His to Consume

More Clarification

Lena's POV

I took a few moments to reign in my emotions, "What are you doing here?"

He seemed to consider my question first, taking a glance back at Grant's office and then at me, "I have something for Grant".

"What did you tell him?" I asked, crossly.

Damien breathed out with a tired expression and messily combed his hair sideways. "I warned him off from you," he confessed.

I was shocked. "Damien, you cannot do things like that."

"I can, and I did," he cut in, almost shouting. "Lena, that man is... it's that man that has been hurting you. It's that man that has been making it impossible for you to let go. And now he is back, trying to crawl into your life again. I could not just be like that and watch."

I fixed him with a gaze that I felt deep in my chest, heart beating fast. "You have no say in who is in my life and who isn't," I said, my voice quivering.

"I'm trying to protect you," Now he said it with a softer tone.

"I never asked for your protection," I retorted.

He turned back towards me, looking torn. "Lena..."

I shook my head, interrupting him. "I'll do it myself, Damien. Handle it, I beg you. I thank you for all the assistance you have offered me, but this one does not concern you."

For a second, he remained silent. Then he nodded and relaxed his stance a bit. "I am sorry," he spoke quietly. "I just... love you, Lena. More than you think."

There was a lot of emotion that was tied to how he looked at me, one I cannot place. There was a voice that said everything would be alright, but I will not relent as you have once denied me.

He said all this then, and his eyes were inviting yet challenging.

"Take care, I'll catch up with you later, Lena," he said in a conspicuously low tone.

And just like that, he walked away.

For a few seconds, I didn't move; rather, I just gazed at the empty place where Damien had been moments ago. I was still reeling from the aftermath of the fight that ensued during our brief exchange; however, the sound of a door creaking open behind me brought me back to reality.

I looked back, and standing behind me was Grant Wells.

Same as always, he was wearing an exquisitely fitted suit that was probably a year's worth of rent for me. The man exuded an aura of confidence, his lips bearing an annoying smile, his dark hair left in a manner that was very appealing. How is it possible that anyone who had inflicted such deep wounds bore no signs of suffering?

I, on the other hand, called out to him rather abruptly, making out a sharp sound, 'Grant'.

He stood still staring at me. "Lena," he uttered with a serene voice, as though it was not a surprise for him to see me.

I folded my arms and moved forward, undaunted by his attempts to show dominance. "What did you tell Damien?" I asked boldly.

He arched an eyebrow with a slight smile on his lip, probably laughing at my question. "I told him the truth," he replied plainly.

I squinted. "What truth?"

Instead of an immediate response, Grant looked at me and tilted his head, as if trying to figure out a puzzle. It was a look I was familiar with, and it only increased my anger.

"Why are you here, Lena?" he asked, his voice calm but with an underlying displeasure. "Damien has come himself to inform me about your intentions towards me. Isn't it you who should be sorry?"

I looked over at him, clenching my jaw. "Apology?" I echoed incredulously. "You want me to apologize to you?"

Grant's face remained impassive. He was looking even more arrogant.

"Very clever. The man who has wronged me," I retorted, raising my voice. "Your round of apologies owed to me should be bigger than this cabin."

He grinned, and that irritated me more. "Really?" he said almost mockingly.

"Really, yes," I said curtly. "You think it's okay to waltz back into my life and pretend as if nothing happened? As if you didn't ", I stopped, choking on the words. I didn't wish to go that way right then. I didn't want him to see how much he still got to me.

I inhaled deeply in place of the outburst that seemed imminent. "What is it about my business that persuaded you to invest in it, Grant? What are you up to?"

For the first time, the snot-nosed grin disappeared. The glint vanished from his face and he took a step towards me. "You actually wish to know?" He leaned closer and added in a whisper.

"Yes," I replied, not relenting.

He had a rather long gaze at me, seemingly penetrating with his dark eyes. He then smiled a wide cocky smile that sent chills down my spine.

"I courted you once, Lena," he narrated in a rather calm tone. "I will do it again."

My heart sank, but I physically stifled the weak woman in me. "What for God's sake are you saying?" I shouted.

"Are you deaf?" he replied and remained cool. "Compromises do not sit well with me. And believe me, we are just getting warmed up."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me there, aghast.

I do not know for how long I stood there, watching him leave. My thoughts were jumbled, a million feelings clashing within me. Rage, annoyance, and bewilderment all at once.

Who did this bastard think he was? What gave him the right to say something like that to me, especially after everything he had done? After all these years of torturing me?

I balled my hands into fists in an attempt to quell the tempest that was rising within me. But despite my efforts, his voice remained in my head.

"I wooed you before, and I can do it again."

What was that supposed to mean? Anticipating that I wouldn't understand his meaning? Wanting to make me question everything?

Then there was Damien as well. What was the main purpose of his visit? What did Grant tell him?

I require clarification.