Author's pov
Aria turned slowly, her expression unreadable as she studied him with a piercing gaze. His features were sharp, chiseled, and the intensity in his eyes seemed to strip her of any pretense. Oh god, she thought, feeling a sudden rush of nervousness. He's so handsome. Why was I wasting time with… that ugly duckling?
A ghost of a smirk appeared on Damien's face, a subtle lift of his lips that made him look both amused and dangerous. "You're drooling, Ms. Aria."
Aria wiped her mouth unconsciously, her hand brushing against her lips before she realized there was nothing there. She froze, feeling the heat of embarrassment rise as she looked up at Damien, only to find him smirking.
A slight thrill coursed through her, but she tried to hide it. He was teasing her, that much was clear from the amused glint in his eyes. What's wrong with you, Aria? You're making it obvious. Get a grip, she scolded herself internally, struggling to steady her nerves and not give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.
"Why don't you take a picture?" Damien's deep voice broke the silence, laced with sarcasm. "It'll last longer."
Aria's cheeks flushed, and her embarrassment quickly turned to frustration. I take back every single nice thought I've ever had about him. He's nothing but a narcissistic, egoistic bastard, she thought, crossing her arms in a weak attempt to shield herself from his intense gaze.
She was still caught in a daze, lost in a tangle of emotions she couldn't quite understand. Something about him made it impossible to look away, to steady herself and focus. Her mind spun with both attraction and irritation, an uncomfortable mix that left her frozen in her seat.
"Aria."
The sound of her name brought her back, grounding her in the present moment. His voice was cold and unyielding, making it clear he had no patience for hesitation. "I don't have all day for you, Ms. Aria," he said, his tone as frosty as his expression. "If you have nothing to say, you may leave."
The firmness in his voice jolted her, and she knew he was watching her every move, waiting to see if she'd actually pull herself together. He's the only one who can help you, Aria. Don't be scared—just talk it out.
She straightened slightly, taking a deep breath. "No, no, I have… I have a very important matter to discuss with you." Her voice wavered, but she fought to keep her confidence steady. "I promise I won't waste your time, Mr. Blackwood."
He looked at her, his gaze piercing but unreadable, as if assessing whether she was actually worth his time. After a moment, he gave a short nod and gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Take your seat."
As he settled into his chair, Aria made her way over, trying to maintain some composure. She couldn't shake the feeling of being under a spotlight, his eyes tracking her every movement. She swallowed and sat down, folding her hands in her lap to keep them from trembling.
"So," he began, his voice deep and unhurried. "What made you come looking for me? And so early—alone, no less." His tone was laced with curiosity, though his expression remained cold and unreadable.
Aria opened her mouth to speak, but the words tangled in her throat. "It's just that… it's…" She stammered, her usual confidence nowhere to be found. She could feel herself unraveling under his intense gaze, nerves skittering out of control.
Damien's brows knitted slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face as he took in her hesitation. What's making her so nervous? he wondered, observing her with growing curiosity. He couldn't quite understand why she was fumbling for words, especially given the usual ease with which she spoke.
"Yes, I'm listening," he prompted, his tone even, his face an emotionless mask.
Aria felt her throat tighten again, her anxiety creeping back up. Why is this so difficult? she thought, frustrated with herself. Damien was watching her closely, waiting for her to speak, and yet she felt like she was grasping at straws, unable to find the right words. She looked down, fidgeting with her fingers, hoping the brief pause might give her enough time to gather her thoughts.
She reminded herself of the reason she had come, forcing herself to steady her breathing. Just say it, Aria. You've practiced this in your mind a thousand times. But under his gaze, all her mental rehearsals vanished, leaving her feeling as vulnerable as ever.
Damien's patience was starting to wane, though he hid it well behind his impassive expression. He couldn't quite understand her hesitation. There was something about her demeanor, the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, that piqued his curiosity.
After what felt like an eternity, Aria finally managed to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I don't know where to start."
A trace of impatience flickered in Damien's eyes, though he kept his voice steady. "Then start from the beginning. Do you want money?"
His words jolted her back to reality, and she felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. She cleared her throat, quickly looking away. "I… I'm sorry," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. "That's not why I'm here."
"Then why are you here?" His voice was calm, controlled, and there was something in his gaze that made it clear he wasn't someone to waste time.
Taking a deep breath, Aria met his gaze, her mind fixed on the betrayal that had brought her to his office. Her voice steady and resolved, she replied, "I need your help."
Her nervousness and desperation were visible to Damien but he maintained his demeanour.
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