Everywhere fell silent as Damian's voice echoed, a hush settling over the crowd. They couldn't believe their eyes. Was this really the same man they'd all mocked and humiliated? Their jaws hung open, unable to speak, their gaze fixed on him.
Ariel was the most surprised one because this is the last thing she could expect today. Was it that Damian had become a serving boy for the Villa Empire? Like a security man of course. But why would they treat him like this of he is just a security man? It was all so confusing. She simply stared at him, her mind racing. But she could see clearly that he's the one standing above all which means he's the boss.
Oliveira, too, was bewildered. She fought back the words that were threatening to spill from her lips. She wanted to laugh at him and ask him what he's trying to do but she couldn't because she don't know yet if he is truly the boss or just a security guard but even if he is, working with men with a high reputation? still means he has upped his game. This was beyond anything she'd ever imagined.
Just then, another luxury car pulled up, though not as extravagant as the one Damian and his team arrived in. Ariel and Oliveira recognized it immediately - Matthias was here, with his own entourage.
Matthias gently came to a half and stepped out majestically, the entire crowd captivated by the unfolding drama.
Seeing Matthias, Ariel's instinct was to rush to him, to embrace him warmly like she was supposed to since he's becoming her husband soon and she's the one that invited him. But she was overwhelmed with confusion at this moment, Damian still surprises her. She could only watch as Matthias approached, pulling her into a hug and kissing her.
Ariel didn't pull away from Matthias touch, but she wasn't comfortable with that act, she acted irritated which Matthias didn't notice. That's because of Damian who's standing in their midst, because if this is really him she wouldn't want him to know that anything special is still going on between her and Matthias because she would still want him back, even though Matthias seemed oblivious.
"So... I'm sure these men are the well high reputational men you told me about? the Villa's Empire," Matthias said, extending a hand to shake the man in front of him. He froze, his eyes widening as he recognized Damian.
Seeing Damian in that suit Matthias laughed out hard immediately, because he thought Damian is part of the security men.
"Half-man? I'm not surprised!! you finally got a job? oh wow!! but where did you steal all that you're wearing?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as Damian was still looking at him he turned towards Ariel. "And honey, I thought you said you got rid of this guy! Yet you hired him as your bodyguard again?" Matthias face contorted into a sneer.
At that moment it really baffles Matthias! Why she had to bring Damian back when even other stronger men who would be a better security men are still around. She had promised him she'd gotten rid of Damian for good. Why was she employing him again? She's supposed to stay faraway from him.
But Matthias was wrong. As he spoke, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. He turned to see a muscular man in a suit, his face hardened with anger.
"You dare talk to my boss like that again, you won't have a mouth to speak another word!" the man threatened. Matthias heart sank. Something was definitely wrong. This wasn't how he'd expected things to go.
"Your boss?" Matthias sputtered, wiping his glasses with his hand. He looked from Damian to Ariel, confusion clouding his features.
"He... Da..." He stammered, trying to laugh it off. It felt like a joke to him, but the serious expressions on everyone else's faces told him otherwise, he still went ahead and laughed. But he was the only one laughing, and he suddenly felt like the one who was out of his mind.
"What's going on here, Ariel? What's..." Matthias trailed off, his voice laced with confusion. He wasn't the only one that needs to ask that question. Ariel also, was just as bewildered, her mind struggling to make sense of the situation.
She took a deep breath, shaking her head, a picture of confusion. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come.
Just then, Jerry emerged from the other side of the car. Matthias immediately noticing him tried to pretend but there is nothing to pretend about anymore, his heart instead was beating so as fast, he knew he's in big trouble, this was not the place he told him that he's going, in that case his job is at hand.
"Boss..." Matthias greeted, his voice strained. The surprise rippled through the crowd, even reaching Ariel and Oliveira. The whole scene felt like a dramatic play, almost too unbelievable to be real. Like who's Matthias calling boss? Oliveira was the most surprising one, she thought Matthias was supposed to be the boss of his own, he never told them he's working for any one, he said he owns his own company, so what's the boss for...? As everyone watched in stunned silent Jerry took the response.
"So, this is the business meeting with investors you told me you were coming to?" Jerry asked, his gaze fixed on Matthias.
Matthias glanced at Ariel and Oliveira, who were already looking at him expectantly. He knew he couldn't lie to his boss, not without jeopardizing his job, so in that case he would just go straight to answer the question, not concerned about Ariel and her mother.
"Umm... no, I was actually on my way to work. I just stopped by to greet my friends!" Matthias stammered, trying to appear nonchalant. Jerry smiled, shaking his head slightly, his eyes scanning Matthias from head to toe.
Meanwhile, Damian remained silent, a silent observer in the midst of the unfolding drama. He was waiting for the theatrics to subside before the real drama began.