The Billionaire's Weekend Bride (8 page)

Chapter Five

“What's gotten into you, Sonia? You're acting strange.” Bibi was cooking pasta on Friday evening and couldn't help noticing how jittery Sonia had been acting since coming back from Damian's hotel the night before.

“Nothing,” Sonia replied. “Apart from the fact that I have to meet up with the Merrimans and pretend to be Damian's wife.”

“You've done it before. What's up with doing it again this time?”

“I don't know. I guess I'm a bit nervous, that's all.”

“You look great, by the way. What time is he picking you up?”

“In ten minutes but I can't decide on my shoes.”

“Come on then,” Bibi said taking her hand and abandoning her supper. “Show me the choices.”

In Sonia's room, Bibi watched Sonia parade in at least three different pairs of shoes before deciding on a purple pair that were the same color as her dress. Her dress showed off her hour glass figure but was a lot more demure than the one she had on last time she met the old couple. Less cleavage and a slightly longer length. Not only was she trying to look like a wife but she didn't want Damian looking at her breasts and getting any ideas. No matter what happened, she would not be having sex with him again.

“There's the door, Sonia. He's here. Break a leg.”

“Thanks, Bibi. I'll see you later.”

“You make sure you come straight home and no going back to Damian's hotel.”

Sonia spun around, wide eyed, and looking decidedly guilty of something.

“Aha! I knew it,” Bibi exclaimed. “You slept with him again. Yesterday, when you went to see him. That's why you're acting strange. This has nothing to do with tonight. Tell me the truth. Are you nervous about seeing Damian?”

“Jesus, you can see right through me, can't you?”

“We've shared an apartment for two years, Sonia. I think I know you just a little.” Bibi folded her arms and followed Sonia to the door. “You just be careful. You said you didn't want a broken heart. Sleeping with him again isn't going to help you at all. Not now, because it's blatantly obvious you have feelings for him.”

“I just mustn't let them show,” Sonia said, straightening her dress and checking inside her purse for the keys.

“I can't see why you're so against telling him you like him, to be honest. He says he likes you.”

“I know what he says but I can't trust him, Bee.”

“Maybe not now. But given time …”

“I have to keep this strictly business. It's the only way.”

Sonia went down to meet Damian. He stood by the open car door at the back of a chauffeur driven car, watching as she walked towards him.

“You look beautiful,” he said, offering his hand as she got into the back seat.

“Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself.” She stared out of the window for the next ten minutes or so before either of them spoke again. The tension in the car was obvious.

“Sonia,” Damian said, resting a hand on her thigh. She tensed up. “What happened yesterday …”

“Don't,” she said. “I have a job to do. Tomorrow you'll fly home again and then we get on with our lives. Okay?”

“That's what you really want, is it?” he said, looking hard at her wishing she would make eye contact.

“That's all,” she said, keeping her gaze outside on the city streets. “This is just business for me, Damian. You have to understand that.”

“I think I do.”

The rest of the journey was in silence. It wasn't too far to travel to the Merriman's suburban house. The car entered via tall black gates and continued onto a gravel drive to the house and its grand double door in the front. They each took a deep breath. Damian picked up the large bouquet of flowers he'd bought for Gloria Merriman as well as the box of cigars for Joseph Merriman.

They were greeted at the door by a butler who showed them into the living room. In this large and richly decorated room, the Merrimans were sitting quietly with some classical music playing in the background. They both got to their feet to greet Damian and Sonia.

“How lovely to see you again,” the Merrimans said.

“These are for you, Mrs. Merriman,” Damian smiled as he handed the bouquet of flowers to her.

“So lovely,” she said. “But tonight, it's first name terms only. I insist you call me Gloria.” She passed the flowers to the butler who took them away. “Come and sit beside me, Penny,” she said to Sonia. Sonia thanked God she'd said her name first because on the way over, she was so preoccupied with how great Damian smelled that she forgot her fake name.

“Thank you, I will,” she said.

Damian bowed graciously as he gave Mr. Merriman the cigars.

“Oh you're spoiling me,” said Merriman. “How did you know I smoked these?”

“Well, I make it my business to find out who I'm doing business with, Joseph.” Damian gave one of his wide, winning smiles. Sonia wished she could read him. He looked so genuinely happy to be with the Merrimans but all he really was after was their hotels. How could she ever hope to know how Damian truly felt about anything?

The butler returned, placed the arranged flowers on a side table, cleared his throat and announced that dinner was served. They followed him out of the living room and across the wide marble floored hallway to a set of double doors. He threw them open to reveal a lavish dining room. There was a low hanging chandelier above the oval table that was dressed in a crisp white linen tablecloth.  The crystal glasses twinkled under the lights and the table settings were clearly the best that money could buy.

The butler pulled out the seat for Sonia. She sat opposite Damian with the Merrimans at either end. Not long after being seated the first course was served. Sonia could barely look across at Damian who, himself, couldn't take his eyes off Sonia.

“This all looks beautiful,” Sonia said.

“Doesn't it?” said Damian, but he was staring directly at Sonia, trying to catch her eye. She wouldn't look up.

Rather than launching straight into the matter of the hotels, the four of them made small talk about the weather. Gloria asked Sonia about her work.

“How long have you been teaching, Penny?”

“Not very long. I completed my training and got my first assignment last fall.”

“And no regrets?”

“None at all.” Sonia smiled.

“Penny's so dedicated,” Damian chimed in. “I know she'll get a deep sense of satisfaction when she sees them go off to college at the end of the semester.”

“College?”  Mrs. Merriman said. “I thought you taught kindergarten, Penny?”

Sonia shot a look at Damian. His eyes widened.

“I do,” she said. “I think what Damian means is that, knowing me, I'll be trying to keep track of all the little geniuses to make sure I laid the foundation to their success.”

“Well, that's very conscientious of you, Penny.”  Mrs. Merriman nodded, but gave her husband a look.

There was a nervous silence around the room that was filled by two staff members coming to remove the starter plates and being followed pretty closely by two others serving the main course. Mr. Merriman talked at length about his hotels and the family history while Damian and Sonia nodded sweetly and agreed with everything he said.

By the time dessert was served, they'd all had a lot to drink. The conversation was loud and lively and Sonia had allowed herself to look over at Damian once in a while until eventually they were staring at each other a lot.

With the amount of dessert wine she'd had, Gloria Merriman's cheeks were flushed.

“Penny, my dear,” she said in a tipsy voice. “I can't help thinking I've seen a picture of you recently. Goodness knows why. Were you on the television by any chance? I know that sounds ridiculous, but it's nagging at me.”

“Not me,” smiled Sonia. “I hate to be in the press. Besides why would they put a kindergarten teacher on the television?”

Mrs. Merriman laughed. “Quite true. Maybe the person looked like you. Whoever she was. Damian, could you pass the jug of water?” Gloria Merriman asked. “I think I should dilute all this wine.”

“Of course,” he said getting to his feet and walking the jug to her end of the table. “Allow me, Gloria.” He poured for her despite the butler edging his way.

“I must say, your husband is very gracious.”

“I do my best,” Damian said, walking the jug over to Sonia's side. “Sonia,” he said. “Would you like some water?”

The second she realized he'd called her by her proper name, Sonia started coughing and pretending to choke in the hope that the couple hadn't noticed his mistake.

“Are you all right?” he asked her, putting down the jug and patting her back. She shook her head 'no' and got up.

“Damian, come with me a moment,” she wheezed through her fake coughs. “Walk me outside. I need air.”

“Here,” said Mr. Merriman, rising quickly and gesturing to the butler. He promptly opened the patio doors onto the garden. “Take Penny out this way,” Mrs.  Merriman instructed Damian. “Shall I come with you?”

“No, no,” Sonia exclaimed, pretending to cough again. “Maybe something went down the wrong way.” She grabbed Damian's hand. “We won't be long.”

“You'll find us in the living room on your return,” Merriman said after them. “Take your time. I'll have them serve coffee.”

A few paces into the moonlit garden and Sonia rounded on Damian. “You idiot. Are you trying to blow your cover?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“You just called me Sonia!”

“I didn't.”

“You did,” she said in a stage whisper, looking over her shoulder to make sure they couldn't be overheard.

“Oh my God. I'm sorry. Thanks for saving me.”

“That Mrs. Merriman doesn't miss a trick. You need to be careful.”

“Well you need to loosen up, Sonia.”

“
Me
loosen up?” she exclaimed.

“Yes, we're supposed to be a loving couple and you're barely acknowledging my existence.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“I mean why won't you look at me?”

“Is that what this is about? Your ego? You want me staring at you all night like one of the lovesick women you screw on a regular basis? I've been looking at you plenty.”

“What's your problem? Why does it matter to you who I sleep with? You made it perfectly clear that last night was all about sex.”

“Yes and how does it feel with the shoe on the other foot, Damian? This time the woman is in charge.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes it is. I'm the one who walked out last night and I'm the one you have to pay to be here, so don't forget that.”

“Is everything all right?”

They both turned around, stunned.  Mrs. Merriman was right behind them. Suddenly, the garden lights came on.

“I thought it might be a little dark out here for you,” she said. “So I had someone activate the outside lights.”

Damian and Sonia were both speechless. The same thought ran through both their minds:
How much did she hear?

“If you'd like,” Mrs. Merriman went on with a serious expression, “I could have the coffees served on the patio. It's a warm enough night for it.”