CHAPTER NINE — THE RIDE HOME
1245 Words
But Clara pressed on, ignoring him. “Since you’re… new, Chloe, perhaps you don’t realize how important family traditions are to the Sterlings. Arrangements aren’t made lightly.”
Chloe turned her head fully, smiling sweetly. “Oh, I realize. But traditions are only as strong as the people keeping them. And Damien doesn’t strike me as someone who lets others make his decisions for him.”
Clara’s eyes sharpened, her tone dipping in politeness. “You assume to know him well, after what? A few weeks? Some women mistake proximity for intimacy.”
Chloe’s smirk widened just slightly. “And some women mistake arrangements for affection.”
Damien exhaled, rubbing his temple. “I said enough.”
Neither woman looked at him.
Clara leaned forward slightly, her voice tightening. “Let’s be clear. Whatever you think you have with Damien, it won’t last. Families like his don’t bend for outsiders.”
Chloe leaned back against the leather seat, unruffled, her voice calm but sharp as glass. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not here for the family. I’m here for Damien.”
That struck home. Clara’s lips pressed into a thin line, her composure cracking for just a second.
Damien growled under his breath, the tension clawing at him. “This is ridiculous.”
But Chloe only smiled, turning her gaze deliberately toward Clara, her voice dripping with soft finality: “And yet… I’m the one sitting next to him.”
The silence that followed was brutal. Clara’s face stiffened, and Damien’s patience snapped. “That’s it. Not another word. Both of you.”
The car fell into sullen quiet after that, but the damage was done.
The rest of the ride to Clara’s apartment was mercifully silent, though the tension was thick enough to choke.
The car rolled to a smooth stop outside Clara’s luxury apartment complex, its glass windows glittering under the streetlights.
Clara gathered her things slowly, every movement deliberate. She turned to Damien with that same practiced smile. “Thank you again, Damien. I’ll see you Friday.”
He didn’t bother replying beyond a stiff nod.Her gaze slid to Chloe one last time, cool and assessing. “Good night, Chloe.”
Chloe’s answering smile was dazzling, all teeth and hidden knives. “Good night, Clara.”
Clara stepped out, her heels clicking smartly against the pavement as the driver shut the door behind her. The car pulled away, leaving the night to swallow her elegant figure.
The car pulled away from Clara’s building, leaving silence in its wake. Chloe sat with serene composure, watching the blur of city lights beyond the window.
Damien, however, was anything but calm.He finally turned, his voice low but edged with restrained fury.
“Why did you come?”Chloe arched a brow, as if the question amused her. “Because I had to be there.”
“That’s not what I meant.” His eyes burned into her profile. “You rejected my proposal. You said you wouldn’t pretend. And then tonight you show up, calling yourself my girlfriend in front of my entire family. Why?”
Chloe tilted her head, lips curving faintly. “Because you needed me.”Damien let out a harsh laugh. “I don’t need anyone.”“Of course you do,” she replied smoothly, her gaze sliding to him.
“You just don’t like admitting it.”His jaw clenched. “Don’t twist this, Chloe. You humiliated me.”“No,” she said softly, leaning back against the leather seat. “I protected you. Clara was about to be paraded in as your perfect match, and you were seconds away from being trapped. I simply… redirected the spotlight.”
“You blindsided me.”
“You hesitated,” she countered. “If you really didn’t want me there, you could’ve denied it. One word, Damien. But you didn’t say it.”
His lips parted, but no sound came. She was right — and it infuriated him.Chloe’s smile deepened, sharp but quiet. “You let me stay because some part of you knew I was the only one in that room actually on your side.”
Damien turned away, glaring out at the city lights streaking past. His voice was low, dangerous. “This isn’t a game, Chloe.”“Neither is your family,” she murmured, her tone suddenly softer. “They’ll eat you alive if you let them. Maybe that’s why I came.”
That silenced him more effectively than any barb.For a long moment, the car was filled only with the hum of the engine.
Then Chloe exhaled lightly, as though the heaviness meant nothing to her. “Besides…” She glanced at him, her eyes glinting with mischief again. “You make a very convincing boyfriend. Why waste the role?”
Damien’s hands curled into fists on his knees, his entire body taut with frustration — and something he refused to name.“You’re going to regret this,” he muttered.Chloe smiled faintly, eyes on the glowing hotel ahead as the car slowed to a stop. “Maybe. But not tonight.”
Chloe’s eyes narrowed faintly, but her voice stayed smooth. “And are you going?”
“What do you mean?”
“The Friday plan?”
“Oh, If I don’t, they’ll think I’m hiding something.”
She turned away again, lips pressed into a thinned line.
“And what exactly would you be hiding, Damien?”He didn't answer right away.
“Nothing,” he said finally “But let’s just say dodging my mother’s suspicion is harder than dodging paparazzi.”
Chloe gave a small scoff. “How charming.”Another pause.
Then Damien added, “There’s a company charity gala next week. Everyone will be there –shareholders, board members… and more of my family.”
She looked back at him slowly. “Let me guess. You need your fake girlfriend to make an appearance.”Chloe leaned back in her seat, her expression cool. “Fine. I’ll be there. Just don’t expect me to hold your hand through it.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”She smirked. “Good."
The rest of the drive passed in thick silence—no argument, no smirks, just the low purr of the engine and the flickering lights painting gold streaks across the windshield.
The car pulled up smoothly in front of Sterling Royale Hotel. The driver stepped out, opening the door.
Chloe slid out first, heels clicking against the marble entrance. Damien followed a moment later, his expression dark.Inside, the lobby glowed with warm lights and hushed luxury. Guests lingered near the lounge, quiet music drifting from the bar.
At the elevators, Chloe pressed the button with calm poise. Damien stood beside her, silent, his shoulders tense.
Finally, she spoke, her tone maddeningly light. “You brood too much. It gives you wrinkles.”He cut her a glare. “You talk too much.”The elevator chimed. Chloe stepped inside, turning back just enough to give him a small, teasing smile. “And yet you still listen.”
The elevator pinged as it reached her floor. The door parted with a soft whoosh.Chloe stepped out, then turned slightly to look back at him. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Sterling.”Damien’s gaze met hers. “Goodnight, De Luca.”
Her heels echoed softly down the hallway as she walked away, the doors sliding closed between them.
- Writer
