MY SAVING DOOM

CRAVING TROUBLE

The bathroom mirror still held my reflection hostage. Pale skin, tangled hair, lips too tender, and that silver mark on my wrist pulsing like a brand I couldn’t erase. For one terrifying moment, I swore I felt him there — Damian’s presence pressing against me, unseen but overwhelming.

But when I blinked, the air was empty. My apartment was just my apartment again. No storm-eyed god lurking in the shadows.

I shook it off. I had to. I had work. Rent didn’t pay itself, and neither did groceries.

By the time I stumbled into the office, I was already half an hour late. My heart pounded as I slid past the reception desk, bracing for my boss’s voice booming across the floor. But the desk was empty.

No boss. No scolding. Just blessed silence.

I almost collapsed with relief. “Thank you, universe,” I whispered under my breath.

By the time I slid behind the counter, my nerves were strung so tight I thought I’d snap. At least my boss wasn’t around to add to it. Small mercies.

“Wow,” Claire drawled, strolling over with her mug in hand. She perched against the counter like she owned the place, eyes twinkling. “Look who finally showed up. You look like death, babe. Rough night?”

“You could say that.” I pulled the register open and started pretending to check receipts just to avoid her stare.

Claire leaned closer, smirking. “Spill. You hooked up, didn’t you?”

I groaned, dropping my head into my hands. “Why do I even talk to you?”

“Because I’m fabulous and I keep your boring life interesting.” She nudged my arm playfully. “So… tell me. Was he hot?”

Hot. That word didn’t even begin to cover Damian. He wasn’t just hot — he was dangerous, like fire in human skin. Every memory of him left me shaky and off-balance.

I forced a half-smile. “Complicated.”

Claire’s grin widened. “Oh, complicated? That’s code for mind-blowing. Don’t lie to me, I can smell it. Who is he? Where’d you meet him?”

I bit my lip. “Trust me, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.” She took a long sip of coffee, eyes daring me.

Before I could answer, a man approached the counter, tapping his fingers impatiently.

“Uh, hi. Can I get this processed?” He shoved a stack of papers toward me.

“Sure,” I said quickly, forcing a professional smile. “Give me one minute.”

I typed in the details, handed him back his receipt, and he left without another word.

As soon as he was gone, Claire pounced. “So? Mystery guy? Don’t you dare leave me hanging.”

I sighed, rubbing at my temples. “It’s not… normal. I shouldn’t even be thinking about him.”

Claire tilted her head, studying me. Then her grin turned wicked. “Oh my God. You fell hard, didn’t you? That explains the dark circles and the way you’re practically glowing. Girl, you’ve got it bad.”

“I don’t—”

“You do.” She cut me off with a laugh. “But don’t worry. I have a solution. Rebound. Let me set you up with someone. My cousin’s friend is single, he’s tall, works construction, abs for days. Exactly what you need to clear your head.”

I choked on a laugh. “Claire—”

“No, listen! It’s foolproof. The best way to get over a guy is to get under another one.” She winked dramatically.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re in denial,” she shot back, sipping her coffee like it was gospel. “So let me help you. When’s the last time you went on a proper date anyway?”

Before I could answer, a woman appeared at the counter with a complaint. I plastered on another customer-service smile, sorted her issue, and sent her on her way.

Claire was still waiting when I turned back, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.

I sighed. “I can’t. It’s not that simple.”

Her smirk softened into something closer to concern. “It’s because of your mom, isn’t it? She’s always riding you so hard. You carry the whole world on your shoulders, Nanya. No wonder you look like you’re one step away from burning out.”

My throat tightened. “It’s not just her.”

Claire leaned in, lowering her voice. “Then whoever this guy is, he’s got you twisted up. And for the record? I don’t like seeing you like this. You deserve better than carrying your family and pining after some mystery man who’s obviously messing with your head."

I looked down at the counter, tracing a faint scratch with my fingertip. If only she knew how deep “messing with my head” really went. If only she knew the mark on my wrist, glowing hot under my sleeve, was binding me to someone I could never explain.

I gave her the only truth I could manage. “He’s… dangerous, Claire.”

Her eyes lit up, not with fear but with excitement. “Dangerous? Oh, honey, now I really want to meet him.”

I laughed weakly, shaking my head. “Trust me. You don’t.”

The bell above the entrance chimed, and I froze.

The air shifted, sharp and electric, crawling over my skin in a way that made my heart stutter. My pulse spiked as my eyes darted toward the door.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair.

For a split second, my breath caught in my throat. Damian. He’d come here. He’d found me.

The mark on my wrist burned hot, and I swear the room tilted.

But then the man turned his head, revealing a stranger’s face — just some customer checking his phone while walking in.

My chest caved with relief and disappointment all at once.

Claire’s grin stretched wide as she leaned close and whispered, “Wow. You looked ready to faint. Tell me you weren’t hoping that was your mystery man.”

I snapped my gaze back to the counter, cheeks burning. “I wasn’t.”

She chuckled, sipping her coffee like she knew every secret I was trying to bury. “Sure, babe. Keep telling yourself that" then she turned to the customer that just walked in and said "welcome sir"