CHAPTER 167: PERFORMANCE ( DAMIAN’S POV )

In the midst of her political downfall, I couldn’t help but pray that Lucrezia forgot about me.

I had no more chips to bargain since Luther was probably taken by Emiliano. Nothing to protect the child growing in my womb.

You would expect a kid with not one, but two fathers would have a bit more protection, but I can’t blame the child for my lack of taste in men.

That being said, I’ve been nothing but cooped up in this apartment for about a week.I’ve been moved here about three days before the rain came down.

I ran out of options so I can’t help but hope that I could convince this freak beta that Lucrezia arranged to come here to get me out of here.

Today is the day.

The day I have to put on my best act, to wear the pretty clothes she prepared for me and try to survive.

All I need to do is perform.

I’ve been performing since I stepped into the Akna’s household when I was twelve years old.

I don’t remember much of my life before, but I can bet Lucrezia was the reason my parents made me. It was only logical to think like that since I had briefly met my parents once every month for the inspection.

All I had was a room. Filled with toys, books, sweets and teachers, it was anything a child could wish for—

That wasn’t love.

It’s true that all I wanted was given to me without a question no matter the hour or the ridiculousness of the request.

"I want a waterbed."

"I want cherry-covered chocolate cake."

"I want an ice-cream making machine."

Looking back at it, I could really tell I was spoiled to the core. Which kid won’t dream of having that kind of magical room?

Yet, the price was high too. The monthly inspections.

Lucrezia is a picky woman. She likes to have options no matter the subject, so I imagine I wasn’t the only child procreated at her command.

But only one would have the honor to step outside that room somewhere else than a luxury garden.

And despite not knowing why the inspections are so necessary, it was merely a question for the young me.

All I needed to do was perform.

"Why isn’t he in the blue suit?! I’ve told you to pin his hair in a ponytail! The madam hates masculinity in those parasites!"

My mother’s voice echoed into the other room loudly enough for my little heart to fill with dream. I could feel my eyes filling with tears even before she stepped into the room.

Yet I didn’t cry. I wasn’t allowed to cry.

It would have ruined the image of my parents’ perfect product.

I sat up straight, my spine so tense you would think someone was pulling it from both ends and looked forward.

I was dressed by the maid in a white suit, black shoes and one singular crimson red in the pocket of my jacket. It was the type of costume that unified perfectly what you imagine both a bride and a groom would wear on the day of their marriage.

Even in my young mind, it painted such a weird picture, but I couldn’t really talk outside my lines on the day of the inspection.

I felt sweaty and tired as my mother frantically pulled my hair in a ponytail right before Madam Akna stepped in.

The day I was picked, Lucrezia showed up in a green three-piece suit sewn with what I thought was pure gold thread. As always she wore a pair of sunglasses to protect her eyes from the harsh white light of the room.

It was mandatory so any imperfection of my skin, hair, eyes or garments could be easily spotted. It was also extremely painful as I was not allowed to blink for more than four times in a minute in Lucrezia’s presence.

I remember the disgusted face she made when she laid her eyes on me.

"His hair is crooked."

My mother started to frantically apologize, blaming the maids for such a sloppy job. Her voice was loud and terrified as if Lucrezia could have had killed if she had looked into her way.

I doubt my mother’s fear was irrational, but I was too busy counting the seconds until I was allowed to blink next.

Maybe that’s why when Lucrezia gripped the pins from my hair and yanked them out with a chunk of my hair still inside, I didn’t cry. I was too busy trying not to blink.

That’s what has gotten me chosen— facing abuse without a flinch or a complaint.

I still remember how Lucrezia’s mouth curled into a smile. Back then, the amount of botox she had wasn’t an impediment as it is today.

I continued to look forward as she ran her gloved fingers through my hair, on my face, on my clothes.

Four. Three. Two. One.

Blink.

Honestly? It did not soothe the burning of my eyes at all. The quickness of the eye shut was at such a rate, the Madam shouldn’t even be aware you’ve blinked.

Yet, all I had to do was wait another fifteen blinks until the inspection was over.

"Child, who did your hair?"

It was the first time Lucrezia had talked to me and my stomach dropped to the floor.

The rules were strict. Four blinks allowed a minute. Straight spine. Eyes forward. No talking. Silent breathing.

So the challenge presented in front of me, made my little heart race so fastly, I was worried the sound might break the utter silence rule.

Maybe if I wouldn’t have raised my finger to point towards my own mother, Lucrezia wouldn’t have found me suitable for her needs.

Yet, that was all my young mind could have come up with. A simple gesture made in the silence she imposed. I didn’t blink or avert my gaze as my finger found the direction of the woman who birthed me.

I could still hear Lucrezia’s chuckle ringing in my ears. I continued to play the lifeless doll despite her announcement.

"This one is it. Now, let’s go discuss the price."

A price to pay for a child she will use as a spy for her nephew and ’fun’ in her political negotiation.

I can’t help but rub my swollen bump as I imagine what kind of monster I should be to wish that for the child in my womb.

"It was really a pity you were made, kid.", I mumbled to myself.

How foolish I was thinking Killian would have cared enough to protect us from her aunt. I should have known.

Since I met him, he was nothing but a barking dog on the leash of his aunt. So why did I expect him to do anything else but use me and dispose of me?

As the love colored glasses slowly lost their pink hue, all the flags Killian had fluttered in front of my eyes turned redder and redder by the minute.

I must admit that when Lucrezia ordered a child, I was more than happy to provide. Killian should have followed the order as well and we would have been a happy family blessed by the Prada-wearing monster his aunt was.

But I was naive to think Lucrezia would have wasted her nephew on a nobody like me. That this child could be born and loved.

A knock on the door, broke my train of thought.

It was time to perform again. Another inspection now from a stranger I hope I can sell myself well enough to get on my side.

To help me escape.

I take a deep breath as I step closer and closer to the door.

It was stupid to believe a man would ruin his reputation and career only to help a pregnant omega out. Yet, if there was the tiniest spark of chance there, how could I not reach for it?

The other option was the death of both me and the child as our usefulness to Lucrezia expired.

I put the same practiced smile I’ve acted for all my life as I opened the door.

It dropped immediately as I saw him.

"We need to hurry now! What the f-ck are you wearing? Whatever! Can you run in those slippers?"

Tom.

Why was Tom here?

Why is he panting?

Where is the security?

Where does he want to run?

"F-ck, not the moment to freeze up, blondie!"

He pulled my hand and yanked me after him.

I grabbed my belly, trying to steady my breathing as I kept up with the pace of his running. My heart might as well be beaten out of my chest into the sky since I couldn’t see or hear anything besides him.

My mind was racing as fast as my feet were when he pulled me on the rooftop of the building.

Only there, as the helicopter was deafening everything around us, I could finally come to see what was happening.

I was saved.