SOMEHOW REMORSEFUL MAN

I need to find out what they are after before we get screwed. Papa is not in the capacity to do anything at the moment, so I will have to take them all by myself because my hunch is so strong. There is something dark about these witches. Where do I begin? What am I getting myself into?


"Babe? Say something!"

He is concerned, huh?

I peek at his bottomless orbs. Dark and sweet, as always. The spark is beckoning me to bore my burdens to him like old times, but times have changed. And this battle is mine alone! I can't afford to get him or anyone else involved because I don't know how it's going to end.


"I am okay. I will just go talk to the doctor." I slowly slip away from Damian's grip, and still pondering Gracia's words, I saunter to Lemuel's office.

"Hey!" Lemuel exclaimed after seeing my face! "What is wrong?" He queries, standing from his chair behind the desk and strolling to me. "Did something happen to your father?"


"No. Uumh... Actually, he is okay. He sent me here to tell you that he is ready now. You can start the preparations," I explain and frown.

"Then why is your face like this?" He tucks the loose strands of hair behind my ear and cups my cheeks. "This is the moment we have been waiting for. Everything will be okay, so cheer up!" He drops his hands on my shoulders.

"I can't help but worry, Lemuel. I am nervous, worried, and afraid. I..."

"Sshh!" He caresses my shoulders. "Everything will be fine, Ellie! Trust me!"

I should. I should trust him and not allow this fear and uncertainty to creep into me. Now is not the time to freak out! A lot is happening that I don't know about and that I need to know about. My father needs me to stay strong for us. I need to be at my best in strength.

"Okay. Please do your best, okay?" I plead.

"I promise. All will be well." I nod my head to his assertions, and then he adds. "I will go get the team that will be operating on your father, and once we are ready, I will take him to the operating room."

"Okay." I whimper.

"Would you like to wait here?" He asks after collecting the files.

I think I need some alone time to reflect on this GRACIA issue and also pray for my father. "That would be nice," I respond.

"Alright. Make yourself comfortable, and don't worry yourself. I am sorry I can't keep you company. I am needed in the operating room."

"It is alright, Lemuel. Your presence there assures me that my father will be in the safest hands. I will be fine here. Don't worry. I can manage." I assure him.

I am not so confident in the last statement, but I can't afford to get the poor doctor worried. I have troubled him enough already.

"I will keep her company!"

Excuse that voice!

We both snap to the cold tone of Damian as his tall frame leans on the door frame. He seems to be having a mental confrontation with the poor, innocent Lemuel. How long has he been there? And why does he look like he is having some unwarranted issues with the poor doctor?

"Alright, Mr. Riccaforte! You two can stay here. Excuse me, Ellie!" Lemuel walks out, and I feel Damian's strides towards me after the door closes.

He shouldn't be here! "Why are you here?" I ask as I turn to him.

"It is my right to be here."

Yeah, right! As my ex, my fake fiance, or my betrothed? Or my protector that my father made him to be? Or as the CEO of my father's empire? What the hell does he have rights to? How can he have all these rights over me when all I want is for him to be away? Why does it seem like fate is pushing him toward me in all aspects?

"As what, Damian Riccaforte?" I ask, gazing deep into his orbs.

"As anything you want me to be. As long as I am beside you, Ellie!" bold and sincere. He is not even blinking or forcing words out of his mouth. They just rolled so smoothly and easily.

His voice is cold, but it has the magic to melt my heart. It is low and soft, but it echoes with so much power and allure.

"I will be whatever you want. Your watchdog. Your savior. Your protector. Just don't push me away, please."

And when he pleads like this? Wait, why is he abiding by all these obligations anyway? Why isn't he talking about anything? Even more, why am I pushing him off like this? Why the hell is so okay with everything?

"Why are you doing this, Damian? I don't need you! I can take good care of myself if that is what you are worried about. Don't force yourself to do this because..."

"I am doing this," he says, closing the gap between us, caging my shoulders in his warm hands, and continuing, "because I want to. I want to be here with you to prove my worth and my love and affection. I know you are fierce and bold enough to protect yourself, but I can protect you better. And your father bequeathed to me that obligation. I can't fail him."

"But..."

"Can we not fight about this, please? Please! It is fine if you don't want to talk to me yet. I respect that, because you have every right and a thousand reasons to be mad. I won't bother you, I swear. I will just be here, in case you need me."

He is willing to do just about anything to be close to me. Is this his way of showing devotion and commitment to me? Of owning up to his mistakes? His way of saying sorry? Does he still care this much for me?

Am I being too much of an impossible bitch if I am still feeling hurt by him lying to me? Am I being unfair to him?