Marrying the Cold CEO

Chapter Eight

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The drive was silent albeit it was broken once in a while by Damien's deep voice as he continued his work. As expected, he was a figure of power and dominance as he spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument and his brilliance in business an admirable look on him.

For a moment, my heart seemed to beat just a little faster as I watched him from the corner of my eye. We had said nothing to each other throughout the drive and although I anticipated some sort of fallout, I was met simply by his business mode and thanked whoever was looking out for me for the constant calls.

Pulling out my own phone, I scrolled aimlessly through my messages, a small smile finding its way across my lips as I read the new messages on my group chat with the girls. I had hoped that at least one of them would be in attendance at the event to save me from Damien's overbearing presence. To help me feel somewhat normal and free.

I'll be tied to him for the rest of my life…might as well make the most of the few days I have left to do whatever the hell I want without having to worry about how it would look or affect my image as his wife…

The thought brought the anxiety of the whole situation barrelling back from the depths of my sub-conscious, but I managed to steel my spine and focus instead on knowing that Elena would be in attendance. It was not a surprise that her family had been invited. The Black's were well connected and I was sure that they had extended an invitation to all my friend's families.

However, Ayana was busy preparing for New York Fashion Week, which would be in two months' time, right after my wedding. Aimi, on the other hand, never made appearances unless categorically forced to by her parents. She was more of a homebody and her cute selfie backed this. She was in her ever cozy lounge wear in her even cozier game room that had been dubbed one of our favorite lounging areas. Aimi loved to game and as such, had created a cove for herself, a place where she not only created those amazing worlds but equally played others to her heart's content.

Her black and pink headset was secured on her head, the little cat ears bringing a smile to my face as she grinned wide at the camera and showcased her backscreen that was currently coding a new, top secret project that she had mentioned in passing during our golf weekend hangout.

For a moment, I longed to be there. To simply relax on one of the cozy lounge chairs with a glass of red wine and a nice movie in companionable silence. Of all my friends, Aimi was the most content with a quiet hangout. We didn't have to talk. We didn't have to do anything but be in each other's presence, which was exactly what I needed in this very moment.

"Care to share with the group what has you so amused? Or would that be construed as me trying to 'control you'?"

Damien's voice broke through the silence and, for a moment, I almost dropped my phone from surprise. I had forgotten that he was sitting right beside me and that, in itself, was just as alarming. His presence was unmistakable. Never had I been anywhere near him or around him and not known of his proximity.

Don't get too comfortable, Gia…You're not out of the woodwork yet…

I rolled my eyes at his air quotes, shooting off a quick text in the group to Elena to know if she had already arrived before I turned my attention back to my fiancé, who seemed less than pleased at being ignored.

His cold gaze shifted to the phone on my lap, almost as if it had done something incredibly offensive to him. My voice drew his attention back, the cold blue depths holding my own once more.

"You're a smart man, Mr. Aleksandros. I'm sure you know the definition of control. You seem to exercise it in all things- well, except on me, that is."

I granted him a broad smile, glad that my message had been passed across despite the churning in my stomach as I watched the blue grow darker and the subtle clench of his jaw. Reading people was something I'd learned not only in Law and Business School, but also from my grandmother at an early age.

Rosa Maximiliano was a force to be reckoned with before my mother became who she was. Everyone in the business world knew her and respected her. She had an affinity for spotting BS from a mile away and it had helped her build Aero-Max to amazing proportions because of it. It was a trait she taught my mother and me, a resource that was honed and perfected in school.

It had helped me in the legal world and I knew it would come in handy in the business world as well. No part of me thought it would come in handy in reading Damien's non-existent emotions, but I was learning that not everything was impossible.

Someone really is looking out for me out there…

It was not easy and he certainly wasn't an open book, but the small signs, the clenching of his jaw or the way his eyes darkened…those would have to be enough to understand him and maybe find a way to get what I wanted from him. Freedom.

"Oh, don't be so sure of that, Asteri Mou. You'll find that I do not cede control as easily as you might believe. Especially of things that belong to me."

Anger and Euphoria were a heady mix within me as I tried to calm the foreign emotions that coursed through me. I latched onto the irritation borne out of the little smile he granted me, ignoring the way my heart seemed to traitorously stutter in my chest at the small action. Gaining such an emotion from him was a feat in itself, but not at my expense.

"Additionally, calling me Damien is fine. Apart from the fact that we are to be married, you and I have known each other for a long time. The formality is unnecessary. Let us try to be as civil as possible, shall we? Especially during social engagements."

"We each have reputations to uphold and are representatives of our families. I doubt your mother would not be very pleased to hear of any scandals associated with the Maximiliano name, especially with our engagement announcement looming on the horizon."

I hated that he was right. Mother would probably kick my ass if I were to ruin such an important arrangement for not only the family but the company. I was loyal to the Maximiliano name and, as such, would do what's necessary to get things done. Even if it means tolerating the smug looking man before me who had found one of my weaknesses- my loyalty to my family.

I am sure he will use it every chance he gets to make me fall in line…however, he has no idea how much of a fighter I am… and I will fight him, no matter what…

"Don't worry, Mr. Aleksandros. I will carry out my duty to this business arrangement. I will not be an obstacle that stands in your way. Worry about yourself."

I tucked a lose strand of my hair, watching as he processed my words- a mirror of his from the dinner from hell night- with a less than pleased stare.

"Oh, and I would much rather keep with the formality in private. This is just a business deal and I wouldn't want to forget that glaring fact. However, I will ensure to keep up appearances in public. Don't worry. I'm a pretty good actress when I need to be."

Granting him the fakest smile I could muster, I refused to be intimidated by his darkened stare and held it firmly with my own.

"Gianna."

My name on his lips was almost a threat, a dark admonishment that I refused to acknowledge despite the burst of energy that unfurled from deep within me at the sound of it. I refused to read into the way my heart seemed to beat just a little faster at the tone of his words and the intense look in his eyes.

Instead, I took the L and turned my gaze towards something else, which happened to be the two small bags in the center seat between us that worked better than the console to separate us. He seemed to follow my gaze as he let out a small sigh before grabbing one of the two bags.

My mind immediately shifted to the gifts he had mentioned before my outburst, reeling me back to the present as anxiety and anticipation wedged itself deep within me whilst I watched him retrieve a red, rectangular box from the bag.

"Since I was unsure of whether your phone was broken or lost considering you were not responding to my messages, I purchased another for you. However, it seems you were simply being petty. Either way, it is yours, so use it in whatever way you see fit."

I rolled my eyes hard as he returned the IPhone to its small bag and handed it to me, not an ounce of contrition or amusement on his features at how ridiculous his actions were.

"You bought me the latest IPhone model because I ignored your texts? You're either incredibly delusional or just downright insane…my money is on both."

I muttered the last part, staring at the bag in disbelief. He seemed to have heard me though, as he scoffed silently before retrieving a black square-shaped box from within the second bag, one that silenced me instantly as he handed it over.

A small gasp escaped me as I stared at it, disbelief coursing through every bit of me...

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