Chapter 214 - Deadly Sins and Heavenly Virtues 3

The five musketeers sneakily followed Damien and Margaret and saw them turn at the end of the hallway.

"You don't think they're going to make out, do you?" Jeffrey asked in a low voice as they kept their distance away from Damien.

Alianna pinched his side and glowered at him. "Stop saying nonsense!" she whispered under gritted teeth as Jeffrey winced but his mouth was immediately covered by Caleb's hand, suppressing his cry. 

Lexi rolled her eyes seeing the three in front of her. If they were going to eavesdrop, they would surely get caught if they keep making noises!

William sensed her irritation and slipped his hand to hers, dragging her closely as they walked towards the end of the hall.

Stopping before they reached the corner, the five of them leaned against the wall, their ears perking up as they listened to whatever Damien and Margaret were doing out in the balcony. It was quiet for a while until Damien started talking.

Damien was facing the view of the coastline at the edge of Harbor City. He wished he had grabbed a glass of drink on his way out instead of keeping his hands in his pocket. He didn't want to be out there alone with Margaret but she promised to stay away after talking privately so he gave her a chance to talk. He might as well finish it now than having to deal with it again later. "You have five minutes. What do you want?" 

"You look different," Margaret started, staring at Damien's side profile from where she was standing. She almost forgot how handsome he was — too bad he was no longer hers.

Damien silently sighed and Margaret knew he wasn't going to speak so she continued, "There is something different about you. I just couldn't figure out what it is this time. But I can't say this brooding expression suits you—"

"Are you sure you're going to use five minutes just analyzing me?"

The corner of Margaret's mouth curled up and she chuckled at his dismissive tone. "It's good to see you again, Damien. You threw a great party this time. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Though I didn't think I'd picture you having this kind of theme. It's surprising… but the good kind."

Damien's jaw tensed upon hearing Margaret's words. What was he supposed to say? 'Thank you?' The idea wasn't his at all! And the person everyone should be thanking for wasn't even present that evening. That person had been missing for three weeks now and it drove him crazy. And it didn't help that everyone seemed to think that praising him for throwing the greatest party of the century was going to get them brownie points. 

Damien still didn't understand what he was doing at the party when it only reminded him of her. After all, she planned everything in just less than three days. And Marcus made sure to follow every detail on her notes.

She was cruel. How could she not leave his mind the entire time? Everywhere he looked and whatever he did reminded him too much of her. He had no escape.

Feeling a small hand touch his arm, Damien turned to Margaret and he forgot she was still there. Right, he had given her five minutes to speak. Was the time up already? He glanced at his watch and saw that only three minutes had gone by.

Shît. Why did time run so slow now that he wanted to get this over and done with fast? He honestly didn't hear what Margaret was saying when he spaced out. And now she was asking him a question and he didn't hear what it was.

"Will that be okay?" Margaret tilted her head and formed a small smile.

"Sorry, what did you say?"

Sighing, Margaret dropped her hand and stepped back. She noticed that he wasn't paying attention to her. They were the only ones in the balcony and yet his mind was still elsewhere. She knew he could never forgive her for what she did but she still hoped he would at least listen to her. 

"I get it. I'm the last person you want to talk to or be seen with right now. I'm just saying, I hope that what happened to us in the past wouldn't affect your judgment with regards to the contractor bidding. I don't want to let my father down… again."

Damien scoffed and didn't bother looking at her. "It's not 'what happened to us'. It's 'what you did to me'," he said in a harsh tone, reminding her that what she did wasn't just a small thing and he wasn't going to forgive her just because time has passed. She was a sly and manipulative shrew that he didn't want to get himself involved with.

"But regardless of that, your father—Hara Construction Company has got nothing to do with it. The bidding has been postponed indefinitely but whatever the result may be in the future, I can assure you it doesn't have anything to do with you. It's strictly business. So whatever you're doing right now doesn't change anything."

Damien's words were harsh but true and Margaret swallowed the lump in her throat. How could she still think that Damien would sway because she appeared in front of him? She thought so highly of herself that she forgot Damien was never the kind of person who would have his business and personal matter get mixed up.

"Right… I understand," she said.

"Go back to the party, Ms. Hara. Have a good evening." Damien gestured for her to go first while he decided to wait for a few minutes before he goes back inside.

Hearing footsteps going their way, the five eavesdropping musketeers jumped and hurried to the first door that they found near them – the utility room.

"Hurry up! Close the door!" Alianna nervously spoke while Jeffrey anxiously closed the door behind him.

All of them sucked in air as they tried so hard to listen to the footsteps outside the door. The closet was so dark and the only light that came inside was from the small window above the door. They could hardly see each other's faces in the small cramped space. And while they exchanged looks, their mouths were shut.

The footsteps were gone and Caleb nodded at Jeffrey to check. Jeffrey carefully opened the door and saw that the hallway leading back to the party was clear. He gestured everyone an "OK" sign with his fingers and as they came out of the small room and back into the hallway. The fresh air swept through their faces and they sighed.

"Did you all have fun?"

The group of five stiffened and became pale upon hearing a man's familiar voice behind them. They slowly exchanged looks and loudly gulped as they began to face the Devil's judgy glare.

"Haha… Damien… there you are… We've been looking for you." Alianna's awkward laugh slipped when Damien shot her a look.