Chapter 4 Getting Engaged Very Soon

Lila chose her words carefully as she said over the phone, "Hello, I'm Professor Manning's student." Rhett caught on at once. "Lila Hart, right? So you've made up your mind? I figured that you'd reach out later." Lila let out a quiet hum. "When would it be convenient for me to come by, and what paperwork do I need for the application?" Rhett's voice came through the line. "I'm tied up today. Come first thing tomorrow morning. I'll send you a checklist after this call." Lila thanked him, traded a few pleasantries, and hung up. She gathered the things he'd asked for, and by then it was nearly time for the welcome dinner. She changed into something appropriate and set out for the hotel. Her cab eased to a stop just as a familiar Porsche pulled up to the hotel doors. Damian stepped out of the driver's seat, opened the rear door, and, with his hand braced on the doorframe, helped Erin out of the car. She was wearing a white gown. His eyes held a tenderness Lila had never seen. "You've been abroad for a long time. You must be craving something from home, you little foodie. Put up with tonight, and tomorrow I'll take you to that private dining place you used to love." Erin smiled and looped her hand through his arm. "I heard that you've got a girlfriend, Damian. Aren't you going to introduce her to me?" Damian frowned slightly and pinched her cheek, exasperated. "Who's been feeding you nonsense? If I had a girlfriend, you'd be the first to know, princess." Erin stuck out her tongue, teasing, "Who knows with you?" Their flirting lingered in the air while their parents followed, smiling with approval. Austin joked, "It's no wonder Damian suddenly started talking about an arranged match. Damian, if I had known that you were after my darling, I would've kept a closer eye on you!" Damian didn't offer an explanation. He smiled faintly and started moving toward the hotel. Turning, he spotted Lila, who had just gotten out of a cab. Their eyes met, and his expression went stiff. He asked, "Lila? When did you get here?" For the first time, Lila saw guilt flash across Damian's otherwise unreadable face. Moments earlier, he had denied having a girlfriend before the childhood sweetheart he'd longed for years, and he'd let talk of an engagement roll on. Then, his actual girlfriend walked in and heard everything. Taking all that into consideration, his reaction almost made sense. Lila had imagined that a scene like this would crush her, but she was already so heartbroken that she'd gone numb. Her body wouldn't react. After a long beat, she spoke evenly. "I just got here." A quick shadow flickered in Erin's eyes when she saw Lila. "It's been a while, Lila." She stepped closer, wearing just enough guilt on her face. "We had our share of misunderstandings back then. I've figured a lot out over the past five years abroad. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" Lila hadn't even spoken when Damian edged over to shield Erin. He said, "Alright. Lila's not that petty. It's your homecoming celebration. Let's not dig up the past." He shot Lila a warning look and guided Erin into the hotel. "The welcome dinner's about to start. Let's not keep the guests waiting." Aaron had just stepped out of the car when he, Austin, and Serena shot Lila warning looks of their own and said indifferently, "What's done is done. From now on, get along with Erin and quit turning the house into a war zone." Lila didn't say anything as there was nothing worth saying. Even so, her heart still ached. She had known ever since coming home that her family played favorites. She told herself that it didn't matter as long as Damian loved her. Only now did she realize that even his love wasn't real. Lila trailed them into the hotel without uttering a single word, planning to lay everything out with Damian once the welcome dinner ended. Halfway through the dinner, her phone buzzed. A message from Damian popped up. "Go upstairs and wait for me in the lounge." Lila looked up and spotted him among friends, all casual, his gaze drifting toward her now and then. Wanting to get it over with and go, she got to her feet and started upstairs, only to round the bend and come face-to-face with Erin. Lila had no intention of talking to her, but Erin blocked her way. Erin's face showed no guilt, only contempt. "Lila, did you really think that having Grandpa send me overseas would make the whole family revolve around you? Do you see how ridiculous you are now? No matter what I do, I'm the one everyone loves the most." Lila didn't take the bait. "If you're that desperate for their affection, take it all. I don't care and I don't want it." She turned to leave, but Erin caught her by the wrist. With a half smile, Erin said, "You say you don't care, but you're jealous enough to lose your mind, aren't you? Oh, and one more thing. Damian and I will be getting engaged very soon."