FATED TO YOU, MR DAMON

Chapter Three

ELENA’S POV



“Done. There you go,” Adele said, handing me the mirror.

I glanced at my reflection—

And froze.

“Adele… this is too much for a dinner meeting.”

She rolled her eyes, stepping closer to fix a strand of my hair. “Relax. It’s perfect. You’re meeting important people, not grabbing coffee.”

I let out a small laugh, but my fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the table.

Important people.

Right.

“Elena,” she continued, stepping back to admire her work, “your boss taking you to a meeting like this… doesn’t that scream promotion? Or at least a raise?”

“Maybe,” I said, a small smile forming. “Everyone seemed impressed with my presentation today.”

“Exactly!” she clapped lightly. “I can already see it—you, signing documents for your new house.”

The thought made my chest warm.

A house.

A future.

Something stable.

Before I could say anything else, my phone lit up.

Alex calling… (video)

My expression softened instantly as I answered.

“Hi, my love,” I said, waving slightly.

“Hey, babe,” Alex smiled. “You look… dressed up. Going somewhere?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “My boss invited me to a meeting tonight. Honestly, I think I might finally get a bonus this year.”

“That’s great,” he said warmly. “I stepped out of the conference just to talk to you. The time difference here is crazy.”

“I know,” I sighed. “When are you coming back? I miss you.”

“Miss you more,” he said softly. “But I still have a few conferences left.”

I nodded, trying not to let the disappointment show.

“Take care of yourself, okay?”

“Always,” he smiled. “So how’s the LULU project?”

My face lit up instantly. “It’s going really well. I can feel it—something big is coming. Even my team leader hinted at a promotion.”

“That’s my girl,” he chuckled. “Once you get that bonus, we’ll combine it with what I have and finally pay for the house.”

“Okay, babe.”

“I have to go now.”

“Love you.”

“Love you more.”

The call ended.

And for a moment… I just stared at my screen, smiling.

Everything felt so certain.

So planned.

So safe.

***

“Have you been waiting long?”

I looked up to see Daniella already seated in the car.

“No, ma’am,” I said quickly, getting in.

The car pulled away smoothly.

“Elena, you’ve been working at HTC for three years now, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“It must be difficult working on LULU.”

I shook my head. “Not really. I enjoy it. It makes me feel… accomplished.”

She studied me briefly, then nodded.

“I’ve noticed your effort. HTC rewards dedication. Just keep doing your best.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She leaned back slightly.

“Tonight’s meeting is important. We’re meeting members of the board from Damon Group—our major investors.”

My heartbeat shifted.

Damon Group.

“Ace, the CEO, is my childhood friend,” she added casually. “But even with that, business is business. We still need to convince the board.”

My fingers tightened subtly around my bag.

“As the product engineer, you understand LULU better than anyone,” she continued. “So I need you to present confidently. Be ready for anything.”

“I understand, ma’am.”

“If this goes well…” she paused, glancing at me, “I’ll double your bonus.”

My breath caught.

Double?

Excitement surged through me, sharp and sudden.

“Don’t worry, ma’am,” I said quickly. “I won’t disappoint you.”

The car came to a stop.

And the moment I stepped out—

I froze.

The restaurant wasn’t just luxurious.

It was… intimidating.

Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over polished marble floors. Soft music drifted through the air, blending with quiet, refined conversations. Everything felt expensive.

Controlled.

Powerful.

Like a place where decisions were made… and lives were changed.

A waiter approached immediately.

“Miss Daniella,” he said politely. “Please follow me. Mr. Damon is waiting.”

My heart skipped.

Ace.

How did I forget?

With every step I took, my pulse grew louder.

Faster.

The waiter stopped at a private booth and pushed the door open.

We stepped inside.

Five men sat around the table, deep in discussion.

And at the head—

Him.

Ace Damon.

The world seemed to narrow instantly.

Our eyes met.

And just like before—

Everything else disappeared.

The room.

The voices.

Even my own thoughts.

Just him.

My heart pounded, loud and uncontrollable.

Why does this keep happening…?

“Elena,” Daniella’s voice broke through, “Ace, we’re here.”

And just like that—

He looked away.

Cold.

Distant.

As if that moment—

Meant nothing at all.