91 Chapter 94
Chapter 94 – The Weight of His Words and a Friend’s Insight
The soft ringing of the phone echoed in my car as I waited for Damien to pick up. My fingers drummed nervously against the steering wheel while snowflakes continued their gentle descent outside. What would I even say? “Hey, don’t listen to your friend who probably already texted you about seeing me with another man“?
“Hazel,” Damien’s deep voice answered after the third ring. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
I took a deep breath. “Hi, Damien. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”
“Nothing is more important than a call from you,” he replied smoothly. I could almost hear the smile in his voice.
My heart fluttered traitorously. “I… I wanted to tell you something before you hear it from someone else”
“Oh?” Interest colored his tone. “This sounds intriguing.”
“I had dinner with Mr. Vance tonight. My new general manager, I explained quickly. “It was just a welcome dinner, nothing more. But your friend Elias saw us and paid for our meal. I asked him to tell you, but I’m not sure if he will, so I thought I should call you myself.”
A brief silence followed, then Damien chuckled softly. “Let me get this straight. You’re calling me at nine in the evening because you’re worried I might get the wrong idea. about you having dinner with your employee?”
Heat rushed to my face. When he put it that way, it sounded ridiculous.
“I’m not worried, I protested weakly. “I just thought you should know.”
“Hmm.” The sound was deep, amused. “And why would that be necessary, Hazel? Are you concerned about my feelings?”
I gripped the phone tighter. “Don’t tease me, Damien. You know Elias was being deliberate when he approached our table.”
“Elias plays chess while others play checkers, Damien acknowledged. “But you’re calling because you care what I think. That’s… interesting.”
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I couldn’t deny it without lying. “Mr. Vance is talented. He has extensive experience in Asia and knows fabrics like no one I’ve met. He’s professional, organized, and-”
“And you’re deflecting” Damien interrupted gently. “But I appreciate the call, truly. And yes, if Mr. Vance is as impressive as you say, I might indeed feel a twinge of jealousy.”
My breath caught. “You have no reason to be jealous.”
“Don’t I?” His voice lowered. “Let me remind you, Hazel Ashworth, that I was the first to put my cards on the table. I told you how I feel. And while I’m willing to give you all the time you need, I expect something in return.”
“What’s that?” I whispered, my mouth suddenly dry.
“If you do decide to open your heart again, I expect fairness. I’ve been patient. I’ve been honest. I deserve the same courtesy.”
The intensity in his words made my skin prickle. “Are you threatening me, Mr. Sterling?”
“Not threatening,” he corrected. “Just reminding you that actions have consequences. And should you decide to pursue another relationship while I’m standing right here, waiting for you… well, I might have to take drastic measures.
“Drastic how?” I couldn’t help asking, though part of me was afraid of the answer.
“Use your imagination, Hazel.” The silky menace in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. “But rest assured, I don’t give up on what I want. And I want you.”
The possessiveness in his declaration should have offended me. Instead, it sparked something primal and hungry inside me.
“I should go.” I managed. “It’s getting late.”
“Sweet dreams, Hazel.” The gentle words contrasted with the predatory edge of his earlier statements. “And thank you for caring enough to call.”
After hanging up, I sat motionless, staring at the snow swirling in my headlights. What had just happened? Damien had practically staked a claim on me, and instead of being outraged, I felt… desired. Protected. Wanted in a way I’d never experienced before.
Julian had never spoken to me like that. He’d never made me feel like I was something
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precious he couldn’t bear to lose. The comparison made me uncomfortable, but it refused to leave my mind as I drove home through the snowy streets.
+101
Two days later, Victoria’s call came as a welcome distraction.
“Drop whatever boring work you’re doing,” she announced without preamble. “We’re going camping
I balanced my phone against my shoulder while sorting fabric swatches. “Camping? In this weather?”
“Glamping,” she corrected. “My family’s luxury RV campground just opened its winter season. Heated floors, hot tubs under the stars, the works. The first snow is falling, and I refuse to let you miss it. Lisa and Emma are already in.”
The timing couldn’t have been better. My mind had been an endless loop of replaying my conversation with Damien, analyzing every nuance of his words, imagining what his “drastic measures” might entail.
“When do we leave?” I asked, already mentally rearranging my schedule.
Victoria squealed. “That’s my girl! Pack for two nights. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
True to her word, Victoria’s sleek SUV pulled up outside my building exactly one hour later. Lisa and Emma waved enthusiastically from the backseat as I approached with my weekend bag.
“There she is!” Lisa called out. “The workaholic emerges from her cave!”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile as I climbed into the passenger seat. “I do leave my office occasionally.”
“Only when physically dragged,” Emma teased from behind me.
Victoria pulled into traffic, Christmas music playing softly on the stereo. “So, catch ust up. How’s the business? How’s that sexy, mysterious billionaire who’s clearly obsessed with you?”
I nearly choked. “He’s not obsessed with me.”
Three skeptical faces turned toward me briefly before Victoria returned her eyes to
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the road.
“Girl, he had a drone show light up the entire city skyline with your name,” Lisa reminded me. “That’s either obsession or the most baller move in courtship history.”
“It’s… complicated,” I admitted, watching snowflakes melt against the window.
“Complicated is code for ‘I have feelings but I’m scared, Emma translated helpfully.
I shot her a glare through the rearview mirror, which she returned with an innocent
smile.
+101
The drive to Victoria’s family property took just over an hour, winding through increasingly rural landscapes blanketed in pristine white. When we finally turned onto a private road lined with fairy lights, I gasped at the view.
The “campground” was nothing like I’d imagined. Six luxury RVs, each larger than my apartment, sat in a semicircle around a central pavilion. Fire pits glowed outside each one, and I could see the steam rising from what must have been hot tubs.
“Welcome to winter wonderland,” Victoria announced proudly as we parked. “Dad just added the heated walkways this year.”
Inside our assigned RV, luxury continued with plush furnishings, a fully stocked kitchen, and bedrooms that rivaled upscale hotels. After settling in, we bundled up and ventured outside where Victoria had already prepared hot chocolate spiked with
Bailey’s.
“To friendship,” she toasted, raising her mug. “And to Hazel finally taking a break”
We clinked mugs and sipped the warming liquid. The snow had started falling again, large flakes drifting lazily in the golden glow of the outdoor lights.
“I’m going to build a snowman!” Lisa declared suddenly, jumping up. “Who’s with me?”
I snowman wins bragging
“Me!” Emma joined her enthusiasm. “Let’s have a contest. rights!”
Air. Victoria and I remained by the
They raced off, their laughter echoing in the fire, watching our friends become increasingly competitive about their snow creations.
“You seem different,” Victoria said after a comfortable silence.
91 Chapter 94
I turned to her, surprised. “Different how?”
She studied me thoughtfully. “I can’t quite put my finger on it. More alive, maybe? Less- guarded?” A knowing smile spread across her face. “Why do I feel like you have a bit of a girlish demeanor, as if you’re in love again?”
The question hit me with unexpected force, like a physical blow. Was it that obvious? Had Damien’s words affected me so deeply that even my friends could see the change
in me?
“I’m not ” I started to protest, but the words died on my lips. Was I falling for Damien Sterling? After everything I’d been through with Julian, could I really be opening myself up to that kind of vulnerability again?
Victoria waited, patient but persistent, her eyes never leaving my face as I struggled with the truth I’d been avoiding.
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