“Do you have to go? Hmm?” Damien asked as he watched Harriet pack her clothes. Addison and Adrian were already downstairs with their grandparents and were already packed.
“I can’t stay here forever, you know? We aren’t married anymore. It’ll be odd for me to live here.” She chuckled without looking at him, but she could feel his domineering presence behind her, the sweet smell of his perfume gracing her nostrils.
“Why would it be? We were once married, Harriett. It won’t be odd for us to live together. So many couples live together without being married these days.” Damien replied and moved closer to her, turning her around so she could look at him.
“Oh, Damien. We’re not like everyone. Once the press finds out that we’re living together even though we are divorced, it’s going to affect both our companies. Have you forgotten that you are one of the richest men in the country?” Harriet said, rubbing his arm lightly.
“Why do we have to care about what people would say? Hmm? They’ll always talk, let them, Harriet. As long as we love each other, we can do whatever we want.” Damien replied. He knew that he was moving too fast but, he didn’t care anymore.
“Damien..” Harriet whined but Damien held her face with his hands and pulled her in.
“Let’s get married again. We’ll be able to live together once we’re married.” He said, not being able to control himself any further. Damien watched with horror as Harriet’s expression changed.
She felt her heart beat against her ribcage and fear gripped her. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to get married again.
Did she love Damien? Of course. But, could she trust him not to change later? Definitely not.
She loved him four years ago too, trusted him blindly too, but he suddenly changed and became hostile towards her. What if he is only being this way because of her children.
What if he is only acting this way because he wants to win his father’s trust?
Harriett just couldn’t trust Damien.
She slowly pulled away from his grasp and sat on the bed, folding her hands nervously.
“I-we can’t. We agreed to take things slowly, remember?” She looked at him and her heart broke as disappointment and hurt filled his face.
“I… I know. I’m sorry. I just want you close, Harriett.” He sighed, massaging his temples.
He didn’t want to tell her that he was scared to let her go since Evelyn was still out there. Another reason was that Tony was back in New York. He didn’t want her to keep meeting other men which was why he wanted to speed up the marriage.
“I’ll visit your penthouse frequently. Weekly, maybe?” She suggested and his eyes instantly lit up.
“I’ll call everyday. You’ll tell me about your day. We’ll be involved in each other’s lives… until we get married at least.” He suggested eagerly. It warmed Harriett know that he was now caring about her. He was never like this before and this was something she wanted from him desperately then.
“Alright.” She replied with a chuckle and he nodded happily.
“Oh and. We’ll search for a new name for Adrian this week. We need to change his name as soon as possible.” Damien said, his mood turning sour as he mentioned that name. He didn’t like that his son’s name made him frown just because his brother also had the same name.
“Whatever you say, Damien. He’s your son after all.” Harriett sighed and continued with her things, getting ready to move them downstairs.
Two maids came in when she was done and helped carry the bags downstairs where she met her twins which were seated peacefully with their grandparents.
“Mummy! We’ve been waiting!” Addison complained in her tiny voice, her lips twisting into a pout.
“Eager to leave now, Addy? You’re hurting granny.” Stacy said, faking a tear which made Adrian giggle.
“No, granny. Don’t cry. I’ll come back.” She said, not able to pronounce some of the words correctly but they could still understand what she was saying.
Stacy beamed happily and hugged her, showing her that her tears were gone.
“We’ll visit regularly, Mother. You won’t even know that they’re not here.” Harriet announced and Stacy smiled even though she wasn’t content with them just visiting.
She was going to have a conversation with Damien later about proposing to Harriett so they could live as one family again. That way, she wouldn’t have to see them once in a while.
They all said their goodbyes and soon, Harriett was on her way back to her parent’s house with a smile on her face.
She couldn’t deny the fact that spending the weekend at her ex in-law’s place wasn’t a bad idea. Although it didn’t start well, it ended on a high note. Now, she could say that there was hope for her and Damien.
*
*
It was Tuesday morning and Harriett was on her way to the office. She had spent too much time away from the office because of the problems in her life. She knew that people were already talking and questioning her leadership.
Thanks to her father and Thomas Daniels, they were able to keep the news of her kidnap and Damien’s incident away from the press but, she was more than convinced a lot of people had heard about it.
“I wasn’t expecting you at the office, Miss Edward. I was beginning to think you had gotten a cold feet and told Daddy you no longer wanted to work here.” Her father’s secretary, Alexa, said.
It was no news that Alexa hated her so Harriett knew better than to give her a response. Even if no other person in the company knew about her kidnap, she was certain Alexa knew. So, she was only doing this to infuriate her.
Harriett said nothing but continued walking to her office. When she got to the elevator, Alexa followed so it was just the both of them.
“You know what I hate the most? It’s people like you. People who have it easy life and never have to work hard a day in their life. Everything was given to you on a platter or gold, Harriet. Even this.” Alexa waved her hands around, referring to the company.
“You don’t deserve that post you for and you know that very well. Even if you are skilled for it, there are others who are as skilled as you and have more years of experience in this company. But, they were all kicked to the side because daddy wanted his only child to take that position.” She snarled hatefully while Harriett continuously tapped her feet against the floor as she was growing impatient by the minute.
“You’re a nepo baby and I’ll do everything to bring you down, Harriet. I mean, you stayed away from your work for two whole weeks and didn’t even get a tiny query. That’s a bit unfair, don’t you think?”
Harriett saw that she still had a few floors left until she arrived at her office so, she decided to put Alexa in her place. Turning towards her, Harriett smirked.
“I don’t know what makes you think you can speak to me that way, Alexa. Firstly, it’s Miss Edward to you and secondly, you should watch your mouth. You don’t want to get fired now, do you?” Harriett threatened and Alexa gulped, realizing that she might have spoken to much.
“You said it yourself. I am the chairman’s only child. Don’t you think he’d give me whatever I want? Even if it is firing his assistant?” She continued and just immediately, they elevator dinged.
“You won’t be forgiven next time, Alexa. Be warned.” Harriett said and walked out of the elevator.
She knew that she had a lot of work to do if she wanted people to see her as Harriet and not the chairman’s daughter who got in because of her father.
She was going to make a name for herself no matter what. Which is why, she couldn’t get married to Damien… not yet.