Damien
I was irritated, and I could tell any minute I was going to snap, and I knew it wasn't because I had to leave important work and rush all the way to Ardoria, nor was it because I was about to get married in the next four months to a woman I barely knew.
Whatever this brimming anger was, it had everything to do with the woman sitting directly opposite me.
To start with, she wasn't what I expected her to look like when I decided to have at least one meeting with her before our so-called marriage.
She was the very opposite, but right now I couldn't afford the liberty of exploring the reasons.
I wouldn't exactly say I was hurt by her analysis of my character; I was rather surprised by her boldness.
Even in secret, no one would dare speak of me in such a manner, but she did; not even casually, I could taste the venom in her words.
Sitting so close to her in an empty room, I didn't expect it to unnerve me.
She had been trying to make small talk since I walked in on her conversation with her dad, and I knew it wasn't out of regret but rather guilt.
Her eyes were golden brown; she had this mystical air about her, and her lips were the right shade of red.
They were heart-shaped, and she had a small nose, which made it a bit hard to tell her true age.
I could tell she was also assessing my features as I was doing hers, but the intensity of her gaze and the fucking heat that emanated from her presence were so unnerving it pissed me off.
Maybe this was a bad idea, and to make it worse, there was this feeling of familiarity I couldn't quite wrap my head around.
"You do not have to pretend, Mia Cara. You spent at least ten minutes admiring my features. Surely a few of those thoughts involved me naked."
I said it ever so casually, but I could feel the tension between us, and it was so unnecessary considering this arrangement was going to be strictly business.
She turned her face away from me as if to gather herself, then turned to face me again, this time with a completely different expression.
"You think too highly of yourself, Damien Romano. A handsome face isn't the only quality a person should look out for," she said with so much defiance in her eyes.
If it weren't for the way she stared at me earlier, I would have been absolutely convinced the heat I felt from her was my imagination.
"So you think I have a handsome face?"
I leaned closer to her, my eyes not leaving hers for even a second. Something about her made me want to explore more grounds that had absolutely nothing to do with formality. She tensed but stayed still.
"There's no need to get ahead of yourself, Mr. Damien. I believe you understand that this marriage is solely for convenience, so it might do you good to deal with whatever ill thoughts you may have."
She said, still unmoved, but I could tell she was doing everything in her power to keep it together.
I leaned back in my seat, but I kept my gaze on her.
"I could decide to change the rules if I want to, Serena. Certainly I would not be having a wife whose bed I wouldn't warm every night."
Her gaze lowered to my lips, as did mine.
"Plus, it sounded like the last part of your statement was to convince yourself to control the said ill thoughts."
I paused, unsure why the sudden feeling of possessiveness overwhelmed me, then I spoke again.
"I should have you know now, Serena, whatever conditions this marriage shall be fulfilling, not having you in my bed will not be among them; matter of fact, it's the one condition for this arrangement that I wouldn't be reconsidering."
She shifted in her chair, and seeing how affected she was by my last words made me satisfied. I was only kidding, of course but was I, though?
Looking at her right now, it didn't feel like it. Something about the innocent look in her eyes further possessed me.
She had still not said anything, and I could understand why, but I couldn't stay here much longer.
It was weird; her, me, us alone. Since I arrived, my thoughts had been so charged and complicated.
I stood up and took one last look at her in an attempt to be courteous, and then walked off in the direction of her dad's office.
This arrangement was solely about expanding the family business and helping my father's old friend; there was nothing else to it.
Serena and I were too different, even if our families commanded so much power and influence.
Growing up, we never met.
Matter of fact, the entire relationship between her family and mine was kept private to avoid rivals using it as a weapon, but mainly because we were both among the most powerful families in Ardoria and our relationship was one of relativity and benefit.
I didn't fully grow up in Ardoria, but I knew everything about it, and that was when I understood the strange feeling in my chest: it was unfamiliarity.
I was so used to knowing everything and everyone that it felt strange to be face-to-face with someone I couldn't read like a book.
I reached her father's office and knocked briefly before turning the doorknob. The room came into view and I was immediately impressed by the refined taste.
The office was spacious, with warm wooden panels lining the walls and tall windows that allowed golden sunlight to pour in.
A massive mahogany desk sat at the center, polished to a soft sheen, with neatly stacked files and a sleek laptop on top.
Every detail, from the minimalist bookshelves to the perfectly arranged furniture, reflected a man who valued both order and elegance.
"Let's skip the formalities, Damien. You are to marry my daughter in four months, and while I'd have preferred a better arrangement, this is the only option available," he said, not taking his eyes off mine.
"I do not mind getting married to your daughter but I have a few conditions of mine," I said, my eyes not leaving his.
"Our marriage must be consummated within the first year, until the contract expires." His expression darkened.
A smirk appeared on my lips. War was coming and I was fucking looking forward to it.