155 Chapter 158
155 Chapter 158
“Long,” I sighed, adjusting my pillows to sit up against the headboard. “But the upgrade to first class definitely helped. Thank you for that… and for the hotel suite. You didn’t have to do any of it.”
I hesitated, not wanting to mention Bianca and sound petty or insecure. “Just jet lag, I think. My mind won’t shut off.”
“Stay close to Shaw. Not because I don’t trust you to handle yourself, but because I don’t trust Bianca. She rarely makes social calls without an agenda.”
“It is,” he interrupted firmly. “But that’s a conversation for when you’re home. For now, I want you to focus on your work and not let Bianca get under your skin. She has her own agenda, Hazel.”
His expression shifted subtly. “Have you run into her already?”
“Ms. Ashworth has a full schedule tomorrow,” Mr. Shaw interrupted smoothly, positioning himself slightly between us. “And I believe there is nothing regarding Mr. Sterling that requires discussion.”
Damien answered almost immediately, his face lighting up the screen. The sight of him -slightly disheveled, tie loosened, clearly in the middle of work–instantly calmed my racing thoughts.
Of course he did. I shook my head but couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips. Damien’s thoughtfulness never ceased to amaze me.
The sleek glass façade of the Excelsior Hotel Milano reflected the city lights as our taxi pulled up to the entrance. After an exhausting nine–hour flight and the subsequent transit from Malpensa Airport, my body screamed for a hot shower and a soft bed.
Damien’s expression turned serious. “So you ran into each other?”
“She has genuine feelings for the idea of me,” he corrected. “For the position and power that marriage to a Sterling would bring. But she doesn’t know me, not really. Not like you do.”
“Mr. Sterling arranged for the upgrade,” Mr. Shaw explained discreetly. “He thought you might appreciate the extra space for your work materials.”
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Something tender flickered across his face. “I miss you too. The office feels empty without knowing you’re across town.”
Chapter 158 – An Unwelcome Milanese Encounter
Mr. Shaw simply nodded, but his expression suggested he had serious doubts.
“Well, it’s been a long day,” I said, accepting my room key from the receptionist. “Good night.”
“Which is?”
“Nothing,” she replied innocently. “I just find it interesting that he’d send Shaw with you rather than coming himself. Damien is usually so hands–on with things he values.” We fell into comfortable conversation–him telling me about a minor crisis his team had`averted that morning, me describing the Italian countryside I’d glimpsed from the airplane window. It felt so normal, so right, despite the thousands of miles between us. His smile was unapologetic. “I know. I wanted to.” His expression shifted to concern. “You look tired. Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“Perhaps what?” I couldn’t help asking, instantly regretting taking her bait.
I turned slowly, adopting my most professional mask as Bianca Sinclair glided toward me, looking impeccably put–together despite the late hour. Her caramel–colored hair fell in perfect waves around her shoulders, and her designer outfit screamed old money and good taste.
“Your reservation is confirmed, Ms. Ashworth,” the receptionist said with a practiced smile. “We have you in one of our premium suites for the duration of your stay.”
“Last–minute business,” she replied, her eyes flicking curiously to Mr. Shaw. “I took the red–eye from home yesterday. Fashion waits for no one, especially during collection
season.”
“Please don’t engage with her again without me present,” Mr. Shaw said quietly as we walked toward the elevators.
“They’ll love your designs, Hazel. Your talent speaks for itself,” His confidence in me was unwavering, making my heart swell.
His smile was dazzling. “Now get some sleep. Tomorrow’s your big day.”
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I wanted to believe him, but doubt crept in. “She’s known you far longer than I have.”
He hesitated. “She’s always believed we were meant to be together. Our families have been allies for generations, and in her mind, our marriage would be the natural
culmination of that alliance.”
After tossing and turning for an hour, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. It was late in Milan but would be afternoon back home. Before I could talk myself out of it, I
initiated a video call.
The warning in his voice reawakened my earlier unease. “So you think she planned to be here? That running into me wasn’t a coincidence?”
My fingers tightened around my purse strap. “Damien has responsibilities that require his presence at home. Unlike some people, he doesn’t abandon his duties on a whim.”
“Time doesn’t equal intimacy,” Damien said softly. “You saw me–really saw me–from the start. That’s why I love
you, Hazel.”
“That’s not true-”
“To talk about you, apparently,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “She made some comments about me potentially putting you at risk.”
“Ms. Sinclair, if you’ll excuse us. Ms. Ashworth needs to rest before tomorrow’s meetings.”
“Hmm?”
“I will,” I promised, feeling my eyelids growing heavy. “Good night, Damien.”
“I see.” Damien’s voice was carefully neutral, but I could detect the tension underneath. “What did she want?”
“I appreciate your concern, but I can handle Bianca Sinclair,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
“I miss you,” I confessed softly. “It’s only been hours, and I already miss you.”
“Ms. Ashworth, please allow me to check the surroundings first,” Mr. Shaw said quietly as the bellhop gathered our luggage.
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“Good night, love. And Hazel?”
“Nervous about tomorrow’s presentation?”
The simple sincerity of his words melted my insecurities. “I love you too,” I whispered, the declaration still new on my lips but feeling completely right.
My hand tightened around the phone. “Yes, she is. Actually, she’s staying at this hotel:
“Hazel? What a delightful surprise!”
I nodded, suppressing a yawn. Though I’d initially considered Damien’s insistence on security excessive, I was now grateful for Mr. Shaw’s protective presence. He moved with silent efficiency, professionally scanning the ornate lobby before nodding for me to proceed.
“There’s my favorite designer,” he said warmly. “How was your flight?”
Despite my exhaustion, sleep eluded me. Bianca’s words kept replaying in my mind, stirring up insecurities I thought I’d buried. Was I putting Damien at risk? Was I truly equipped to navigate the dangerous waters of his world?
I frowned, certain I’d booked a standard room to keep expenses reasonable. “There must be some mistake. I didn’t-”
I nodded stiffly. As much as I disliked Bianca personally, I had to grudgingly respect her work ethic. While other wealthy heiresses might be lounging on beaches, she was here hustling during the holiday season, just like me.
Damien’s jaw tightened visibly. “That’s ridiculous. If anything, I’m the one who’s brought danger into your life.”
Bianca’s perfect eyebrows shot up in surprise. “My, my… Damien sent his personal security detail with you?” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “He must be very concerned for your safety. Or perhaps…” she let the sentence hang meaningfully.
“Bianca,” I acknowledged coolly. “I didn’t expect to see you in Milan.”
A cold sensation settled in my stomach. Before I could respond, Mr. Shaw cleared his throat.
As the receptionist processed our check–in, a familiar voice called out from across the lobby, instantly turning my contentment to dread.
155 Chapter 158
“So she genuinely has feelings for you?” The thought stung more than I cared to admit.
“A little,” I admitted. It wasn’t entirely a lic–I was nervous, just not primarily about
work.
I bit my lip, debating how much to share. “We had a brief encounter in the lobby during check–in,” I admitted. “Mr. Shaw was with me.”
With a delicate wave, she sashayed toward the hotel bar, leaving me feeling unsettled and vaguely threatened.
“Actually,” Bianca stepped closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “I’ve been hoping for a chance to talk with you. Perhaps we could have breakfast tomorrow? There are some things about Damien that I think-”
“By the way,” Damien said casually, “I heard Bianca Sinclair is also in Milan this week.” Bianca smiled sweetly. “Of course. We wouldn’t want to keep Hazel from her beauty sleep. She’ll need it for the Nelson presentation.” My surprise at her knowing my schedule must have shown, because she added, “The fashion world is a small one, Hazel. Nothing stays secret for long.”
“Duties,” she repeated, as if testing the word. “Yes, I suppose that’s one way to put it. Tell me, Hazel, has it occurred to you that your relationship might be putting him at risk? The Sterling family has many enemies, and someone as… unaccustomed to that world as you might unintentionally expose vulnerabilities.”
