One week later, I sat across from Damen with the complete list of all bidders and the entire feedback from the tenants. I had spent the past seven days gathering every shred of information I could.
He scanned the documents with great care, his brow furrowed in concentration. Occasionally, he would look up, and ask for my insight and what I thought. He was willing to prioritize the tenants' interests above our own, above even his own.
This is why I had not chosen him, he was too weak, too kind, and too selfless, often putting others needs before his own. I had big dreams and I wasn't willing to settle for such a life, not when I could have so much more.
My gaze lingered on his body, and I couldn't help but notice that he had lost more weight. Wasn't he eating, was he not sleeping well? I really hoped he could adjust because he was going to stay behind those bars for a very long time.
Suddenly Damen looked at me excitedly, "I will choose this one, It has the best offer for both the tenants and me, and they are offering a generous amount of money." I looked at the documents in his hands and I froze, my expression turned cold.
"BS Cooperation," I frowned, my eyes scanning the stack of documents in front of me. Where did this folder come from? I don't remember adding it.
"Yes!" he answered with excitement.
I leaned forward, and decided to reason with him. "But Damen, this document was brought in today. The tenants haven't even had a chance to review it. Wouldn't it seem like a betrayal if you chose a bid they didn't even get to consider? Why not the Rose Cooperation? Everyone seemed to love their proposal."
Damen smiled and held my hand before he replied, "Harry is my friend, but I still don't know how he gained control of his wife's business. I don't want to be tangled in those wars later on. I understand he is doing this out of kindness, so I don't want him to make mistakes. His company also doesn't have enough money to sustain that land." His eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep sincerity, and I felt a flutter in my chest at the gentle pressure of his hand around mine.
"But…," I tried again.
"Listen to me, Isla," Damen said, his voice low and soothing, as he caressed my hand. "This is the best deal." He handed the document to his lawyer, a man I had never seen before.
If he had given that document to me, I would have shredded it to pieces. Harry had put in a lot of effort to get the tenants to choose his bid, and to some stubborn tenants we had even resorted to threats. And now, Damen suddenly didn't care about the tenants' options anymore.
"Damen, I think you have made a mistake," I said, trying to keep my tone as neutral as possible. "We have never heard of that company. What if they scam you?"
Damen's lawyer, the stranger who had appeared out of nowhere, spoke up. "Don't worry, Miss Sander, I have gone through all the bidders, and all of them are legit companies." He smiled, his eyes glinting with a hint of superiority, as if daring me to question his judgment.
I shot the lawyer a hard look, I was beginning to hate him. Who was he, really?
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," I asked the lawyer, trying to hide the hate in my voice.
Damen turned to me with a smile. "Isla, please meet my lawyer, Mr. Quinton Andersen."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Andersen," I said, forcing a sweet smile onto my face. But deep down, I was seething with anger. I was going to make sure this lawyer disappeared. Such a nuisance.
"If that's all," Mr. Andersen said, his voice smooth and professional, "I will take my leave, Mr. Clark. I will set up the necessary meetings and ensure that the funds are deposited into your account." He nodded to Damen, before turning to me, his eyes glinting with a hint of superiority. "It was a pleasure, Miss Sanders."
"No need for that," Damen said, his voice calm and authoritative. "Deposit it in Miss Sander's account." I almost jumped with joy, but managed to control myself. Finally, I had almost thought I had lost my grip on him, but it seemed Damen was still firmly under my influence.
"How much are they bidding?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Thirty billion," Andersen replied, I choked on the water I was sipping. "What?" I almost shouted, my eyes wide with shock.
"Yes, Isla, you think I would choose a bid that wouldn't favor both you and my child?" Damen asked, his eyes locking onto mine with a deep, longing gaze. "In this way, we shall use the balance to start afresh," The way he looked at me, with such tenderness and affection, made my heart skip a beat.
He looked hopeful, almost happy, as if the weight of his worries was finally starting to lift. The sight of him like this was infectious, and for a moment, I felt a glimmer of hope too.
Am sorry, Damen, there is no us. Was my last thought as I walked out of the prison into Harry's waiting car. Harry's lips brushed against my cheek in a gentle kiss, but I turned my head seeking his lips. After all I had sacrificed for him, I deserved some genuine love from him.
His eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly regained his composure and he leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a deep, passionate kiss.
Harry pulled back from the kiss. "So, how did it go?"
I hesitated, unsure of how Harry would react to the news. "Let's get home first," I said, stalling for time.
Harry's eyes flashed with anger for a second, but he covered it with a smile. "Come on, don't keep me waiting, hun. I'm too excited, I don't think I can drive," he insisted, his hands drumming impatiently on the steering wheel.
"You will manage." With that, I reached for my seatbelt and buckled up, he didn't press the issue further. Instead, he put the car in gear and pulled out of the prison parking lot.
When we reached home, I declared, "I am going to bathe first." Harry nodded. "Take your time, I will make us dinner," he said, already heading towards the kitchen. When I emerged from the bathroom, I was greeted by the soft glow of candles and the sight of Harry setting the table.
Harry did not love me, he loved no one, his heart belongs solely to himself, but that's where we were most compatible, both of us heartless.
"He gave the bid to BS Corporation." I said slowly, studying Harry's reaction as I made my way towards the table.