Chapter 39
Valerie’s POV
After watching all the evening today unfold, I could not believe my eyes. How I felt about the whole things was a mixture of emotions. I was in a state of unbelief when Claire started making the claims at first. Then I felt betrayed because I was caught in between two people who knew each other from the past, they are currently my closest friends now but I look like a stranger now. Claire knew all along, she knew that I was getting married to Damian but she didn’t wanted to tell me about her son.
I knew that she had a baby but when I had enquired, she said the baby’s father died when she was still pregnant. Claire lied to me. My own best friend.
The emotions I felt for Damian was not that of betrayal. I did not feel betrayed by him because he said he didn’t know that I was friends with Claire. I was merely upset, yet sad.
I believed Damian when he said the baby might not belong to him. I’m just sick and tried of all these drama. I really need to go home. After the Doctor left, I picked my handbag and headed for the exit without saying a word to anyone. Standing on the porch, I noticed someone’s presence behind me. I could see Claire from the corner of my eye. She still wore the mocking smile as she just stood there.
“Gone so soon? I thought you might want to hang around with your ‘husband’.” She said, making emphasis on the last word.
“Is there a problem? How is that your business?” I asked without turning my neck in her direction.
“It is my business. You are my best friend afterall. Indeed, life has a way of turning things around, from best friends to co-wives.” She said, her words cutting through my heart like a dagger.
I suddenly turned and pointing my index finger very close to her face, I said,
“Bear it in mind that you will never have Damian for yourself. Your little schemes and games will not pull through because soon enough, we will find out who has your son.” I said, spitting the words through my clenched teeth.
“You are wasting your time if you really believe that the paternity test will say otherwise. Well, you are free to have hope. You have no choice anyway.” She said, not stepping an inch away from my forceful advancement towards her.
We stared at each other, fury in my glaring eyeballs and mockery in her gaze. She raised an eyebrow and then began to smile slowly. Her smile broke into a full roar of laughter, I was wondering what was funny as I began to retreat.
“You are shameless, Valerie. You looked desperate right now, I never knew you could fight for a man. How petty.” Claire said, folding her arms across her chest.
How dare she call me petty?
“You think I’m petty? If there is anyone who is petty here, it’s you. Bringing your bastard son to heap on a man in an attempt to tie him down!…” I was cut short when I heard a thundering sound on my cheeks that sent me staggering. My cheeks were burning painfully and I could feel the tears form in my eyes but I won’t let them fall down.
“How dare you call my son a bastard? You have no right whatsoever to speak of him that way! You don’t know what I went through to get here. Another word of insult from you and I will beat the living daylight out of you.” Claire thundered.
I could hear footsteps from inside the house. It appears that people were beginning to come in our direction due to the commotion. I charged at Claire and pinned her to the wall, tightening her collar, before we were drawn apart by Damian.
In an attempt to separate us, Damian pushed Claire backwards which made her to hit her ankle on the floor. Damian came over to me, examining my body countless times, worry laced in his eyes. He rubbed my red cheeks and asked if I was alright.
By now, his parents were outside too, they were trying to calm everyone down. After helping me to stand to my feet, Damian asked if I’d like to spend the night at the house but I declined.
“I suggest that everyone should go home and get some rest. We are all tired. Let us go to our various houses and have the rest we all deserve. When the test results come out, we can gather here again.” He said and I couldn’t agree less.
I picked my handbag and stormed out of the house. Damian was calling my name and running after me but I ignored. I was in the garage when he caught up with me.
“Valerie, let me drive you home, Please. I am sorry for what Claire did to you. Do you feel pain anywhere?” he said, trying to touch my cheeks but I moved my face away from his touch.
“I’m fine. I can go home by myself. Excuse me.” I said, trying to walk away when he grabbed my left arm and dragged me back into his arms. I tried to break free from the hug but he held me tight nevertheless.
“Damian, let go of me. I don’t have time for this.” I said, hitting his back with my fist.
“I’m not letting go of you, Valerie. Not until you forgive me. I’m sorry for putting you through all these pains. I’ll hold you until I’m sure that you are no longer upset with me, even if you have to hit me until my back aches. I’m not letting go, Valerie. I know that you are hurting, I can’t let you go home like this.”
Hearing him pour out this words, softened me like jelly and I began to sob, which advanced into a long cry. I wept on his shoulders for a long time, letting go of all the emotions which I harboured for hours. He patted my back like a baby, smoothening my messy hair.
After crying, he brought out his handkerchief and wiped my face. With his hands cupping my face, he looked into my reddened eyes and gave me a reassuring smile. “Everything will be alright” he muttered and kissed my forehead.
The drive home was very quiet as I dozed off and only woke up when we stopped at an eatery.
“Are you hungry? I was thinking we should get some food and eat when we get home. You’d want some?”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you in the car.” I said drowsily.
He left and came back shortly with the packaged foods and we continued on our way to my house. The drive was for more than an hour so when we got home by 7 pm, I went straight to bed. Damian tucked me up in bed as he lay beside me, rubbing my head.
I woke up about three hours later, feeling refreshed and much better. Damian was sleeping peacefully beside, in his soft breaths. I watched the rhythmic movement of his chest and I was tempted to touch him. I shook my head, trying to shake the thoughts away as I made my way for the kitchen.
******
Later when he woke up, we had dinner quietly, and I went back to my room. We had not said much words to each other because I was avoiding any conversation that would lead to what happened today.
I could hear him giving instructions to someone over the phone, obviously his driver and personal assistant, Patrick. He asked Patrick to go to some boutique and get some clothes for him so that he would wear them tomorrow while going back to the house
We lay like strangers on the same bed, our bodies barely touching. We only whispered goodnight as I turned off the bedside lamp and turned my back on him, facing the opposite direction.
I felt his masculine hand on my waist in the middle of the night, pulling me close to him. My body was responding to his advances but my mind was declining. I had decided earlier than that I wouldn’t do anything with Damian not until the test results prove that he is not responsible for Claire’s son. I would not want to keep giving myself to him while he is the father of some child.
Before long, he moved the hair on my shoulders and began to kiss my neck.
“Damian…please stop. I don’t want to do this.” I said, hesitantly.
“Why not? Are you still upset with me?” He asked.
“I can’t say for now. I just can’t allow myself to do this tonight. We have an unresolved issue and it’s making me restless so please, go to bed.” I pointed out.
“You must not allow that to prevent you from enjoying the moment. Valerie, it’s just us in here. Come on, I know you have missed me.” He said again, attempting to make me face him.
I moved his hands away from my body and turned to glare at him.
“I’m damn serious, Damian. Don’t try to touch me again, please. Try to get some sleep early.” I said with a final tone.
He made no further attempts to persuade me neither did he say another word. He merely muttered ‘Goodnight’ and that was the end.
***********
The loud ringing of his phone was woke me up in the morning. The time was 5:47 am and I rubbed my eyes drowsily trying to make out my surroundings.
“The Doctor called me just now, he said that he has conducted the tests and the result is out. He said he would announce it only when we all assemble at the house.” Damian informed me.