Red Lips And Hidden Camera
1015 Words
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Episode 8: Red Lips and Hidden Cameras
Word Count:
8:10 p.m. – Clara’s Penthouse
Damian stood in the foyer of Clara Monroe’s high-rise apartment, the walls adorned with abstract art and silver accents. Every surface gleamed like it had been polished for war.
Clara emerged from the hallway in a black silk robe, glass of champagne in hand, lips painted her signature red.
“Took you long enough,” she said.
“I’m not here to play games, Clara.”
She sauntered closer. “You used to like my games.”
He ignored that. “Why Chelsea?”
Clara smirked. “Oh, darling. Do you really think I’d use someone important for something so small?”
“She cloned Aurora’s ID and leaked our plans to the press.”
“She was paid well. I didn’t threaten her. She came to me.”
“She’s your pawn.”
“Everyone’s a pawn, Damian. I just know how to move the board better than most.”
He stepped closer, voice low. “What do you want?”
Clara tilted her head. “I want what’s mine. My title. My place. And no secretary from the suburbs is going to steal that.”
“This engagement ended months ago. You just refuse to accept it.”
She laughed. “You think it ended because you stopped sleeping in my bed? Please. We still make headlines together.”
“Because you feed them.”
Clara’s eyes gleamed. “And tomorrow, they’ll have something delicious to chew on.”
Damian stiffened. “What are you planning?”
She stepped to her purse, pulled out a tablet, and turned it toward him.
A paused video screen showed Aurora… standing on the executive floor, glancing nervously at the bouquet of tulips.
“Security footage?” he asked.
“No, sweetie,” she whispered. “Private footage. Planted camera. My team’s been watching her every move.”
Damian’s heart pounded.
“You release this—”
“I’m not releasing anything… yet.” She ran a manicured finger across the tablet. “But one more move from her? One more look between you two in front of the cameras? The world will eat her alive.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“I’m strategic. And I don’t like losing.”
He clenched his fists. “If you go near her—”
“You’ll what?” Clara purred. “Fall for her harder?”
She stepped in close, her voice icy.
“Choose wisely, Damian. Because this isn’t just about her anymore. This is about what happens when you forget who built your empire’s image—and who can burn it down.”
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Next Morning – Aurora’s Apartment
Aurora woke to a thousand missed calls.
Most were from unknown numbers. One was from her manager, another from a panicked Tasha.
She scrolled through her notifications—and her stomach dropped.
> BREAKING: CEO Damian Wolfe’s Mysterious Assistant Spotted Receiving Secret Gifts. "The photos of white tulips and late-night chats hint at an affair brewing in the Wolfe empire."
Attached was a blurred photo of Aurora—clearly from inside the office.
She sat up, breath caught in her throat.
Her private life wasn’t private anymore.
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10:40 a.m. – Wolfe Enterprises
When Aurora stepped onto the executive floor, all eyes turned.
Some full of pity. Others—smug curiosity.
She kept her head up, heels clicking as she approached her desk.
The tulips were gone.
So was the warmth.
Clarissa met her in the hallway. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Aurora’s voice trembled. “She’s really doing this, isn’t she?”
“She’s been doing it for months. Clara doesn’t destroy with knives—she destroys with cameras and tabloids.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“That’s never stopped the wolves.”
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11:00 a.m. – CEO Office
Aurora stood in front of Damian’s desk, hands clenched. “I want to resign.”
“No,” he said instantly.
“You don’t get to decide that.”
“You resign now, and it’ll confirm everything she’s planting.”
“I don’t care what people think—”
“I do,” he said, standing.
She looked at him, eyes wide. “Why? Why protect me? Why risk your reputation for someone you’ve known barely a month?”
Damian took a step closer.
His eyes searched hers.
Then—his voice, soft.
“Because when you walked into my life, everything changed.”
Aurora’s breath hitched.
He stepped even closer, close enough that she could feel the heat off his chest.
“No one talks to me the way you do. No one challenges me. And no one… makes me feel anything real.”
She opened her mouth—but he reached up first, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I tried to fight it. To push you away. But Clara… the press… none of them matter anymore.”
And then—
His lips met hers.
Soft at first. Like a question.
Then deeper. Like a promise.
The world outside the glass walls disappeared.
When they pulled apart, she was breathless.
Damian rested his forehead against hers.
“You’re not just my assistant anymore,” he whispered.
“I know,” she breathed.
Then the door burst open.
Clarissa again, eyes wide. “You need to see this.”
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End Scene – Breaking News
On the television outside the executive office, every screen lit up with a breaking headline:
> “EXCLUSIVE: Aurora Bennett – Secret Daughter of a Scandal?”
Attached was a photo… of Aurora’s mother, in her youth, standing next to Damian Wolfe’s late father.
Aurora froze.
Her world tilted.
Damian turned to her, stunned. “Aurora… what is this?”
Aurora’s face paled.
“I—I don’t know…”
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To Be Continued...
📌 In Episode 9: The past comes crashing into the present. Damian’s trust is shaken. Aurora must find out the truth about her mother—and what secret could destroy everything they’ve built.
- Writer
