Beneath the Diamond Veil

a's

im when it occurred to me that I was going t

that much but my recklessness

d down with all the problems of my life. I just wanted to le

en." He answered

Rivers." I intro

you are."

was very certain this was our first meeting but as

and we stopped in fr

where?" I asked him, look

ur ordinary eyes. Let's go." He finished, then

he pushed the wall an

that the wall was in fact, a

bar. The further we descended, the more the noise above faded into a muted hum, un

. The walls were covered in vibrant, chaotic splashes of color. Abstracts, graffiti, mixed media, and sculptures were scatt

treaks of dark red and gold, the textures almost tangible under th

breathed. "How have I ne

oice low and close. "It's kind of a se

lding since we met upstairs. His eyes lingered on mine, and at th

rt, the quiet conversations, and the soft lau

in the first place. We spent the night together, the hours melting away as easily as the conversation had earlier. There was somethin

e awake but content, my mind still replaying the night. The memory of the gallery,

rom the bed, careful not to wake him up,

*

hen I got out of the shower, picking up

orporated. I'm calling you because our CEO has specially inv

hy he reques

to what was happening and why

with you to discuss some partnership. A car will be waiting for

car waiting in front of my apartment, I

the handsome stranger I had spent the night with. I was

he meant last night wh

to go as well." He said as his secretary came in with a tray in her ha

EO of Cole Inc?" I asked

ying anything to me, "Why didn't

ed." Was his c

ember asking f

old you

left out the part about you

ome big company change anything? You

y?" I asked, suddenly l

of course." H

him and he plucked a folder beside him, o

age five and it looks like he doesn't have much time again, you're trying to get him treatment abroad. He underwent an emergency surgery a few days ago but the hospital won't

anything, so

eatment, settle all your debts and help you get your paintings displayed at the New Yo

ow

eyes and said, "You ha

d, not sure if I h

y all those things can happen is

ve me, or do you?"

o you have any idea who I am? I am Damien Cole. I don't do relationships and

ained a brave face, "So why d

d, dancing to every tune my father makes and he still insists on not handin

asked, although I already knew w

g," I'm glad you're following t

me to play t

you're as desparate as I am. I'm not asking you to do anything i

believe us? What if he figures

make sure he be

ll of this? Or I don't

ces won't be in your favour." He answered and too

got chills from the way he answered

ur father the best treatment in the country or you say no and we can forget this conversation ever happened, but if you

r choice to make, "How long are

rmation no one can know ab

ivorced? Won't you father figure out

scandal involved," Da

I didn't like where this

there is. A che

e was implying, "Why do I have to b

ompany and I'm not ready to allow anything to j

uestioned his decision again, hoping he wou

ack to being the nameless human being you once were

na? What are you going to do?" Damien asked and although I had

has to receive the best treatment ther

Damien bru

I answered a

ined the contract I was going to sign, l t

was pleased with it, I took the pen and si

my parents." He dec

fter him and he stop

thirty minutes to come up with a foolproof story about how we