DAISY POV — The Morning After
The next morning hit like a slap.
The villa smelled like roasted coffee, butter, and sunlight—way too cheerful for someone who barely slept. I dragged myself out of bed anyway, because if I didn't show up to breakfast, someone would complain. Probably Lola. Maybe Jallen. And Damien… yeah, he'd just keep pretending I was invisible, the same way he pretended nothing happened in the hallway last night.
I walked into the dining room and instantly regretted breathing.
Damien was already there.
Sitting at the long marble table in a white T-shirt that did nothing but emphasize how annoyingly broad he was. His hair was messy, like even it didn't want to listen to him this morning. His eyes flicked up when I entered—just for a second—but it was enough to send heat straight through my chest. Then he looked away, jaw tight, hands wrapped around his mug like he was trying to crush it.
Fine.
Ignore me.
That was his specialty.
I felt my pulse stumble anyway.
I sat two seats away, keeping what little dignity I had left. The tension was so thick it could've been spread on toast. Even Jallen seemed uncomfortable, and he usually thrived on awkwardness.
Mother was humming softly as she inspected the fruit platter, blissfully unaware of the silent war happening between me and the brooding demon across the table.
I reached for the water jug, trying to act normal. But I could feel Damien watching—no, not watching—but glaring in my direction every few seconds like he was checking to make sure I wasn't looking at him.
I hated how my stomach flipped every time.
I hated even more that I knew exactly why he was avoiding me.
He'd almost kissed me.
I'd almost let him.
I'd been trying to outrun the memory all morning, but it kept replaying—the way he leaned in, the warmth of his breath, the way his hand lingered near my waist like he was imagining touching me.
My face heated, and I quickly looked down.
Maybe ignoring each other was the safest thing.
For both of us.
When breakfast ended, everyone scattered. Mother went to her balcony garden. Lola rushed off to "fix her makeup," which meant scrolling on her phone for two hours. Jallen flopped onto the couch in the living room like he paid rent here.
I walked in to help clear the table, but the moment I stepped into the living room, Damien shot up from the sofa and walked away from me. No goodbye, no eye contact, no "excuse me"—just a swift, almost desperate exit.
My heart dipped.
Fine.
If he was going to pretend I didn't exist, I'd pretend I didn't care.
"Daisy," Jallen called sharply from behind me.
I froze. "Yes?"
"Go tell the chef I want scrambled eggs instead of the thing he made." He waved his hand like I was hired help.
Of course.
I nodded and turned toward the hallway.
"Don't break anything," he added.
I clenched my jaw but kept walking.
I didn't make it two steps before Lola swooped in like a vulture pretending to be a dove.
"Daisy!" she squealed, arms stretched wide.
Before I could dodge, she hugged me. Hard. Too hard. My ribs protested.
Then she did something ridiculous—she gasped, shoved herself backward, and flung herself onto the floor.
"Ahhh!" she wailed dramatically. "Daisy pushed me!"
What the—
I didn't even touch her.
"Lola?" Mother rushed forward, kneeling beside her. "What happened? Sweetheart, are you hurt?"
Lola blinked up at her like a dying fairy. "D-Daisy pushed me, Mommy."
I stared at her, speechless. "I didn't. She hugged me and then fell on purpose."
Mother blinked. Looked at Lola. Looked at me.
Then she sighed and pulled Lola up with gentle hands.
"Lola, darling, be more careful, okay?" She brushed her daughter's hair back and kissed her forehead.
Lola smiled sweetly and leaned into her.
I stood there with a burning chest, wondering why lies came easier to her than breathing.
When I looked up, I caught sight of Damien standing in the corner of the hallway, arms crossed, unreadable expression locked on me.
Did he see what really happened?
Did he know Lola lied?
Or was he too busy pretending I didn't exist to care?
My heart thudded again when our eyes met for half a second. A flash—just a flicker—of something softer in his gaze.
Last night crashed into me again.
That almost-kiss.
That almost… everything.
Did he want me?
The same way I wanted him?
The thought made my stomach twist painfully.
But no.
I wasn't about to let him know he had any power over me.
Later, when everyone gathered for a second round of coffee and fruit, the mood was lighter—mostly because Mother was present.
"Tell me about school," she said brightly.
Finally, something I could talk about without combusting.
I straightened. "I'm doing well. I'll graduate next year."
Mother's face lit up. "I'm so proud of you."
Her approval always warmed me more than I admitted.
"Me too, Mommy," Lola cut in loudly. "I'm graduating next year as well."
Of course she was.
She tilted her head toward Damien and said in her sweetest voice, "I want to work with you in the company when I finish. I hope you'll take me in, Damien."
Without missing a beat, Damien said, "If that's what you want, I'll make it happen."
Lola practically glowed.
I looked away, forcing myself not to roll my eyes.
"What about you, Daisy?" Jallen asked with that fake-curious smirk. "Want to work in the family company, too?"
I shook my head politely. "No, thank you."
Lola's barely-hidden smirk made my blood heat.
Damien's jaw twitched.
"Why not, sweetheart?" Mother asked, a little hurt. "You'd be wonderful to have around."
"I just…" I took a small breath. "I want to work somewhere with new people. New rules. A place I can make my own path."
Silence. Then—
Mother beamed. "I love that. A woman with an independent spirit—what could be more beautiful?"
Lola glared daggers at me behind her smile.
I tried not to feel smug.
Failed.
Mother clapped her hands lightly. "It's decided then. Damien, drive us all to the beach. We're doing the cruise today. We'll spend the night on the boat."
A ripple of excitement ran through me.
Maybe the sea breeze would wash away the chaos in my head. Maybe being out in the open would make it easier to forget Damien's cold shoulder… and his warm breath on my lips last night.
When it was time to leave, I didn't hesitate.
"I'll ride with Mother," I said quickly.
Damien didn't look at me—not even once.
Good.
Let him stay distant.
It wouldn't hurt as much if I stopped expecting anything.
The drive wasn't long. The ocean stretched out endlessly, shimmering like a thousand diamonds. A luxury ship awaited us at the dock, white and elegant.
Rooms were assigned, one by one.
Mine…
right next to Damien's.
Of course.
Because the universe hated me.
I dropped my bag in my room, took a deep breath, and stepped back out—
just as Damien opened his door.
We froze.
My heart tripped over itself.
He stared at me like he was replaying last night too—the hallway, my breath, his hands, the almost-kiss that still lived between us like a ghost.
For a moment…
It felt like the world tilted again.
I swallowed.
He exhaled.
The door between us stayed open.
And neither of us moved.
To be continued…