In Damien's Keeping

Chapter 20 (Damien's PoV)

Damien's PoV

Anger rising and fingers itching to punch something bad, I glared at each and every passerby. Lia sat silently beside me, her breathing almost noticeable in the pin drop silence inside the car. 

My driver turned the player on, filling the car with music.

Give me a sign

Take my hand, we'll be fine

Promise I won't let you down

Just know that you don't

Have to do this alone

Promise I'll never let you down  

'Cause I know I can treat you better than he can  

Shawn Mendes's Treat You Better  was playing, but the way it fit the situation made me glance at Lia. My eyes moved to Lia to find her staring at me. Startled, she averted her gaze and stared through the windows.

I remembered the time when...

**********

"Damien sir, Mr. Walker is home," A maid came and informed me.

I nodded back, putting my book down on the reading table and got up.

"I am coming, thank you," I said and walked out of my room, ensuring I had it locked.

I was enthralled that he was finally home, so that I would ask about the woman I saw before. Grinning, I saw his silhouette against the glass doors that opened in the gardens.

"Mark," I said and stood behind him.

He turned around, smiling and said, "Damien... How are you?" 

We hugged and then sat down on the couch.

"About time, you came for my wedding. I thought you were not going to make it," Mark said.

"Can't miss my best mate's wedding, now can I?" I said, smiling.

"I would skinned you alive if you had."

"Not that you can," I said with a cocky smile.

"Where is Clara and all? I didn't see them. Are they staying somewhere else?"

Mark was nervous all of a sudden, not meeting my eyes with his. 

"They didn't want to come," he said and made me frown.

"What does that mean?"

"They don't approve of Lia and that's why they aren't coming to the wedding," he said and shook his head.

"Maybe I could talk to Clara, she always wanted to see you married off. That's insane," I said and fished my pocket for my phone.

Mark grabbed my hand and shook his head, saying, "No, I talked to them. I begged them but they wanted me to marry Mel."

"Oh, they cannot force you to marry, right. But I wished---"

"I wished too, Damien. Believe me, I wanted my mother and my siblings to be here but they don't want to."

"I am sorry, man. It must have been hard for you."

Mark nodded with a grim face and asked, "So... Did you meet Lia?"

"Nah, I still have to meet your bride."

Smiling, he nodded and got up from the couch, sauntering upstairs. After a while he came back from his room.