Page 31 of The Merciless Don's Bride

This is incredibly awkward. I glance to the sides, wondering what to say.

“Did you need something? I can call one of your maids to bring you breakfast,” he suggests.

I shake my head, “No. I was actually wondering if you could tell me where um- Damien is.”

Calling him Damien feels weird as hell. But I get the feeling ‘son of a bitch’ wouldn’t fly so well with one of his men.

“He’s currently having breakfast,” Rafael informs me. “He would have invited you to join but I believe he was unsure if you would have accepted his invitation.”

“Oh. Well could you take me to him?”

He nods. “Of course, ma’am. Follow me.”

I allow him to lead me down the grand staircase to the closed dining room door. I take a moment to steel myself for the interaction while Rafeal wrenches the door open.

My eyes meet Damien’s from across the room and I feel my heart skip out a beat. Not out of fear for him but something akin to that. He pauses at the sight of me, halfway through a conversation with his sister who also looks up at me. Her expression is much easier to read. She doesn’t like me.

And from what I remember from yesterday when I was drunk she’s definitely not happy that I’m here. But she did compliment me. She called me beautiful. Which is such a massive compliment coming from someone like her. She’s hella gorgeous with her long black hair and blue eyes similar to her brothers’. Although hers have some warmth in them.

I got some details about her from Lila who unlike Ana has been more amenable to speaking to me and giving me information, Damien’s younger sister’s name is Sofia. Sofia Luciano, the princess of the family. She’s a little reclusive, doesn’t really have any friends. But according to Lila she’s got a good heart. She’s kind which is a feat in a world like this.

“Good morning,” I say lightly as I walk into the room.

I’m going to pretend last night didn’t end the way it did. With me yelling at him and him informing me that I marriage I absolutely don’t want is happening in a week.

“Cassandra,” Damien says, “I’m surprised you decided to join us.”

“I just finished speaking to my friends,” I inform him. “And I thought I have breakfast.”

“After your outburst last night, I figured you’d have no interest in being around me.”

“I have no interest in being around you,” I assure him. “I came here for the croissants.”

He leans back slightly, lips curling into something that isn’t quite a smile. I walk towards the chair across from Sofia.

“Besides, we’re going to be family soon, whether I like it or not. I might as well get used to it.”

Damien’s eyebrow arches subtly and I wonder if I’m laying things on a bit too thick.

Sofia makes a quiet sound, half scoff, half breath. I pretend not to hear it as I sit down. I’m way too close to them for comfort but I don’t have much of a choice. I meet Damien’s eyes as I sit down, trying to assure him that I still very much despise him.

He simply flicks his gaze in reply. I finally turn to his sister.

“I’m Cassie, by the way. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

She takes a sip of her juice before answering. “I know who you are.”

Right.

I smile anyway. “I really hope we’ll get along, Sofia. Us girls have to stick together and you have amazing style. Where did you get that dress?”

She looks down at her yellow and white silk gown with a shrug.

“It was part of Jean Michiaki’s collection last year.”

I gasp, “No way. That’s an original Michiaki?”

She sets her glass down, raising a brow, “Are you trying to win my favor by complimenting my impeccable fashion skills?”

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