Chapter 44 - A second chance at love. A first-class disaster waiting to happen

**Lisa**

Damon has never raised his voice at me. I'd never seen him this furious.

I wasn't sure what to say.

“How did you find out?” I asked.

“I can't believe you actually hid this from me, Lisa. We've been living under the same roof for weeks and you didn't think to tell me?”

“I was trying to fix it.,”

“Really? It's in two days, how much progress have you made with that, Lisa?”

“I'm trying.”

“You didn't have to. You don't have to do everything all by yourself. That's why I'm here. Haven't I made it clear enough? I'm here to help, Lisa.”

“I know that. I didn't want you to get mad. I was going to handle it.”

“Well, now that the cat is out of the bag, do I look happy?”

I didn't respond.

“I was right here the whole time, Lisa. It was literally eating you up. You were crying. You almost got yourself killed but you still couldn't tell me. Do you hate me that much?”

“What? No. I don't hate you.”

“Have I hurt you that much, Lisa.?”

“No.”

“I have been nothing but nice to you since we got here and this is how you repay my kindness? Why can't you just trust me for once! Just this once.”

“I—”

“Save it. To think that I actually thought working together would help us bond better and get closer. I let you in, Lisa, but somehow you managed to kick me out.”

I had no words.

He moved closer to me, his voice softer and raw, “Why won't you let me in, Lisa. Give me a chance. One last chance. I promise, I won't screw it up.”

He wasn't talking about the gala anymore. He was talking about us.

“Please, Princess. Let go and let me.”

“I can't.” I whispered.

“Why?”

“Because I'm scared.” My voice was shaking, “I'm scared, Damon. I'm scared you would break me. I'm scared that if you hurt me again, I might not be able to pick up the broken pieces.”

“I won't hurt you, Lisa, I promise. I already hate myself enough for that night at the penthouse. I'm sorry. I swear it. Just give me one more chance,” he begged, “I won't mess it up. I promise.”

“You keep making these promises.”

“And I intend to keep them.” He said, cupping my chin in his palm, “If you let me.” He added.

“What if—” 

“Shhh, baby. Stop worrying. Live a little.”

I gave a small nod and with that he kissed me. 

It was different from the other kisses we have had. This one was earnest. Hungry. Rushed. Raw. Heated. It felt like he had a lot to say to me and he wanted to communicate it all at once in one kiss.

We broke apart for breath and soon our clothes were forgotten on the floor. Damon made love to me for the first time since the penthouse and it felt good. I felt good.

He asked for a second chance and I think I already gave it to him. I fell asleep next to him with my hair spilled over his chest, but when I opened my eyes, he was gone.

“Rise and shine, sunshine.”

“You don't even run out of pet names, do you?” I asked.

“You're my inspiration. Do you feel better?”

“Yeah, a little. But we still don't have a venue.”

“We do. I sorted it out while you were asleep.”

“How?” I gaped. “I've been trying for weeks.”

“You tried your best, Honey. I know you did, some things just get easier with years of experience.”

“So, where's the new venue?”

“It's the same one as before.”

“What? How is that possible? I was told it was double booked.”

“Well, let's just say I pulled a few strings. The owner of the building owes me so I called in on the favour.”

“Hmmm, nice touch, Mafia Prince.”

“Look who's churning out pet names now? Anyway, it's good that we don't change the venue. A major donor pulled out yesterday because they got an Intel about the venue issues.”

I gasped, mouth agape, “Is that how you found out?” I probed.

“Yes, Lisa. That's how I found out and it didn't look good at all.”

“I bet it didn't” I thought to myself.

My stomach coiled and tightened with guilt, “Damon,” unsure of what to say.

“Save it, Lisa.” He raised his hand to halt me. “ We've moved past that.” 

I bit my lip.  "You're still mad at me"  

"Oh, I am mad, Princess. But I'd rather focus my energy on making things right than arguing endlessly."  

I let out a sigh.  "You know, I really was trying my very best to fix it."  

He rubbed the bridge of his nose and remarked, "I know you were. And that's precisely the issue.  Even when you are drowning, you constantly attempt to manage things on your own. “

I crossed my arms and sighed.  "I was not drowning."  

Damon shot me a sardonic look.  "You ate the whole tub of ice cream in one sitting, Lisa, what would you call that?."  

"All right, maybe I was sinking a little.

He grinned while rolling his eyes.  "Anyway, the location is reserved.  Crisis averted.  Now, before I learn more through another major-donor-unexpectedly-pulled-out scenario, can you please tell me everything else that I need to know?  

I paused.  "Everything else should be fine."  

Damon looked at me in a way that said he didn't believe a single word I spat. 

I let out a groan.  "All right."  I reached for my laptop, opened my list, and inhaled deeply.  "The original catering company bailed, so we still need to figure out the tech setup, approve the guest list, rework the seating chart, and finalize the catering because someone—not naming names—decided to invite an additional twenty VIPs at the last minute."  

Damon blinked.  "Is that all?"  

"That is only the list for today."  

He let out a loud sigh.  "Lisa, are you aware that we have about two days left?”

I buried my face in my hands. “Don’t remind me.”  

After removing the laptop, Damon placed it on the table.  "All right.  Stop worrying.  We need to eat first and worry later. 

I looked up at him, "We don't have time to—" 

His nose touched mine as he bent down, cutting me short.  "Live a little, Princess.”

I narrowed my eyes, "Do you really want to lose all you've worked diligently for just because you want to live a little?"  

He smiled, “No, darling. I am only trying to keep my very diligent girl from collapsing before the gala even happens."  

My stomach rumbled, giving me away and Damon gave me a knowing look. “Alright.” I let out a sigh.  

He gave me a forehead kiss, ushering me to the dining table with a sly smile.  He'd won.

With the venue problem resolved, I should be at ease, but I wasn't. Something kept bugging me.  It felt strange.  

And as my phone vibrates once more, that sensation only intensified.  

I looked at the display.  

My stomach fell.  Once more.  

This time around, Damon might not be able to fix things this time.