Chapter 16


    -MILLIE-


    Grilled shrimp, squid, pork, chicken, and sds were served alongside Dad’s very own wine, beers,


    and mimosas.


    The setting sun was warm against my skin. As weughed and talked about the past, as if thest 10


    years hadn’t passed, the afternoon’s pastel hue illuminated the sky above us.


    “I heard all about the sess you’ve been having at your dad’spany,” Dad cast apliment to


    Damian.


    Sitting next to me, Damian leaned back in his chair, his thumb circling the condensation in his beer


    bottle. “He’s just making all the fuss,” he replied, snting his eyes at Erik. No one could deny the


    resemnce between the two. Both had ash gray hair, emerald eyes, and handsome good looks in


    their own rights. “I’m just doing what I’m paid to do.”


    In contrast to Damian’s humble response, Erik countered with a smug grin. “He’s just being modest.


    The board was so impressed when they learned he’d been working behind the scenes all these years.


    Caruso even gave me an earful about why I’d been hiding my heir for a decade.” He shook his head.


    “With the rate he’s going, I’ll be able to retire sooner than nned.”


    “Then we can finally make ns for that fishing trip,” Dad chuckled along with Erik, and Damian sighed.


    “This wine doesn’t have abel,” Candicemented, scrutinizing the dark bottle of wine Dad brought


    with him.


    “I haven’t put it out on the market yet,” Dad replied.


    “What? Why?” Candice prodded, sampling her wine. “It’s delicious, smooth, and crisp, and there’s that


    pinch of alcohol that I’m chasing with every sip.”


    Dad grinned, soaking in Candice’spliment on his craft. He threw an arm over my mom’s shoulder


    and said, “Because I made it for Leonor. Mom’s cheeks reddened at Dad’s announcement.


    “Aw, that’s so sweet,” Candice cooed, leaning on Aaron’s shoulder


    Dad’s chest puffed out. “It’s up to her if she’ll put it out on the market. It’s hers.”


    “Robert…” Mom whispered, her blush deepened.


    “What?”


    “You’re making me fall for you all over again.”


    “Aw…” wedies cooed, awed by their sweet gestures toward one another. No matter how many years


    have gone by, the way they look at each other hasn’t changed. I’ve always dreamed of finding a love


    like that.


    Erik scratched the stubble covering his jaw, a frown creasing his forehead. “You’re making me look


    bad.” He reached for Nancy’s hand on the table. “Give me two months, and I’ll name a building after


    you, darling.”


    Nancy giggled, patting Erik’s chest. “You’re ridiculous, Erik. There’s no need to do that for me.”


    But knowing Erik, he’d do just that. He loves Nancy more than anything in this world. If he could pluck


    the moon from the sky and give it to her, he would.


    “Geez. The cheesiness,” Candice made a low gagging sound. “This is something I definitely didn’t miss


    We allughed at that, and the topic shifted to the house Candice and Aaron were nning to buy. Erik


    offered to cover the cost of renovations while Mom and Nancy would do the interion Everyone has a


    long-term n if they are not living their long-term n yet. While 1, on the other hand, can’t do


    anything but listen to them.


    I had a future nned with Hunter. Since we ended things, that map has turned to ashes. Now, I’m lost


    in the status quo of a messy life.


    |||


    I flinched when Damian ced his hand on top of mine, which was resting over my thighs. His fingers


    grazed my bare legs as heced our fingers. I turned to face him; he listened keenly to Erik’s


    suggestion about the renovation.


    I tugged my hand from Damian’s hold, but he gripped mine tighter, lifting it to his lips and kissing my


    knuckles. Candice, sitting across from me, raised an eyebrow. Mom and Nancy subtly nce in our


    direction, a meaningful smile tipping their lips. The boys were oblivious to Damian’s public disy of


    affection


    1 feared being alone with thedies, but it had been a practice that the men would clean up and wash


    the dishes.


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    “You and Damian?” Mom gushed as soon as we moved to the gazebo, a drink of our choosing at hand.


    “I knew there was something there. Nancy supplied; her eyes were googly. “We’ll definitely be


    one big family now,


    Lenny.”


    “I can’t wait to n their wedding. Mom sighed.


    “Mom… stop. I groaned. “No one’s nning a wedding because no one is getting married.”


    “Oh, hush, Millicent. You don’t have to pretend with us, she shushed me.


    “We know everything. Millie honey.” Nancy said. Her face turned serious. “One look, and I knew Hunter


    was no good for you. Apart from his age. I heard some really troubling stories about him this morning


    “What stories?” Candice asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.


    Nancy leaned closer, lowering her voice as she reached for Morn’s hand. “You know Sandra? I went to


    pick up the pastries from her bakery this morning, and she told me that she saw Detective Lean exiting


    the Russo’s mansion


    The Russo family had been known for dealing with illegal businesses since I was little. They were one


    of the wealthiest families in Roslin City. But words go around that their wealthes from drugs and


    blood money


    orry you ended things with him, honey. You are worth more than a


    Mom gasped, her gazending g on me. “I’m not even sorry diny cop.


    Nancy shrugged. “It’s only a story until the court proves him guilty, Lenny. But I assure you, our Millicent


    is in good hands with Damian.”


    “And we understand you guys want things on a low profile. Mom’s worry quickly morphed into glee. I


    don’t know how she’s doing that. I was still processing Hunter being tangled with the Russos. He’d


    been after that family since the beginning of his career. He told me so.


    “And we will definitely do just that,” Nancy supplied. Their eyes spoke with such emotion that I couldn’t


    keep up.


    I looked at Candice helplessly. “What are they talking about? She shrugged, clearly as clueless as I


    was.


    “What do you mean?” I reached for my untouched ss of wine, needing to wash down the bile rising


    in my throat


    “Oh, you don’t have to be subtle about it with us, Millie,” Nancy murmured. “Diana already told us about


    your n


    Diana was Felicity’s grandmother. She was enamored by Damian’s charms, pairing her granddaughter


    with him since they were teenagers. Fear nketed my skin like a cocoon of thickforters, and I


    found it hard to breathe.


    “What


    “She said she didn’t like the idea of you marrying Damian, Mom said grunly “She’s still vetting Felicity


    and Damian. Can you imagine that? Felicity is already engaged, for crying out loud!”


    I hadn’t seen or talked with Diaria in forever, which only meant Felicity ranted about us. I bit my lip,


    wondering who else she told about our fake engagement. If I was at 60-40 before, I am 100 percent


    sure now that that conversation in thedy’s room took ce.


    “She’s talking nonsense.” I swiped my mmy palms over the fabric of my denim shorts, doing my best


    to y it cool. “I


    III


    haven’t even seen Diana for over a decade!”


    “Felicity told her about your engagement,” Nancy rified. They did more than just “hear” Diana talk


    about us. “And we get it, honey,”


    “What exactly did she tell you?” I was in a full-blown panic now. What the hell did I bber that night to


    Felicity? I guess I am about to find out


    “That you and Hunter had a falling out even before you found him with Natalie,” Mom murmured.


    “And Damian was there for you all those times, patiently waiting for you to end things with Hunter,”


    Nancy added, a heartfelt pinch in her tone. “I knew deep down that boy’s yer facade was a truly


    romantic heart,” she cooed. If I wasn’t in the center of this conversion, I would’veughed at how


    Candice rolled her eyes, scowling


    “And he can’t wait to marry my daughter!” Mom gushed, her voice hitching an octave higher in


    excitement. “Too bad you can’t wear the diamond ring he gave you,”


    “Diamond ring?” I squeaked.


    This story just keeps getting better and better. Maybe I should switch careers and be a writer instead.


    “We get it,” Nancy mumbled. “You’re avoiding the gossip because of Hunter and Natalie, but we’d like


    to engagement ring soon.” She wiggled her brows.


    Oh, my g od. I even had the specifics for the ring!


    Candice choked on her mimosa, her shoulder quaking. “I want to see that ring too!”


    I red at my best friend, freezing at Nancy’s next words.


    see your two-karat


    “And about the wedding, Millic honey. Nancy reached for my hand, squeezing it. “Lenny and I have that


    covered. Don’t


    worry.


    I’m not worried. I’m freaking the f uck out!”


    “Uh huh,” Mom nodded enthusiastically.


    I hope this leather couch I’m sitting on would c rack open and swallow me whole. It dawned on me that


    if Diana knew, the whole town would also know. She prances around town every weekend like a siren


    wailing about other people’s lives. This would blow up in my face sooner rather thanter.


    Damian stepped out of the sliding door connecting the kitchen and the pool. His eyes instantly found


    mine, and I instantly, knew I went in over my head in the freaking reunion. And I’m about to pay the


    price.