Chapter 4 Curiosity and Cheating Kills the Cat

Damien

I sat at the dinner table swishing the wine in my glass with my hand as my mother spoke with Sophie and Mrs. Vazquez, my soon-to-be mother-in-law, about the upcoming wedding plans.

“I was thinking maybe white and royal blue with some silver accents.” Sophie put her hand over mine and she turned to me and smiled, “I think you’d look stunningly handsome in royal blue.”

“If that is what you want, Soph. It’s your wedding, make all your dreams come true.” I spoke.

“Money should be no problem since it is customary for the groom’s family to pay for everything in our family. Just call me if you ever need anything, honey.” My mother pointed out. She was the one who insisted I marry Sophie, thinking she is the best suiter to carry my family name. My father agreed with my mother, seeing how her father’s business was going well and would be a great asset to the family. We don’t need any more money or power, but my father’s greed is never satisfied.

I looked at my father as he spoke with Mr. Vazquez. Head held high and chest full of pride as if his ego were as big as a mountain. Everyone feared him because of his history and his connections, everyone but I. I grew up thinking of him as my competitor, he raised me to never be weak and never to put myself lower than another man. Suddenly I felt a stare, so I turned my head to the other side of the table and saw Christie.

“Why are you so quiet?” she mouthed so that only I could see.

I shook my head and smiled. She had always opposed this, but she also knew she had no power over our parents’ authority. “Don’t worry about it. Eat your food.” I mouthed back, seeing how she hadn’t touched her plate.

She frowned and looked down at the plate, stabbing her fork into the steak and shoving it in her mouth.

“Right, Honey?”

I turned back to face Sophie, “What happened, dear? I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention.”

“See! This is why I wouldn’t have a daughter in law or grandchildren!” My mother yelled in a fit. “You should be grateful to have Sophie and give her as much of you attention as you can!”

I sighed, “I’m sorry, Mother. I was talking to Christie since she just got back.”

She glared at me, “We are talking about your upcoming wedding not your sister so you should be paying attention!” she quickly turned her head to face Christie, “No offense, princess. I love you and I am happy you’ve returned home safely.”

“It’s okay mom, I understand,” She smiled and began shoveling more food into her mouth. A habit she does so that she doesn’t talk too much.

“It’s okay Mrs. Smith. I know Damien misses his little sister.” Sophie said softly.

Mrs. Vazquez quickly turned to her husband and placed her hand on Sophie’s shoulder, “Darling, our daughter would like to visit a few places that she would like to have the wedding reception at next week. Is that okay?”

“Of course, my love, do what you ladies want to do, just let me know when and where and I shall call those places to set an appoint for a visit so you can view them.” Mr. Vazquez smiled.

“Nonsense!” My father shouted. “As my wife mentioned before, we will be paying for all expenses, including stays, travel and dresses.”

“Thank you, Mr. Smith.” Sophie giggled.

“Call me Father, dear. You will soon be a part of our family.” He stated happily.

Christie laughed out loud and smacked the table. “I’ll be heading out. Seeing how I am not needed her, I see no reason to overstay my welcome at this table.” She got up and took a bottle of tequila with her. “I feel she is too weak to be a part of this family.” I heard her mumble before she exited the door.

“Why that girl needs to learn some manners and etiquette. We have spoiled her too much.” My father growled. “Ignore my daughter. She is too young to understand.” He laughed.

“If you will excuse me for a moment, I would like to use the restroom.” I said and left the dining room. I walked towards the patio, Christie’s normal drinking spot. “You could have been a little nicer. Sophie is no danger to us.”

“I feel like she is too soft. We grew up being told that money, strength, honor, and power are the best assets to live our best lives. Suddenly, Father loves a soft spoiled princess.” She huffed. “I’d love to see what she would be like if she were pushed out of her comfort zone and freed herself to become who she wants instead of keeping her head down and whispering all the damn time. Shit, our mom and Her’s seemed to be acting like they’re the ones getting married.”

“Sounds to me like you’ve taken an interest on my fiancé that you seem so against me marrying.” I chuckled.

Her head snapped in my direction with a look of shock, “Am not!” she snapped.

I just busted out laughing, “Chrissy, she’s nice. You can’t hate her too much.” I ruffled her head and walked towards the entrance, “I was wondering if you’ve found anything on Angel’s girlfriend too. Seeing how you’re so opposed to their relationship as well.”

“I’m waiting for a message from Samuel. He said she is at her club right now, doesn’t seem to be with Angel. I told him to take a photo. He deserves someone so much better than her. He also offered us a job, so I’ll talk to him about that.”

For some reason, my chest ached knowing how hurt Angel would be once he found out about his girlfriend being an elite slut. I shoved my emotions in the back of my head, “Send me the pic, I’ll send it to him. He is going to need a male friend to talk to for a while.”

She gave me a glaring side eye, “I thought you didn’t like him.”

“I am willing to help him since I know how much he means to you.” I smiled. “I know he is like family to you.”

She laughed softly, “He deserves so much more than he thinks. It saddens me when he belittles himself.”

“I’ll help him out with that, if you want go ahead and talk to him about the job offer, I’m sure he’d like it since I know you’re both going back to school. I don’t understand why he won’t move into your apartment though. It would save him a lot of money.” I pointed out.

She shrugged, “He always feels like a burden especially when his grandfather kicked him out. Go back inside before father comes out and yells at us.”

“Okay, okay.” I opened the door, “don’t forget the picture.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” She laughed.

I walked back into the dining room to find Sophie on her phone and our parents talking to each other. I sat in my seat next to Sophie putting one of my hands against her back, “What did I miss?” I asked her in a whisper.

She looked up at me a smiled, “Not much. I’m getting sleepy.” She leaned her head against my arm.

“If you want you can stay in one of the guest rooms.” I told her. “I can walk you to it.”

“Can I sleep with you? I won’t do anything suspicious. I’d just really like to sleep next to you since we are getting married in three months.” She asked.

I really didn’t want to share my bed, but she was right. It would also make our parents happy seeing that we show affection and comfortability. “If you’re comfortable with that I don’t see why not.”

We both stood and then excused ourselves, our parents smiling seeing how close we were. We walked up to the third floor and towards my room. I opened the door and led her in, “Theres a bathroom to your left if you’d like to clean yourself up first, there’s a little cabinet to your right next to the sink that should have some extra toothbrushes so you can brush and a white container that has warm clean towels if you’d like to bathe, I’ll bring you a shirt and some shorts that you can put on.”

“Okay.” She murmured, dragging her feet to the bathroom, and sliding the giant glass door closed.

I quickly grabbed a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, as well as a pair of sweatpants. I slid the door open slightly and set the shorts and shirt on the bathroom counter as she showered.

I looked at my phone and noticed how it was already 2:30AM. I decided to check on an update directly from Samuel.

Me: Hey.

Sam: Awe! Thinking about me in the middle of the night? ;)

I glared at my screen, wishing I could hit him with a pole knowing he’s enjoying this.

Me: No, you idiot. Christie told me you were going to send her a picture. Have you taken one yet? -.-

Sam: Yes sir. Would you like to see it?

I gripped my phone, preparing myself to see the photo and then replied.

Me: Yes.

Sam: *Image received*

         Hope you like it. :) I tried to get the best angle.

I sighed and opened the photo. I was disappointed in the woman I saw in the photo. Christie told me about Angel wanting to propose to this girl soon. Meanwhile she was sleeping with the richest youngsters in California while he was gone. I then decided to message Christie asking for his phone number. I heard the bathroom door slide open and so I turned around.

“I finished.” Sophie whispered tugging on the shirt that fit her like an extremely oversized dress on her petite slender body. She wasn’t wearing the shorts, probably because they were too big. I should have known seeing how I towered over her by a foot if not more.

“Okay, go ahead and get comfortable in bed. I’ll jump in the shower and get in bed beside you.” I told her as I walked towards the bathroom holding onto my sweatpants in one hand and putting my phone in my pocket.

“Okay,” she mumbled and yawned, shuffling slowly to the bed.

I closed the door behind me and quickly got undressed and turned on the shower head. My thoughts filled with how I was going to break the news to the young man without it hurting him too much. I know of Angel’s past and how strong he is, but I am not sure how he would take betrayal and heartbreak at once. Especially since his planned proposal was coming up soon.

I washed up quickly and stepped out of the shower, grabbing a dry towel, wrapping it around my waist while walking towards my phone to see I got a message from Christie.

Brat: Break it easy to him please. It’s xxx.xxx.xxxx.

I saved the number and sent him a message.

Me: Is this Angel?

 I waited a second before I decided to just send him the photo. I was feeling worried about his reaction but I knew there was no way to avoid it. This is why curiosity always killed the cat, and right now, the cat is cheating.