Chapter 1:missing you

Elara

The days after I blocked Damien’s number felt heavy and empty. I became very distant from everyone. At school, I walked with my head down and avoided talking to people. When I saw Kael in the hallways or near the cafeteria, I quickly changed direction or hid behind other students. I did not want to face him or hear his cruel words again. Every time our eyes met, he gave me a mocking smile, but I ignored him completely and kept walking.

My life became a simple routine. I woke up early, went to my classes, then headed straight to the local bar for my evening shift. The work was tiring. My feet hurt from standing long hours, and my arms ached from carrying heavy trays. But I kept working hard. The pay was enough to pay for my small motel room and simple meals. I told myself this was better. This was me taking control of my life again.

At night, when I returned to the motel, the room felt lonely and cold. I would take a shower, lie on the hard bed, and try to sleep. But sleep never came easily. My body still remembered Damien. Even though I tried to forget him, my mind kept replaying the way he touched me, the way he kissed me, and how full and satisfied I felt when he was inside me.

Many nights, the ache between my legs became too strong to ignore. I would slide my hand slowly into my panties. My fingers moved over my wet folds as I closed my eyes and thought about Damien. I imagined his thick cock pushing into me, his deep voice whispering my name, and his strong hands holding my hips.

“Damien…” I would whisper softly in the dark room while my fingers rubbed my clit faster and faster.

I pushed two fingers inside myself, trying to feel what he used to make me feel. My back would arch off the bed as pleasure built up. I bit my lip to stop myself from moaning too loudly. In my mind, I could see his handsome face looking down at me, his dark eyes full of desire.

When the orgasm finally came, it was quick and sharp. My body shook, and I whispered his name again and again until the feeling passed. After it was over, I always felt empty and guilty. Tears would sometimes fill my eyes.

I knew deep down that I loved him. I wanted him to be mine. But I also knew it was too risky. He was Kael’s father. He was rich and powerful. I was just a nineteen-year-old girl with nothing. What if Kael was right? What if Damien was only using me for fun and would leave me when he got tired?

So I stayed away. I kept working, kept studying, and kept satisfying myself with my own hand every night. It was not the same, but it was safer. Or at least that was what I told myself.

Damien’s POV

It had been many days since Elara ran from my penthouse. From the day she came to my house after the big fight with Kael and Selene, I had not seen her or heard from her at all. Her phone was switched off or she had blocked my number. Every time I tried to call, it went straight to voicemail.

I thought about her all the time.

In the morning, when I drank my coffee and looked out at the city from my penthouse, I remembered how she looked standing by the window wearing my shirt. During meetings at work, my mind would drift to the way she moaned my name when I was deep inside her. At night, I lay in the big bed alone and remembered the warmth of her small body pressed against mine.

She was everywhere in my thoughts.

I wanted to ask Kael if he had seen her, but I could not bring myself to do it. Things between me and my son were already bad. If I started asking about Elara, he would know something was going on. I refused to give him that satisfaction.

But I could not just sit and wait. I needed to find her.

I called my private investigator, the same man who had been watching Kael before. “Find her,” I told him. “I want to know where she is staying, where she works, and if she is safe. Do it quietly. I don’t want her to know yet.”

Every day that passed without news of her made the feeling in my chest heavier. I had never felt this way about any woman before. Elara was young, innocent, and strong at the same time. She had gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever had. The thought of her out there alone, hurting, and trying to survive made me restless.

I would do everything to find her. I would make sure she was safe. And when I did find her, I would not let her run away again. She belonged with me now, whether she was ready to accept it or not.

Elara

Even though I tried hard to move on, my body still reacted every time I thought about Damien. A simple memory of his touch was enough to make heat rush between my legs. I craved him so badly. I missed the way he held me like I was precious. I missed the way he fucked me with so much hunger and control.

Deep down, I knew the truth. I loved him. Not just the pleasure he gave me, but the way he made me feel safe and wanted. I wanted him to be mine. I wanted to wake up in his arms every morning and fall asleep with his body wrapped around me at night.

But I could not risk it.

What if people found out? What if Kael told everyone and ruined my life at school? What if Damien really got tired of me one day and threw me away like Kael said he would? My heart would break into pieces, and I did not think I could survive that kind of pain.

So I kept my distance. I worked harder at the bar, smiled at customers even when I felt sad inside, and came back to my small motel room every night. I satisfied myself with my fingers while whispering Damien’s name in the darkness.

It was painful, but I told myself it was the right thing to do.

Still, every night before I fell asleep, the same question kept turning in my mind:

How long could I keep running from the man I loved?