Chapter Two
1150 Words
Damian
The chandelier above the grand dining table glowed like a thousand trapped stars, casting a golden hue over the polished marble floors. Across from me, my mother sat, poised as ever in her wheelchair, delicately cutting into a piece of toast, as if we weren’t having the same argument we had every year before this charity gala.
“You should stay home and rest,” I said, swirling my black coffee, my voice even and hard.
“There’s no need for you to exhaust yourself with these events.”
My mother, Eleanor Blackwood, a woman of unshakable grace and stubborn resilience, merely smiled as she took a sip of her tea.
“Damian, I’m not fragile porcelain. The gala is important, and as always, I will be there.”
I exhaled through my nose. “Mother…”
She lifted a polished finger. “No arguments, my dear. Not only am I there to support you, but Olivia will be in attendance. You know how much she still cares for you, honey.”
I clenched my jaw, my grip on the coffee cup tightening. Olivia. The last thing I wanted was to deal with her scheming presence tonight.
“I have nothing to say to Olivia.”
“Nonsense, you have a lot to say to her Damian, she's your girlfriend.”
“Ex-girlfriend,” I replied sharply with a frown crowning my forehead.
Mother gave me a knowing look. “Then be civil. That’s all I ask.”
I pushed back my chair, standing. “Fine. But don’t overexert yourself.”
“Of course, darling.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement as if she had already won the battle.
We were still dining when Theo knocked gently on the door and came in with a broad smile.
“How’s my favorite Aunt doing?” He asked as he swiftly bent and kissed her on her cheek.
“I’m doing just fine darling, how are you? for dinner.”
“I’m doing great Aunty and I'm in the right spirits for this lovely evening,” Theo said beaming.
I eyed him wishing for nothing more than to wipe that smug grin off his face.
“How’s your dad doing Theo? It’s been a while since we got together for our brunch. Sit and join us for dinner why do you tell me about his well-being.”
“The old man is doing just fine. He sends my regards to you.”
My mom nodded in acceptance and made a promise to call him.
I rolled my eyes at this because I never really liked Theo’s father and also because we didn't have much time before we left for the gala.
“Theo just grab an apple and be on your way, we don't have any time for your jokes today,” I remarked grimly.
“Whatever you say Mr Grumpy, you're no fun,” Theo said as he pouted in mock innocence.
Moments later, we were in the car, the luxurious interior silent except for the soft hum of the engine. The city lights blurred past us as my driver maneuvered through the congested streets.
“We’re running behind schedule,” the driver informed us. “There’s a traffic jam up ahead.”
“Take an alternate route,” I instructed, checking my watch, I hated being late for my event.
The car veered into a quieter street, and that’s when my mother suddenly straightened in her seat. “Stop the car.”
The driver hesitated, glancing at me. I followed her gaze and saw what had caught her attention. It was a girl, cornered in an alley by a man whose stance oozed aggression.
A muscle ticked in my jaw. I had no interest in playing hero tonight.
“Damian, go help her.”
I sighed stroking my chin in frustration. “She’s not our concern, Mother.”
She gave me a sharp look, one that reminded me she was still my mother and I had to listen, despite my billion-dollar empire. “Damian Alexander Blackwood, I did not raise you to turn a blind eye to a woman in distress.”
I rubbed a hand down my face before pushing the car door open. “Stay here.”
The night air was crisp as I stepped onto the pavement. The girl small, delicate, yet with a fierceness in her stance tried to pry her wrist from the man’s grip. Her brown eyes blazed with defiance, but fear flickered beneath the surface.
“Let her go you creep.”
My voice was calm, but the underlying steel in my tone made the man freeze.
The man eyed me warily, then scoffed. “This isn’t your business, rich boy.”
I took a slow step forward. “It is now.”
For a moment, he held his ground, his lip curling in defiance. But then his gaze flickered toward the sleek black car parked a few feet away, my mother’s piercing eyes watching from inside.
He let go of the girl with a sneer, his expression twisting with venom. “So you have a new lover now? You cheap slut.”
Her breath hitched, but she held her head high.
The man took a step back, but his grin remained. “Watch your back, Aurora. I’m coming for you.”
Then he turned and disappeared into the shadows.
The girl Aurora stood frozen, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She was still shaken.
I glanced at her once, noting the way she swallowed hard, the way her hands trembled.
“You okay?”
Her eyes snapped to mine, startled. She blinked, as if suddenly realizing I was still standing there. “I—yeah. I mean… thank you.”
I nodded once, impassive.
Then, without another word, I turned and walked back to the car.
I had done what my mother asked. That was all.
“Wait!” Her voice carried after me, but I didn’t stop.
By the time the girl spun around to thank her rescuer, I was already gone.
She stood there, eyes darting around the empty street, confusion clear on her face.
“Huh? But he was just here.”
I heard her whisper it as I shut the car door.
Then, to my surprise, she cupped her hands around her mouth and called out into the quiet night, “Well, thank you, kind stranger! I really appreciate it!”
Something about the sincerity in her voice made my mother smile. “What a sweet girl.”
I merely adjusted my cufflinks. “Drive.”
The car pulled away, leaving her behind.
But for some reason, as we rejoined the main road, my mind kept replaying the image of her—standing alone under the streetlight, breathless and afraid, her voice carrying through the cold night air.
Brave. Breathless. Beautiful.
And that, in itself, was… unsettling.
- Writer
