Chapter 33
Claire’s POV
I was so thrilled as I ran my fingers through the lace of my gown. It was adorable and the purse was beautiful too.
I called Damian immediately and hopefully, he picked up.
“You have gotten the package, I suppose?” he started.
“Yes. I love it! How thoughtful of you to send a gift across. Thank you so much, Damian. I really appreciate this.”
“You’re most welcome. Thank you for accepting my request to be my Prom queen.”
“It is my pleasure.” I was blushing all over the phone, I just wanted to jump for joy.
“I am about occupied at the moment. I’ll speak with you later.” He hung up abruptly without waiting for me to say another word but it doesn’t matter.
I began to imagine how tomorrow night will be. Obviously, Damian will come and pick me up from home so that we can go together.
******
The night we all waited for has finally come. I was dressed already, waiting for Damian to come around.
I waited for about an hour, the time was almost 8:30 pm. I called Damian countlessly but he did not pick. My phone rang, Ethan was calling.
“Claire, where are you? I haven’t seen you around.”
“I’m still at home. I’m waiting for Damian. We are supposed to come together. I don’t know what’s taking so long. He should have come before 8 pm. I’m getting worried.”
“Damian didn’t tell you? He had a little emergency. He will definitely come around but he might arrive late. Something came up, that is why he is not here yet.”
“Emergency? He didn’t tell me anything. Well, thank you very much.” I ended the call with anger. I was angry and hurt at the same time. Damian should have told me that he wouldn’t be coming, if he valued me. If he loved me. He should not have kept me waiting.
At the same time, I felt pity for him. What manner of emergency could have kept him away from his final year graduation party? I hope all is well at home.
I booked a cab which drove me to school. The whole environment was buzzing with people, mostly students. The night was lit with balloons and lights, everything was beautiful.
The party hall was well adorned. With flowers lining the sideways, and the disco lights all over the room, it gave the irresistible party vibes.
I began to search for Ethan or Scott. Anyone I can hang around with until Damian comes.
Some of my class girls who had been envying me because of Damian were at one side of the hall, gossiping obviously.
Some students were at the stage dancing, some guys were drinking merrily at one corner of the hall, I just stood alone in the midst of everyone.
I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder and I turned to see Ethan.
“Hey, Princess. Why are you standing alone? Get into the dance floor and show us your dance moves.” Ethan said jokingly.
“Ethan, I really don’t have the strength. Why are you alone? Have you dismissed all the girls that are at your beck amd call?” I teased.
“I just needed some time alone. I hope Damian comes around later so that we can go out, just the four of us. This could as well be our last night together. What do you think?”
“I agree with you. Where is Scott?” I asked, hoping that Ethan will not see it as an avento ask about what transpired between us.
“He is outside. He came alone, surprisingly. He told me earlier that he would come with you. It appears he was too late. What really happened between you and Scott?”
“Scott? No…nothing. We are cool. We are very good friends. Have you not noticed?”I stammered. I have been avoiding this question for weeks now.
” I have eyes and ears everywhere, Claire. Don’t lie to me. What actually happened? Let me guess…” Suddenly, the room felt stuffy. I had to interrupt him from speaking further.
“There is nothing to guess about. Nothing occured between us. I need to get some fresh air.”
I went to the restroom and I met those three girls whom I discovered their names to be: Prudence, Phillipa and Princess. They were known as bullies in my class, most especially, their ringleader, Prudence.
“Looks like someone has been dumped.” Prudence said and it generated a ripple of laughter from the other two girls.
“Soon enough, her Prince Charming is going to pull up with another damsel who is, of course more beautiful and classy, than her.”
I simply ignored them and went inside the restroom. When I came outside they were still standing at the entrance.
“Hey, come over here. Where is your boyfriend?” Prudence asked.
“His whereabouts is none of your business. Find something and keep yourselves busy with it. Move out of my way.” I commanded.
“Who are you to speak to us in that manner?” Phillipa asked, coming closer to where I was.
“Do you know that we can hit you or strip you and no one will come to your rescue? Afterall we are the only ones here. You are outnumbered, Claire. No one is going to Dave you.” she threatened.
The three of them began to close in on me. I tried to scream but the tallest of the three, covered my mouth suddenly with her hands.
“I have waited patiently for this day. The day that I will deal with you ruthlessly for being disobedient. I warned you to stay away from Damian but you would not listen.”
Phillipa went behind and began to drag my hair from the back. My neatly styled bun was now looking very messy. Prudence tugged at the lacey material of my gown and dragged it down, causing it to tear from my waist down.
I began to cry and beg. How am I going to leave this place with a torn dress? I was on the floor, gathering my clothe material around me, sobbing profusely while they stood and laughed.
Suddenly the doors went flying wide open and Damian was standing there. I could not believe my eyes. Damian has arrived. How did he find me in the first place?
He stomped inside, his face without a smile.
“What do you think you are doing? Why have you done this to her on an occasion like this? Are you out of your senses!?” Damian bellowed with rage.
The girls clustered around each other, shivering as the color drained from their faces.
“We are sorry.” They echoed.
“Before I do something rash, will you leave this place!” Damian shouted and the girls scurried away like rats.
I was still on the floor, speechless. Damian was indeed my Prince Charming.
“Are you hurt? Hope they did not touch you?” He asked cupping my face into his hands and staring into my teary eyes.
“I’m…They ripped my clothes off. They were too strong for me, I could not fight back. Thank you for saving me. I don’t know what I would have done.” I began to sob loudly and Damian squated to hug me.
“Don’t worry, you are safe now. Let me take you home so that you can change your dress. Get up.” he gave me a hand and lifted me up.
“But you just arrived now. How did you find me?” I asked curiously?
“I asked Ethan and he said you were heading into the restroom before I came. Don’t ask any further questions, let’s just go home straight.”
He used his suit jacket to cover the gap on my gown. As we were walking to the car, we attracted a lot of stares but Damian did not even seem to care. He helped me to get to the back seat and started the car engine.
On our way to my house, he called Ethan and informed him about what happened, they agreed that I’d go back home and change my outfit. So that I can come back for our final hangout. Sounds like a great idea.
We got to my house and I led the way inside. Once we were inside, he sat on the sofa and began to press his phone without saying any other word to me.
“You arrived late. I heard about the emergency which you had. Is everything alright?” I asked, taking a seat beside him.
“Yeah, it’s nothing serious. Although I do not wish to speak much about it. You need to get dressed quick so that we can leave as soon as possible. Scott and Ethan are waiting for us in school.” He said.
Now that it is just the two of us at home, I need to try to get his attention. Or preferably try to seduce him, I believe that he will not resist me. The fact that he showed up for me, has proven that he is indeed in love with me.
“Damian, please can you help unzip my gown?” I asked, turning my back for him to unzip.
He ran the zip down and I proceeded to pull the hands down, making my bra visible for him to see. I turned around to face him, occupying any little space that may remain in between us. Damian was staring at me, firstly with surprise.
I touched his beards with my left hand, running it down to his neck and chest. I placed my right hand on his broad chest, using my left hand to massage the nape of his neck.
I brought my face close to his own and he pulled me for a kiss. The kiss lasted for ages, as he crushed my lips with his own. He began to run his hands down to my bra as we kissed more vigorously.