CHAPTER 37: AGREEMENT

– Damien –

She doesn’t usually send me photos like this. But damn—this woman is horny. Why do I have to get tricked just to end up here?

"What time is it there?" she asked, yawning as her fingers brushed through her hair. I could see those full breasts—and she was definitely doing this on purpose. Why did they look so... perky? Was she wearing a corset?

"Look, just go to sleep," I said.

"Do you really want to sleep hard?" she teased with a grin.

I rolled my eyes. "I’m hanging up."

She moved away from the phone, and that’s when I realized what she was wearing—a corset that pushed her breasts up and lacy underwear. Oh, damn. She never wore those in front of me before.

"A moment, Kai!" she called out suddenly.

My stomach clenched. I shouted, "Wait! Put something on first!"

"No, I’m wearing this," she said firmly. She was really trying my patience.

"Fuck, put something on before anyone else sees you! If Kai saw you like that, I swear I’ll gouge out his eyes and tie him to a chair!"

"Oh, that’s fucked up and sexy," she giggled, then slipped into her robe.

"Bring your phone," I muttered, exhaling as she carried it with her. She flipped the camera toward Kai, who stood in the doorway with his arms full of snacks.

"Hello!" Kai laughed. "What’s with the face, bro?"

"Why are you in her room?" I asked, glaring.

"We were about to play a new video game downstairs," he replied, shrugging. I squinted at him.

"I have work, so go find someone else to play with," Laura said, turning him down gently.

"Sure, I got snacks," he grinned, backing away. Laura shut the door and locked it. Then, with a wicked smile, she dropped her robe and revealed what she was wearing underneath.

This was pure torture for me. I couldn’t even touch her.

"I bought a dildo—your exact size," she grinned. God, she was beautiful. Gorgeous. And now my boxer shorts were way too tight.

"You can just watch me like a porno, Damien," she said, smirking.

If only she knew... she’s the most beautiful person on earth. So kind. The only comfort I have. If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve already ended it. I might have taken my life. She’s the angel I live for.

"Buy me stuff," she said sweetly. "Okay? Expensive stuff."

"Yeah, yeah," I laughed. "I have Damon’s card."

She squirmed with excitement. "Buy a lot, okay?"

"Got it." I sighed. "Now, where were we?"

"I want to see your~~"

"If I show you, will you actually sleep?"

"Of course," she said with a dreamy sigh.

"Perfect."

I fell asleep with the phone still facing me. I jolted awake and quickly plugged it in before it died. My gorgeous best friend was still asleep, snoring softly, her arms spread out like she usually does. If I were there, she’d be sleeping on top of me—and that’s my favorite of all her sleeping positions.

I sighed, watching her for a long while, when sudden knocks interrupted me. Damon stood at the edge of the bed, arms crossed.

"Get up. We need to take this man down. I want to confirm it’s Dela Vaga."

"Without Livana? Bro, that’s foul. She’s gonna be pissed."

"She’s tired. Let her sleep."

"Nope," I muttered, pulling the duvet over my head and going back to watching Laura sleep.

He yanked the covers off me. "Get up."

I groaned and left my phone behind. I threw on a shirt and followed Damon—only to stop dead in my tracks. Livana was standing there in her robe, holding her walking stick.

"I told you this was a bad idea," I whispered.

"Damien, go home," she said firmly, handing me plane tickets. "Now."

"Ohhhkay," I replied, glancing at Damon, who stared at his wife in stunned silence. I checked the ticket—it was for tomorrow. Still enough time to shop for Laura. "Thanks!" I laughed and started packing.

"Go wherever she goes," Livana instructed. She probably meant Laura, right?

"Babe, I need Damien—" Damon started.

"Stop teasing Laura. I’m not around to enjoy it."

I laughed as I shoved a few things into my bag, including the stuff I’d bought. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and was ready to go.

"Goodbye!" I called out, but stopped short when I saw Damon still staring at Livana like he’s trying to find her out. This was an unexpected move of Livana. But I am glad that she’s letting me go. But still it made me wonder, what she meant to be with Laura.

"You can use one of the cars," Livana said calmly.

I grabbed a key, buzzing with excitement.

– Damon –

It seemed my wife wanted me alone this time. She turned her back to me and called for Jane, who appeared shortly in her apron.

"Yes, Madam?"

"Breakfast?"

"It’s ready."

I walked with her to the kitchen and helped her to her seat. The breakfast spread was simple but warm—eggs, bacon, fried rice, and Korean seaweed soup. I took my seat and sipped my coffee, watching her enjoy her food.

"Why aren’t you eating?" she asked.

"I’m enjoying my coffee, love."

She sighed and continued eating, finishing everything on her plate. I hadn’t even touched mine. I’d been too busy watching her.

"Damon, don’t waste food."

"Sorry, my love." I picked up my fork and ate whatever Jane had prepared, while Livana put on her earpiece and started listening to... whatever it was she listened to these days.

Once I set down my utensils, she stood, reaching for her phone and walking stick.

I stood with her.

"Wash the dishes, Damon," she commanded. "Jane, help me get ready."

I sighed and moved to clear the plates. I loaded the dishwasher, then headed to her bedroom. She was already wrapped in her warmest clothes.

"I’ll walk with you."

"No. You stay here." Jane was braiding her hair, tucking it under a soft hat.

"If you interrupt my business again, expect a divorce." Her voice was cold and final.

I exhaled slowly. "So, you expect me to stay here..."

"Yes." Her tone was calm, low—unshakable.

I sat on the edge of the bed and watched her.

"I’ll go crazy, Liva," I murmured. "Babe, I’ll go crazy." But she didn’t even flinch.

"Stay here." She stood, collecting her purse.

"I’ll bore to death," I added as Jane stepped out.

"Yeah, go and bore to death," she muttered. Harsh.

But she can’t stop me. Can she?

She approached. I reached for her waist, pulling her close.

"Come on, baby. I’ll stay in the car. I promise."

"Hmm... let me think about it." She caressed my face gently. "Okay. You can stay in the car."

I grinned like a madman and stood. I held her hand and walked her outside. The car was already waiting. I opened the door for her and helped her in, then slid beside her. My hand found her thigh instinctively, possessively. I glanced at the driver—quiet, unreadable. I hadn’t noticed him last night. It was dark, and I’d taken her in my own car.

Jane sat in the passenger seat. I turned toward my wife, who was facing forward.

"The documents are ready, my Queen," the driver announced, offering her the file.

I raised my brows as she calmly reached for the documents, running her fingers across the braille. It was incredible—how she navigated everything so precisely, so powerfully. There was even a seal.

"You’re making an agreement with him?" I asked.

"Yes." She returned the file smoothly.

"You shouldn’t interrupt, Blackwell," the driver said coldly.

I scoffed and leaned back. "And who are you to say that?"

"Don’t mind it, Yves," my wife replied coolly. "He’ll stay in the car."

I squinted at the man—Yves—and scoffed again.

"My love, your people really like to talk," I said, bringing her hand to my lips. She wore both our wedding ring and the engagement ring—the one worth millions.

"So do yours," she murmured, extending the document forward again.

I caught her wrist and helped guide it to the center console, where Yves collected it.

I had no idea what was in that document, but I knew my wife’s strategies were nothing like mine. She used reverse psychology, silence, and calm intimidation. I slid her hand onto my thigh and kept it there as Yves drove—cautiously, as he should. The arrogance of that man... one wrong word and I’d have my fist in his face.

"After this," I said, "let’s go to Seoul. Or Jeju Island. Or maybe Jeju first?"

She hummed noncommittally.

"Babe, we never had a proper honeymoon."

She turned toward me, a smirk on her lips.

"Honeymoon?" she scoffed, amused. "If it’s a Dela Vega..."

"Then let’s kill Tyrona first," I said casually.

"If it’s your grandfather?"

I stroked my chin. "I can beat him up. I know killing isn’t your style, but I’ll do it."

She said nothing.

"What?" I asked, watching her. "But I’m curious, love... why haven’t you punished your aunt and cousin yet?"

She stayed silent.

She had her plans—far deeper, more layered than anything I could see. She didn’t trust me. And honestly... I didn’t blame her.

We reached another warehouse, this one different from the last. As we stepped inside, the air reeked of something foul. But there he was—the man... damn it, I was trying to remember his name. I was supposed to stay in the car, but my wife changed her mind again. I followed.

She placed the document in front of him. He looked better—fed, treated, bandaged. Something had shifted. He had someone, I remembered—someone he was hiding. But my brilliant wife had found a way. She always did.

God, I could kiss her right now. Make love to her right here in this dirty place. I’d hold her in the air so she wouldn’t even have to touch the ground or walls.

"Here’s the agreement. Bernard Philips," she said, snapping her fingers as the same document was placed before him. She ran her fingers across the braille again. "You know how to read this, don’t you? With your fingers... It’s a good thing I didn’t cut them off."

Damn. He was really going to sign it.

I laughed.

"Quiet," my wife snapped.

I covered my mouth immediately and moved behind her, wrapping my arms around her. I watched as Bernard signed the document and pressed his thumb in blood as a seal.

"Now, I’m curious," she said. "Who made it?"

"Miss Tyrona mixed it," Bernard replied. "She made the pepper spray... and the eye drops."