A Penthouse of Cold Luxuries
1075 Words
Chapter 10
A Penthouse of Cold Luxuries
Amara’s POV
The elevator door swung open, revealing Damian’s penthouse. My breath caught as I stepped onto the marble floor, the soft glow of recessed lighting reflecting off every pristine surface. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The furniture looked like it had been plucked straight from a designer catalog...sleek, modern, and intimidatingly expensive.
“This is… your home?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Do you like it?” Damian’s voice was calm, almost detached, as if the grandeur surrounding us was unremarkable.
“It’s…” I hesitated, searching for the right word. “Beautiful.” I can't afford to get him angry on my first day, especially now that my home can no longer accommodate me. I can't possibly go back to my family and expect a warm welcome. My mother would spare nothing in throwing me out of the house like a thrash. It was obvious that she was still tolerating me because of my father.
He dropped his keys on a glass table and shrugged off his suit jacket. “Make yourself comfortable. The guest room is down the hall to the right. You've had a long day, you can use it right away.”
The guest room? Of course. This wasn’t some romantic gesture. This was a transaction...a merger, not a marriage. I nodded, clutching my bag as I walked down the hallway. This was never in my plan, but this is my new life now.
The door creaked as I stepped into the room. It was stunning, just like the rest of the penthouse, with a massive bed covered in crisp white sheets and a view almost as spectacular as the one in the living room. But it felt cold, impersonal—much like the man who had brought me here.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my thoughts racing. This wasn’t how my life was supposed to be. I was supposed to marry for love, to build a home filled with warmth and laughter. Instead, I was here, carrying a child I hadn’t planned for, with a man I barely knew.
Damian knocked lightly on the door and stepped in without waiting for a response. “Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. The kitchen is...”
“Damian,” I interrupted, standing up. “We need to talk.”
He arched an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “About?”
“About this,” I said, gesturing around the room. “About us if course. About the baby. I can’t just… move in here and pretend like everything is fine.”
He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “What do you want me to say, Amara? That this is some fairy tale? It’s not. But I’ll do what I can to make sure you and the baby are taken care of.”
“That’s not enough,” I said, my voice trembling. “I don’t want a marriage of convenience. I don’t want to be trapped in something cold and lifeless just because of the baby. I appreciate your effort at taking responsibility, but it can never be enough, I want something stable.”
He frowned, his jaw tightening. “You think I’m trying to trap you? You think this is about you? I am obviously doing you a favor, and the least you can do is appreciate that, or you still think it's a game of power?”
“I don’t know what you’re trying to do!” I burst out. “One moment you’re kind, and the next you’re distant and cold. I don’t know where I stand with you, Damian.”
He looked away, his expression hardening. “This isn’t about feelings, Amara. It’s about responsibility. I’m doing what needs to be done. I may be principled, but I that won't stop me from taking up responsibility.”
“And what about what I want?” I asked, my voice breaking. “I want to marry for love, Damian. But instead, I’m stuck here, wondering if I’ll wake up one day and find you’ve changed your mind about all of this. And I'm not ungrateful that you saved me from my family's den, but my feelings should also be considered.”
He didn’t answer, his silence louder than any words. He made no attempt to answer. I was right after all, a leopard can't go spotless overnight. He is still Damian Kane, the ruthless billionaire that cared less of anyone.
“I can’t do this any longer,” I whispered, sinking back onto the bed. “I can’t live like this forever. I need to get a life that I would be in control of. No more taking instructions from anyone, or crawling back to my hole each time my mother shows up.”
Damian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You don’t have to decide anything now. Take your time. Figure out what you want. I would only take responsibility, but ensure none of our arrangement gets out of this house. I have had enough of the scandal, and would love it if they cast their nets on other side of the river.”
He turned to leave, but I stopped him. “Why are you doing this, Damian? Why do you care?”
He paused, his hand on the doorframe. “Because it’s the right thing to do,” he said finally, his voice low. “And because I made a mistake. One I intend to fix.”
With that, he walked out, leaving me alone in the luxurious room that felt more like a gilded cage.
I stared out the window, the city lights twinkling like stars. This wasn’t the life I had imagined, but it was the one I had. And as much as I wanted to believe in fairy tales, reality was proving to be far more complicated.
My life never remained the same after the engagement night. How I wish I could do something, at least, control the way I took alcohol. Maybe then would I be in the right frame of mind to control where I entered. My reality is complicated.
But for now, I had no choice but to stay. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t live like this forever. Something had to change...whether it was Damian’s heart or my own courage to walk away.
- Writer
