Headache

Damien watched Victoria enter the suite laden with bags of luxury brands. The tension between them was almost palpable, and he could hardly wait to discuss what he had discovered. She seemed oblivious to his nervousness, heading toward the carefully set dining table adorned with an array of exquisite dishes.

“How were the fashion shows today?” Damien asked, trying to appear casual, though his eyes fixated intensely on her. There was something different in his interest. Victoria's response would set the tone of the conversation.

Victoria, in turn, felt the pressure of Damien's question and chose to respond evasively. “It was good, Damien. The shows were interesting.” She smiled, but her eyes betrayed her anxiety.

Damien smiled as well, but there was a hint of irony in it. “Interesting? Which brands were showcasing today?” Damien inquired with a weak smile, attempting to hide the gravity of his suspicions.

Damien's question caught her off guard. Why was he so interested in the details of the fashion shows? There was something different in his demeanor, something that made her suspect he knew more than he was revealing.

Opting for a safer route, Victoria lied, “Oh, Valentino was the highlight, but I also saw some wonderful creations from Gucci,” she replied, avoiding Damien's gaze.

Damien stared at her for a moment, as if assessing her response. Victoria couldn't decipher his thoughts. Was he trying to catch her in a lie? She felt nervous and realized that Damien was acting unusually.

“It's a shame you've become a traitor,” Damien suddenly remarked, taking Victoria by surprise.

She furrowed her brow, not understanding what he meant. “What do you mean by traitor, Damien?”

Damien pointed to the designer shopping bags in Victoria's hands, including one from Dolce & Gabbana. “You're there with all these shopping bags, Victoria, and you're telling me you attended a Valentino fashion show? If I were a designer, I'd be offended.”

Victoria felt a chill run down her spine. Damien was referring to the shopping bags she was carrying. She had completely forgotten about them. “Well, Damien,” she began with a nervous smile, “every woman loves Dolce & Gabbana, don't they?”

He sighed, as if frustrated with Victoria's evasive response. “I understand, Victoria. And, in fact, you're right, every woman loves Dolce & Gabbana... and other things too.”

Looking at the dining table he had arranged, Victoria finally found a way to change the subject. “Damien, did you really set all of this up? Are these all my favorite dishes and desserts?”

He nodded, but there was a shadow of disappointment in his eyes. “Yes, Victoria. I wanted to do something special for you.”

Victoria smiled and decided to change the subject. “You've done a wonderful job, Damien. I can't wait to taste all of this. I just need to put these bags in the room, and I'll join you soon for lunch.”

She picked up the bags and moved away from the table. Damien remained silent, watching her with keen eyes. He wasn't willing to let this matter slide. Their marriage was at a crossroads, and Damien would have to act carefully to avoid Victoria discovering that he already knew the truth.

***

Lunch proceeded in silence as Damien and Victoria shared the meal in the hotel suite. While the dishes served by Damien were delicious, there was a tension in the air that hung over them like a dark cloud. Victoria knew there was a secret between them, a secret that could threaten their relationship and needed to be addressed.

Deciding it was time to break the silence, Victoria placed her hand on her temples, closing her eyes for a moment as if trying to alleviate her headache. She was about to share the excuse she had concocted for not attending the dinner arranged by Damien and Stefano Graviano. As Melissa White, she couldn't be present as Victoria, after all, she couldn't be in two places at once.

Damien noticed his wife's discomfort and immediately showed concern. “Victoria, are you feeling okay?” he asked, leaning in her direction. “You seem to have a headache.”

Victoria sighed, attempting to appear distressed. “Yes, Damien, I have a throbbing headache. Perhaps it's the result of all the hustle and bustle of Fashion Week.”

Damien nodded, displaying understanding. “I understand. Fashion Week can be stressful. If you're not feeling well, maybe you should rest.”

Victoria knew that the time to reveal her true identity as Melissa White was approaching, but she also recognized Damien's kindness in taking care of her. The dilemma tormented her, but she was determined not to let the lie come between them.

“Thank you, Damien. You're very understanding,” she replied with a weak smile. “I was planning to attend the dinner, but with this headache, I think I'll have to cancel.”

Damien showed even more understanding, supporting his wife's decision. “Of course, Victoria, your health is the most important thing. You shouldn't force yourself to do something that will make you uncomfortable.”

Victoria felt relieved that Damien didn't insist on her joining the dinner with Stefano. This gave her a bit more time to resolve the impasse she was in. While the two continued to have lunch, Victoria knew she had to find a way to explain her absence at the dinner convincingly, without raising suspicion.

Throughout lunch, Damien and Victoria tried to maintain light conversation. They talked about their planned activities in Milan, the city itself, and the beautiful suite they were staying in. However, the secret hanging between them remained a constant shadow.

After the meal, Damien offered his support once again. “Victoria, if the headache persists, why don't you rest for a while? I'll check if there's anything that can help alleviate the pain.”

Victoria smiled gratefully and nodded. “That sounds like a great idea, Damien. A short nap might be just what I need.”

As Damien walked away to fetch some headache relief for his wife, Victoria took the opportunity to reflect on her situation. She knew she couldn't keep her secret for much longer, especially considering that Damien and Stefano had dinner plans. She feared that her plan might unravel, and Damien would find out everything.

As Damien searched for headache relief for Victoria, she was determined to do whatever it took to continue her revenge and hide her false identity and the role of Melissa White in the business that threatened her marriage. However, she also feared the consequences of her revelation.