“I'm assuming it’s the job of a fiancée to keep her lover waiting.” Daimon startled me as he stood by the door with his arms crossed.
“Shh,” I shushed him as I walked toward him.
“What?” he asked.
“First off, my father is sleeping. Secondly, I didn’t tell him about your bright idea yet,” I gritted out.
“Whatever, Addie, we’re late. Try not to make this a habit. I hate waiting,” he groaned.
“Let’s iron that out in the contract, shall we?” I said sarcastically.
“Always catty, I see,” he murmured to my ear.
Daimon drove us to Eleven Madison Park. I began to slightly hyperventilate. The place looked beyond anything I could ever imagine. I had heard of it, but never in my wildest dreams had I thought I would ever step foot inside. He left his car at the valet and ushered me in through the revolving doors, his hand slowly caressing my back.
I stood in the middle of this gorgeous restaurant with dazzling thirty-foot high ceilings and enormous windows overlooking the park outside. Beautiful flower arrangements were placed around the restaurant adding to the sheer splendor. We were taken to a table by the window. A pure white tablecloth was perfectly draped over it, while two large wine glasses waited for us. A small candle was lit in the middle of the table between two plates. The soft white lighting made the atmosphere alluring and warm. We both sat and I kept my head down, slightly uncomfortable about being here.
“Addie, stop fidgeting. You should be happy, you’re here with me,” Daimon chuckled.
“It’s because I'm here with you, I should be ordering a drink,” I said looking around.
“Really?” he smiled.
“Yes, really.”
The waiter showed up and introduced himself. I asked for a whiskey neat, earning a raised eyebrow from Daimon.
“You’re not the only one who likes whiskey,” I said, trying hard to calm my nerves. We ordered and I finally got my drink. I took a sip and loved it. I felt like I could finally breathe a little.
“So is there any particular reason why you brought me here?” I asked, looking at him as he sat across from me.
He looked beautiful. With his perfectly crisp, tailored black suit. His longish hair was gelled back just right and the little stubble on his face, which showed, just added to his sheer sexiness. My stomach was hungry for food, but my eyes ate away at him. My mind drifted off to his penthouse. I still didn’t understand why I needed him and only him, but I did. Having sex with Daimon made me feel whole and alive. The images kept running through my mind. My pussy clenched at the mere idea of having sex with him again.
“I brought you here because I wanted to,” he smiled wickedly.
“Daimon, if you want this to work the way you want, we’ll need to work out the rules,” I said, swallowing the need I had for him.
“We will, I promise,” he reassured me as he took his drink.
We ate our meal, which looked like art on a plate. I scarcely knew what to eat first as I looked at it. Daimon only made fun of me, saying I should eat the food not look at it. Once we were done he ordered a dessert for us.
“Look, Daimon, I really hate it when you keep controlling everything. I can order my own dessert. I realize I didn’t go to a fancy school, but I still went to community college,” I scoffed.
“Take it easy, Addie.” He shook his head reaching for his drink.
“How many did you have?” I asked, looking at his glass.
“Apparently not enough,” he murmured.
The waiter smiled placing a chocolate box in front of me. The letter A was written in perfect calligraphy in dark chocolate on top. I looked at Daimon who shrugged as he watched me. I took off the A and put it aside. I lifted the lid of the chocolate box and inside was a ring. My heart jumped into my throat and I was at a loss for words. I tried hard to swallow but I couldn’t. The ring was stunning. It was a simple emerald in a platinum setting. I looked at it as it lay in the box, not knowing what to do first.
“Addie? Will you marry me?” Daimon asked as he leaned into the table and looked at me intently. I looked at the ring, not knowing the true weight of what was going to happen. “Addie?” he said my name in his low, rough voice. I looked up and saw his piercing blue eyes. They held me to him, bewitching me. He was luring me into his world.
“Yes,” I finally managed to say.
I gave in knowing this was all I was good for. By doing this, I could give my family the life they ought to have. I realized now that it never really mattered how I felt or what I wanted. The day my mother died was the day I no longer existed as Addie, a daughter and a dreamer. I was now Addie the provider. I did everything I needed to do for my father and Sofia, even if it meant giving up myself-worth and dignity.