CALM THE BEAST

I wouldn't have speculated that they could fight like that. I am sure this is about this betrothal and the choices that Damian made back then. Choices have consequences, and they are all reaping what they sow by choosing this for their son. I don't get it, though; they seemed so okay the other day at our house. Damian didn't show even a tinge of remorse towards them. He didn't object to my proposal. So why this now? Or was that all just a show? Well, this guy can pretend for the whole world, then.


"I am sorry, Ellie, for..." Mrs. Riccaford starts, but I cut her off.

"No, Ma! I smile sheepishly and say, 'I am sorry for coming unannounced. Please forgive my manners," I say, faking an awkward smile.

"Ooh, come on! This is your house, dear. Is everything okay? What brings you here?" She asks, trying to smile off the awkwardness and embarrassment engulfing us. Then, beside her, she suddenly went mute. I wonder where the bravery that they oozed a minute ago has gone. She is the only one who has a mouth to speak. These other two beasts are just gawking at me with cold faces, as if I were the one who initiated their fight. They are doing a good job at concealing their anger a little, but they can't completely do that, especially Damian. I know this look in his eyes. I know how deep his anger is cutting right now. He is seething in rage inside. I know that if this was not his father, the fight wouldn't have stopped right there.


"Uum, I came for Damian!" I say, shifting my gaze at him, and the devil does not form a face. He is just here, cold, and still, not even a raised brow or any tinge of even a little shock. I think his acting is impressive, but it would be super impressive if he could at least brighten his icy face, for goodness sake!

"Well, I didn't know my son was going on a date." I turn to Mrs. Riccaforte upon her exclamation, and the smile on her face worries me. Wow!


And a date? This is another reason why I feel sorry for her. She is so convinced that I will be her daughter-in-law. I don't want to visualize the kind of pain she will experience if my plan goes as planned. But, as Papa said, some things are beyond our control. This is one of them. I hope she will understand. Or maybe I will be the one to really understand that phrase in the end.

"No, mama! It is not a date," I correct her and throw a glance at Damian.

He is still standing tall and bold, like Mahatma Gadhi. Maybe the rage flaming in him is dissuading him from reacting, or probably because he is fully aware that something like this shouldn't be expected. I mean, going on dates? Sigh at that! Or maybe he is thinking whether I miss him this much to come looking for him at their house.

"Whatever, dear," his mother says, summoning my attention as she hugs me gently before pulling away after a short while. She smiles at me broadly. 'Just take him wherever you want and bring him back when he is calm. I cannot deal with them both, much less him, 'her smile I am sure you will know how to calm this beast down because I just can't deal with it."

Aha! Okay. So this is a mother talking like this? How does she suppose I will do that? Sing an acapella to him? Twerk naked in front of him? Or better still, spread my legs to his face and have him worship my body like he always does?

Shit! You said that, Ellie, not your mother-in-law! Maybe...

No! No! No! I am not craving him! I am damn fucking not!

"Is everything okay?"

And he had to speak? He thought I missed his sexy icy voice or what? And still, he does not see any need or reason to smile at me. What does he mean if everything is okay or nothing is okay with this attitude?

"No," I respond, tossing my anger aside as I gawk at him with the same coldness that he is serving me, 'I came for you because my father is asking for you. He refuses to go to the theater before speaking with you, Damian," I explain, confusing everyone.

Their jaws all drop to the floor, and I mean everyone; even this cold beast could not help the shock. "Me? Why?" His voice cuts through the silences after a while.

"Theatre? Riccaford is in the hospital? We didn't know that." That is his father, and yeah! I forgot to inform them. It didn't even cross my mind at all.

"How is he doing?" Damian's mother asks her every aspect, denoting fear and concern.

"I would be lying if I said he was okay. He is scheduled for the transplant at 2. p.m. But he insisted on speaking to me and Damian before that," I explain.

"Oh, my God! Then what are we still doing here? Love, we are going with them, right?" Mrs Riccaforte asks his husband, whose stone face seems to have been softened by the sad news of my father.

Their friendship is that deep. It has always been. No wonder they wanted to continue this bond with this intermarriage. But what a wrong way of doing that!

"Sarah! Tell the chauffeur to get the limo ready right now. We are going to Aga Khan hospital," Mr Riccaforte orders.

"My fiance and I are riding in my car," Damian roars, walking to me and and bandaging his hand around my waist.

Fiance, huh! If only he didn't lie to me...

"But, son..."

A single glare from Damian shuts his mother up. He is too cold and harsh to this sweet woman, if you ask me.

"Let's go, babe!"

Babe, huh? Holding me so sweetly possessive like this means a shit to him? Guy, can his acting be any better?