" Wake up Sunshine". I heard a whisper in my ear. I opened my eyes to see Roberto and Fernando's faces, staring at me. "Good morning guys". I yawned.
"You fell asleep on a pile of documents". Fernando stated as he handed me a cup of coffee.
"I found out that there was quite a lot of work to be done. The restaurants in Canada and Spain need my urgent attention". I responded as Treasure curled up on my lap.
"This is exactly what I was worried about. You've been disregarding your duties because of Wrightwood".Roberto remarked with arms folded.
"I know you think you can do it but you have to do everything in moderation". Fernando pleaded.
"You know what? I'll wrap up everything here quickly and...
"What's the hold-up Diana? Or should I say who's the hold-up?". Roberto inquired as he took a sip of coffee.
That certainly caught me off guard. I paused and thought. They didn't know anything yet, so it was safe to speak.
"Damian's just being stubborn. I have to at least get him to agree and sign the documents before leaving".
"Fine then. We'll follow you to go talk to him. He should at least give us a valid reason for his refusal". Roberto instructed.
"No!" I exclaimed, realizing I screamed. "I'll go talk to him one more time. And, if I don't get him to agree...I'll leave".
They looked at me in astonishment. I could already tell what they were thinking.
"You don't mean you're going to...
"Are you going to sleep with him just for a piece of land Diana!?" Roberto yelled.
"Of course not. I have my dignity and pride. I'll just go there and have a mature conversation with him.
"Wait. Take this". Fernando handed me a can of Pepper spray. "It's more effective than the ones got you".
"Thank you". I replied. "Oh... I'm not going with Treasure. Do you guys mind taking her out for a ride or something?". I pleaded with a smile.
"This is serious". Roberto commented.
"She said she's just going there for a conversation, so we'll trust her on that. Go ahead. We'll take care of Treasure for the day". Fernando responded.
"For the day?!. How long will she be...
"That's okay Roberto. Go get dressed Diana". He instructed.
I got up and left for the bedroom. I lay on the bed and thought. The situation didn't seem too complicated. Why did I feel as though it was? Who did he think he was to shake me up like this? I was going anyways.
I had a cold shower and put on ripped jeans and a black crop top. I styled my hair into a messy bun and put on my sneakers. I looked at myself in the mirror and was convinced that I would be able to have a decent conversation with him in that outfit. Unfortunately and fortunately, I looked tremendous in whatever I wore.
"Ta-da!". I said when I came out. Their mouths were open.
"W...why this outfit Diana".
"Because I like it and, it's safer. Bye now. Bye mama".
As I drove, I rehearsed my conversation with him. I wasn't going to go into his house this time. Not at all. I reminded myself of that. It might be my last shot.
"Alright". I sighed as I pulled up at his house.
Once again, I was beguiled by the land. The gentle swish of the waters. It was it. I felt it and I knew it. The scenery spoke to me on so many different levels. I needed it. I needed it so badly.
I walked up to the cliff and I saw him standing. Staring at me. "Could you come down please? I need to speak to you ". I yelled.
"You're not coming up?".
I searched for the best response to that and I found none.
"I want to be able to concentrate when I'm speaking to you". I answered. As expected, a smirk appeared on his face. He tilted his head and looked at me for a moment. That simple act sent chills down my spine. 'Snap out of it Diana. He doesn't even like you. I told myself.
"Fine then". I watched his tall muscular figure walk down from the cliff. I braced myself. My eyes dilated when I discovered he was wearing a black top and ripped jeans too.
"I see we're twinning today. Nice. I never expected to see you in such an outfit, Princess". He said as he ran his eyes over me and back to my face.
"Whatever. I just...
We were suddenly interrupted by the blaring sound of a horn. We turned to look and saw a limousine coming our way.
"What the...
It was quite sunny so I had to squint my eyes to see. I watched as the figure of a man walked towards us. My vision became clearer and a disgruntled look appeared on my face.
"Hey, baby! Surprised to see me?". He was dressed in a white tank top and black shorts.
"What are you doing here?". I asked infuriated.
"I just wanted to pay a surprise visit to my sweetheart". He stated as he sent Damian a deadly look.
"Diana who's this and why is he on my property?". Damian inquired in a cool voice. I just stood there. Gazing at them both.
"And Why does she have to explain things to you?".
Trevor questioned angrily.
"Oh it's nothing. It's just because you interrupted us right before we were about to have our moment". Damian responded with a grin. I stared at him. in shock.
"Your moment?". Trevor asked.
"Yes. We were just about to go into my house on the cliff over there and spend our day lying unclad in each others' arms. She is surprisingly proficient in such activities than she looks". Damian responded with a sly smile.
Trevor looked at me in disbelief.
"Don't tell me this was what you came to Wrightwood for Diana?". He looked at Damian again. "I mean, I get that I was rejected but surely, you could do more than a peasant boy who lives on a cliff. Forget about his looks Diana!".
"What did you say?".Damian asked as he lunged at him. I stepped in between them to prevent a fight.
"This is such a slap on my face. This is most definitely not over". He said as he stormed off to his limo and drove off.
"So you brought me down here to get insulted by your moneyed boyfriend?". He asked with a frown.
"Would you quit it? He's not my boyfriend and I had no idea he was coming here. If there's anyone that should be angry, it's me. Why the hell did you say that to him?". I was Irate.
"Because it was gonna happen eventually". He responded rashly.
I breathed in and out.
"Damian. What's the reason for your refusal to sell the land?". I inquired.
" It's overly important for me to sell". He responded simply.
"Can you at least give me a valid reason why?".
"No".
"I have barely a week to wrap this up. Damian, why do you hate me?".
"Why do you assume that?". He asked
"Well, you were mean to me, you told me you had no intentions of having feelings for me, yet you wanted to sleep with me, and now you don't want to sell the land to me".
"Hmm"
"Is it about the past?".He kept mute.
"We're gonna have to talk about it eventually". I started with my arms crossed.
"Let's talk about it upstairs". He stated with arms crossed.
"I'm not...
"I'm not gonna do anything to you. I'm a man of my word, Diana".
He sounded convincing. I followed him up to his house. We sat at a table facing each other. There was brief silence with a hint of awkwardness. I spoke first.
"Damian. I don't know what to say or how to say it but, taking a look at things from your standpoint, I understand how you must've felt at that time...You probably felt...
"Betrayed?, Deserted? Hurt?". He added.
"Yes. Those terms. It wasn't my fault Damian. My Parents...
"I know it wasn't your fault".
My mouth fell open.
"You do?. So why are you so mad at me?".
"I had pent-up anger and resentment. But since It wouldn't make much sense to take it out on your parents, I resolved to take it out on you".
"Gosh, you're such a psychopath!". I yelled in bewilderment.
I almost saw him smile. Almost.
"I guess I am. If that's all...
"I'm sorry". I broke off.
"What?"
"I should have been more sensitive back then. I should have visited Wrightwood again to set things straight but I let the fear of the unknown hold me back. For that, Damian, I'm sorry".
He seemed astounded by my apology.
"You can leave now before I break my promise of not doing anything to you". He said as his eyes darkened. I became uneasy.
"But I just apologized...
"And I listened to you. The door is open Diana. I'm trying to restrain myself here".
He looked at me differently now. I couldn't quite place what it was. I remained in my seat. I tried to talk myself out of it. He was offering me a choice. A choice to leave freely or stay with him and make a grand mistake. He looked at me one more time and when he noticed that I wasn't going to get up, he got up himself and locked the door. 'This is it, Diana. This is what you asked for. I thought
He threw the keys on the Sofa and turned to me. I turned in my seat to look at him. We stared at each other.
"Come here". He said slowly.
I got up and slowly walked up to him. My breathing was unsteady. I didn't know what I was getting myself into but at the same time, I couldn't resist. He held my waist and pulled me closer. Then he kissed me.
It wasn't light this time. It was bursts of passion and craving. Each one trying to keep up with the other. I let out a soft moan as his hands slid down. I was still uncertain about it but as soon as he took his shirt off, I was certain. He hauled me to the bedroom and we melted in each other's arms as I took in all of him.