Chapter 5 - A Prison Without Bars
999 Words
Anna walked fast, her pulse erratic, the weight of Damien’s stare lingering on her skin like a brand. The past had always been a shadow trailing behind her, but now it felt like it was breathing down her neck, clawing at the fragile life she had managed to rebuild.
He wasn’t going away. She knew that now.
When she finally reached her apartment, she locked the door behind her, resting her forehead against the chipped wood. A shaky breath left her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut. Why now? Why him? The universe had a twisted sense of humor, throwing Damien into her path just as she had convinced herself that she could outrun the ghosts of her past.
She pushed away from the door and went straight to the bathroom, turning on the faucet. The cold water ran over her trembling hands as she tried to ground herself. You don’t owe him anything. He doesn’t know the truth.
But what if he was getting closer to it?
Anna exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the sink. Damien’s eyes had held something she couldn’t place—something dangerous. He was searching for something. And if he dug too deep…
She didn’t let herself finish the thought. Instead, she turned off the water and headed for bed, willing herself to sleep.
Morning came too soon. Again.
Anna barely had time to process her dreams before her alarm yanked her back to reality. She dragged herself out of bed, following the same robotic routine—shower, clothes, coffee. By the time she stepped outside, the city had already come alive, a contrast to the exhaustion weighing her down.
She made her way to the bus stop, her mind still clouded with thoughts of Damien. He had shown up at the restaurant yesterday. Was he going to do it again?
The thought made her stomach twist.
She arrived at work a few minutes early, stepping into the warmth of the restaurant as the scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries wrapped around her. Magreth was already there, tying her apron around her waist.
“Morning, cupcake.” Magreth smirked. “Guess who’s back?”
Anna’s stomach dropped. “You’re joking.”
Magreth tilted her head toward the far corner of the restaurant. Anna followed her gaze, and there he was.
Damien sat with his back against the booth, a coffee cup in front of him, his fingers lazily tracing the rim. Unlike the previous day, he wasn’t dressed in a suit. Today, he wore a simple fitted sweater, sleeves pushed up to his elbows, his sharp features more relaxed—though his eyes, as always, held that same intensity.
“Is this your new regular or something?” Anna muttered.
Magreth chuckled. “Maybe he’s got a thing for you.”
Anna shot her a look. “Not funny.”
“You should at least talk to him.”
Anna groaned. “I have talked to him.”
Magreth gave her a look. “You know what I mean.”
Before Anna could argue, a customer called for Magreth’s attention, leaving Anna standing there, pulse hammering. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and approached Damien’s table.
“Back again?” she asked, keeping her voice neutral.
He looked up at her, expression unreadable. “Like I said, I like the coffee here.”
Anna scoffed. “Right.”
She pulled out her notepad. “The usual?”
Damien leaned back, studying her. “Actually, I was hoping you’d sit with me for a minute.”
She stiffened. “I’m working.”
“I won’t keep you long.”
Anna hesitated, glancing around. The restaurant wasn’t packed yet, and Magreth was already throwing her a just do it look from behind the counter.
With a sigh, she slid into the seat across from him. “Fine. One minute.”
Damien smirked. “You don’t trust me, do you?”
She crossed her arms. “Should I?”
He tilted his head slightly. “You tell me.”
Anna’s jaw clenched. “Look, if this is some twisted game for you—”
“It’s not.”
His voice was softer this time. Too soft. It threw her off balance.
Anna exhaled, resting her hands on the table. “Then what do you want?”
Damien studied her, his fingers drumming against the table. “The truth.”
Her stomach twisted. “About what?”
“You.”
A cold shiver ran down her spine. “There’s nothing to know.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Is that what you tell yourself?”
She clenched her fists under the table. “You don’t know me.”
“Then let me.”
The words sent a jolt through her. There was something about the way he said it—like he was daring her. Like he was waiting for her to c***k.
Anna swallowed, forcing herself to stay composed. “I have nothing to give you.”
Damien’s gaze darkened. “We’ll see about that.”
Before she could respond, Magreth called her name, saving her from whatever trap Damien was trying to set.
Anna stood quickly, gripping the edge of the table to steady herself. “Enjoy your coffee, Damien.”
She turned and walked away, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Damien watched her go, his jaw tightening.
He had expected resistance. He had expected defiance. But what he hadn’t expected was the flicker of fear in her eyes, the way she was fighting to keep herself from unraveling in front of him.
She was hiding something.
And he was going to find out what.
He pulled out his phone, typing a quick message.
Dig deeper. I want every detail.
Slipping the phone back into his pocket, he leaned back in his seat, watching as Anna moved behind the counter, pretending not to feel his gaze on her.
She could keep running all she wanted.
But Damien wasn’t going anywhere.
- Writer
