Damian and Amara enjoyed their romantic unch, their laughter and soft conversations making the atmosphere warm and intimate. Across the restaurant, Clara and Serena sat silently, their faces burning with embarrassment after being dismissed so bluntly by Amara earlier. Clara clenched her fist tightly, whispering under her breath, "I can't believe this... she made us look like fools."
Serena leaned back in her chair, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Don't let it bother you too much, Clara. I have a plan," she said with confidence.
Clara frowned, turning to her with desperation in her eyes. "A plan? Serena, if you're serious, then do whatever you want. Just make sure Damian comes back to me."
Serena gave a little laugh, her tone dripping with amusement. "Better do what you want to do, huh? Don't worry-I'll handle it." With that, she rose from her seat gracefully, tossed her hair over her shoulder, and walked out of the restaurant. Sliding into her car, she smirked to herself and whispered, "Oh, really? After all this, I'll push you aside, Clara, and have Damian for myself." With a wicked laugh, she started her engine and drove off.
Clara followed soon after, still unsettled but clinging to Serena's words. She got into her car and drove away, her thoughts a mixture of anger and hope.
By then, Damian and Amara were already stepping out of the restaurant hand in hand. Damian squeezed her fingers gently and looked at her apologetically. "I'm really sorry about today, Amara. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this," he said softly. "I promise, the next time won't be like this again."
Amara smiled faintly, nodding like a baby agreeing with her parent, her eyes filled with trust. "I believe you," she whispered, her heart warming at the sincerity in his voice.
Later in the evening, after Damian was tied up with urgent office work, he made sure Amara didn't have to worry about getting home. He arranged for his driver to take her safely. As she sat in the back seat, gazing out at the fading city lights, she thought about their lunch, Damian's gentle words, and the way he had held her hand. Even though he was busy, his effort to make her feel cared for touched her deeply.
But somewhere else in the city, Serena's laughter echoed in her car, her mind already turning over her next move. Clara, still torn, wondered if trusting Serena was truly the right choice-or if she was unknowingly handing Damian over to her supposed friend.
Clara was sitting in her car at the front of Damian's building, quietly watching. The moment she saw Amara step out and leave, a smile curved across her lips. Perfect, she thought, finally stepping out of her car. With calculated steps, she walked straight into the building. The place was quiet-most employees had already left.
Upstairs, Damian was in his office, almost done with his work for the day. He leaned back in his chair, stretching a little before sending Amara a quick text, asking if she had gotten home safely. When no reply came, he assumed she might already be resting.
Just as he began arranging his files and shutting things down, his office door creaked open. Clara stood there, her eyes glimmering with a mix of boldness and mischief.
"Oh... hi," she said with a faint smile.
Damian looked up, frowning slightly. "Clara? Why are you here? Everyone's gone."
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "I just came to check if you'd left already. I wanted to... discuss something with you."
Damian sighed, already irritated. "Clara, please, can we leave this for tomorrow? It's late."
"Tomorrow?" she scoffed softly, her voice dropping. "So you can run back to her? Don't you know I love you, Damian?" Her eyes searched his face desperately.
"Hm." Damian gave a dry sound, standing to gather his things. "Clara... please leave. It's late, and I don't want to have this conversation."
Meanwhile, across town, Amara was already home when she suddenly realized she had left her phone on her office desk. Frustrated, she went downstairs and asked one of the estate security men, "Please, can you call Damian for me? I need to pick up my phone from the office."
The guard called twice, but Damian wasn't picking up. "He's not answering, ma."
Amara sighed. "Never mind. I'll just go myself." She hailed a taxi and instructed the driver to head back to the office building.
Inside Damian's office, Clara wasn't giving up. She stepped closer, her voice trembling with both frustration and determination. "Damian, can you just let me into your life? I can make you happy. Why can't you see that?"
Damian stopped packing his things, his patience thinning. "Clara, you're being ridiculous. I've told you before-stop this nonsense. You're drunk, aren't you? Go home."
But Clara suddenly rushed forward, throwing her arms around him. "No! I won't let you go to her," she whispered desperately, clinging tightly.
"Clara-stop this!" Damian struggled to free himself, but she held onto him even tighter. He pushed against her arms, trying to peel her away. In the struggle, both of them stumbled, falling backward onto the chair.
At that exact moment, the office door opened.
"Damian, are you not done yet? I-" Amara's voice froze as her eyes widened at the sight before her. Clara was wrapped around Damian, holding him tightly, while Damian was struggling to push her off.
Shock hit Amara like a storm. Her face paled, and before Damian could even open his mouth to explain, she turned and bolted out of the office, her heels echoing down the hallway.
"Amara! Wait-this isn't what it looks like!" Damian shouted, shoving Clara off him and rushing toward the door. But Amara was already gone.
Clara, breathless, sat back with a twisted smile. "Now... let's see if she still trusts you after this."
Amara quietly slipped out of the office corridor, hiding in a corner where Damian couldn't see her. Her heart pounded painfully, tears streaming down her cheeks as she wept silently. The image of Clara clinging onto Damian refused to leave her mind, even though deep down she knew Damian would never betray her. Still, the shock of seeing Clara in his office again broke her. She stayed there for a long while, crying until her chest ached, before finally gathering herself to leave.
Meanwhile, Clara, who noticed Amara's presence, smirked with satisfaction. Seeing Amara's pain filled her with twisted joy. With a triumphant smile, she straightened her dress, picked up her bag, and walked out of the building with pride, convinced she had created a rift between the two.
When Amara finally reached the gate of the building, she was startled to see Damian standing outside, pacing restlessly. He had been worried when Amara didn't answer his texts and was about to drive to her place. The moment he saw her, he rushed toward her.
"Baby..." Damian's voice was breathless as he reached out for her hand, but Amara instinctively pulled back, her eyes still wet from crying.
"Amara, please," he said softly, his tone filled with desperation. "It's not what you think. Nothing happened between me and Clara, I swear."
Amara turned her face away, fighting back fresh tears. "Damian... I saw her in your arms," she whispered, her voice breaking.
He immediately shook his head, his eyes burning with urgency. "No, no, baby, listen to me. She forced herself on me-I was trying to push her away. You know me, Amara. You know I would never do that to you. I love you, only you."
He stepped closer, cupping her face gently but carefully, as if afraid she would push him away again. His thumb brushed her cheek, wiping her tears. "Please don't let Clara's games come between us. You're my everything, Amara. I can't lose you. Don't let her win."
Amara looked into his eyes, and though her heart still ached, she could see the sincerity in him. His hands trembled slightly as he held her, his voice lowering almost to a whisper.
"Baby, I'm sorry you had to see that. I should've thrown her out the moment she came in. I should've protected you from this pain. Please... forgive me."
Amara's lips parted, but no words came out immediately. Her emotions were tangled-hurt, love, and longing all at once. She finally allowed him to pull her into his arms, though her body was still stiff with hesitation.
Damian held her tightly, resting his forehead against hers. "Don't cry anymore, baby. I promise, I'll never give Clara or anyone else the chance to come between us again."