12. THE DIAMOND OF THE SEASON.

“It’s beautiful”

“Unreal” Damien said from above the counter. He looked to Olivia simultaneously as her eyes dazzled at the numerous diamonds before her. “That one—“ He pointed to the shopper who lifted the cased ring carefully in his hands.

“Yes” Damien concealed his excitement but his eyebrow twitches gave it away. “This is the one” He slipped it out of the velvet cushion and Olivia looked down at his hand. It was a marquise diamond ring, silver and glistening in his hands. One that she knew immediately, matched her dress.

“It’s tonight” Came a subtle whisper from his lips. And slowly, like in a magnetic field, his hands drew towards hers. And he picked it up, feebly holding it into a firm grasp. His gaze matched hers and Liv pushed a lump down his throat—he was doing it again, and he knew it. And she let him.

He slipped the ring into her finger and her eyes darted to the diamond. His personal shopper squealed excitedly and Damien turned to her. “A diamond for the diamond of the season—“ She added and Liv immediately retracted her hand at her words. “Do you want to get fired Elizabeth?” He said under his breath and she pulled away. Olivia turned pink, and turned away. “Apparently that’s all you’re good at” She tried to resist the sarcasm but it was a part of her now.

“Shut up” Damien hefted his card out.

“For a fake engagement, this is quite expensive”

“You want a believable show, this would do it” She flashed it in front of his eyes and he scoffed. “And i’m the one enjoying it” He replied her sarcasm and she rolled her eyes. “The diamond would never complain. I do like this” She looked to him.

“Vienna, here we come—“ He took the case in a custom bag, and looking to her, he parted his lips. “There’s one more thing”

“What?”

Damien had a mischievous smirk across his lips. “Come with me” He waited by the door, and Liv narrowed her eyes at him. “This better be worth it” She stuck a finger in his face.

-

And it was.

Walking up a stairs in his arms, she had silk material around her eyes. “Where are you taking me?” She raised her voice and concern after awhile before she heard a metal clanging door—like a vault. Or perhaps it was the rooftop judging from the night breeze that blew into her face.

Liv almost tripped on a barrier and it was then she removed the blindfold, tossing it to the ground—the grounds lined up with the prettiest flowers she’d seen all her life. And Damien crept forward, moving down the aisle towards Amanda.

“How was your day?”

Olivia heard the murmurs that came from them as she took in the scenery on the rooftop, the balloons, the purple and pink flowers, the aisle and the decor. Even the railings had been engraved with initials and she turned to Damien. “It was good” He said to Amanda. “You really went all out for a fake engagement” She said, looking down at the simple dress she’d changed into. “I sort of feel underdressed” She pouted and Amanda crept forward.

“Be careful, i already anonymously tipped the major tribunes and press of this and it wouldn’t take long before they all line at the entrance with their flashing cameras. Let’s get this over with” She tapped Damien who searched for the ring in his pockets.

And for a brisk moment, just a brisk one, Olivia felt her eyes sting with tears because all of this was before her, all of the things she’d dreamed of and it wasn’t even real. A piece of her soon began to wander, if this was the closest she’d get to an actual engagement—it was like a scene from her favorite novel, watching as Damien fell to his knees.

It was just them.

And suddenly it felt like camp again, except it was a much scenerio. All in her head—that in this world she had created, they were madly in love, and each day fell more and over, overcoming all the obstacles that led up to the moment.

There was a light before her, and a sound in the skies, asides for the chirping birds. She looked down at him, tugging her stomach with her palms. “What are you doing?” She looked around in pretense, only for him to flip open the ring box. “I fell in love from the very moment i set my eyes on you, Ophelia” His voice was calm, less stoic and she scoffed at that name he’d given her.

“But that would be a lie, because i fall in love each day with you. Each day, more and more. And it’s scarier, revolting, consuming. The passion, the love. I look at you and you’re all i ever want, you’re all my heart wants and i cannot imagine a life worth living without you” Damien stood from his knees. “Let’s make a life together—“ The tear fell from her cheeks as she stared deep into his dark eyes, convincing herself this was real. That these were the words he’d said that day. And suddenly she froze.

Alongside time and everything around them. He reached out to her arms and the noise above her head drifted her back to reality. Liv gasped, looking at the ring yet again and then at the dark skies that had been invaded with a ribbon-tied helicopter. She choked, bringing her hands to her lips as she walked past him. At the end of the roof, she looked to the press that had lined at the entrance—predictably, and then to the letters that puffed the sky, turning it pink with the letters. “Marry me, Olivia” He crept behind her and she felt him like earlier, defying all laws of personal space and boundary. He slowly pulled her to him, as if allowing her feel something, feel something against her back.

His rapid heartbeat.

“Say yes” Damien whispered, and Liv felt her insides melt. “You want to say yes” Her throat went sour, as her heart sank. There was that anxiety again that she felt when she was around him. The one that originated from years back, and she pushed a lump down her throat. “It’s a lie” She whispered, as if reassuring herself and Damien’s chin rested against her shoulders.

“It doesn’t have to be”

She turned around to him, daring to look him into his eyes. “We shouldn’t be doing this, it’s a lie” Her eyes fell to the ring in his hands. And then Damien molted, turning cold. “Say yes, Olivia”

“You’re not going to embarrass me today. There are people down there, waiting for you. Of course it’s fake. It’s the things we do, the lies we tell to protect ourselves, protect this company. It’s nothing more than that” Liv zoned back in, letting air out of her lips. And she scoffed, realizing how familiar that voice of his was.

She heard the camera flashes below her, and then locked eyes with Amanda. She stretched out her hands to Damien. “Of course” It hurt her even physically to say those words. “Yes, Yes Damien i’d marry you to save this company” There was a crack in her voice as he took her hands, so much differently like he did earlier. She sniffled, looking over her shoulders at the crowds that cheered. And when the ring was all the way in, she could feel him against her neck. His hands trailed her sides, letting them hold up her sharp jaw. He leaned into her, placing a kiss against her lips.

His tongue briskly swept through and Liv clenched her eyes to let a tear fall. “Thank you” He whispered into her ears, before pulling away from her. And Amanda launched herself to the edge of the roof—holding up a banner. “She said yes” She yelled and a fake smile found it’s way to Liv’s lips, something Amelia recognized from below. She arched her brows, holding up her lens to the air.

“What the fuck?”

“Come on now, they’re waiting for us” Olivia dusted off her skirts, pacing right behind him. She wiped her nose as he opened down the door. “Take everything down” He turned icily to his guard before making his way down to the entrance. He halted, turning around to ensure she was good—she looked good.

“This is a bad idea” Liv muttered as he readjusted his tie. “I know” Was all he said in reply before letting his arm fall next to hers. He took in a deep breath. “You ready to do this?” He held her and Liv looked to him. “You’d get used to it.”

She cleared her throat, forcibly admitting that this was her life now. That from this moment, she was both living her fairytale and a lie but there was only so little difference between those words.

“Yes.”

“Yes, i’m ready” She slipped her hands into his as the door to the public opened before them. It was the moment however, that they walked through those very doors that everything changed.

To be continued…