The night stretched on, so long and restless. Elena couldn't sleep; the meaning of the phone call kept playing in her head. Damian's declaration of knowing everything swam in her head.
She lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling of her room filled with moonlight. Trying to sleep wasn't working. She might as well keep them open; every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was Damian. He has lodged himself in her head, and no matter how hard she tries to get rid of him, he doesn't leave.
But what troubled her most was not the real fear, but the pull. Even so, a part of her wanted to see him again.
Her cellphone buzzed on the nightstand and her heart leapt. She grabbed it, hoping it was Damian again. But it was just a notification of her bookstore app about the orders she needed to prepare for in the morning.
She breathed out shakily, scolding herself for hoping so dearly it was him. What's the matter with me? she thought. This isn't normal.
The phone buzzed again as soon as she put it down. But this time, it was him.
Damian: "You not sleeping, no, little bird?"
The text message made her fingers tremble. How did he know?
Elena: How can I sleep after tonight? My life is completely upside down because of you.
The response was immediate.
Damian: Good. You are thinking of me as much as I am thinking about you.
Gina's heart raced, and she hated how he made her feel that way. She thought about replying, but before she could, her phone buzzed again.
Damian: Open the window.
Her breath hitched; she cast an eye toward the small window across the room. Her heart was beating harder.
Elena: Are you outside?
There was no answer, just silence. I felt like someone was watching me now Despite knowing she shouldn't, she got out of bed and tiptoed to the window.
When she closed the curtain her breath caught.
Damian stood on the sidewalk below, under the streetlamp. Damian's hands were in his coat pockets. His hair looked windswept but his suit in place. Even from afar, his gaze captured hers, filled with so much heat that it made her tremble.
Why are you here?"she whispered" she was aware he could not hear her
Her phone buzzed again.
Damian: Come down.
She shook her head and said no with her lips. Damian just smirked, as though he knew she would resist.
A little bird can make it difficult if he wants, Damian. I'll stay up all night if I have to.
Perry's eyes narrowed as she gripped the phone tightly. She has no desire to go down there. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction. But the longer she stared at him, she realized that she was dealing with a man who doesn't take No for an answer.
Giving up, a coat on, she walked out of her apartment.
The air was fresh and cold when Damian smirked as she came to him. "You are crazy," she said, folding the arms across her chest. "I may be," Damian said, sounding calm. But it made you come down, didn't it?What are you trying to achieve, Damian?She requested that with obvious annoyance. "It's the middle of the night and I—" She broke off as he stepped closer and brought his hand to her chin. He gently stroked her skin, causing her heart to race and the air around them to crackle with electricity. "I wanted to see you," he replied, his voice low and intense. "You couldn't have waited until morning?"i asked, my voice trembling no" he said, his tone leaving there no room for argument. When I want something I just take it. "I don't wait," he said. She shivered, both scared and excited. "You can't just… show up like this," she said, her voice breaking a bit. "Why not?"He questioned with a slightly tilted head. "You're mine, Elena. You might not know it, but you're mine." The possessiveness in his voice was suffocating but it was hard for her to pull away from him. "You can't go saying things like that," she said with barely a whisper, already staring to crumble. "Why not?"he repeated, a threat and ferocity evident on his lips." "It is the truth" The world seem to stop for a moment. The street around them faded away until it was just the two of them. "You're impossible," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. "And you're irresistible," he replied, his hand dropping to his side. The intensity of his gaze softened just a bit, and for a moment, Elena was certain she saw the flicker of vulnerability. But it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared to be replaced by the dark, commanding persona she had associated with him entirely much earlier in the conversation. "Go back inside, little bird," he said, stepping back. "But know this—I'll always be watching." After finishing up his sentence, he turned back and vanished.