chapter 65
1053 Words
Chapter 65
ANGELA’S POV
“Get in, Angela.”
Damian's voice was calm.
Too calm.
I stared at him for a moment before getting into the car.
He followed me in and closed the door.
The moment we were alone, I turned toward him.
“You're angry.”
“No.”
“You're doing that thing.”
“What thing?”
“The quiet thing.”
His mouth twitched.
“You've noticed.”
“I've known you long enough to know when you're pretending you're not angry.”
He looked at me.
“I wasn't angry until I saw the way that woman spoke to you.”
I sighed.
“She was just trying to provoke me.”
“And it worked.”
“How?”
“I wanted to go back inside.”
I laughed softly.
“You didn't.”
“Because you told me not to interfere.”
That surprised me.
He could have easily walked into that courthouse and taken control of everything.
He didn't.
Instead, he had stayed away.
“Thank you,” I said.
He reached for my hand.
“I told you. Don't thank me for respecting your choices.”
His fingers intertwined with mine.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles.
My stomach fluttered.
“You know,” I whispered, “you're very dramatic.”
“I'm beginning to think you like it.”
“Maybe a little.”
His eyes narrowed playfully.
“A little?”
I smiled.
“Don't push your luck.”
He moved closer.
“Too late.”
Before I could respond, his fingers touched my cheek.
The teasing disappeared from his expression.
“You were beautiful in there.”
I blinked.
“In court?”
“Yes.”
“I was sitting down.”
“I noticed.”
I laughed.
He smiled.
“You didn't need me.”
The words were simple, but I understood what he meant.
“You were strong.”
I looked away.
“I'm still scared.”
“You're allowed to be.”
“I don't want people thinking I'm with you because I need your protection.”
“I don't care what people think.”
“I do.”
“I know.”
He tilted my face back toward him.
“But I don't want you fighting the whole world just to prove something to people who don't matter.”
I looked into his eyes.
“What if I need to prove it to myself?”
“Then prove it.”
His thumb brushed my cheek.
“But don't forget that you have someone standing beside you.”
Something inside me softened.
I leaned closer without thinking.
His eyes dropped to my lips.
My heart began beating faster.
“Angela.”
“Yes?”
“Tell me to stop.”
I didn't.
He kissed me.
Slowly.
No rush.
No pressure.
Just warmth.
His hand settled gently against the side of my neck as I wrapped my arms around him.
For a moment, there was no court.
No media.
No accusations.
No people questioning why I was with him.
There was only Damian.
And me.
When he pulled away, our foreheads remained together.
I could feel his breath against my lips.
“You're trouble,” he whispered.
I smiled.
“And you're obsessed with me.”
“That's becoming obvious.”
I laughed.
He kissed me again.
This time, I was the one who moved closer.
When we finally separated, I looked down, suddenly shy.
Damian noticed.
“You're blushing.”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
“Drive.”
He laughed.
“Yes, ma'am.”
The car started moving.
I rested my head against the seat, still smiling.
For the first time in days, my mind wasn't racing.
Then Damian's hand found mine again.
He didn't say anything.
Neither did I.
I simply held his hand.
---
Later that evening, I stood in front of my mirror, getting ready for bed.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Damian.
I miss you.
I smiled.
I typed:
You saw me two hours ago.
His reply came immediately.
And?
I shook my head.
You're ridiculous.
Three dots appeared.
Come downstairs.
I frowned.
I walked toward my window.
There he was.
Standing beside his car.
I laughed.
I quickly grabbed my cardigan and went downstairs.
When I opened the building entrance, he was waiting.
“You came.”
“You told me to.”
“I didn't think you actually would.”
I crossed my arms.
“Then why did you ask?”
He smiled.
“Because I wanted to see you.”
I stared at him.
“You really missed me?”
“I did.”
He stepped closer.
“I wanted one more kiss.”
I laughed.
“You drove all the way here for a kiss?”
“Yes.”
“You're insane.”
“Probably.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist.
I looked up at him.
“Damian.”
“Hm?”
“Thank you.”
His smile faded slightly.
“For what?”
“For not trying to solve everything for me.”
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he kissed my forehead.
“You don't need me to solve everything.”
His eyes held mine.
“You just need to know I'm here.”
My chest tightened.
I didn't know if what I felt was love.
I still wasn't ready to call it that.
But standing there with him, I knew one thing.
I wanted him there.
And maybe that was enough for tonight.
Damian kissed me softly once more before stepping back.
“Go upstairs.”
“Why?”
“Because if you stay here much longer, I'm going to forget I'm supposed to be a gentleman.”
I burst out laughing.
“You're terrible.”
“I warned you.”
I turned toward the entrance.
Then stopped.
“Goodnight, Damian.”
“Goodnight, trouble.”
I smiled and walked inside.
But before I reached the stairs, my phone vibrated.
I checked it.
A message from Benedicta.
Angela, don't panic. I found out who is backing the media company.
I stopped walking.
Another message appeared.
And you're not going to like the name.
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