Damian leaned back in his chair, glancing at the clock on his office wall. An hour had passed since he returned, yet Amara hadn't shown up like he hoped. He had asked her to stop by, but she hadn't come. Instead, silence filled his office, broken only by the rustle of papers and the faint hum of the air conditioner.
He sighed, drumming his fingers lightly against the desk. She's avoiding me on purpose, he thought with a faint smile. He knew her well enough now to guess she was probably embarrassed about the attention they were already getting from the staff.
By the time the lunch break arrived, Damian couldn't sit still any longer. He stood, straightened his suit jacket, and walked out, ignoring the greetings from passing employees. His destination was clear-Amara.
When he reached her department, he saw her exactly where he expected-still at her desk, focused on her screen. She didn't notice him at first, and the sight tugged at his heart. So hardworking... and yet she forgets I exist the moment she dives into her work, he thought, amused.
"Still pretending you don't know I exist?" his deep voice teased from behind her.
Startled, Amara looked up. "Damian!" she whispered, glancing around at her colleagues who were already stealing glances in their direction. "You shouldn't just come like this."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "And let you hide from me all day? No chance." His lips curved into a boyish grin before he added, "Come on, it's lunchtime. Let's eat together."
Her eyes widened. "Here? You mean the cafeteria?"
"Exactly," he replied smoothly, offering his hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "No fancy restaurants today. Just you and me, sharing a simple meal where everyone can see that I don't care about gossip. All I care about is you."
Her heart fluttered at his words. She hesitated, torn between shyness and the warmth that spread through her chest, but finally, she placed her hand in his.
The cafeteria buzzed with activity when they entered, but the moment Damian walked in with Amara at his side, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations hushed, curious eyes followed them, and whispers started spreading across the room.
Amara felt her cheeks heat up, but Damian didn't seem bothered. In fact, he looked proud, guiding her to a corner table with his hand at the small of her back. He pulled out a chair for her like a gentleman, then sat opposite her.
"What would you like?" he asked, scanning the cafeteria menu.
She shook her head with a small smile. "Anything is fine."
Damian chuckled. "You always say that. One day I'll make you choose." Still, he went ahead and ordered for them both, picking out something light yet filling.
As they waited, he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, his eyes locked on her. "Do you know how hard it was to focus on my meeting earlier? All I could think about was you. Sitting here. Smiling like that."
"Damian..." she whispered, embarrassed. "People are looking."
"Good," he replied without hesitation. "Let them see how much I adore you. I want the whole world to know."
Amara's chest tightened at his sincerity. Beneath all the power and authority he carried, there was this softer side-warm, protective, and deeply in love with her.
Their food arrived, and they ate together, laughing softly at little jokes, sharing bites, and forgetting the curious stares around them. For Damian, it didn't matter where they were. As long as Amara was with him, even the simplest lunch in the company cafeteria felt like the finest dining experience.
By the time they were done, Amara couldn't hide her smile. And Damian, watching her glow, knew he had achieved what he wanted-to remind her that she wasn't just his girlfriend in secret. She was his woman, openly, proudly, and completely.
The afternoon dragged on slowly, the buzz from the cafeteria still lingering in the air. Whispers followed Amara wherever she went-some curious, some envious, others simply in awe that Damian Knight, the man who ruled the company, had chosen her.
Amara tried to ignore it, throwing herself into her work, but every so often, she caught herself smiling at the memory of him insisting they eat together in front of everyone.
Later in the day, when the office had settled into its quiet hum, a soft knock came at her desk. She looked up to see Eric, Damian's assistant, standing there with his usual polite smile.
"Miss Rivera," he said smoothly. "Mr. Knight requests your presence in his office."
Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly saved her work, stood, and smoothed her blouse before following Eric down the hallway. The familiar anticipation built inside her-whenever Damian called, she never knew if it was for something serious or just another excuse to see her.
When she entered his office, Damian was standing by the window, the city skyline glowing behind him as the late afternoon sun dipped lower. He turned when he heard her, his expression softening instantly.
"You came," he said, as if he had been waiting hours just to see her walk through that door.
Amara tried to stay composed. "Eric said you wanted to see me."
"I always want to see you," he replied, walking toward her with that smooth confidence that always left her breathless. He reached out, gently taking her hand. "But today, I just couldn't end the day without you here."
She bit her lip, feeling her cheeks warm. "Damian, you've already caused enough attention today. People are still whispering."
"Let them whisper," he said firmly, tilting her chin so their eyes met. "They'll get used to it. What matters is you and me."
For a moment, the world outside disappeared. The steady ticking of the clock, the faint sound of traffic below-it all faded as Damian leaned closer, brushing his lips against her forehead in the softest kiss.
"Stay with me a little longer," he murmured.
Amara's heart melted at his tone. "I can't always run to your office whenever you want, you know."
He smirked, his thumb brushing over her hand. "That's true. But sometimes, I can't help myself."
They stood there quietly, just enjoying the closeness, until Eric returned with a stack of documents, politely clearing his throat. Damian reluctantly let her go, though his eyes lingered on her with a promise-that no matter what, she would never be just another employee to him.
As Amara left his office, her heart still fluttering, she knew the day had ended differently than it began. What started with silence and avoidance had ended with undeniable closeness, their bond stronger than ever.
The day finally wound down, and Damian insisted on driving Amara home with him. She hesitated at first, conscious of the stares their closeness had already attracted in the office, but one look at his determined expression told her there was no room for argument.
As they left the building, Damian's hand lightly brushed hers, a subtle touch that sent warmth rushing through her chest. By the time they arrived at his estate, Amara felt both nervous and comforted. This was becoming their routine now-coming home together.
Inside, the staff greeted them warmly, and dinner was served almost immediately. Damian pulled out a chair for her, his eyes lingering on her every move as though she was the most important thing in his world. They ate, laughed softly about the whispers in the office, and talked about everything except business. For Amara, it felt surreal, almost like they had slipped into their own little world.
After dinner, Damian poured them both glasses of wine, guiding her to sit with him in the living room. He stretched one arm across the sofa, pulling her close until she rested her head on his shoulder. The soft hum of music played in the background, and for a while, it was only the two of them.
But just as Amara began to relax, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the hall. A familiar, high-pitched voice followed.
"Damian?"
Amara's head snapped up, and Damian stiffened slightly before turning his gaze toward the doorway. There, standing with her usual poise and self-assured smile, was Serena.
Amara's heart clenched, but before she could even move, Damian's arm tightened protectively around her shoulders. His voice was calm, but there was a cold edge to it.
"Serena. To what do I owe this... surprise visit?"
Serena's eyes flickered briefly to Amara before landing back on Damian, her smile widening though her tone dripped with sarcasm. "I didn't realize you had... company."
Amara shifted uncomfortably, but Damian didn't let her pull away. Instead, he leaned down just slightly, whispering near her ear, "Stay. Don't move." His words were soft, but there was no mistaking the authority in his tone.
Then, looking back at Serena, he said firmly, "If you came here uninvited, you'll have to excuse us. This is my home, and you don't get to decide who belongs in it."
Serena's smile faltered, though she quickly recovered. "I see. Well... I suppose I came at the wrong time."
Amara sat silently, her heart racing, but Damian's steady grip gave her a strange sense of reassurance. He wasn't hiding her. He wasn't ashamed of her. If anything, he was making it clear-this was where Amara belonged.