Damien walked into the elevator with a smile on his face. By his side was his ex-wife, Harriet. He took hold of her hands as the elevator dinged. His plan was to show everyone that he was back with Harriet. He didn’t want the men at her company to think she was still single.
Harriet noticed what he was doing and only smiled, shifting closer to him. Everyone who was present in the lobby saw them and couldn’t hide their shock.
Both Harriet and Damien knew that they would be the trending topic the next day but, they didn’t care. It was about time people knew that their relationship was blossoming again.
Damien took Harriet to a five-star restaurant and ordered her favorite Italian pasta and chicken breasts. After lunch, he waited at her office until she was done before taking her home again.
By the time he arrived at his house, it was already 8:36pm. Tired from the day’s activity, Damien took a bath and hurried to bed. He was about to drift to sleep when his phone rang. Since he wasn’t in the mood for calls, he took hold of his phone, ready to decline the call. But, as the phone’s screen reached his eyes, all the sleep cleared from it as he saw who was calling. Without hesitating, he picked up the call.
“Evelyn.” He said with gritted teeth as he gripped his phone tightly, his knuckles turning white.
“I know, I know. I missed you too, baby.” She said in a false tone.
“Where the fuck are you? You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’ll find you myself and make you pay.” He growled into the phone, hoping to scare her, but, he heard her gasp as though she was being threatened.
“Don’t tell me you believe them too?” She replied, her voice shaking like she was crying, but, it only made Damien hiss in annoyance.
“Quit the act, Evelyn. I’m not buying it.” He scoffed. The line went silent for a few seconds before he heard her sniff.
‘Is she…crying? Oh, for heaven’s sake!’
“I am being framed, Damien. You have to believe me.” She cried, trying her best to sound as real as possible. She was trying her luck with Damien one last time with the hope that he would still have a little affection for her.
If he was anything like the old Damien, then she was confident that he would give in. All she had to do was press harder.
“Really? Why did you run away then? If you are innocent, like you claim, why have you been avoiding me for the past two weeks, Evelyn?” He asked, waiting to hear the new lie she would cook up.
The only thing that was on his mind was finding her location and catching her, so he could finally punish her for her crimes.
“I panicked, Damien. I knew you would believe that evil Eric, so, I had to run. I don’t want to be jailed for a crime I didn’t commit.” She blurted out, and it took everything in Damien to not laugh at her there.
He couldn’t believe that he was once in love with someone like her. He must’ve been so stupid for her to think that he would believe her lies.
“C-can we meet up? I want to clear my name, Damien. I want to prove to you that I am not who they say I am. I don’t care what anyone thinks about me as long as you believe me. Please, Damien. Give me a chance.” She said, sniffing and crying.
Damien nodded, realizing that this was his chance.
“Alright, I’ll text you an address. Meet me there.” He said and was about to end the call when her voice stopped him.
“No. I’m sorry, Damien, but, I cannot trust you fully. I’ll pick a place instead. Goodnight.” She said and cut the call.
Where she wanted to meet didn’t matter to him. He was still going to get her and punish her.
*
*
“Good Job.” Adrian smiled as Evelyn cut the call and placed her phone on the table. She had put the call on the loudspeaker, so he could hear everything himself and plan accordingly.
“All that is left is for you to play your part properly. You might not get Damien, but we might successfully separate the two. If you are lucky and smart, you might get pregnant and secure your place in his life.” Adrian said, caressing her thighs while Evelyn grinned happily, already dreaming of her life as Mrs Daniels.
“You’re sure this is going to work, right?” She asked eagerly and Adrian shrugged, placing a short kiss on her lips.
“Listen, honey. I know Harriet very well. She might be acting like all is well with her and Damien, but believe me, trust has been destroyed and trust is one thing that is difficult to get back, especially when it has to do with someone you love.” He said, a smirk dancing on his lips.
“All we have to do is tamper with that trust one more time and, believe me, it’ll be over between both of them forever.” He finished and Evelyn giggled in excitement.
“Then my plan is going to be perfect, Adrian.” She said, clasping her hands together.
“Same method, different approach. Your darling brother is going to know exactly how Harriet felt when she was being framed. This time around, Harriet won’t be able to believe him or forgive him. The evidence is going to be real this time,” Evelyn said, and he nodded.
‘And I’ll be there to make her forget all about him.’ Adrian thought to himself.
“What about Tony?” Adrian asked, wondering what part he had to play in their plan.
“Don’t worry about him. I have something else in mind for him.” Evelyn said, with a mischievous smile.
The next day, Adrian visited Harriet’s house and was told that she had already left for the office, so, he decided to pay her a surprise visit.
On his way there, he bought her favorite flavor of ice cream just as he remembered before. There was a genuine smile on his face as he pictured her expression when she saw him and the treat he brought just for her.
He parked his car in the parking lot and walked into the company when his phone rang and the name ‘ Beth ‘ appeared on the screen. Rolling his eyes, he declined the call and put his phone on silent before going in to meet with Harriet.
He got to her floor and was met by her assistant, Collin, who was shocked to see him.
“Mr Adrian! You should have called. Miss Edward is quite busy at the moment.” He said, adjusting his glasses.
“I’ll wait.” He said, but Collin pressed further, telling him that it would be better if he left and returned the next day. Adrian couldn’t help but feel that he was trying to make him leave.
“She’s not in a meeting, is she?” He asked and before Collin could respond, the door opened to reveal Damien, who wore a large smile on his face.
“Adrian? What are you doing here so early?” Damien asked, checking his wristwatch, but Adrian only forced a lopsided smile.
“I could say the same for you, brother. Don’t you have a company to run? I’m shocked to see you playing around when you are about to lose it all.” Adrian said in an attempt to anger Damien, but he was not going to create a scene in his woman’s workplace.
“I am not playing around. Harriett is my ex-wife and mother of my children, just in-case you forgot.” He kept his voice low so that Harriet didn’t hear them and came out.
“One more thing, Adrian. You can try all you want but, you’ll always be the second option…in everything.