Dream

Elias POV

The grand ballroom slowly emptied as the night grew late. I had spent the rest of the evening avoiding Damien Voss as much as possible while still appearing dutiful.

Every time I caught a glimpse of his tall figure in the black suit, my stomach twisted.

By the time the event officially ended, exhaustion had settled deep into my bones.

Emily was waiting for me near the exit, car keys in hand. She had stayed until the end, as always.

“Ready to go?” she asked, her voice lacking the warmth it once held.

I nodded, too drained to speak much. “Yes. Thank you for waiting.”

We walked to her car in silence. The cool night air felt refreshing against my overheated skin. Once inside, I leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes as Emily started the engine.

The drive home was quiet for several minutes before she finally spoke.

“You handled tonight well,” she said, eyes fixed on the road. “Especially with… him. I saw you talking to Damien Voss. You didn’t falter in his presence.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I almost did. If you hadn’t pulled me aside earlier… I don’t know what would’ve happened. Thank you, Emily for everything tonight.”

She glanced at me briefly. “You don’t have to thank me. I told you — face your fear. You did that. Even if your hands were shaking the whole time.”

I didn’t reply.

The memory of Damien’s voice, his intense gaze behind that black mask, and the way he had studied me kept replaying in my head. He didn’t seem to recognize me fully… or maybe he was just playing with me.

Either way, the fear lingered like poison in my veins.

We reached my apartment building sooner than I expected. Emily pulled up to the entrance and put the car in park.

“Here we are,” she said. “Get some rest. You look like you’re about to collapse.”

I unbuckled my seatbelt slowly. “Drive safely. And Emily… I’m really sorry about what I said that day in the office. I didn’t mean it.”

She gave me a small nod, not fully forgiving but not angry either. “I know. Go inside, Elias. We’ll talk another time.”

I stepped out of the car and watched her drive off before heading into the building.

The elevator ride to my floor felt endless. Every muscle in my body ached — from standing for hours, from the tension of pretending everything was fine, and from the constant fear that Damien might actually remember me.

By the time I unlocked my apartment door, I was running on fumes.

I didn’t bother turning on many lights. I kicked off my shoes, loosened my tie, and stripped out of my suit jacket, leaving everything draped over the couch. I didn’t have the energy to eat or even shower properly. I just wanted to sleep and forget this night ever happened.

I collapsed onto my bed still wearing my dress shirt and trousers. The moment my head hit the pillow, a heavy wave of tiredness washed over me. My body begged for rest.

But my mind… my mind wouldn’t shut off.

Damien Voss.

His name echoed in my thoughts like a curse. That alluring magnetic voice.

The way he had looked at me — like he could see straight through my mask and my carefully built walls. Did he know? Was he toying with me? Or was it all just a cruel coincidence?

I turned onto my side, pulling the blanket over myself. Flashes from that hotel night kept forcing their way in — his heavy body pressing me down, the burning pain, the unwilling pleasure, his growls in my ear.

And now he was here, in my world, talking business with my father’s company.

What if he found out who I really was? What if he decided he wanted to finish what he started?

A shiver ran through me despite the warmth of the blanket. My heart raced even as exhaustion pulled at my eyelids.

He can’t know, I told myself. He didn’t recognize me. He can’t.

But deep down, I wasn’t sure. The way he had spoken to me tonight almost intrigued made me feel exposed. Like prey being circled.

I curled up tighter, trying to push the thoughts away. Tomorrow would be another long day. Another day of pretending.

Another day of watching Fred take credit for my work while I smiled like it didn’t destroy me inside.

My breathing slowly evened out. The images of Damien’s masked face began to blur at the edges.

Just sleep…

Please, just let me sleep…

Finally, after what felt like hours of mental fighting, darkness claimed me. I drifted off with Damien’s voice still whispering in the back of my mind.