7:55 pm D D D D
Chapter 23
From that day forward, Damian went into full–on pursuit mode.
Flowers, gifts, sweet little surprises–he wasn’t shy about showing his feelings. Even at work, he made no attempt to hide his affection.
Katia, one of my colleagues, joked, “So that’s what he’s like when he’s in love. I can die happy now that I’ve witnessed it.”
She then nudged me, lowering her voice. “Don’t say yes too quickly. Let him sweat. You know how men are–they don’t treasure what’s handed to them too easily.”
That. I agree.
Of course, Damian whined about it constantly. “You kissed me, Andrea. That counts for something.”
I raised a brow at him. “One kiss and you feel entitled to own me?”
“Not that I mind,” he grinned, “but I’ll settle for you accompanying me to a business gala tonight.”
As the design director for Aurum Noire, attending wasn’t out of place. Damian even had a custom gown made for me. I paired it with one of my own jewelry designs.
When we arrived, I realized this wasn’t just any gala–his parents were there too.
Damian introduced me with zero hesitation. “Mom, Dad, this is Andrea. The woman I’ve been in love with for seven years. I’m in the process of courting her right now.”
His mother immediately took off an exquisite bracelet from her wrist and handed it to me with a kind smile. “First time meeting you, sweetheart. Consider this a little token.”
I froze. The bracelet was clearly a priceless family heirloom. “Mrs. Whitlock, this is far too valuable. I can’t accept it.”
Damian saw my discomfort and gently took the bracelet. “Mom, I’m still wooing her. Don’t scare her off. I’ll hold onto it and give it to her once she agrees to become your daughter–in–law, okay?” His mother gave him a playful slap on the arm, half–scolding, half–laughing. “That’s because you didn’t tell us you were bringing a date! If we had known, your father and I would’ve prepared something for her. You made us look so unprepared.”
Damian slung his arm affectionately around her shoulders, grinning like a mischievous boy. I watched them, feeling a warmth rise in my chest. I couldn’t help but envy how effortlessly loving his family was.
Sensing I might feel a bit out of place, Damian quickly took my hand and led me away to mingle with some of his business associates.
After a few rounds of drinks, I stepped out onto the terrace to get some air.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Damian still stuck in conversation with a foreign associate. When I returned to the ballroom, though, I couldn’t spot him anywhere.
I flagged down a server. “Have you seen Damian?”
He pointed toward the staircase. “I saw Mr. Whitlock head upstairs just a moment ago.”
Chapter 22
2/2 27.7%
7:55 pm
The gala was winding down anyway, so I decided to go upstairs and find him.
But as soon as I stepped into the hallway, I heard soft, breathy moans coming from one of the
rooms.
A woman’s voice, sweet and seductive, floated out.
“Mr. Whitlock… let me take care of you. Don’t hold it”
I froze like I’d been struck by lightning.
Damian? With another woman? Doing that?
My head went blank. I could even hear the sound of clothing rustling from behind the door.
Pain gripped my chest. A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Of course. Damian —
woman like me?
–
the golden boy why would he ever truly devote himself to a divorced
–
At least we hadn’t officially started anything. I could still walk away before it got complicated. And so I turned to leave.
But right then, the door flew open and a half–dressed woman was thrown violently out into the hallway.
We locked eyes for a split second. She quickly turned her face away in humiliation, screaming into the room behind her.
“Damian, you heartless bastard! That drug has no antidote – you’ll be a cripple soon enough!”
Drug?
I froze, unable to move.
The woman scrambled to gather her clothes and stormed off in fury.
My feet were rooted in place. After a moment of hesitation, I pushed open the door and walked nside.
7:55 pm DDDD.
C
