Chapter Four: The Dinner
878 Words
One dress. One look. And nothing will be the same after tonight.
When Damien’s text came in the morning, it was brief and direct, just like him: “Black-tie dinner. 8PM. You’re coming with me. Wear something appropriate. Car will pick you up at 7:30.”
Elena read the message twice. It wasn’t phrased like a question. She stared at her closet in horror. Appropriate? For a billionaire gala? The most expensive thing she owned was a secondhand wrap dress that barely zipped. Her best friend Mia came to the rescue, dragging a garment bag into their apartment that afternoon like a fairy godmother with attitude.
“This dress cost more than my rent. You’re lucky I love you. Don’t get anything on it.”
Elena unzipped the bag and gasped. Silk. Black. Backless. Hugging in all the right places and dipping just low enough in front to be scandalous without being obvious.
“I can’t wear this.”
“You have to wear this,” Mia insisted. “Make him sweat. Or better yet, make him fall.”
At exactly 7:30, the car arrived. She stepped out of the apartment building, clutching her tiny purse with trembling fingers. The driver opened the back door. Damien sat inside, scrolling through his phone. When he looked up, everything changed. His hand froze mid-scroll. His gaze moved slowly, painfully from her heels, up her legs, lingering on the curve of her hips and the way the dress clung to her waist. When their eyes met, the air in the car seemed to vanish.
“Elena,” he said, voice low. “You look…”
He didn’t finish the sentence. She slid in beside him, pretending not to notice the way his eyes darkened.
“You said appropriate,” she replied, feigning calm. “Was this… not what you meant?”
“I meant exactly this.”
The gala was held at the rooftop ballroom of the St. Vincent, one of the most exclusive hotels in Manhattan. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and a live orchestra played in the background.
But Damien didn’t look at the chandeliers. He didn’t look at the guests. He only looked at her, Stealing glances at her at every given opportunity. They mingled. He introduced her as his assistant. She smiled and charmed his clients. Her confidence bloomed in the expensive air around them. But every time his fingers brushed the small of her back to guide her through a crowd, her skin lit on fire. And every time she laughed at something too close to his ear, he went still for just a second too long. Halfway through the night, Veronica arrived. In crimson. With claws.
“Oh look,” she cooed, glass of champagne in hand, “the accessory of the month.”
Elena’s smile didn’t waver. “You must be exhausted, Veronica.”
The woman blinked. “From what?”
“Carrying that much insecurity on your heels.”
Damien almost laughed. Almost. But his hand pressed a little more firmly to Elena’s back, anchoring her.
“You look… good, Damien,” Veronica said pointedly, touching his arm. “It’s been too long.”
“Not long enough,” he replied coolly.
“You’re not really bringing your assistant as a date, are you?”
Before Elena could react, Damien turned slightly toward her, his voice smooth as sin.
“She’s not my date,” he said. Pause and then continued “She’s my temptation.” Elena’s breath caught. Her stomach flipped. Veronica blinked. For once, speechless.
An hour later, they were outside on the balcony, overlooking the city lights. The air was cooler. Quieter. Just the two of them.
“You didn’t have to say that,” Elena said softly, clutching the railing.
“I didn’t mean to.”
She turned to face him. He was close again. Always too close.
“I don’t like games,” she whispered.
“Neither do I.” paused before continuing. "wondering who Veronica is to me?" he continued without waiting for a reply, "she is my sister."
"what," Elena gasped. "but she clearly loves you, not as a brother.... as.." she said still bewildered.
"I know about her feeling Elena. Although we are not related by blood she is still a little sister to me."
"hold on" a pause. "you are trying to use me to stop your sister's feelings." Elena said in realization.
He stepped forward, his hand rising to gently push a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers grazed her jaw.
“you can say as a compensation for letting you have the job”
Their faces were inches apart now. Her lips parted, heart racing.
"why else did you think I hired you." he murmur for just the two of them to hear
“Does that mean I have the job now.”
And just when their mouths were about to meet, a voice cut through the air behind them.
“There you two are. The car is ready.”
A staff member. Unaware he’d just interrupted a moment teetering on the edge. Damien exhaled, jaw tight. “Let’s go,” he said, voice low. But Elena saw the look in his eyes. The next time, he wouldn’t stop.
- Writer
