale, sit down. I ordered.
Ignoring me completely, she grabbed my hand and tried to pull me out of my chair. “Loosen up, Damien. It’s just a dance.”
I resisted at first, but the determination in her eyes was impossible to ignore. With a resigned sigh. I let her drag me onto the dance floor
The muur was slow, and Rosalie swayed clumsily, her movements uncoordinated but full of enthusiasm. “See?” she said. grinning up at me. This isn’t so bad
al in
I hesitated for a moment before placing my hands on her waist, guiding her movements. “You’re terrible at this.”
And you’re way too stiff the countered, laughing as she leaned into me
We moved in perfect unison for a while, her head resting against my chest. This really felt so good, in as much as I tried to
Thated how I treated Rosalie in high school, I hated myself for turning into her worst nightmare. As much as I tried to push the thoughts away, they rep in anyway
“You really don’t hate me, do your she murmured, her voice barely audible over the music.
No Roerload I dont Lamwered How could I ever hate her? She was my obsession, my love, my life.
When the song ended. Let her back to the table and grabbed her coat “Let’s get going Rosebud. You need to sleep I said.
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