Cherished Hatred

Ellie was attending a party with her father. It was his business partner Mark Davis's 25th wedding anniversary. The party was in full swing and her father had already left her with a bunch of girls her own age and was busy talking with some people. She was already bored and out of her mind. She hated this kind of place, too crowded, too noisy. She felt suffocated in places like this but she couldn't refuse her father so she had to come. She had been accompanying her father to such parties ever since she had turned eighteen.

Feeling too frustrated with all the extra attention she was receiving and being bored, she went to her father and excused herself, saying she wanted some fresh air so she would go to the garden. Her father reluctantly nodded. Relieved, she left for the garden.

The fresh air was cool and soothing to her skin as she stepped into the dark garden illuminated by small decorative bulbs and natural moonlight. She strolled for some time and then sat on a nearby bench. Closing her eyes she let her body relax. It was nice here. Calm and aloof, away from all the loud noises, just what she preferred. In all her 20 years of life, she had been to numerous such parties but still, she couldn't get used to it. Being the daughter of one of the biggest businessmen in London threw even bigger responsibilities at her. Responsibilities she didn't want to take but was forced to endure nonetheless. 

As her thoughts progressed she started feeling more frustrated. She would rather be home and alone in the comfort of her room than be here with hundreds of fake people parading here and there, all in one place. She snorted. she hated this. Much to her father's disappointment, she was not a social butterfly.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the footsteps approaching her. When the person sat beside her on the bench then she noticed. Startled she looked to find a stranger looking back at her. Her already frustrated nerves rocketed.

"Sorry if I disturbed you. Just wanted some fresh air. It's too stuffy hot in there." He had draped his coat on his side of the bench arm and now was loosening his tie. "....Like you." He added.

Ellie looked at him annoyed at his frankness. What a bother. " I would advise you to sit somewhere else. I am sure that will be more peaceful for you than sitting here with me." If he was attempting a chance at her then she better make it clear to him in the start that she wasn't interested. She wasn't into flings for one thing. 

"Don't be so hard on yourself. Let me decide that for myself if I like your company or not. Frankly, I wouldn't miss a chance to get acquainted With Ellie Harper. By the way, I am Damien Scott. I hope you have at least heard my name, seeing that you couldn't recognise me by face."

His tone was mocking and his eyes shone with arrogant pride. It was no surprise to Ellie that he knew her. Almost everyone in London did. But the way he said It, it almost made her feel like he was mocking her. 

Of course, she knew who he was. No wonder he looked familiar. she had seen his pictures in magazines. But pictures did no justice to what he looked up close. He was really breathtakingly handsome. Her father often mentioned him at dinner these days. Damien Scott was emerging as the biggest business tycoon of London and her father's top rival much to her father's annoyance. So she did in fact had heard of him. But she wouldn't admit that to him. Why give him that much significance. He already looked an arrogant jerk at best.

"Why, do you think you are that important that Ellie Harper should know you?" She mocked.

His face broke into a smirk at her tone. His eyes bore deep into hers and he murmured. "Then you will soon. Better than anyone has ever known me. Trust me."  

His tone was dangerously calm but challenging. Suddenly his aura had changed. The way he looked at her, frightened Ellie. Something dark lurked in those eyes and he stared at her deeply. And for the first time, Ellie felt uncomfortable. Suddenly She became aware of their surrounding, their aloofness. There was no one here except both of them. Some warning siren rang in her head and she suddenly stood up.

"Excuse me. I think I should  leave." She tried leaving but he also stood and gripped her hand in his own large ones. Ellie felt a bolt of electricity passing through her and her heart picked a frightening rhythm. He turned her around to face him and clutched her both forearms.

"What happened Miss Harper? Why are you running away?"

"N-no. Why would you think So? I merely want to go back to the party. My father  must be looking for me now." She stumbled through her words. "And please don't touch me." She tried jerking his hand away.

"Your father is too busy with his business partner to be worried about you. I am sure you will be bored there. Here with me, you will have an interesting company at least." 

His expression had softened and his voice now held a luring tune to it. He wanted to make her stay there. But he didn't leave her hand yet.

"I don't think I am interested in being in your company Mr Scott. Now please leave me."

"Please stay. I insist."

Ellie didn't say anything. She just looked at him with pursed lips. The racing of her heart hadn't slowed down but she was feeling a bit in control now. She didn't say anything though, only stared at him with narrowed eyes. Damien left her hand then.

"I apologise again if I shocked you with my straight advances. I just believe in a direct approach."

"What do you mean?"

"Sit here with me and then I shall tell you everything, will you? He asked, requesting her. Ellie wanted to sit and hear him but her mind kept telling her to just run away. When she didn't make a move to either sit or move, he requested again.

" Please, hear me out first."

Reluctantly Nodding her head she murmured a small "okay" and gently sat there again. Damien also sat beside her. Instinctly she put some more distance between them.

"What is it that you want to say, Mr Scott?"

"I would prefer if you call me Damien and I would also like to call you by your first name. I think that will be more suitable for us."

"What are you trying to say? I don't think I understand."

Damien gave a lopsided smile and turned to face her her completely. "Look, what I say might shock you. But I want you to be calm until I finish what I have to say. Okay?"

Ellie nodded her head at the same time wondering what was he going to say to her that makes her lose her calm. But then his next sentence shocked her beyond belief.

"I want to marry you, Ellie."

"W-what? Are you out of your mind?"

She stood up, in shock. Damien had to get up too.

"I told you to be calm and let me finish."

"Is this some kind of joke? You meet me for the first time, we don't even know each other and next you propose to me for marriage. What is it, 18th century?"

"No. Of course, it is not. Do I look like someone who jokes?" He ignored her comment about meeting the first time.