Chapter 26

Tara majestically walks towards the table with a wide smile on her face. I turn my gaze to Damien and he's also looking at her, just like everybody at this table.
She takes a sit next to Damien and I inwardly sigh. I feel Liza tense up beside me but I squeeze her hand in reassurance. Liza and Tara never get along, I can't recall any moments in my childhood where they never argued.
"You're not late, we were just getting started. I'm Sam" Sam gives her a warm smile.
Chris and Fred also do their rounds of introductions and Tara gives them all her best smile.
"Francesca, don't you think you should introduce me to your friends" I look up from my phone which I have been scrolling through for a while to see Tara smiling brightly at me.
I take note of the way she referred to everyone as my 'friends' including Damien. I feel everyone's gaze on me so I decide to comply. Damien seems to act uninterested.
"So guys, this here is Tara. My sister" I simply say with a small smile.
"Wow, that's good. You guys kinda look alike" Fred states nodding his head.
Chris grins and nods in agreement "You're right, but they're some clear differences"
Sam clears his throat and nods at Liza before speaking " Let this dinner begin. We can open the food and serve ourselves now" Everyone complies and starts dishing out food and passing it. They are various varieties of food on the large dining table. From beef stews, pepper soups, casseroles, rice, stake, tacos, spaghetti and meatballs and the list goes on. We eat in silence for a while before Tara started a conversation.
"So Damien, I can't even believe I'm sitting next to you right now. Like, you are one of the worlds top 100 billonaire" Tara says turning her full attention to Damien.
Damien stares at her with his hazel eyes for a moment before smirking "how do you know all that"
Tara gasps dramatically " Who doesn't know you? Damien Lorenzo, you are on Forbes cover and on every tabloid. Your net worth was recently updated to 50 billion dollars" I almost choked on by water after hearing her last words. He has a net worth of 50 billion dollars? I can't believe I don't even know all these these things about him.
Damien chuckles lightly and I inwardly groan. He's being so playful with her, but he has never joked with me. Okay Francesca, you need to calm down and ignore them.
"You know, it's funny you know this much about me. I met a friend recently and he didn't even recognize me" I was about to take a bite of my taco before freezing halfway. That was a dig at me. Liza coughs and I give her a discreet glare.
Okay everyone, I'd like to make a toast" Sam says standing up" my mood lightens up when I see the grin on his face. It's time! I'm so excited, Liza took a break from dating just to avoid showing off to me. She's only been having flings and I'm so glad she's seen someone who's so into her. If I leave the decision to her, I know she'll mess this up so I have to chip in when necessary. That's what besties do.
"Yes let's make a toast" I say cheerfully. Liza blushes and pinches my hand.
"Here's to a girl that captured my attention from the first time I laid eyes on her. She's sophisticated, beautiful, funny, driven and loving. In the four days I've known her, I've fallen for her. I don't know if it's love, I mean I don't believe in love at first sight. But I know there's definitely something about her that I can't seem to let go" I smile while Liza blushes crimson and avoids eye contact with him. Tara fakes a smile while looking at Damien the whole time. Fred and Chris make cute faces at Sam and call him lover boy.
Damien just looks at his friend in pure amusement. Sam continues"I know it seems early to everybody but not to me. I'm a business man, I work on reflex, I'm a realist. If I see a location and I feel I can have a successful club there then I buy that land immediately and start building my club. I've seen a lady who I know makes me go crazy and I know being with her will make me happy"
Sam turns to Liza and beams at her. She smirks at him and bites her lip. "Liza, will you be my girlfriend?"
I gasp and pinch Liza "don't you dare say no" she gives me an amused look before nodding at Sam "yes I'll be your girlfriend". Sam exhales as if he's been holding his breath for a while.
"Congrats guys" I say beaming at them. Sam pulls Liza up and gives her a heartwarming kiss.
"Congrats man, you actually went through with this" Damien says smirking.
Sam glares at his friend before turning his attention to a blushing Liza. "congrats Liza" Tara says. The sarcasm evident in her voice.
Fred and Chris also say their congrats before everyone makes a toast.
"Francesca, how long have you been married to Damien?" Tara asks after some moments of silence. I roll my eyes before answering "Two years"
"Wow, I didn't even know you both were married. I can't believe you never told me" she feigns a hurt expression.
"well, you would've known if you hadn't left the house four years ago. Considering I never heard from you, I couldn't inform you I was getting married" I give her my sweetest smile before sipping my wine.
Tara gives me a stern look "you say that as if I just left, you know it was important"
"no, I never knew it was important because like I said, you just left" Liza squeezes my thighs and I relax. I know what she's trying to do. She's trying to gain public sympathy and paint me as a bad person.
"Well, not many people know about your marriage. Doesn't that bother you?" Tara continues her making sure each word digs deep and hurts.
"no need for it to bother anyone considering the fact that it will be publicly announced tommorow" Damien answers before I got a chance to speak.
Everyone at the table turns their attention to him and I gasp in surprise.
That was a surprise...