Fated To Love You Forever

Damien took one look in the mirror, and smoothened out the lapels of his coat, as he checked to make sure he was ready.

When he decided he was ready to go, he picked his phone and car keys off the table and exited his bedroom.

He would have asked his chauffeur to drive him, but he didn’t know how long he would be staying there and Damien wasn’t a fan of making people wait for long doing nothing, so he decided he would drive himself.

He had finally taken up his mother’s offer on having dinner with her and he was on his way there. After his flight had been canceled, he had nothing important to take care of and so he had called her to ask when she would be free to have dinner.

She had been so excited that she asked him to come the next day, and he wasn’t even there yet but he already had this feeling of nostalgia for his mother’s cooking.

He resolved within himself that when all of this was over, he would make out more time to spend with his family.

It felt like he had been so busy in the past few months that he didn’t get to see them as much but he would rectify that soon.

He had been driving for quite some time when his phone suddenly started ringing. He didn’t like to take calls while driving but when he saw that it was Alvarez calling, he picked up and his phone was soon connected to the car speakers.

“Hello?” Alvarez’s voice filled the car.

“Hey, man. What’s up?” Damien asked, his eyes still focused on the road as he made a turn.

“I’m okay, thanks. I called to ask about your whereabouts, man. I remember your flight was booked for sometime this week. Are you leaving today, or tomorrow?”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Damien sighed heavily.

He hadn’t informed Alvarez about the cancelled flight because he had completely forgotten, and remembering it now made him a little annoyed, but he kept his cool.

As sharply as he could, he gave Alvarez the details of the cancelled flight, telling him it was the local airport’s fault, and finally announcing that he would be going in his private jet instead as he couldn’t waste any more time.

“Oh… Alvarez finally said, “But the private jet would need some servicing first, right?”

“Yes, and my maintenance team are on it.” Damien replied.

He was nearing his mother’s house now, and as he arrived at the entrance, the automatic gates immediately slid open and Damien drove in and quickly parking his Aston martini next to the other cars.

When everything was in order, he got out of his car and locked it, his phone still placed to his ear as he conversed with Alvarez.

As he began to stroll into the house, he smiled widely when he sighted his mother a few steps away, already waiting for him.

“Mother…” He greeted, excusing himself from the call and pulling her towards him with his free hands. He held her in a tight, long embrace which she eagerly returned, and together they began to walk inside the house.

“Brother, I’m at my mother’s now so I’ll have to go now.”

“No problem man. We’ll talk some other time.”

Damien suddenly remembered something, “You’re at the office, right?” He asked and Alvarez confirmed that he was, so he continued, “I’ll need you to start today to select and inform your best men on my trip. I’m going to need personal security, so a few guards should do.”

“Yes of course.” Alvarez agreed. “I’ll do that right away and then get back to you.”

“Okay then. I’ll have to go now. Thanks for calling.”

Alvarez chuckled, “Sure thing. Take care of yourself, alright?”

Damien smiled and then hung up, slipping his phone into his jacket.

They were already in the living room now and he faced his mother again squarely this time, and smiling he pulled her into a much proper hug this time, amidst her laughter. He also placed a light kiss to her cheek as he looked her over, asking how she was.

“Now you’re here, I’m much better.” She smiled, helping him take off his coat and then lowering herself on a couch nearby.

Damien laughed, “Right, of course.” His eyes swept the room and then he turned to his mother. “Where’s Layla?”

“She’s not home. She had somewhere to go with her friends. She’s going to throw a fit when I tell her you came over.”

“Ah, I guess I’ll see her next time then.” He replied laughing.

After they had talked for a while, his mother asking about work and his health, he waited for her to ask what he knew she wanted to ask him for a while, but she finished talking and he didn’t hear the questions he was waiting for.

“Oh mother, come on. Enough with the disguise.” He finally said, “I know you want to say something. Go ahead.” He chuckled, rolling his eyes.

“Well, if you insist.” When they were both done laughing, she continued, “I overheard you talking to Alvarez on the phone, and I heard you mention London. Is this still about Madison?”

Sighing, he relaxed into his chair and slowly recounted all that had happened and the things his private investigator had discovered. When he was done, he faced her, “Remember I’m going to London, well all these things I just told you are the main reasons why I need to go to there. There are still a lot of things that don’t make sense to me. There’s more to know, more to discover and I know that after I’m done digging into the past and getting my answers, everything would make more sense. Maybe then I’ll be at ease.”

“You are right son. I just hope you get the answers to everything you are looking for.”

“I pray mother.” He said, and his gaze moving from his mother’s face to the floor, a lump formed in his throat as he added, “There’s more…”

She frowned, “What is it? Go ahead, son. It’s okay.”

Damien took a deep breath, “It’s a somewhat shocking news.”

“Talk to me son.” His mother urged again as he paused and taking a deep he finally said, “From the investigations that were carried out, there is proof that Madison… Madison had once been pregnant.”

A gasp escaped his mother’s lips as she placed her hand to her chest, “Oh my goodness! T-that’s… that’s quite unexpected. Are you sure?”

Damien nodded painfully, “Yes, and I just need to know so much about that. I need to find out if the baby was mine, or if she really cheated on me and had someone else’s child.”

His mother gripped his hand firmly, rubbing it in circles as she tried to comfort him, but Damien just shook his head and removed her hands on his wrist.

He didn’t have the time to get all emotional again, and smiling a bit he said a bit defiant, “That’s why I have to go. There are so many things I need to know. I also plan on interrogating the rest of the Connors and als-”

“No!” His mother cut in, shaking her head, “I’ve been meaning to say this when you told me you were going there, but I decided to think about it before saying a thing and…”

“What are you talking about mother?” He questioned, his brows raised and she continued, “No, no. I forbid it. The last person I want you talking to is Mr Connor. We both know firsthand how dangerous and ruthless he is. I don’t want you anywhere near him. I know you need answers, but can’t you just talk to Madison and get all you need to know. Leave that damned man alone please.”

Her face clouded as the memory of what they had gone through in his hands came flooding back, and Damien could see the tears pooling at the back of her eyes.

This was something she would never forget and his chest tightened.

“Mother, listen to me, okay?” Damien cooed, patting her hand lightly as he tried to get her to calm down, “The tables have turned, Mom.”

She frowned, “What do you mean?”

“You don’t have to fear anything. The Mr Connor you know from the past, is no more.”

“Huh? What do you mean? Is he dead?” She asked and proceeding to explain Damien said, “No he is not. What I mean is that, they are no longer powerful or influential as they used to be. They are practically in ruins.”

His mother’s eyes widened in shock, “W-what? Are you certain? How? I don’t understand son.”

Damien smiled, “Well let’s say there was a drop in his empire, causing Mr Connor to lose everything he ever owned. It was so terrible that he had even to sell off his land and the mansion. You won’t believe it mother but tables have turned, and now they are as poor as church mice.”

His mother gaped at him in amazement, “Wow. I never would’ve believed it. It’s funny how things could change in the blink of an eye. How the mighty have fallen.” She murmured, shaking her head, “I should imagine that this is karma at its finest.”

Damien couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped his lips, “I shouldn’t be laughing as this isn’t funny, but then I guess so.”

He then went ahead to tell her more about Madison.

She placed a hand on her forehead when he told her that Madison had been disowned by her family, probably due to the pregnancy, and pity flooded the old woman’s eyes

“Oh, that poor child.” His mother muttered, shaking her head sadly, turning to face him as she continued, “I can’t imagine the hardship she must have gone through. Son, I know there’s a lot of anger and pain in your heart, and you have every right to feel that way. But please… take it easy when it comes to Madison. The poor girl has been living in drudgery, and so much poverty. You should know what that’s like right, just go easy on her please.”

Damien swallowed and nodded, gulping down a huge lump that seemed to have formed in his throat.

His mother squeezed his hand reassuringly and then after a brief moment of silence, she switched the topic.

She asked him about Alvarez, asking when he would visit and if he had forgotten her. Damien remembered that Alvarez had said the same thing once and then he began to laugh, informing his mother of the convo. His mother narrowed her eyes at him, and waving off his laughter, they began to talk about other things too.

As his mother explained the new painting she had gotten at some art exhibition to him, the sound of his stomach growling filled the room and Damien excused himself, smiling sheepishly as his mother tapped his hand.

“Oh dear, you must be hungry. We have been so busy discussing, that I forgot you haven’t had anything to eat. You came here to have dinner and not all this.” She chastened herself, and quickly pulling him to his feet, she pointed down to the hallway, “Why you don’t go shower in one of the spare rooms, and then come back for dinner.”

Damien smiled sheepishly, as he asked, “Shower? I’d only shower if I’m going to spend the night here.” Pausing he added again, “Are you asking me to sleep over, mom?”

She laughed heartily, “Hmmmn… Now that you mentioned it, that’s not a bad idea.” She shrugged, “You can sleep over just this once. We could have a movie night too. Just mother and son, I even made popcorn.”

Damien cocked an eyebrow, “Ahh, I see you have already prepared in advance. I know your ways mother.”

“I was hoping you would say yes.” She smiled, no longer denying the fact that she’d actually planned this, and pushing him to the hallway she then headed to the kitchen.”

Damien pretended to think out loud, “Well, depending on how good dinner is, I’ll think about your movie night offer.”

His mother grinned lightly, “Are you doubting my cooking skills? It’s better than all those junks you have at those expensive restaurants I’ve warned you to stop frequenting.”

“Mother…” Damien called out mockingly and she chimed in, “Well my food is always delicious so be rest assured that you’ll enjoy yourself. I made all your favorites.”

Smiling, Damien walked to where she was standing in the kitchen, and towering behind he bent down and kissed her lightly on the cheek before leaving and heading down the hallway.

He felt so much more at home here than at his mansion, and truth be told, he was actually looking forward to spending the night here with his mother and sister.

Soon Layla would be back, and they would have some good family time just like before.

It felt so nice, bringing him tranquility and peace.

…….

Madison huffed in exhaustion as she finally got to the street where her house was located.

She and a few of her friends from the bakery had discovered an easier, faster shortcut to lead them home, and Madison was grateful for it.

They had parted a few seconds ago and Madison couldn’t wait to get home. She was extremely tired as work had been hectic today.

What she needed now was a cold shower and a good night’s rest. She hoped she would be able to rest properly tonight as her bones ached terribly, from working too much. If only she could get some hot water this time, it would help with her aching bones.

Maybe she would manage to boil some water with her gas cooker.

Sighing, she exhaled in relief when she remembered she still had some leftover food from yesterday, and it was one trouble down. She couldn’t imagine cooking right now with how tired she felt.

Finally she got to her front door. As she inserted her key into the lock, her phone pinged in her coat and putting down her big bag, she brought her phone out using her free hand. She tapped on the notification when she saw that it was a text from Alvarez.

She hadn’t spoken to him for a while, and after the way she had acted the last time they spoke, she didn’t expect him to call or text her. A sudden rush of guilt flowed through her but she tried to shake it off, and sniffing a bit she read through the text slowly.

It was a message telling her that Damien’s flight to London had been delayed.

She didn’t have time to ponder on this development because as soon as Damien’s name flashed through her screen, the memory of the nightmare she had some days back came flooding back to her and a chill ran down her spine, goosebumps accompanying it, the cool bumps forming on her arms.

She remembered everything, and the dream was so real she shuddered recalling it all.

She could still remember the look on the strange lady’s face as she dragged the baby from her, the sound of the baby’s cries, and worse of all the despair that filled her heart when the child slipped through her fingers.

Madison broke into a sweat, her fingers clutching her keys as she shakily tried to unlock her door.

She didn’t understand why seeing Damien’s name had triggered the memory, and she didn’t like this feeling one bit.

Quickly she turned around, suddenly feeling unsafe and looking around the small neighborhood she saw that no one was nearby, and everywhere was eerily dusky and empty.

Hurriedly, Madison unlocked her door and rushed in.

Making sure the door was secured behind her, she dismissed her fears and dropping her bag she collapsed on her bed tiredly.