Chapter 212 - Deadly Sins and Heavenly Virtues

"You never told me what happened between you and Ms. Miller," William started, standing next to Damien as they looked outside the window, the city lights of Harbor City twinkling below them. "I mean, I'm helping you look for her on a Saturday night instead of doing whatever I typically do on a weekend. Shouldn't I at least know what's going on?"

"I didn't ask for your help," Damien replied dismissively.

"Well, you should have thought of that first before you barged into my suite last week asking about what happened many years ago and just left without telling me why." William sighed. "You're not the only one who found that night disturbing, you know?"

It was William's and Damien's first mission. But unlike Damien, William stayed in the family business, wanting to earn every praise that he could get from his father.

Damien contemplated and after staying quiet for a few minutes, he finally spoke, "She… she and I didn't see eye to eye."

William studied the drained man next to him. He had never seen him this sullen. He knew there was more to the story but it was pretty obvious that Damien wouldn't go into details so he decided to drop it.

Feeling his phone buzz in his pocket, William excused himself and took the call out on the balcony. He returned to Damien's side a minute later, his hand squeezing on his cousin's shoulder as he said, "I'm sorry. They couldn't find her."

As though Damien had already anticipated the news, he didn't say anything and his shoulders remained slumped. Should he stop looking for her? Should he stop hoping to see her again?

He almost wanted to laugh at himself. It was just like five years ago when he couldn't find her. What else is new?

…

Saturday, September 22

"Man, look at these. They look like—"

"Boobs. I know. You told me five minutes ago." Caleb shook his head, rolling his eyes at Jeffrey whose grin was so wide as he played with two weirdly decorated cupcakes. "Seriously. When was the last time you got laid? And you're a doctor, don't you see body parts on a regular basis?"

"I'm a neurologist. I don't see lady parts on a daily basis." Jeffrey's mouth twitched upon hearing Caleb's remark. He indeed needed to get laid. It has been too long. He sighed, putting back the cupcakes on the stand. 

Caleb wore a blue suit while Jeffrey was in a salmon pink suit. They were standing by the dessert table with cocktails in their hands as their eyes wandered across the room where the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues End of Summer Party was held. 

The entire hall was decorated according to the main theme with several sections across the floor that corresponded to the mini-themes; each one representing the sins and the virtues.

They thought the party would end up being chaotic, what with several mini-themes in a single event but it turned out quite fun and surprisingly harmonious. There were a lot more guests than the regular goers as the invitations allowed plus ones instead of being exclusive. 

"Where's Damien anyway?"

Caleb slowly turned his head to Jeffrey, his brows raised as he spat, "I thought you were keeping an eye on him?"

Jeffrey's surprise matched Caleb's. "No?! I thought you were!"

Caleb muttered curses under his breath. "Damn it. Now where the hell is he?"

"Last time I saw him, he was in the 'Wrath' section. The scowl on his face actually matched the trident in his hand." William's light chuckle cut through Caleb and Jeffrey's conversation. He took a swig of the Negroni cocktail in his hand, looking spruce in his white tuxedo.

The two looked at William for a brief second before they dragged their gazes towards the 'Wrath' area that was next to 'Lust' on the right side of the huge hall.

"He's not there. He's dropping off a check for charity." Alianna nodded her head to the left as she joined the men, linking her arms with Caleb.

The men shifted their gaze to the left and saw Damien writing something on a booklet. He was sporting a burgundy tuxedo, looking dapper as usual.

"Hey," Caleb smiled at Ali. "Thanks for taking him out of his cave."

"Ugh. Believe me. It was a work out! The only reason he shaved his face was because he was afraid I would cut him when I insisted I would do it myself if he wouldn't. Good thing Markus was able to force Damien to change into that before he shoved his boss inside the car."

"Well, you did a great job. And you look nice tonight," Caleb complimented.

"Thanks." Alianna patted Caleb's arm and smiled back at him.

She had only been back in the city a few days ago despite wanting to fly as soon as she heard about what happened between Damien and Katherine. Alianna had tried to contact Katherine hundreds of times but just like everyone else, the attempts were all a failure.

Katherine's phone was off. She had been gone for three weeks and no one knew where she was. Not even Emma nor Adam — her friends before she came to work for Damien. It was as if she just vanished.

Nana was also depressed when she heard the news. Damien hadn't told anyone anything. All he told them was that she left and everything was his fault.

"Uh oh," Jeffrey's reaction caught their attention. They followed his gaze and saw a petite woman walking towards Damien.

The woman was skinny and had average height but her presence was huge, a lot of men looked her way. And a lot of women glared at her back. She was wearing a skin-tight strapless dress, strutting across the floor, her eyes locking at Damien.

"What the hell is she doing here?!" Alianna growled at the sight of the woman, her fingers tightened around Caleb's arm.

"Someone must have invited her as a plus one. I'm sure she wasn't on the main list," Caleb answered.

"Well I'm going to scratch her name on the list — better yet, her face!" Alianna stomped her foot and started moving forward when Caleb held her back. "Easy… Calm down," he said, his arm pulling her by the waist.

"Ha! The night suddenly got interesting." William grinned as he watched the woman tap Damien's shoulder.

Turning to his right, Damien's brows slightly knitted as he faced the woman whom he least expect to see that night — or ever.

"Margaret," Damien uttered in a cold tone.

Margaret Hara's bright smile greeted her ex-boyfriend — her ex-fiancé— as she responded, "Hi, Damien. It's been a long time."