Chapter 120
Irene’s POV:
That evening, as I stepped into the house, I felt a sense of lightness that had not been a part of me for a while. My shoulders were a little tight from the day, but it was a good kind of tension from productivity and success. I felt a sense of familiarity that had been missing for weeks, a part of my life that I could filly manage. It was a sensation that was fulfilling, even freeing, and I wanted to hold on to it.
Delores was sitting in the living room, fully engrossed in a magazine, but she looked up when I entered. She broke into a smile, and I could see she immediately sensed the change in me
“Well?” She placed the magazine down on the sofa and gestured for me to come sit beside her. “Tell me everything, Irene. How was your first day?”
“Oh, Delores,” I sighed happily, sinking into the couch next to her. “It was… incredible. Honestly, I didn’t realize the extent of my need for this until today. The team was friendly, the kitchen was modern, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a space to be myself, to simply concentrate on what I love.”
She grinned, almost jumping with anticipation on my behalf. “See? I knew it! This job is exactly what you need. I had a good feeling about this from the start.”
“You’re right,” I nodded, admitting. “I just wish I’d taken a step like this sooner. There was this rush, this thrill, as I directed the staff and worked with the ingredients. It felt so good. So freeing.”
“Good,” she said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. “You deserve this, Irene. You deserve something just for yourself.”
I smiled contentedly as I nodded. However, as I relived the day’s experiences, a more complicated emotion surfaced.
“Delores, Damien wasn’t thrilled about me taking the job. Actually… he was completely against it.”
Delores arched her eyebrows, a skeptical expression overtook her face. “Why? Did he say why he was against it?”
I shook my head in frustration. “No, that is exactly what’s frustrating here. He could not give me even one valid explanation. It feels as though he simply just doesn’t want me to do it. And that’s completely illogical.”
“Maybe he’s just not used to you having something outside the home,” she suggested, her voice thoughtful. “You’ve always been here, a constant in his life. Now that you are doing something for yourself, something he has no power over.”
Sinking deeper into the couch, I let out a sigh. “I guess… but it’s more than that. There’s this edge to him whenever I mention the job as if it threatens him somehow. And it isn’t just possessiveness, it’s… something else.”
Delores tilted her head, studying me with a thoughtful gaze. “You think he’s jealous?”
“Maybe,” I replied, considering it. “But even that doesn’t explain it. There’s this… I don’t know, the intensity in his objections. Like it’s something personal, something that I’m missing.”
Delores shrugged, leaning back. “Men can be possessive, even if they don’t admit it. He’s probably struggling to adapt to the idea of you having this whole other life outside the family and the house.”
I contemplated what she said, experiencing a feeling of comfort in confiding in her. “And if he asks me how I landed the job, I won’t disclose many details to him. A part of me wants to keep that as a mystery, in order to make him experience the same frustration I have felt.”
She laughed softly while gently squeezing my hand to give me assurance. “You deserve to keep a bit of mystery. Besides, Damien has always had this sense of control over everything in your life. It’s about time he learned he doesn’t own every part of you.”
We shared a knowing smile, but my thoughts kept returning to Damien’s reaction. I was still trying to make sense of it when
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14.28 Mon, Nov 4
Chapter 120
the front door opened, and Damien walked in, looking tired and tense. He glanced between Delores and me, and for a moment, the silence in the room felt heavier.
“Irene,” he said, his tone softer than usual, though his eyes held a certain intensity. “Can we talk?”
Delores shot me an encouraging look before getting up, “I’ll pick up Charlie from school. “Take your time,” she said grabbing her purse,
Once she was gone, Damien settled in beside me, his face a mixture of weariness and frustration. I noticed a gentleness in his eyes that had been absent for some time, making him appear almost defenseless, which was quite different from the usual tension I connected with him.
“Irene,” he began, massaging his temples, “I know that there have been challenges in our relationship. But, I need you to trust me when I assure you that I am making every effort to restore peace and harmony back into this family.”
I couldn’t stop the brief, sarcastic chuckle that escaped. “I look forward to that day, Damien”
He flinched, and for a moment, I almost regretted my tone. But after everything, it felt justified. He looked down, collecting himself before continuing. “I mean it. I’ll make things right… I just need time. But in the meantime, can we talk about your new job?”
My eyes narrowed. “What about it?”
“I just want to know how it happened,” he said, frustration flashing across his face. “How did you get the job? How well do you know this… Noah?”
My frustration rose, and I crossed my arms, the familiar irritation settling over me. “Why does it matter? I got the job because I needed it, Damien. I needed something outside of this… mess.”
“Irene, it’s important to me,” he asserted, his voice becoming stronger. “I have my reasons for not wanting you to work there.”
I inhaled deeply, determined not to give up. “When you keep your word to restore peace within this family, perhaps then I will consider hearing your thoughts on my current job.”
His frustration was apparent as he tightly held his jaw. “Irene, you’re complicating this more than necessary.”
Before he could proceed further, my phone vibrated on the table. I grabbed it, noticing Noah’s name on the display. With a glance at Damien, I answered, putting the call on speaker.
“Irene!” Noah’s warm, cheerful voice filled the room. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything?”
“Not at all,” I replied, my gaze locked with Damien’s.
“Good,” Noah continued, his tone light. “I wanted to see if you’d like to join me for a little celebration tonight. Just
something small to toast your new beginning, your first day at La Vanguardia. What do you say?”
Damien’s face grew red, and the room became quiet. I could sense the intensity of his stare on me, and all of a sudden, the
decision wasn’t as easy as I’d thought it would be.
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