Without a second thought, Damien swiftly made his way towards the room, his footsteps filled with urgency. Derek called out, seeking clarity, "Where are you going?"
"Stay here," Damien commanded, determination etched across his face as he dashed into the room, eyes set on the bathroom beyond.
He called out Lauren's name, his voice echoing through the empty space. Silence greeted him, causing worry to bloom within his heart. With a determined resolve, Damien cast aside his suit jacket, his hand tightly grasping the shower door handle. Just in time, he swung it open, revealing a sight that sent his heart pounding.
Lauren's body teetered on the edge, about to collapse onto the unforgiving tiles. Acting on pure instinct, Damien moved swiftly, catching her fragile form within his arms before the fall could claim her.
"I've got you," he whispered, his voice seeking solace amidst the chaos. Gently, he covered her nudity with one hand.
With determined strides, he carried her back to the room, settling her onto the soft expanse of the bed.
Derek's concern echoed through the room, his presence urgent as he hurried towards Lauren's bedside. With practiced precision, he retrieved his stethoscope, his experienced hands seeking reassurance in the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. Instinctively, he reached for the nearby switch, summoning a team of doctors and nurses to his side.
"Reestablish the IV drip and tend to the wound on her neck," Derek instructed, his voice calm but commanding. As the medical professionals sprang into action, Derek monitored her vital signs on the nearby monitor, finding peace in the stability displayed.
Vanessa's voice trembled with worry as she posed the question looming on everyone's mind. "Will she be alright?"
Derek turned to face her, a firm conviction in his eyes. "Yes, she will. Her vitals are stable, and she will regain consciousness soon." With a reassuring nod, he motioned for Damien to join him momentarily.
"I heard her heartbeat, she was hyperventilating just moments before I entered the bathroom. She nearly collapsed, and I could hear her mumbling the word 'mum' repeatedly," Damien explained, frustration coloring his words as he ran a hand wearily across his face.
"You tell me, you are the doctor, she was awake and fine just a moment ago, why is she collapsing now? Damien asked, irritation written all over his face.
Derek, ever the voice of reason, sought to allay Damien's concern. "Calm down. Her vitals are good, and she will wake in due time. But, my friend, you need to take a step back. Return to the company and cool off. I will reach out as soon as she awakens."
Damien stared at him with a mix of exasperation and annoyance as though he had spouted a pack of nonsense.
Venessa intervened, amidst the tense atmosphere. "Come Damien, You need to clear your mind. Come with me,. Let's return to the penthouse, and have a glass of Bourbon,. It will do you good."
Reluctantly, Damien tore his gaze away from the still form of Lauren, allowing Venessa to guide him away from the room.
Lauren's slumbered figure remained etched in his memory as he followed Venessa and Damon out of the room.
__________________________________________
Perched upon the sumptuous sofa within the lavish penthouse, Damien luxuriated in his relaxed posture, his legs elegantly crossed. Savoring the smooth taste of whiskey, he effortlessly swirled the glass in his hand while perusing the contents of his phone. Beside him, Venessa's fingers danced across the keyboard of her laptop, diligently scouring the extensive archives of witches for any trace of information regarding Lauren Turner.
Intermittently, Venessa would momentarily divert her attention from the screen, stealing a glance at the now composed Damien, who exuded an air of imperturbable grace. His demeanor, reminiscent of a Greek god, provoked a smile to tug at the corners of her lips.
"In all honesty, Damien, I never fathomed a day would arrive when a woman would capture your fancy. It seems almost miraculous, wouldn't you agree?" Her words enfolded a mischievous undertone as she playfully observed his reaction.
A hint of disbelief tinged Damien's response as he emitted a soft snort, followed by a deliberate sip of his drink. "Such notions seem far-fetched to me, Venessa. I assure you, the far reaches of love hold no sway over my heart."
Unwilling to relent, Venessa placed her laptop aside, her expression shifting to a more serious demeanor. Locking eyes with Damien, she articulated her thoughts with conviction. "Have you not noticed the way you gaze upon her? My dear brother, I am well acquainted with that look, and I can assure you that your care for her runs deep. Today, as you entered the room, a genuine laugh escaped your lips—a sound not heard since the day you took me under your wing. So, I stand by my earlier statement: you possess feelings for her."
The weight of Venessa's words held a profound impact upon Damien. His gaze traveled from the bottom of his glass to meet her unwavering eyes, contemplating the reality of her assertions. He reluctantly admitted, "Perhaps you speak with some truth, Venessa. But its never happening, vampires and witches dont mix"
Pausing to absorb his response, Venessa remained steadfast, her determination unyielding. "Love defies logic, Damien. It thrives within the recesses of the heart, transcending the boundaries of rational thought. Embrace it, for it possesses the power to transform even the most resolute of beings."
In the midst of their conversation, the weight of her words held a resonance he couldn't ignore. Deep within, an indescribable force tugged at his heart whenever he found himself in her presence. Yet, a nagging question persisted: what purpose could there be in pursuing something destined to never be?
Lost in contemplation, he rose from his seat and crossed the room with steady determination. Reaching the expansive floor-to-ceiling glass window that framed the sprawling cityscape, he gazed outward.
Delicately, he withdrew a solitary cigar from the pocket of his tailored suit, the mere act carrying a sense of ritual. The flame of the match illuminated his face as he ignited the end and inhaled, exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air.
In a soft, resolute voice, he spoke, "You are mistaken." His words hung in the air, lingering like a whisper against the backdrop of the city lights.
Beside him, Venessa sighed, her eyes briefly leaving her work before returning to the screen. She understood her role—to patiently wait for the opportune moment, reminding him that destiny cannot be eluded.
Venessa's face lit up with a triumphant smile. After a seemingly endless hour of searching, she had finally unearthed information on Veronica Benneth. Eager to share her findings, she exclaimed, "Ahh, I've got something on Veronica Benneth!"
Turning to face her, Damien's interest piqued. He wanted to know what Venessa had discovered about this enigmatic woman. "Let's have it, then," he replied, his gaze fixed on her.
With a sense of anticipation, Venessa informed him, "I've sent everything to your email, but here's the intriguing part: Veronica Benneth is not only the owner and founder of Verrenti wine company, the largest and most influential wine empire in the world, but she's also the priestess of all the witch covens in Europe."
As the name Verrenti rolled off Venessa's tongue, Damien couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Verrenti... Ah, that explains a lot," he mused. "So, that's why our proposal was rejected, even when we were the superior candidate."
Curiosity sparked within Venessa as she inquired, "Your company submitted a proposal? And with this information at Veronica's disposal, it's likely she knew you were the owner of Apex."
Damien nodded, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "Indeed, it appears the animosity between us still lingers. But tell me, what have you found regarding Lauren's mother? That's what matters most to me now. We'll deal with her aunt later."
Drawing from the archives, Venessa relayed the knowledge she had uncovered. "According to the information I found, Lauren's mother tragically lost her life in a ghastly motor accident. However, the details surrounding the accident remain absent from the records."
Contemplating the significance of the revelation, Damien fell into a pensive silence. Venessa, unable to stifle her curiosity, posed an intriguing question. "Do you think Lauren's father is aware of her family history?"
Damien remained deep in thought, his gaze drifting to his wristwatch. Frowning, he wondered why Derek, hadn't contacted him yet. Was she still yet unconscious , or were there other factors at play?