The Life we never Planned

Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37

ANGELA

Sunday was quiet.

Almost too quiet.

After Saturday, I expected myself to overthink everything.

I didn't.

At least, not as much as I thought I would.

The evening with Damian had been simple. We talked. We ate. We watched the performances. We walked around the place.

Nothing happened that I needed to explain to myself.

Except that I had enjoyed it.

That was the part I couldn't ignore.

By Monday morning, I was back at work.

I walked into the office with my usual routine—coffee, emails, reports, and a list of things that needed to be completed before the day ended.

I had barely sat down when Benedicta called.

"How was Saturday?"

I smiled.

"You waited until Monday?"

"I wanted to give you time to process."

"There's nothing to process."

"So you didn't enjoy it?"

"I didn't say that."

She laughed.

"Then you enjoyed it."

I rolled my eyes.

"It was nice."

"Nice?"

"Yes."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

There was a short silence.

Then she said, "You like him."

I leaned back in my chair.

"I like talking to him."

"That's not what I said."

"I know."

I didn't want to lie to her.

I did like Damian.

But I wasn't in love with him.

There was a difference.

"I don't know what this is yet," I said.

"You don't have to."

That answer surprised me.

Benedicta continued, "Just enjoy getting to know him."

I looked at my computer.

"That's what I'm doing."

"Good."

We ended the call.

I returned to work.

About an hour later, my secretary received a message and came toward my desk.

"Ms. Williams?"

"Yes?"

"Mr. Damian would like the updated figures before the afternoon meeting."

"I'll send them."

She nodded and left.

I opened the file.

I was halfway through reviewing it when I heard footsteps approaching.

I looked up.

Damian.

He stopped beside my desk.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

"How's your morning?"

"Busy."

"Mine too."

He glanced at my screen.

"Did you get the figures?"

"I'm working on them."

"Good."

He didn't stay.

He simply nodded and walked away.

I watched him for a second before returning to my screen.

That was Damian.

He didn't need to make every interaction personal.

Sometimes, he simply came, said what needed to be said, and left.

And strangely, I appreciated that.

By lunchtime, I had finished the figures.

I sent them through his secretary.

A few minutes later, my phone vibrated.

A message from Damian.

Received. Thank you.

I stared at it.

Then typed:

You're welcome.

I put my phone down.

A few seconds later, it vibrated again.

Are you working late today?

I looked at the message.

I knew exactly what he was asking.

I typed:

I don't think so.

His reply came quickly.

Good.

I waited.

Nothing else came.

I smiled despite myself.

Then my phone vibrated again.

Have dinner with me.

I stared at the screen.

There it was.

Another invitation.

Not a business meeting.

Not an office conversation.

Dinner.

I didn't answer immediately.

Not because I didn't want to.

Because I was beginning to realize something.

Saturday hadn't been a one-time thing.

Damian wasn't treating it like one.

And neither was I.

I finally typed:

Okay.

His reply came almost immediately.

I'll see you after work.

I locked my phone.

For the rest of the afternoon, I tried to concentrate.

But this time, I knew I was looking forward to seeing him.

And I didn't try to convince myself otherwise.