Chapter 183 - Knock Yourself Out

The surprised look on Katherine's face was immediately replaced with a bright smile as she hugged Alianna back. "You didn't tell me you were coming…" Katherine remarked as she pulled away and invited her friend inside the suite.

Alianna turned to Damien to give him a hug. "I didn't know I was coming here until Damien called me last night. I'm as surprised as you are! So I booked a flight and just landed… I came straight from the airport."

Damien closed the door and the three of them waltz towards the balcony where he served his cousin some breakfast. "Sorry I couldn't pick you up in Milan with the plane. Caleb's using it at the moment." 

"Yeah, no biggie. And yes Caleb told me… I just spoke to him before I came up to your room." She put a piece of croissant in her mouth and closed her eyes — it tasted like buttery flakes of heaven. She received a cup of coffee that Katherine served for her.

"You and Caleb have been keeping in touch?" Damien raised a brow. He poured himself another cup of coffee as he waited for his cousin to answer his question. He studied her reaction and saw that she just realized she slipped — she did not intend for him to find out that she was talking to his best friend again even after leaving for Italy. That never happened before. "What are you doing, Ali?"

"Nothing… We're not back together, Damien… If that's what you're thinking about. We're just... talking again." Alianna nervously sipped her coffee as she felt Damien narrow his eyes at her. She knew how he could read her even with his eyes closed. "Stop staring."

Damien glanced at Katherine as though he was asking her if she knew anything about this but the moment their eyes met, she looked away, picked up her hot cocoa and drank it. She was not about to get in between the cousins today. 

He fought the urge to smile when he saw her reaction, causing his lip to twitch briefly before sipping on his coffee. He didn't have to follow up with any questions to Ali because he knew very well that just by being quiet, it would make her anxious, making her spill her guts.

"Okay fine!!! I kissed him before I left!" she started and he curled his lips up, keeping himself quiet and still sipping on his coffee.

Alianna hated the look on Damien's face. It was so annoying for her because she knew that he was doing it on purpose just to make her talk and it was working. She couldn't tell anyone else and it was eating her up. So before she could even process what she was about to say next, she suddenly blurted, "And I had sex with him!" Her hands flew over her mouth.

Damien all but choked on his coffee, making a mess by spilling it on himself and scalding his hand. "Sh*t—"

Katherine was so quick in putting her cup down and wiping his hands and shirt, the coffee stain immediately soaking in. "You need to change," she suggested softly, seeing that his mood slightly changed. She stole a quick glance at Ali who was now biting her lip, afraid that he was going to scold her for what she did.

Damien wasn't really all that mad but he was definitely worried. He shot her a glare before standing up to wash his hands and grabbing another shirt from his luggage. It had only been a minute before he came back out and sat down, pushing the coffee cup away from him. "I'm not going to lecture you if that's what you're so nervous about."

"Of course. You shouldn't… I'm a big girl, Damien," she replied in a soft tone.

"I know… but I was there with you cleaning up after your mess when the two of you chose to call it quits. I don't want to see that again, Ali." His voice was stern like the big brother that he was. 

Alianna was thankful to him as he was caring the entire time she was depressed and then practically did some tough love to get her back on track. Reaching out her hand, she patted his arm and gave him a warm smile, "I know what I'm doing… I'll be fine."

Damien didn't answer nor nod to what she said. It was quiet until his phone rang a few minutes later. "Excuse me, I need to get this." He went back inside the suite and sat on the desk to open up his laptop — it was work as usual.

Katherine and Alianna snickered while he was away. The latter hadn't told Katherine about what happened with Caleb before she left for Italy. 

"I can't believe I'm asking this, but how was it?" Katherine wondered, hiding her mouth with the cup of hot cocoa. She was curious because for once, Alianna was the one looking all shy and not pressing her questions about her sex life. 

The corner of Alianna's mouth pulled up as she lowered her gaze. "I don't usually f*ck and tell but oh my god, it was just as amazing as it was the last time we did it years ago. I've got to admit, I'm not innocent and had a few partners after him but... he's still the best."

Katherine stared at her and could see the longing in her expression. Compared to how it was before, she could tell that Alianna was happier now but at the same time still sad about their separation.

The sliding door opened and out came Damien with a troubled look on his face. He strolled towards Katherine who was sitting on the chair, bent forward and hugged her from behind. He didn't say anything yet but the sigh that he just let out already gave away what he was about to say. Katherine stroked his arm and tilted her head to face him. "Work?" she probed.

Damien nodded. "Yeah, I won't be able to show you around the city today. I have to go somewhere but I won't be far. Will you be okay with Ali?" 

Smiling at him, she pressed her lips on his cheek. "Of course, I'm sure Ali and I will have a great time."

"Hmmm… Promise I'll be back before dinner." Damien kissed her on the head before walking away. "We should prepare to leave. Come on, I'll drop you girls off." 

"You're bailing on us, Damien… We're going to need your card." Alianna had a huge smile on her face as they followed him inside. She was sure he would love to spend on his future wife and his favorite cousin.

Katherine's eyes widened, "Ali…"

"Shhh!" Alianna shushed her. 

Without asking anything, Damien took his wallet from his coat and handed his black metal card. "Knock yourself out."