Chapter3: The Gala’s Unveiling
1095 Words
The black dress Damien had chosen for Lila fit perfectly, though she suspected that was no accident. It clung to her curves like it had been tailored just for her, and the plunging neckline was far more daring than anything she would have ever picked for herself.
“This is humiliating,” she muttered to her reflection in the mirror. “I’m his assistant, not his… whatever this is supposed to be.”
But Lila knew better than to argue with Damien Cross. The man didn’t ask—he commanded, and the consequences of disobedience loomed heavy over her.
A sharp knock at her door made her jump.
“Time’s up,” Damien’s voice called from the hallway.
With a sigh, Lila grabbed her clutch and stepped out. Damien stood waiting, dressed in a black tuxedo that fit him like a glove. His gray eyes swept over her, lingering for a second longer than necessary.
“You’ll do,” he said curtly.
“Gee, thanks,” Lila snapped, crossing her arms.
His lips curved into a faint smirk. “Shall we?”
The gala was held in a glittering ballroom, the kind Lila had only ever seen in movies. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting a golden glow over the sea of designer gowns and tuxedos. The air buzzed with the sound of champagne glasses clinking and low murmurs of conversation.
Damien’s hand rested lightly on her lower back as he guided her through the crowd. It wasn’t possessive, but it wasn’t casual, either. Lila felt the weight of every curious glance as people turned to whisper about them.
“Why am I here again?” she asked under her breath.
“Because I told you to be,” Damien replied, his tone flat.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting.”
Before she could argue, a warm, unfamiliar voice cut through the noise.
“Damien! Finally gracing us with your presence, I see.”
Lila turned to see a man approaching—a vision of charm and golden confidence. His blond hair was perfectly styled, his blue eyes sharp but playful. He looked like someone who belonged in this world, unlike Lila, who still felt like an imposter.
“Alexander,” Damien said coolly, his expression hardening.
“Always so formal,” Alexander Knight replied, clapping Damien on the shoulder with a grin. His gaze shifted to Lila, his smile widening. “And who’s this stunning creature?”
“Lila Henderson,” Damien said, his tone clipped. “My assistant.”
“Assistant?” Alexander repeated, his eyebrows raising in amusement. “Well, I’d say you’re punching above your weight, Damien.”
Damien’s jaw tightened. “We’re in the middle of something, Alexander. If you’ll excuse us—”
“Of course, of course,” Alexander said, though his gaze lingered on Lila. “But I do hope I’ll see more of you, Miss Henderson.”
Before Lila could respond, Damien’s grip on her arm tightened, pulling her away.
“What was that about?” she hissed once they were out of earshot.
“Stay away from him,” Damien said darkly.
“Why? He seemed perfectly nice.”
“Because he’s not,” Damien snapped, his tone sharp enough to silence her.
As the evening dragged on, Lila found herself increasingly out of place. Damien disappeared into a group of executives, leaving her to fend for herself. She tried to blend into the background, but a familiar voice soon found her.
“Miss Henderson,” Alexander said, appearing at her side with a glass of champagne.
Lila smiled awkwardly. “Mr. Knight.”
“Call me Alexander,” he said, handing her the glass. “I couldn’t help but notice Damien abandoned you. Typical of him.”
“He’s… busy,” Lila said diplomatically.
Alexander chuckled. “Busy being miserable, no doubt. He’s always been wound too tight.”
Lila couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re not wrong.”
“So, how did you end up working for him?” Alexander asked, his tone light but curious.
“It’s a long story,” Lila said, sipping the champagne.
“I have time,” Alexander replied, his eyes gleaming with interest.
Before Lila could respond, another voice interrupted.
“Alexander, I believe I told you to stay away from her.”
Lila turned to see Damien standing behind them, his expression thunderous.
“Relax, Damien,” Alexander said with a smirk. “We were just chatting.”
“Leave,” Damien said coldly.
Alexander held up his hands in mock surrender. “Fine. But you can’t keep her all to yourself forever.”
As Alexander walked away, Damien turned his glare on Lila.
“What did I just say?” he demanded.
“I wasn’t doing anything!” Lila protested.
“Stay. Away. From him,” Damien said, his voice dangerously low.
“Why? What’s your problem with him?”
Damien didn’t answer, his jaw clenched as he grabbed her wrist. “Come with me.”
He led her out of the ballroom and into a quiet hallway, the tension between them crackling like electricity.
“Damien, you’re being ridiculous,” Lila said, pulling her arm free. “You can’t just drag me around like a—”
“You don’t understand what’s at stake here,” Damien interrupted, his voice harsh.
“Then maybe you should explain it to me!” Lila shot back.
For a moment, Damien looked like he might. But then his expression hardened, and he shook his head. “It’s better if you don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?” she pressed.
Damien didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step closer, his gray eyes locking onto hers.
“You’re mine, Lila,” he said softly, his voice laced with a possessiveness that sent a shiver down her spine.
“Excuse me?” she said, her breath catching.
“You work for me. You belong to me,” Damien said, his tone unyielding. “And I don’t share.”
The Shocking Twist
Unbeknownst to Lila, Damien’s possessiveness wasn’t just about control—it was rooted in their shared past. As his stepsister by law, Lila was the last remnant of his father’s betrayal, the living proof of a scandal Damien had spent years trying to bury.
And now, with Alexander sniffing around her, Damien’s carefully laid plans were at risk of unraveling.
He couldn’t let that happen.
Not when he was so close to ensuring Lila never found out the truth.
- Writer
