Harriett was going through some of the emails from Colin, her assistant. A tired groan left her lips as she realized that being away from the office for two weeks had left her with a pile of work. She was about sending a response to Colin when Stacy walked into the room.
“Hey. I and Thomas will be taking the kids on a ride. We’ll be back before it’s dark, okay?” She smiled and left the room, leaving Harriett.
As soon as Stacy left the room, it suddenly dawned on her that it was going to be just her and Damien in the house.
“Oh, Mother. I see what you’re trying to do.” Harriett sighed, shutting her laptop down as she threw a pillow on her head and screamed into it.
She thought of just staying in her room until Stacy returned but it would make Damien think she was avoiding him so, she decided to take a walk and probably stop by the wine bar.
When she got there, she was surprised to see that Damien was already seated with a glass of wine that looked like it hadn’t been touched. He was also deep in thought.
Clearing her throat, Harriett announced her presence before taking a seat on one of the stools a few steps away from Damien.
“Hey.” Damien greeted, now aware of her presence, he took a sip from the wine and ruffled his already rough hair, something he only did when he was frustrated. He didn’t want to engage her in a conversation since he couldn’t trust himself to not mess up. After their last encounter, Damien concluded that it would be best for him and Harriett if he kept his distance.
The silence was killing Harriett and for some odd reason, a feeling of guilt. She knew that he was being that way because of her. He had barely spoken during breakfast and avoided her like she was a plague.
He was in the wrong but this victim act of his was making her feel like it was the other way around.
She was about opening her mouth to end the silence when Damien beat her to it.
“I’m sorry about yesterday. I mean it.” Damien said without looking at her.
She didn’t need anyone to tell her that he was being sincere. The tone of his voice and the look in his eyes made it obvious.
“I know you are, Damien. I do. I just wish you would do things differently.” She said, deciding to let it all out.
“I am willing to give us another chance, Damien but you constantly being suspicious of me isn’t helping. First, it was Tony, now it’s Adrian. Who knows what’s going to happen in the next few years. You might see me with another man and suspect me of cheating.” She said.
“I have never even thought of being with another man, Damien. Not while we were married and you were having an affair with Evelyn or while I was unmarried and in Paris. I have only ever wanted you.” Harriett confessed and it was bad though a weight had been lifted off her chest.
The guilt Damien felt in that moment made him want to kill himself. She was right about everything.
He shamelessly accused her of cheating while he was the one having an open affair in the relationship.
Damien downed the entire glass of red wine, guilt eating him up as Harriett spoke. Harriet suddenly remembered Stacy’s words about how Damien was miserable and unable to forgive himself after he realized his mistake. It then dawned on her that she was only adding salt to his wounds by her words so, she stopped.
“But, all that is in the past now. I have decided to forgive you and move on. We can forget about everything that happened and plan for a better future. I am also not happy that our children are being raised in their grandparent’s house and not with their parents. What do you say, Damien?” Harriett asked, holding her breath as she waited for his response.
Damien dropped his glass and chuckled dryly before turning to meet her eyes, holding them in an intense gaze.
“God, Harriett. I want nothing more than to live with you and our children. I want nothing more than to make up for all those years that I lost. I want nothing more than a chance to show you how much I love and will continue to love you, Harriett. I want you.” He confessed, a drop of tears escaping his eyes.
Harriet felt her body tremble and her eyes water. It felt like things were finally falling in place. There was finally hope for her and Damien.
“I love you, Harriett. Please, come back to me.” Damien said, moving from where he was to where she sat. When he got to her, he used his thumb to wipe the tear from her face and leaned in to capture her lips in kiss. A kiss that held too much emotions. A kiss that held a promise to love and trust her.
Harriett opened her mouth, granting him access as he deepened the kiss.
She moaned at the feel of his soft lips against hers. She could taste the wine on his lips which was mixed with their tears.
Pulling from the kiss, Harriet held his face with her hands and smiled
“I love you, Damien. I always have.”
*
*
Tony parked his car a few meters away from the Daniel’s mansion as he hesitated. He knew he would be going into the enemy’s territory the moment he steps into that house, but, he wanted to see Harriet badly.
As he sat, he noticed the huge gate open and a black Mercedes drive out of the mansion. Fearing that Harriett was in the car, he hurried to the mansion before the gate closed and thankfully, he was able to meet of the workers who was just in front of the gate.
“Hello? Can I have a minute?” He called out and the middle aged man turned to him with a welcoming smile.
“Can I help you, sir?” He asked and Tony pointed in the direction the car went.
“Harriett Edwards. Was she in that car?” He asked and the man shifted uncomfortably, not knowing if he could trust Tony as he was a stranger to him.
“Look, Harriet is my friend and I have been trying to get to her a few weeks. I just want to see her and be sure she’s fine” He confessed, hoping the man would believe him.
Seeing that Tony looked harmless, the middle aged man spoke up.
“Harriett wasn’t in there. The other members of the family went out for a drive. She is the only one in the house.” He said and Tony signed in relief, about going in to see her.
“Oh, Mr. Damien is also in with her.” The man revealed with a proud smile, happy that the two were spending time together.
Tony’s smile was immediately replaced with a look of disappointment, hurt and betrayal. Just then, his phone chimed and when he checked, it was a message from a familiar number.
‘Do you see it now? Only I can make you get Harriet.’