The day displayed its splendid beauty, the sun shining over the calm waters. Adam invited Damián to enter the water, but Damián promptly lied with courage: 'Sports are not exactly my thing, and in the sea, I only go in wearing a life jacket.'
"Fear"? Doesn't seem like your style—retorted Adam, a playful smile dancing on his lips.
Damián responded with a calm gentleness, 'I am an omega, after all. Insecure, fragile, and delicate. Isn't that the common perception?' Speaking with careful consideration, his true intention was to downplay the drama, maintaining a delicate balance.
Adam continued to insist—gently, but for Damián, the idea felt like an intense electric shock. Simple contact proved overwhelming. However, this time, he would rely on the luxurious safeguard of the life jacket, a protection against the imaginary 'shark'! Adam didn't make it easy for him; in a way, he challenged him.
Adam and Damián were in the water, relaxing. Damián was wearing a life jacket.
Adam: You look handsome.
Damián: Thank you, but no one should lie about that.
Adam: I'm not lying. You really are handsome.
Damián smiled, but still seemed somewhat hesitant.
Adam: You leave me in awe, don't you believe me?
Damián raised an eyebrow.
Damián: Are you listening to yourself, Adam? You're complimenting me for wearing a life jacket.
Adam laughed.
Adam: You look good, no matter.
Damián smiled again, this time willing to find something to counter Adam.
"He approached Damián in the water and, as he kissed him, tasted the flavor of vodka and strawberry on Damián's lips."
"Aster watched the scene from afar—with incredulity. It was surprising to see his friend portraying vulnerability, with a touch of protection coming from Adam. Knowing that Damián had grown up facing adversities, pain, and suffering, he realized that dealing with the demons reflected in the mirror every day was a tough battle for Damián.
Aster was well aware of Damián's history and life—a former mercenary with a brilliant career.
But how long would he remain anesthetized? It might seem foolish, but it was very difficult to show true feelings and then pretend they didn't exist, hiding all one's emotions was a common pattern. Perhaps it was necessary to have a frank conversation with Damián; after all, the family Kadman. However, it was evident that Damián was perfectly playing the role of a weak omega.
"Damián was immersed in severe mental conflicts, an overwhelming inner struggle. It was a crushing burden for him to bear. However, there he was, investing efforts to appear vulnerable. Meanwhile, Adam played his role as a protective alpha with mastery, creating an intense scene of conflicting interests. Damián feigned fragility to deceive Adam, who positioned himself as a protector with impressive conviction."
This kind of entertainment made him feel like he was on a mission, amidst unicorns, and for a few moments, it seemed that being part of it all was good for his life.
For a moment, his mind seemed enveloped in confusion, in search of clarity. Perhaps some moments of introspection could reveal nobler aspects. Faced with so many empty gaps, he carried within himself..."
"Penny was talking to Mia as they watched Adam and Damián in the sea, reflecting on the temperaments and relationships between alphas and omegas.
"Penny advised Mia, saying, 'I think it would be better to make amends with him after all. He will be a Kadman through and through, while you're just Lady Elizabeth Kadman's niece, Adam Kadman's mother.'
Mia sighed and replied, 'I think you misunderstood, Penny. He's temporary, and they are temporary.'
Penny pondered for a moment before continuing, 'We can put something into action. Have you heard what Henry was saying, right? That Lord Mallet was extremely proud of Aster's musical abilities?
Penny went on, Lady Elizabeth received a very special gift from Lord Malcolm, the "Harmonic Star," which is in her studio here on the island. This state-of-the-art device classifies and evaluates musical performances based on accuracy, piece difficulty, and interpretation.
I know Lady Elizabeth insists that everyone sees the "Harmonic Star," which is a gigantic-suspended screen, elegantly framed with a touch of gold. In the center, a large holographic display shows an endless list of songs of different genres and difficulties, all meticulously organized. The device awards stars and points for the best musical performances.
Mia smiled as she thought about the screen, with admiration in her eyes. She explained, This is our chance to show those two peasants that we are aristocrats. They're not ready, but we are. Let's just make them uncomfortable, innocently, while keeping our image high.
Mia smiled happily, imagining how humiliating the peasants with the "Harmonic Star" would be. She knew it would be an unforgettable experience for them.
The day came to a splendid end—and the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. It was time to return to the island, where the grand Kadman mansion awaited its guests for a gala dinner, promising to be a memorable evening.
Mia was determined to coax her aunt, Lady Elizabeth, into presenting the exclusive gift she had received from her husband, Lord Malcolm.
However, for Mia it was an opportunity to finally be recognized—no longer ignored in the corners of the room, where the sun never touched—or shone on her. She believed that the two omegas could not breach the ranks of society. It wasn't fair for her to remain in the corner of the room, and tonight would be the moment to claim her place in the sun.
In the room illuminated by the gentle glow of the night, Adam and Damián were absorbed in their preparations for the special night ahead. The carefully chosen wardrobe was spread across the bed, and the excitement of the moment hung in the air.
Damián carefully selected the tuxedo he had chosen; a stunning piece in velvety black with satin trim details that accentuated its sharp lapels. He observed the long sleeves and buttoning at the cuffs, appreciating the elegance of the front closure with short buttons.
With a smile, he noticed the English-style back vent and the two front flap pockets—while adjusting the curved hem and high-waisted straight-cut design of the suit. The concealed front closure and the slit pockets on the sides added a final touch of sophistication to his look.
While Damián was occupied with his tuxedo, Adam was busy unfolding his own choice. His tuxedo was equally elegant and refined, with details that reflected his impeccable sense of style.
As they both prepared, Damián picked up his milky white silk blouse, admiring the ruffle details and the gathered high collar. Its long sleeves were perfectly balanced with a ready-made bow and a straight hem that added a touch of sophistication. With a mischievous smile, he picked up a ribbon for his tie, deciding that a simple bow would be the perfect complement to the ruffled blouse.
In the midst of their preparations, Damián noticed something in Adam's pocket but made no comments. Adam waited until Damián was ready to give him the finishing touch. With a gentle gesture, Adam handed him a white gold ear cuff adorned with butterflies and diamonds. Damián took the earring and, without bothering to look for a mirror, began putting it on. Adam approached to help, smiling.
Adam: "I'm glad you're not the type who likes to spend hours in front of the mirror."
They shared a knowing moment as Adam helped Damián with the earring. However, Damián felt uneasy. The truth was that he didn't want to look at himself in the mirror, avoiding it as much as possible.
As the child of an interracial couple, Damián hadn't lived his life as an activist or a racist, but he had faced his own silent battles. The deep scars left by this journey haunted him now. His consciousness was constantly in conflict with itself. He was more than just a consciousness; he was real. His intuition flashed like lightning, and the mirror hurt him deeply.
Even though he hadn't chosen this role, it was causing consequences for him!
The grand hall seemed to be studded with stars as Adam and Damián arrived at the event venue. An imposing hall with gigantic stained-glass windows extending from floor to ceiling illuminated with vibrant colors cast a magical aura over everyone present. Candlelight danced on the stained-glass, creating dazzling patterns that seemed to come to life on their own.
Outside, a circus spectacle of multiplicities was in full swing. Skilled performers, dressed in extravagant costumes with white feather plumes and butterfly wings, enchanted the audience with aerial acrobatics and impressive juggling. The colorful circus lights illuminated the night sky, creating a spectacular contrast with the majestic atmosphere of the hall.
The venue was now filled with approximately 200 guests, all elegantly dressed and eager to celebrate the special occasion. Soft music played in the background, creating a sophisticated and immersive atmosphere.
Adam greeted some people as he entered the hall, spreading smiles and kindness wherever he went. His path led him to a special and carefully reserved table. There sat his family, his mother, and father, alongside Lady Sarah and Lord Mallet Campbell, accompanied by their friends, Callum and Aster. It was the main table of the evening, where the atmosphere was already filled with lively conversations and laughter.
But undoubtedly, for those present, Callum Campbell's company was a genuine surprise. The young man wore a white satin tuxedo, standing out with elegance and grace in Victorian style. The choice of satin enhanced his presence with a soft glow and luxurious texture, creating a remarkable contrast with his previously known attire.
Completing the tuxedo, he wore a black and white ruffled shirt, adding a touch of drama to the ensemble. The shirt stood out impressively.
The absence of the Phillips in that environment, after everyone had knowledge of their previous engagement to Clarice Phillips, generated a wave of murmurs and curiosity among those present.
It was evident that something had changed in his life, and everyone eagerly awaited to discover what was behind this surprising turn of events.