-Betrayal-
Damien's POV
I stared back at my reflection in the mirror, a few hours of sleep had given me a newfound energy I didn't have before my head fell on the cloudy pillows of my comfortable king-sized bed. I was energetic enough to actually start getting ready for the party I told my friends and girlfriend I wasn't going to.
As expected, They were disappointed when I said I wouldn't attend. My friend Chris, who was freaking out since I had dropped the bomb in our group chat, was blowing up my phone with calls. They were good friends but honestly so clingy - sometimes it seems like they can't function without me.
But as the next heir to Vanderbilt Enterprises, known for developing next level technology; cellphones, software, and all that. Sometimes I need some breathing room and can't attend every single party like some average joe.
I raked my fingers through my perfectly styled light brown hair, watching it fall onto my forehead. My crisp white shirt hung open, revealing just enough skin. I rolled up the sleeves to show a refined yet casual look. Tailored black trousers hugged my defined legs perfectly. Of course, no outfit is complete without my signature Italian leather shoes and a spritz of cologne that leaves women weak at the knees.
I grabbed a flashy silver Rolex from my overflowing jewelry dresser and put it on my left wrist. In the mirror of my massive bedroom, I confirmed what I already knew: I was damn good-looking. But let's be real, without all the money and possessions, one thing would still remain - my undeniable charm and looks. After all, I am Damien Vanderbilt, and the world constantly reminds me of that fact. Not that I need validation, of course.
I glided through the grandeur of the Vanderbilt mansion, satisfied with my impeccable outfit. Raymond, our valet, had already prepared my car outside: a sleek Maserati waiting for me on the meticulously mowed lawn. Its smooth black exterior and glistening chrome details reflected its fine design.
As I slid into my car, the engine purred with excitement. Attending Matthew's party, despite claiming otherwise, was a clever move on my part. And let's be real, showing off to my friends and girlfriend is always a pleasure. Danielle is in for a treat when I walk through those doors - we make an unbeatable power couple from prestigious families, both top students of Mortwain University, with stunning looks to match.
Yeah, I'm one lucky guy and she was equally lucky to have me.
The crème de la crème of Mortwain's University were in attendance tonight. My friend Matthew was known for throwing legendary parties in the town of Mortwain.
I handed over my keys to the valet at the grand entrance, already feeling the bass thumping through my veins. As I entered, I received nods and greetings from the crowd - they knew who I was, or rather, who my family was. With a last name like Vanderbilt, people always tried to stay on my good side.
I skillfully dodged some overly intoxicated guests as I navigated through the mansion, scanning the sea of people for my friends - Chris, Matthew, Rick, and of course, my girlfriend Danielle. But they seemed to be scattered around tonight.
The place was packed, as expected. Maybe I should've just stayed home with my original plan.
Without hesitation, I headed to the bar and chatted with familiar faces from my classes and hometown, Mortwain. A few Cedarvale students were also there, along with family business partners who wouldn't miss Matthew's party for anything.
I made my way over to Barry, the middle-aged bartender who always served Matthew's parties.
"Barry, you old so-and-so! How's it going?" I greeted him as I approached. I was able to squeeze in easily as people who recognized me made some space for me to comfortably approach the bar.
"Mr. Vanderbilt, great to see you" Barry greeted me as soon as I approached with a tired smile on his face. "What can I get ya? The usual?"
"Whiskey, neat!" I raised my voice above the thumping sounds of music and chattering. Barry nodded and prepared my drink.
While waiting for my drink, my gaze scanned the guests at the crowded mansion, hoping to spot my girlfriend Danielle. When I returned my focus to the bar, Barry had already placed my drink on a coaster in front of me. As I reached for it, a hand landed on my shoulder and I jumped in surprise. But as soon as I recognized the touch of Chris, I settled.
"Dude, what the hell! You actually came!" Chris slapped my shoulder and grinned like a little kid.
"Hey, Chris! Surprised?" I flashed a grin back.
"I knew you'd come around, man. So what's up? Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Oh, you know me. Took a nap, woke up feeling like a new person and decided to bless you all with my presence." I playfully gestured around myself as if I were some great gift.
Chris let out a laugh and gave my shoulder another squeeze. "Oh Damien, always so humble." I chuckled and reached for my drink.
"So where are the rest of the guys? I haven't seen anyone else yet." I took a sip of my whiskey.
"Pretty sure I saw Rick getting freaky with some girls from Cedarvale by the gazebo." he lets go of my shoulder and gestures to Barry for a refill of his empty drink. "Matthew though, I haven't seen around in a while now, last time I saw him he was entertaining some of his special guests by the ballroom, you know Matthew"
"Typical" I scoffed and shook my head in amusement. After Chris got his refill, we retreated to a quiet corner near the ballroom. A couple of familiar guests passed by and greeted us. The usual small talk. I scanned the sea of people once again, hoping to catch a glimpse of my girlfriend.
"Have you seen Danielle?" I finally asked as I spoke louder over the music of the indie band that took over the grand ballroom of Matthew's mansion.
"Oh yeah, I caught her chatting it up with Natasha on the terrace earlier," Chris answered, shouting into my ear to be heard over the music.
"Thanks, man, I'll catch up with you later. Gotta go find her," I replied before heading towards the terrace.
But as I made my way there, I couldn't help but notice people giving me odd looks - some surprised, others sporting mischievous grins. Some greeted me as usual, but others whispered and giggled as I got closer to the terrace. It was like walking into a bizarre alternate reality and I couldn't understand why.
"Damien?" my friend Rick's booming voice jolted me back to reality. I turned around and saw him striding towards me with a peculiar expression on his face. He was usually the life of the party, so his uncharacteristic wide eyes and furrowed brow instantly put me on edge.
I forced myself to take a deep breath and tried to relax my tense shoulders, hoping I was just overthinking things and misreading the energy of the party.
"Rick! My guy, what's up?" I said, attempting to play it cool. Play what cool? I didn't even know.
Rick stopped in front of me with a troubled look on his face and finally said, "Damien, you decided to show up after all?"
I replied, "Yeah man, just told Chris I took a nap and got this sudden energy to come out here." I chuckled and continued, "Actually, I was on the hunt for Danielle. Chris said she's out here with Natasha."
Rick's eyes bulged. Then he quickly composed himself and flashed a smile.
"Oh yeah? Haven't seen her around here. But hey, how about you and I grab some shots, we'll get lit and go look for her later?" He nervously brushed back his ginger hair as he spoke.
I've known Rick since freshman year of high school and one thing everyone knows about him is that he sucks at acting and lying. Seriously, the dude couldn't lie if his life depended on it. And right now, he's making those quirky faces he makes when he's hiding something from you.
"Come on man, what's the deal? What are you not telling me?" I asked with a serious tone, giving him a stern look and placing my hand on his shoulder to be both commanding and inviting.
"Nothing! I swear, Geez, Damien! Why are you so suspicious about everything all the time?" he said and immediately took a gulp of his beer and gave me the most unconvincing smile he could muster.
He must think I'm stupid.
A couple of college kids from Cedarvale passed by me and Rick, they giggled and whispered as they saw me. This can't be a coincidence now, something's going on here and Rick knows. What's everyone's deal tonight?
"Rick, I don't believe you, man. Tell me right now what's going on! You know you can't lie to me, we've been through this before." I said with my fixated gaze on his.
As he came up with whatever bullshit he was making up in his head to reply, I quickly took three shots from a passing server and downed them before returning the empty glasses to his tray. Probably not the best idea.
"Damien, it's nothing really! Let's get out of here. You wanna play some pool? Let's find Chris and Matt! I'm sure they'll be up for a match" He said, hiding the obvious nervousness he was carrying. I rolled my eyes and sighed. He knows I know he's lying and yet he won't back down.
"For the last time, Rick! I swea-"
"Oh ho ho, Damien buddy you gotta check on your girlfriend man" I recognized immediately the person who interrupted me as Ryan Hewitt, son of Leonard Hewitt, a very important and influential businessman and partner to my father, Douglas Vanderbilt.
I noticed Rick's eyes widened at Ryan's comment.
"What did you just say?" I asked Ryan, unable to confirm if I had heard him right. What is that supposed to mean?
He smirked, trying but failing badly to suppress it.
"See for yourself, man" he said with a shit-eating grin as he gestured towards a group of people dancing on the terrace to the loud EDM music from the outdoor speakers.
I struggled to focus my eyes and locate what he was showing me. The three shots I had just downed were starting to affect me. Squinting through the crowd and flashing party lights, it was difficult to distinguish anyone.
I strode confidently towards the terrace, my eyes scanning the crowd of familiar faces. Some people began to snicker and whisper as I approached, their gazes fixed on me like I was some sort of spectacle
"Damien, wait! Please listen to me, don't go there!" Rick's voice called out urgently from behind me. Ignoring his warning, I yanked my arm away from his desperate grasp and sneered at him. What was he trying to hide from me?
"What's your problem, man? What don't you want me to see?" I growled, my steps quickening as I continued towards the terrace, determined to find out what was going on. The air around us crackled with tension, and I could feel all eyes on me as I pushed forward.
I stopped immediately, a blank expression on my face as I immediately recognized my girlfriend Danielle.
"Holy shit" a guest, standing behind me said to another person.
Indeed, there she was, my girlfriend Danielle, dressed in a skin-tight blue dress that left little to the imagination, wearing the diamond necklace I had gotten her for our anniversary. Her perfectly styled blonde hair swayed as she seductively danced with a drink in hand, completely oblivious to my presence.
Suddenly, she turned and wrapped her arms around a stranger's neck, pulling him close as if they were alone on the terrace.
My stomach stirred as I approached, hoping that my drunken mind was playing tricks on me. But no, there she was, kissing this man in front of everyone we knew and cheating on me in the most humiliating way possible, at my best friend's party no less. It was almost comical how she didn't even care about our friends and classmates seeing her betray me in such an embarrassing way. I wish I could laugh at the absurdity of it all, instead of feeling so pathetic.
My face burned with humiliation, a deep red flush creeping up my cheeks. How could they possibly humiliate me like this? ME, DAMIEN VANDERBILT. In front of everyone I knew, from my so-called friends to business associates related to our own families. The shame was suffocating, crushing me with its weight as I struggled to keep a facade of composure
Don't make a scene, Damien. This was already embarrassing enough. Throwing a jealous fit is beneath you. You're a Vanderbilt for crying out loud!
Do. Not. Make. A. Scene.
That's when the following events hit the point of no return...
I hissed, "What the hell, Danielle?!" My eyes bulged out of their sockets as I stared at her with a mix of shock and disgust.
Her eyes widened with shock as she quickly pulled away from the stranger's grip, giving me a chance to fully take in the sight of the scumbag she chose to cheat on me with, right in front of everyone.
At first glance, he seemed completely out of place. While everyone else was dressed to impress, he showed up in some torn skinny jeans, leather boots, a basic white tee, and a cheap faux leather jacket - because of course, it was fake, what a joke-. His pale skin practically glowed in the dim party lights. As my gaze moved up his body, I recognized that familiar neck tattoo and his messy straight raven black hair framing his chiseled face. Of course, he had to complete the douchebag look with a face tattoo on the corner of his forehead, letters I couldn't make sense of.
As soon as our eyes met, I recognized those irritating blue orbs and that smug grin. Just another walking cliche trying too hard to be edgy.
Dane Lockhart.
As if this wasn't humiliating enough.
