Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

DAMIEN POV—

We have been married for a week now.

I resumed work today and all through the morning, I had been stuck between the investors, receiving their unending congratulations and partnerships. I say I hit it jackpot.

Another thing that came up from my marriage with Clarissa was the inevitable alliance between both of our companies. Not that it was a bad thing of course.

She was a powerful woman herself and had been doing a really good job in manning her company... Oops terrible pun.

Anyway, most of her investors wanted to partner with me now and vice versa. There you have it, the wonderful thing that happened when two powerful forces combined.

Together, at this rate we were going to morph into a first class five star cooperation, envied by all, unrivaled by none. I was loving it already.

So basically, she was still the best thing that ever happened to me.

As I sat at my desk, trying to focus on the mountain of paperwork in front of me, I couldn't help but grin like a fool.

Who would have thought that marrying Clarissa would bring so many benefits? I mean, I knew she was a powerhouse in her own right, but this was beyond my wildest dreams.

Our combined companies were already making waves in the industry, and I could barely keep up with the demands of our newfound success.

"Damien, you're a genius!" one investor exclaimed, shaking my hand for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

I just chuckled and smiled, all it took was a contract marriage to a beautiful bold as fuck American queen bros.

Take a leaf from my page and it really wasn't all that hard to follow.

“CEO Martinez,” my personal secretary walked into the office with a short bow.

“You have a visitor,” She said.

I looked up at the already visitor that I had in my office.

I gave him a short nod. His time had expired and it was time for me to entertain the next fella.

“Vincent cooperation isn't it?” I asked, extending my hand for a handshake which he grabbed and shook firmly.

“Spot on,” he nodded in approval.

I stood up and walked him to the door, showing him the door politely. No pun intended.

“We would be honoured to partner with you,” I added as he adjusted his suit and tipped his hat at me.

“Congratulations on your marriage again,” he said with a grin before leaving.

I turned to my secretary and nodded, letting her know that she could invite the visitor in now.

She nodded and disappeared.

“I walked back to my seat and collapsed on the swivel chair, rotating slightly and rubbing my temples already tired.

Maybe I would call it a day early today after all.

A message popped up from Clarissa. I picked up the phone my lips curving inti a smirk.

Clarissa — it's awfully boring at this end of the world. How about a date?

I shook my head with a small smile.

It was really amusing how bold she was for a woman. Randomly proposing ti a stranger and now this? She must be really eager to sell this whole I'm happily married thing wasn't she?

Sometimes, I thought of what would have happened if she had bumped into another man that day and proposed to him instead. The thought didn't sit too well with me and I was instantly consumed with a possessive desire to protect her.

She ran into me and it was never” going to be anyone else...

Funny right? I usually didn't feel any sense of attraction to random strangers like this.

It was weird, I didn't quite understand what was going on.

Nevertheless, I typed in a reply to her, matching her usual sarcastic self.

Me — well some of us actually have business to attend to my love. I can't just skip out and skip back in. This place would be in shambles before I get back.

Her reply came almost immediately.

Clarissa — pity .. you're a CEO and you're still being controlled. Well see you around then,

And there was a waving emoji to go with it.

I rolled my eyes. It was called discipline. Not a surprise considering that she had never heard of it.

I chuckled and shook my head, typing out a response.

Me - Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Mrs. Martinez. You think you're the boss just because you're my wife?"

I sent the message and leaned back in my chair, grinning.

Her response was immediate. I was starting to wonder if she was in her office like me. Did she really have nothing to do?

Or was she zoning out of a meeting with her board like I usually did?

Clarissa — Someone's got to keep you in line, Mr. Martinez. See you tonight!"

I laughed and put my phone away, feeling a spark.

“CEO Martinez,”

The door opened and my head snapped up as a man entered.

I recognized the soft edge to his voice before I saw his face.

“Tristan!” I stood up and embraced him in a bro hug.

He patted my back, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners as he grinned.

“Heard you got married. Hope I'm not too late.”

We drew back and he sat of the seat opposite mine without as much as an invitation.

Spoiler alert; Tristan and I are best friends and we maintained a rock solid relationship since college and university.

He later joined the police and got a name for himself serving humanity while I chose business, equally excelling at it.

“You weren't there,” I noted, crossing my hands with a frown.

“Guilty as charged,” he gave me a sheepish smile, looking apologetic.

“How could you man,” I rolled my eyes. “You're my best friend or should I unfriend you already for neglecting me in the best day of my life?”

“I'm sorry bro,” he threw his hands in the air then clasped his palms together with a bow.

“We both know that there was a murder case in the district area and I was dispatched there. It was half a month ago and I was out of town since then. I only retuned now. Rounded up the criminals as fast as I could so that I could congratulate you,” Tristan explained.

“Hmm...” I tapped my chin, trying to decide if I should accept the excuse or not.

“Believable. I can work with that,” I said at last, making him heave a sigh of relief.

“I would still like to make it up to you though,” he continued after a while. “Let's go and grab a couple of drinks, bills on me. ”

I grimed at the idea. It wasn't half bad really.

“Congratulations bro, on the wedding. It's all over the news and the press is eating it up like Christmas came early for them,” Tristan gave me a friendly punch, seeming genuinely proud of me.

“What can I say, the cameras love me. ” I said with a shrug.

“And she's comfortable with all the attention?” he asked, playing with a ball point pen on the table.

I shrugged again. “We go down a similar line of business. She's used to it.”

He geld my gaze for a moment, his eyes seeming to be searching for something.

“And you love her? The Clarissa girl?” he asked. He threw in the question casually but my head snapped up instead.

“Of course. I love her more than life and I'll cherish her with all my heart,” I said, the words rolling off my tongue without much thought.

What was Tristan playing at? Was his detective skills already top-notch and he had seen a lapse in our facade

That was impossible. He was just making weird assumptions... Assuming they were assumptions in the first place.

“I'm happy for you then bro,” Tristan nodded.“ I thought you would not fall in love again after the whole Morgana saga. ”

I chuckled.

It turns out that I was overthinking it too. He was just asking out of concern considering how rocky my love life history had been.

“Don't sound too surprised. It would be impossible not to fall for a woman like her,” I said with a wistful smile that could easily mirror the face of a groom who couldn't get over his wife.

Tristan was a smart man. If I gave him the means, he would unravel the details of our contract marriage and shove the evidence back in my face without as much as batting an eyelid, or breaking a sweat.

“Come on, you owe me drinks,” I changed the topic, pulling him to his feet.

“Yeah, invite her over. I would like tinser the angel that changed your heart for myself. ” he replied, wagging his brows at me with a wink.

“Oh no, you won't be seeing her. ” I said firmly.

He muttered a comeback under his breath sounding fustrated and I offered him my killer smirk in return.

I didn't know if Clarissa could summon up her best acting on command and let's not forget that we were still talking about my overly smart detective friend here so I would be a fool to take chances.

We headed to the elevation and took it to the ground floor. Or rather more like I did and literally dragged him along.