Page 155 of The Addict

“Damian now is not the time for dancing. We have to finish thanking all of the guests.” His tone was austere and rough. On the outside this man looked perfectly calm, but his voice gave off the impression that he was furious.

“Yes, sir. I understand. I was just coming,” Damian answered with a nod, straightening his collar and taking a step towards the unknown male. He left me there without saying much, which I thought was a strange thing to do, knowing how professionally Damian presents himself.

I just sort of stood there awkwardly.

“Wait, Damian.” The man’s hand stopped Damian from moving forward. His eyes fixed upon mine, and I stiffened underneath his hardhearted gaze. “Who’s your friend?”

Damian stopped and looked back to me over his shoulder. He seemed indecisive about something.

I could do nothing but stare at him for some sort of direction. What was I supposed to do? Do I introduce myself?

“You’re in such a hurry,” the man said with an eerie smile. “You forgot to introduce me to your lovely young lady here.”

“Pardon my rudeness,” Damian mumbled softly, stepping back to stand by me.

He smiled weakly, taking my hand again. “Delane, this is my father, Chief David Hansen.”

I stared at him, mesmerized. Mr. Hansen took my hand from his son’s and placed a gentle kiss upon it.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you,” Mr. Hansen affirmed, releasing my hand as quickly as he had taken it. “But I must say, I did not know that my son had a girlfriend.”

Damian shook his head. “Father, you misunderstood—”

David extended his arm once more to silence him. “Hush, son, and let me speak with her. I’m sure you two have spent enough time together already.”

Damian and I were both at a complete loss for words. That his father would even consider me to be of Damian’s status enough to be in a relationship with him astounded me. I was somewhat flattered, but mostly stunned.

“So, how long have you two been together?” he asked with a smile.

I finally found my voice. “Um, I’m very sorry Mr. Hansen, but I am not dating Damian…”

He looked at me skeptically. “My apologies,” he said quickly. “Well then, who have you accompanied here?”

“Noah Hansen, your youngest,” I replied meekly.

He looked dumbfounded. “Excuse me?”

“I uh– I’m here with your son? Noah invited me to this dance…”

I shifted uncomfortably between the two wealthy family members. Where had Noah run off to? It seemed as though I had been waiting far too long for his return.

After a moment of staring at me, Mr. Hansen’s mystified expression faded away and in its place was a new smile. “Yes, Noah. Of course.”

I glanced at Damian. He looked like he was about to be sick. I swallowed nervously, wondering: Was it something that I said?

“Well, it was very nice to meet you, Delane,” Mr. Hansen chuckled, giving me a little dip of his head. “But my son and I must be off now. Business calls.”

I nodded. “Yes, please don’t let me interrupt you.”

He turned his back to us. “Not to worry, dear. I won’t.”

Damian gave me one last regretful look before following close behind his father. And I was alone. Again.

I took a leisurely sip of my punch after letting go of a breath I had been holding for too long.

So that was Noah’s father.

“I uh– I’m here with your son?”