Taking a deep breath, Lauren endeavored to reclaim her composure, steadying the whirlwind of emotions that had enveloped her. Turning towards Damien, who sat beside her, she locked eyes with him, her gaze firm.
"You can't simply go around kissing people without their consent," she was annoyed at the kiss, but more so at herself for kissing him back.
His eyes, soft and penetrating, met hers, captivating her in their depths. The vibrant green hue, vivid against the backdrop of her flushed skin, momentarily threatened to consume him.
This was a woman who could make him forget-- about his vampire nature, about his past, about honor. This was a woman, he realized, could make him weak on his knees for just one kind word.
"Damien, are you even listening?" she waved her hand in front of his face. Reacting swiftly, he caught her hand, bringing it tenderly to his lips and pressing a kiss upon it. Her initial shock swiftly transformed into a withdrawal, causing him to chuckle.
Arching an eyebrow, he regarded her with amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Well, exactly, I don't go about kissing people," he remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he playfully teased her.
"Excuse me?" she huffed, her frustration palpable.
"In my defense," he continued, his voice laced with mirth, "you kissed me back, and quite skillfully, I might add." He chuckled, a melodic sound that echoed through the air, before rising to his feet.
Her irritation evident, she huffed and puffed, questioning his audacity.
"How dare you?" she exclaimed, her face adorned with a mixture of astonishment and indignation.
"Answering that question isn't so simple unless you specify. If you're referring to why I dared to kiss you, let me confess that it was merely a matter of 'when.' It's something I've wanted to do ever since we met at LUX," he revealed, a captivating smile adorning his face as he extended his hand to help her up from the floor.
A rush of warmth ignited within her, as her gaze inadvertently glanced up towards his lips. Before she could gather her thoughts, his playful voice broke the momentary trance. "Well, are you planning to stay there all day? The president is waiting," he chuckled, taking note of the dazed expression in her eyes.
Contemplating his outstretched hand, she hesitated, wary of what hidden intentions might lay beneath his charming facade. She got to her feet by herself and left, while he followed behind chuckling.
She mentally scolded herself for succumbing to his allure once again. As they exited the mansion and entered his Rolls-Royce, she made the decision to distance herself from him after today, eager to maintain a distance, uncertain of what unknown depths he might possess.
His mere presence always stirred something within her that she had never experienced before. An invisible force seemed to tug at her heartstrings, pulling her closer to him.
These unyielding feelings never failed to evoke a flurry of butterflies in her stomach, leaving her stubborn heart yearning for respite.
Despite the magnetic pull between them, she resolved to quell these emotions before they spiraled out of control.
She couldn't bear another heartbreak, and from his demeanor, he didn't strike her as a believer in love. So, she would purposefully ignore these feelings, urging her heart to find solace in detachment.
Her first step would be to avoid any further encounters with him; only then could she hope for her heart to regain its senses.
Sighing, she rested her head against the car window, seeking a moment of respite while the world whirled by outside.
Engrossed in her thoughts, Lauren was momentarily jolted back to the present by the vibrating sensation of her phone, signaling an incoming call. Glancing down, she noted that it was her Aunt Veronica. A smile spread across her face as she answered the call.
"Aunt Veronica, how are you?" she greeted warmly, her voice laced with genuine affection.
"I'm quite well, my darling. How about you?" Aunt Veronica inquired, returning the warmth in her tone.
"I'm doing very well, Aunt," Lauren replied, a touch of pride resonating in her words.
"Congratulations, my dear! I've heard through Charis Clinton that you'll be receiving a prestigious presidential award in honor of your remarkable heroics during your last mission," Veronica Benneth announced with evident joy in her voice.
A mixture of surprise and curiosity prompted Lauren's next question. "You know Madam President?" she blurted out involuntarily, instantly regretting her words. Given the research she did on her aunt, she shouldn't have been surprised about her aunts vast connections
Amused by the inquiry, Aunt Veronica chuckled. Lauren couldn't help but palm her face, gently chiding herself for even asking such question
"Well, you see, she was my childhood friend before she ascended to the presidency," her aunt revealed nonchalantly, as if it were a casual acquaintance.
"I see," Lauren responded, her surprise giving way to a sense of understanding and awe. The world was full of hidden connections and shared histories that fascinated her.
Before ending the call, Aunt Veronica imparted further information.
"I'll arrange for a chauffeur to pick you up when you're done. Everyone is eagerly looking forward to meeting you. Congratulations once again!" Her aunt's voice brimmed with genuine excitement before she bid farewell.
Lauren returned to her contemplative state as the journey to the White House commenced. Her mind drifted, lost in the realm of her thoughts, as anticipation swirled around her.
Damien couldn't help staring at her through the corner of his eyes, she was unusually silent, not that she was a chatter box, but he somehow feel that something was off. How much he wished he could read her mind and know what's she thinking.
He wanted to ask her if something was wrong but rather thought against it. She will talk if she wants to.
After several checks at the checkpoints inside the president villa, they finally arrived at the Whitehouse.
Escorted into the building by the President's secretary, the two walked in with their sheer beauty and elegance turning heads.
They were taken through longs hallways and several doors before finally arriving at the President's study.
"The President will be with you shortly" The secretary said and left.
Lauren fumbled with her phone, desperate to fill the uncomfortable silence that hung between them.
Meanwhile, Damien rose from his seat, perusing the books lined upon the shelf. Settling back down, he flipped open a book, only to quickly close it again.
Observing her, just a few inches away, he resolved to address the undeniable tension that loomed over them.
"I sincerely apologize for overstepping my boundaries and kissing you without your consent," he spoke calmly, his gaze fixed upon her.
Hoping to alleviate her unease, he aimed to convey a sense of understanding and earnestness, for he had noticed her unease since they left her mansion.
His confession caught her off guard, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within her heart yet again. She stared back at him, undeterred, her eyes reflecting the intensity of her emotions. "But are you truly sorry?" she challenged, her gaze unwavering.
"I am not sorry for having kissed you. If I could rewind time, I would repeat that very act again" he declared matter-of-factly, unapologetic.
Her breath hitched in response, the walls she had painstakingly constructed around her heart crumbling as tension punctuated the room.