Fated To Love You Forever

To put it all in one word, Damien was stressed.

Frankly, he had been stressed for weeks, with everything that had been going on, the frequent arguments with Katherine, and then work as well.

He had already decided within himself to take a vacation as soon as all this was over, but that time wasn’t coming anytime soon, because he still had a lot to do, especially with all the meetings and projects he had to round up with before the end of the month.

It was extra pressure because he had to put in twice the work to impress his new partners, and prove to them that he was capable of handling whatever he was required to and so far it was going quite well.

As he clicked the button to forward a document to one of his business associates, the office phone rang. He reluctantly picked it up, and blurted out crudely, “Yes? Speak, I’m busy.”

“Mr Rudiger is here to see you, sir. Nina his secretary say from the other end adding, “I called because you said you didn’t want to be disturbed, so I wanted to make sure before I sent him in.”

Damien cursed internally. He had completely forgotten that Mr Rudiger was due to see him today, and even though he was more than busy right now he knew that this couldn’t wait.

If he was here now, then it meant that he had information on the case.

“Send him in.” He ordered, replacing the receiver and awaiting Mr Rudiger’s arrival.

It didn’t take long before Damien heard a knock at the door, and giving his assent, the private investigator walked in greeting while he pointed at a chair for him to sit.

“Yes? I assume you bring news?” Damien asked, already beginning to get impatient.

“Yes I did and it’s about Madison Connor, sir. I spoke to the manager of the catering company where she worked. He had no idea of her whereabouts. We finally managed to sweep through all the motels in the city. And it seems like-”

Damien hissed as his office door opened, and looking up to see who had interrupted them without even knocking, he froze instantly when he saw the huge form of Alvarez barge into his office, anger discernible on his features.

“Alvarez?” He began to say but he couldn’t continue his speech because chaos erupted.

“So…after everything you did that poor woman, it still wasn’t enough for you? You still went ahead to send people after her?” Alvarez bristled, not even paying Mr Rudiger any heed at all.

Damien frowned, wondering what Alvarez was going on about.

At this point he thought he would be used to Alvarez barging into his office, and the arguments they had afterwards but now he could see that it still ticked him off, and it was causing a huge strain on their friendship as well.

“What on earth are you talking about?” Damien snapped.

“I’m talking about you sending those men to stalk Madison!” Alvarez said, glaring at him, “Haven’t you had your fun humiliating her in front of the whole world. Now you send people to stalk her as well? What is wrong with you?”

Damien frowned, his face scrunching in surprise as he and the private investigator exchanged looks, “Look, you must be mistaken. I never sent any of my men to stalk Madison. I only keep tabs and have my eyes on her family, and you already know this. So I don’t understand what all of this is about.”

Alvarez stared at him, shaking his head, “Some people have been stalking her… how do you explain that then? I know you want revenge on the Connors so just admit it an-”

“I already said I didn’t send people to stalk her! How lowly do you think of me?” Damien insisted, “I’m only keeping an eye on her family. Good, Mr Rudiger, my private investigator is here and he’s in charge of the investigation. You can ask him.”

Mr Rudiger turned to face Alvarez, “Good day sir. Yes that’s the truth. We have eyes on the rest of the Connors, and some slight tabs on Madison, but I want to assure you that we’re definitely not stalking her.”

Alvarez stared from the private investigator to Damien, confusion peeking into his features. Damien felt as confused as he looked, because he didn’t quite understand this talk about Madison being followed.

Where was all this even coming from?

The room went silent as they all exchanged looks, and Damien suddenly remembered why the private investigator was here.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“The only big move I’ve even made regarding Madison is that I asked my investigator here, to bring me news of Madison’s whereabouts in New York. I only asked them to find out where she stays. No one is stalking her, so just chill.” He said again.

“New York?” Alvarez cut in, “What do you mean? Madison is back in London already, and she has been there for a while. Did you forget? I told you about it a few days ago, in this very office.”

What?

Damien’s eyes widened in shock, his head spinning as he tried his possible best to remember if Alvarez had told him anything.

Madison was back in London? But how? When? If Alvarez had really told him…then how had he forgotten? His head was spinning and he just couldn’t understand it.

Madison, in London. He had no idea whatsoever, but he just asked his private investigator to look into it.

Turning to Mr Rudiger with a confused expression, he frowned and said softly his fists clenched, “Where is Madison?”

“She’s in London. I was just about to tell you before we were interrupted. Madison Connor is no longer in New York, and she left, days ago.” Mr Rudiger said quickly.

Damien fell back against his chair in surprise. His head was spinning wildly, and he definitely wasn’t expecting to hear all this.

Suddenly a vague memory of Alvarez mentioning something about Madison leaving came to his mind, and blinking twice he wondered how he had forgotten?

“So what am I supposed to make of the people stalking Madison, then? The woman is practically scared to death. And you’re here telling me you have nothing to do with it?”

Damien held back from rolling his eyes, a pained chuckle escaping his throat, “I already told you, I don’t know what you are talking about. Look, she’s obviously having some kind of hallucination, or just being plain paranoid. So whatever means of communication you both are using, let her know that. No one is stalking her. I’m only keeping tabs on her parents, and that’s it.”

Alvarez watched him carefully as though he did not believe him one bit.

“You know this doesn’t mean you’re innocent or anything. Why are you suddenly searching for Madison in New York then? Haven’t you hurt her enough already? She already paid for the dress, so what do you want?”

Damien felt his jaw tic, “This is none of your business, and I don’t want to even have this conversation.”

“Really? Well Madison is my friend and whatever concerns her, concerns me. What do you want from her? You said you were keeping tabs on her family as well, what do you want with them? Are you not tired?”

Damien immediately flared up, his fury rising to the surface.

He could handle and understand Alvarez being protective about Madison, but not her family! Not after everything they put him through! Hell no.

“Whatever I want to do with the Connors is none of your business!” He spat, “The sooner you know that, the better it’ll be for all of us. I hope you understand that!”

Alvarez didn’t get to say anything because the door had fallen open again, to reveal Katherine who slowly made her way into the office, curiosity written all over her face.

Great! Just great!

…….

KATHERINE

It felt like déjà vu to Katherine as she walked into Damien’s office, only that this time, she had not gotten the chance to hear what they had been talking about.

Her eyes narrowed, and slowly she observed the men in the room.

The atmosphere was obviously tense, and she was itching to find out why, and what was happening. Murmuring a short greeting to Alvarez which went unanswered and the other man seated, she moved to where Damien was standing.

“Babe.” She smiled, placing both hands on his chest and smoothing out the lapels of his jacket, “Are you okay? What’s up?” She asked, leaning forward to place a kiss on his lips, but he subtly refused her advances.

He sent her a stoic look, gripping her hands and pulling it off his chest, and snapped harshly, “What are you doing here?”

Katherine cocked an eyebrow in surprise at his tone, and staring at him she asked, “What am I doing here? Do I need an invitation to come see my boyfriend? Why would you ask me that?”

Damien raked a hand through his hair, and much to her disappointment again he said, “Katherine you gave to leave now. I’m busy at the moment, and I have important things to take care of.”

“W-what?” Katherine sputtered, her jaw dropping in shock.

She couldn’t believe her ears, and her face reddening she whirled around to see the strange man and Alvarez watching her.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” She thundered again, not caring that they weren’t alone and facing Damien fully, “Why would you talk to me like-”

“I said, leave. This instant!” Damien shot back, his chest heaving as he glared at her, and Katherine staggered backwards in shock, her ears reddening in embarrassment as he stood ordering her out.

How dare he talk to her like she was a child? She asked herself, still standing stiff and unmoving until he once again motioned across the room.

“Alvarez! Escort her outside.” He snapped and Alvarez who looked only too eager to follow his instructions started to approach her, cornering her away from Damien and leading her out the door.

“Don’t you dare touch me!” She yelled, rage bubbling in her chest as she glared at Alvarez, “Don’t you dare come near me!”

She knew Alvarez had been hoping for an opportunity like this, and it was apparent from the proud glint in his eyes as he approached her. She felt the urge to smack him in the face, but she knew that was a terrible idea and now her hate for him only intensified.

She bit the inside of her cheek as she stood in the middle of the room, walking steeply.

Her face flushed from all the anger and shame she was feeling, she cast one last glare at Damien and huffing loudly she stormed out of the office, making sure to bang the door behind her.