Falling For The Enemy

CHAPTER3

I carefully put on the dress Leah got me for the event while she worked on my face.

The gown felt so luxurious that I couldn't help but run my fingers over it.

The dress clung in all the right places, smooth satin wrapping around my curves, with an open

back and a slit that made me feel exposed. My black hair was curled softly, tumbling over my

shoulders and spilling soft waves across my back. Leah adjusted a few curls near my collar

bone. The makeup she applied on me was just enough to make my blue eyes stand out.

“You're eyes…. they're insane. All soft and stormy at the same time.”

She kept praising me as she circled around me, making me feel good.

But I understood her reaction because I was also shocked at the transformation. I never thought

that a beautiful dress and some grooming could transform someone to this extent.

She reached for her jewelry box.

“Tonight Elora, you're not just the girl whose mom works as a cleaner. You're you. And that's

enough. And make sure you don't do something stupid at the gathering. You don't want to get

fired.”

“Alright.”

The car ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. I kept staring at my reflection in the car window,

barely recognizing the woman staring back.

The hotel ahead was glowing. Soft golden lights hung from the archways, music drifted into the

night, and the guests moved in with practiced elegance.

Inside everything smelled like wealth. A large, magnificent ballroom had been set up so well.

The chandeliers that dangled from the ceiling sparkled above like stars frozen in motion.

“Elora!” A cold familiar voice called. I turned around. There he was. Damien… dressed in a fine

expensive suit coming towards me with his eyes scanning me.

Before I could say anything he gave me a glance showing me the way. “Walk with me.”

The hall buzzed with soft laughter, the clink of champagne glasses, and the low hum of a string

quartet in the corner. It was beautiful…too beautiful. The kind of place I didn't belong.

Still I kept my head high as I walked slightly behind Damien, remembering all the warning Mom

gave to me though I haven't had the time to tell her that I work with him now. She'll be furious

but this is the only way I can get money. I have to just focus.

The heels Leah insisted I wear also pinched with every step, but I didn't dare show it.

I caught the way people looked at Damien like he was someone you didn't dare cross.

Powerful..cold and untouchable.

I stayed quiet absorbing the names and faces he whispered as we passed, nodding politely like

I was used to all this.

“Damien!” A soft voice called. A woman. She looked like she stepped out of a fashion magazine.

Sleek red gown, curls pinned with diamond. confidence in every blink. She was definitely Rich.

She pulled him into a hug. “You look good.”

“Thanks.” He said then turned to me. “This is Elora.”

She offered me a polite smile. “ Nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine.” I replied with a nervous smile.

The music suddenly shifted a slow, elegant rhythm and couples began moving to the center of

the hall for a waltz.

“Dance with me,” she said to Damien.

He turned to me. “Actually I can't. I have work to do with Elora.”

“No no it's fine, I'll just get something to drink,” I said immediately, cutting him short.

“You sure?” He asked.

“ Yeah, I am, just have fun.” I said to him wondering why I did because I was clearly not fine.

I slipped away.

Only for a moment…

At least… that was the plan.

My heels clicked softly against the marble floor as I wandered deeper into the hotel. The music

and laughter faded behind me.

I wasn't sure how I ended up here. One minute I was downstairs and now I'm here chasing the

urge to breathe in silence and clear my head.

And next I walked into an enormous bedroom decorated in a masculine tone of gray and black.

The lights were very dim. It smelled of cedar and something expensive. A Jacket was tossed over a chair and a watch laid on the dresser. The room had a quiet darkness. Exactly like

Damien.

Suddenly someone familiar whispered behind me.

“Lost?” His breath touched my skin, electrocuting my nerves. I almost forgot how to breathe. His

voice seemed to have some sort of magic as it lingered in my ear.

I froze.

Damien.

I turned around quickly, too quickly.

He stood just inside the doorway with his eyes locked in on mine.

“I…I'm sorry,” I stammered. “I didn't know…I thought…”

His gaze swept over me. Slow and unreachable. “You're in my room.”

“I know. I mean I didn't know it was yours, I just…”

“You ran.”

I blinked. “What?”

He stepped closer. “From the party. You ran.”

“Uhm..I just needed air.”

“ And have you gotten enough air?”

I opened my mouth to respond but nothing came out. He was close now, too close. I could smell

him, his scent, clean, expensive, cold and quiet darkness. The air between us felt charged. And

the silence became loud.

“You look different tonight.” He said in a low voice. “Not like your usual self.”

I swallowed. “Is that a compliment?”

His lips curved, barely. “I'm just saying.”

I turned slightly. “I'll leave now.” Just as I was about to leave, my heels caught on the rug and stumbled. He caught me by the

waist, steadying me like it was nothing.

We both froze.

My hands pressed against his chest, with his hands gripping my waist and the room went quiet.

I searched deep into his dark eyes as he stared back into mine.

He didn't let go immediately. His grip loosened slightly, but he didn't step back.

“You really shouldn't be in here.” He said softly.

I then pulled back, eyes wide, breath caught somewhere between my ribs and my throat.

“I told you I didn't mean to.” I whispered, barely able to look away from his eyes.

Something shifted in his expression. Curiosity maybe.

“You always wander into places you don't belong.”

He lifted his hand slowly as if giving me time to step back.

But I didn't.

His fingers brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. I shivered, but not out of fear. Out of

something else entirely.

“I should go.” I whispered.

“Elora..” he said my name like he was testing how it felt.

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My pulse thundered in my ears.

“You're trembling,” he murmured.

“I'll get going.” I said again, not wanting to even go.

“Yeah you should.” He agreed .

But neither of us moved.

He grabbed the back of my head, pulling my face to his. I could feel his breath on my face…and

butterflies in my stomach.

His gaze travelled down to my lips and mine to his.

I opened my mouth to welcome him but as soon as our lips touched he pushed me away and

slowly took two steps back.

“Elora…, Elora I'm sorry.”

I stepped past him, heart thundering as I left the room. But I felt his eyes on me. Burning into my

back until the door was shut.

Tears filled my eyes as I walked away. It was my first kiss and he was acting like it was

disgusting. If he didn't like it he could have hidden it. He didn't have to behave so rudely to me. I

quickly left the party.

What just happened?

The question looped in my head as I leaned against the door. Only a taste of her lips and I

became so uncomfortable down there. Strangely she turned me so damn on. Even though she

didn't do anything at all. For the first time ever I couldn't just stop myself. I felt my desire almost

taking control.

She wasn't supposed to get under my skin. I wasn't the type to be caught off guard, but

something about her eyes. Her lips…so soft, close enough to taste. I want to taste it again.

Properly this time.

But she didn't fit into my world. Maybe that's why I wanted her in it.

“Elora..”

I went straight home. When Leah opened the door the tears I was trying hard to hold in were

ready to burst. She immediately gave me a hug. I felt myself calm down with her arms around

me.

“What happened?” She asked me as she led me to the couch.

I exhaled. “He kissed me.”

Her brows lifted. “Damien?”

I nodded.

“And?”

“Nothing, he acted like it disgusted him. Like I was in an embarrassing accident.”

Leah tilted her head. “Are you sure that's what he meant ? Or is that what you think he meant?”

I looked away.

“Elora, I know you. And I've seen the way you can't stop thinking about him. Do you like him?”

I didn't answer right away but my silence was enough.

“I don't want to.” I finally whispered.

“It's complicated. Mom told me to stay away from him, I'm not sure why. Probably because he's

rich and way out of my league or maybe something else.”

“Elora you're going to have to tell her what's happening. And I promise you she'll understand.

She's your mom. Don't do this to yourself.”

I smiled faintly. “I wish I could forget what happened.”

But I couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his breath again. The warmth of his hands and

everything. I wasn't sure I wanted to forget the feeling.

Leah pulled me into a hug. “You're worth more than this confusion. He either wants you or he

doesn't. Just forget about this for now and go to bed.”