The Life we never Planned

Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

ANGELA

“Come out with me tonight.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“Dinner.”

“Damian…”

“You don't have to answer my question tonight.”

I knew what he meant.

His question.

The one he had asked me before.

About becoming his girlfriend.

“I just want to spend time with you.”

I looked at Benedicta again.

She was watching me carefully.

I didn't know why I said it.

Maybe because I needed a few hours where I didn't have to think about threats and photographs.

Maybe because Damian made things feel normal.

Or maybe I simply wanted to see him.

But Benedicta's words were still in my head.

You need strong backing.

And Damian was the person she had been talking about.

Someone powerful enough to stand behind me.

“Okay.”

The answer escaped before I could reconsider it.

“What time?”

“Seven.”

“I'll pick you up.”

“Okay.”

We ended the call.

I lowered my phone slowly.

Benedicta stared at me.

“What?”

“You agreed very quickly.”

“I know.”

She smiled slightly.

“So?”

I shook my head.

“I don't know.”

She leaned back.

“You know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think you're finally realizing that Damian isn't just some man asking you to be his girlfriend.”

I looked at her.

“He has power, Angela. The kind you need right now.”

I looked away.

“I know.”

“And if you're going to say yes to him…”

She paused.

“Make sure you know why you're saying yes.”

My fingers tightened around my phone.

I already knew.

At least partly.

I liked Damian.

I enjoyed being around him.

But now there was something else.

Protection.

I needed someone who could stand between me and whoever was trying to destroy my life.

And Damian had just shown me that he could make one call and have HR keep me away from work.

That meant something.

Maybe more than I wanted to admit.

I spent the rest of the afternoon trying not to think about the evening.

It didn't work.

Every few minutes, my mind returned to Damian.

His voice.

His question.

The way he looked at me whenever he thought I wasn't paying attention.

And, unfortunately, the fact that I had agreed to dinner.

By six o'clock, I stood in front of my mirror.

I didn't want to look overdressed.

I chose a simple black fitted dress that fell just above my knees, paired with small gold earrings and black heels.

I kept my makeup soft and natural, then let my hair fall loosely around my shoulders.

I looked at myself for a moment.

Then I exhaled.

Tonight wasn't about answering Damian's question.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

At seven, my phone buzzed.

Damian: I'm outside.