Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Willa
His views on relationships stumped me. But I guessed not everyone shared the same feelings. His was based on what his father told him about his mother. A betrayal like that would shape anyone. His father never should have told him, but he probably meant well, thinking Damien, an almost adult, could handle the truth. Instead, it had confirmed for Damien that love wasn’t reliable and that people who claim to love you could hurt you the deepest. I needed to work on that with him.
He dropped me off at home around ten p.m. After the park, we window-shopped down Fifth Avenue, grabbed some dinner, hit up an ice cream shop, and then he took me home. It was an unforgettable day, and he left me with something I couldn’t and wouldn’t ever forget—feelings that intensified every time we were together. The one thing I knew for sure about this fake marriage was that I was one turn away from walking down heartbreak lane, and I wasn’t sure if my heart could handle it. I thought I loved Liam and the others I’d been in relationships with, but the truth was, it wasn’t love at all because what I felt now was something I’d never felt before. Just the mere thought of Damien sent electricity soaring through me.
It was midnight when Matt and James entered the apartment.
“There she is.” Matt walked over and kissed my cheek.
“How was your night and day spent with Husband Blackwood?” James asked.
“It was nice. We had a great time. We went to the museum, had a hot dog in Central Park, window-shopped on Fifth Avenue, went to dinner, got ice cream, and now I’m home.”
“Damn. That was a bona fide date.” Matt grinned. “I see you’re still wearing your wedding ring.”
“I forgot to take it off last night after the Vales left.”
“Uh-huh.” James smirked.
“Why are you still up making boxes?” Matt asked.
“This one is for Damien. It’s called Put the Guard Down, Sir , box.
“Excuse me?” James laughed.
“Today, Damien began to peel back layers of himself that he usually keeps hidden. He has so many emotional scars from his past that he’s built a ginormous wall made out of bricks from pain and fear so nobody could touch him. I’m going to drop it off at his office on Monday.”
“Darling.” Matt hooked his arm around me. “Mr. Damien Blackwood doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would enjoy something like a Put the Guard Down, Sir , box.”
“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. But I’ll feel better for giving it to him.”
“You are one special lady.” James kissed my cheek. “Come on, hubby. Let’s go to bed.”
“Right behind you, stud. Good night, darling.”
“Night, you two.”
* * *
I Googled Blackwood Holdings, wrote down the address, and handed it to the cab driver when I climbed into the back seat.
“Can you wait for me? I’ll only be a minute.”
“It’s your dime, lady.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, grabbing the box and climbing out of the cab.
I stepped inside the building and was immediately stopped by a security guard.
“Can I help you, Miss?”
“I need this delivered to Mr. Damien Blackwood. Can you make sure he gets it?”
“Of course. I’ll call his secretary to come get it.”
“Thank you.” I smiled and walked out of the building.
I hadn’t heard from Damien since he dropped me off at my place on Saturday. I thought maybe I would have heard from him yesterday or even this morning, but it was nothing but crickets on his end.
My phone rang as I entered the apartment, and Matt was calling.
“Hello.”
“I have got the best news ever.”
“Oh yeah? What’s going on?”
“You don’t have any plans this Saturday, do you?”
“Nope. I can’t say that I do. Why?”
“The mall is hosting a vendor pop-up show this Saturday only. I signed you up and paid the table fee.”
“Signed me up? For what?”
“For Curated Chaos. So, you need to start getting boxes ready.”
“Matt, there’s no way.”
“Sure, there is. You have nothing else to do, love. This could be a huge opportunity to get your business out there into the world. James and I will help you on Saturday, so don’t worry. It’s going to be so fun!”
“I don’t know?—”
“Willa, darling. You know I’m always right. I have to get to a meeting. I’ll see you later.”
I set my phone down and sighed as I stared at the mess all over the apartment. The space was small as it was, and adding all of my boxes and business things cluttered the place quickly.
* * *
Damien
“Damien, Theodore Vale is on line 1 for you.”
“Thanks, Christine.” I picked up the phone and leaned back in my chair. “Theodore, it’s good to hear from you.”
“Damien, I had to call and tell you that my daughter was thrilled with the box your wife sent over. She spent all day in her room yesterday with it, and last night, she actually sat down and had dinner with us for the first time since the breakup. Your wife is a special woman who can connect with people on a different level. You’re a very lucky man. I hope you realize how special she is.”
“Of course I do, Theodore. She’s my world and the air I breathe.” I rolled my eyes.
“Excellent. I’ve decided to proceed with the merger of Blackwood Holdings.”
“Thank you, Theodore. You won’t regret it.”
“I have a feeling I won’t. How long?”
“Since all the preliminary paperwork is done, we just have to sign it, and then I’ll have my attorney file it. We’re probably looking at 8-12 weeks until it’s finalized.”
“Okay. Tell Willa her box was a hit. I’m sure my wife will reach out to all her friends who are getting divorced.”
“I’ll let her know. Enjoy the rest of your day, Theodore.”
“You too, Damien.”
My uncle was walking past my office and stopped when he heard Theodore’s name.
“Was that Theodore Vale you were talking to?” He stepped into my office.
“It was.” I grinned. “He’s proceeding with the merger. It should be finalized within 8-12 weeks.”
“I knew you could pull it off!” he exclaimed. “I’ll get in touch with the board and let them know. Good work, Damien. Your father would have been so proud.”
“Why is he so happy?” Charlie walked into my office.
“Theodore Vale is going ahead with the merger.” I smiled.
“No fucking way! That’s awesome, Damien.”
Christine walked in carrying a large box. “This just came for you, " she said, setting it on my desk.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know. Open it and find out.”
Grabbing the scissors, I slid them along the top and ripped open the box. On top was a stock card with words typed in a fancy font.
Put the Guard Down, Sir.
“What the fuck is this?” I furrowed my brows as I removed the colorful tissue paper and started removing the items individually.