Chapter Five: Partner for the Night

It had been a week since Claire became Damian Sterling’s personal secretary, and she was finally starting to settle into the routine. She had driven him to the office that morning as usual. By the time she knocked on his door with a letter in hand, the day was already in full swing.

“Sir, it’s Claire.”

“Come in.”

She stepped inside and placed the envelope on his desk. “A letter came for you.”

Damian picked it up and read it in silence, his expression unreadable. Claire leaned in slightly without thinking.

“Who is it from? A girlfriend?”

The look he gave her made her straighten at once.

“It’s from the Sterling Royale Group Gala coordinators,” he said evenly. “An invitation. The event is tomorrow evening. You’re coming with me.”

Claire blinked. “Excuse me, sir? Why am I going with you? I work for Sterling Forge Industries.”

“Sterling Forge is a branch under Sterling Royale Group. Did you forget that?” His voice stayed calm, but there was an edge to it. “Besides, you’re not coming only as my secretary. You’ll be my partner for the evening.”

“Partner?” Claire hesitated. “Don’t you have a girlfriend, sir?”

Damian’s eyes narrowed. “Ms. Ellis, you keep bringing up this girlfriend topic. Why are you so interested in my personal life? That isn’t part of your job.”

Claire immediately lowered her head. “Yes, sir. Sorry for prying.”

“It’s fine, as long as you understand.” He set the letter down. “Come to my house at six tomorrow. We’ll leave from there so we arrive by seven. And Ms. Ellis—”

“Yes, sir?”

“Wear something stunning. This is an important event for the Sterling Royale Group. The heir can’t be seen with someone who looks ordinary.”

Claire forced a polite nod. “Yes, sir.”

---

That evening, Sophie sat on the edge of Claire’s bed while Claire tried on an evening dress in front of the mirror.

“You look amazing,” Sophie said with a grin. “Sorry I haven’t been able to come over since we spoke. I’ve been stuck going on a lot of dates.”

Claire glanced at her through the mirror. “Your dad started setting up blind dates again?”

“Yes. And I keep sabotaging them. I want to marry for love, not some man my father picks.” Sophie’s smile faded a little. “I’ve tried talking to him. He just says he wants me to marry someone who can help take BioCure Labs further.”

“You can do that yourself,” Claire said.

“Exactly. I’m working hard so I can be a strong CEO. I don’t need a rich husband to do it for me. I want someone who’ll cook for me just because, or give me a massage after a long day. He’ll have a job, of course.”

“Obviously,” Claire agreed.

Sophie sighed and then brightened. “Anyway, I’m here now. What’s going on? You said you needed to talk.”

Claire reached for her purse and pulled out Sophie’s credit card. “First, here’s your card. You gave it to me that night at the club.”

Sophie took it with a small laugh. “I have so many I forgot about it. Right—what happened that night? You disappeared. I was worried. I pushed you to drink so much, and if something had happened to you while you were drunk…”

Claire was quiet for a moment. “Something did happen. Not exactly bad… but it happened.”

Sophie leaned forward. “Tell me.”

Claire took a breath. “I had a one-night stand with a stranger who turned out to be my new boss. And that boss turned out to be Damian Sterling—the youngest billionaire in the industry.”

Sophie’s eyes went wide. “Damian Sterling of Sterling Royale Group? That’s huge. Wait—does that mean you finally lost your virginity?”

Claire gave a small, embarrassed nod. “I didn’t remember much at first, but pieces have been coming back. It was… intense. Sometimes when I look at him, I remember that night.”

Sophie let out an excited squeal. “I’m so happy for you! So the man you’re going to the gala with is Damian Sterling? That man is every woman’s dream. I would actually show up to one of my dad’s blind dates if it was him.” She paused, then added with a sly smile, “Does this mean he’s into you?”

“Absolutely not,” Claire said quickly. “He only slept with me because he thought I was someone named Serena.”

Sophie’s brows rose. “Could Serena be his girlfriend?”

“If she is, then why am I the one going with him to the gala?” Claire muttered.

Sophie tilted her head. “Why are you pouting? Don’t you want to go?”

“Maybe not. Saturday is supposed to be my free day.”

“You’re going as Damian Sterling’s partner. You get to stand next to him all night and no one will question it. What could be better than that?”

Claire opened her mouth, then closed it. After a second she shook her head. “He’s my boss. That’s not the kind of relationship we have.”

Sophie grinned. “You two slept together. That’s already not a formal relationship. Do you think he ever thinks about that night?”

Claire let out a soft chuckle and pushed a dress into Sophie’s hands. “Stop it. Just help me pick something to wear.”

---

Saturday evening came faster than Claire expected.

She walked through the gala hallway adjusting the black off-shoulder dress Sophie had finally approved. Her steps quickened. She was already late. Damian had called earlier to say he needed to arrive first to handle a few matters, so she was attending on her own for now.

When she stepped into the ballroom, the light from the chandeliers was almost blinding. Crystal, gold, and polished marble filled the massive space. Guests in formal wear moved between tables, champagne glasses in hand. The air itself felt expensive.

Claire’s heels clicked against the floor as she moved further inside. A few people turned to look at her. She offered a polite smile and kept walking until her eyes found him.

Damian stood near the center of the ballroom with a glass of champagne in his hand, speaking with a small group of guests. Even among them, he stood out—tall, composed, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Their eyes met. He gave her a small signal to come over.

Claire made her way through the crowd and took her place beside him. Damian’s free hand settled lightly on her waist. The contact sent a quiet current through her, but she kept her expression calm.

They had only been standing together for a short moment when the main doors of the ballroom opened.

A soft wave of attention shifted toward the entrance.

Serena walked in on the arm of a tall, well-dressed man. She looked stunning in an elegant gown, red hair falling perfectly over her shoulders. The man beside her carried the easy confidence of someone used to wealth.

Claire felt the change in Damian before she even looked at him.

His entire body went rigid. The champagne glass slipped from his fingers and shattered against the marble floor. The sharp sound cut through the nearby conversation. Several people turned.

Claire stared at him in shock.

She had never seen Damian Sterling look like this. The cold control he always wore was gone. For a brief second, his face was completely unguarded—raw surprise, something darker underneath it.

Serena’s gaze found him almost immediately. She walked toward them with a calm, deliberate smile, her fiancé close beside her.

“Damian,” she said softly. “It’s been a long time.”

Then her eyes shifted to Claire. She offered a polite smile.

“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Serena.” She glanced back at Damian, her tone light but pointed. “And who is this? One of your public-facing girlfriends?”

The air between them turned heavy.

Damian recovered in the next breath. He slid his arm fully around Claire’s waist and pulled her firmly against his side, the gesture clear and possessive. When he spoke, his voice was steady, cold, and loud enough for those nearby to hear.

“This is Claire,” he said, looking straight at Serena. “My fiancée.”