Chapter 12:The shock

Damien’s POV

My phone rang very early in the morning, cutting through the silence of my penthouse. I was still half asleep, and the sound made me angry. I reached for the phone with a frown, ready to shout at whoever was calling so early. But when I saw the name on the screen, my mood changed instantly.

It was Lucas, my private investigator.

He was the best I had ever worked with. For the past three years, he had handled many important and delicate tasks for me. He was quiet, fast, and always got results. That was why I trusted him with finding Elara. I knew if anyone could locate her, it would be him.

I answered the call quickly. “Tell me you have good news.”

“I found her, sir,” Lucas said in his usual calm voice. “She’s staying at a cheap motel on the east side of town, near that small local bar called Blue Moon. Room 17. She works there as a waitress. She goes to school during the day and comes back late at night.”

A rush of relief and happiness filled my chest. Finally. I now knew exactly where my baby girl was. For days I had been restless, thinking about her every minute. Not knowing if she was safe or hurting had been driving me crazy.

“Thank you, Lucas. You’ve done well,” I said, my voice full of gratitude. “Send me the exact address right now.”

I didn’t waste any time. As soon as I hung up, I got out of bed and took a quick shower. I dressed in a simple but nice dark shirt and trousers nothing too fancy, because I didn’t want to scare her. My heart was beating fast with excitement and nervousness. I had to convince her that what we had was real. That I wasn’t just using her. That I truly loved her.

I grabbed my car keys and drove straight to the motel. When I arrived, my heart sank a little. The place looked old and worn out. The paint on the doors was peeling, and the parking lot had cracks everywhere. This was no place for my Elara. She deserved so much better soft beds, beautiful views, and someone who would take care of her.

I parked my black car a little distance away and waited. My eyes stayed fixed on the door of Room 17. After about twenty minutes, the door opened. Elara stepped out carrying a small bag of garbage. She looked tired but still so beautiful. Her hair was tied back simply, and she wore an old t-shirt and jeans. Even in simple clothes, she made my chest feel tight with longing.

I got out of the car and called her name loudly.

“Elara!”

She froze. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw me. For a second, she looked happy, but then fear and guilt took over her face.

“Damien…” she whispered.

Before I could say anything more, she turned around quickly and tried to run back inside her room. I moved fast. I reached her in a few steps and wrapped my arms around her from behind, holding her tight but gently.

“Elara, please don’t go,” I said softly, my voice full of emotion. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Please… just talk to me.”

She struggled a little in my arms, but I didn’t let her go. I could feel her body shaking.

“Let me go, Damien,” she said, her voice breaking. “You don’t love me. You just slept with me to satisfy yourself. I was convenient for you, that’s all.”

Her words hurt, but I knew they came from fear, not truth. I turned her around slowly so she was facing me. I kept my hands on her shoulders, holding her gently so she couldn’t run away again.

“No, Elara. That’s not true,” I said, looking straight into her beautiful eyes. “Look at me. Really look at me.”

She tried to look away, but I gently lifted her chin with my fingers.

“I know we started in a complicated way. I know there is Kael and all the pain he caused you. But what we have is real. There is something special between us this extraordinary chemistry that I have never felt with anyone else. When I’m with you, the whole world feels quieter. You make me want to be better. You make me want to protect you and take care of you every single day.”

Tears filled her eyes. She looked so vulnerable, so young, and so scared.

“Please, Elara,” I continued softly, my voice warm and sincere. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love me. Tell me you don’t feel the same pull I feel every time we’re close. If you can honestly say that, I will walk away right now and never bother you again. But I don’t think you can say it… because I see the truth in your eyes every time you look at me.”

She stayed quiet for a long moment. Her lips trembled, and a tear rolled down her cheek. I wiped it away gently with my thumb.

“Come with me,” I said. “This place is not safe for you. Let me take you home to my home. You don’t have to decide everything today. Just let me take care of you. Let me show you how much you mean to me.”

She didn’t answer with words, but she stopped fighting. That was enough for me.

Without waiting any longer, I bent down and lifted her into my arms, carrying her like she weighed nothing. She gasped in surprise but didn’t push me away. I carried her to my car, opened the passenger door, and gently placed her inside. Then I locked the doors so she couldn’t run.

I got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. As I drove away from the dirty motel, I reached over and took her small hand in mine. Her fingers were cold, but she didn’t pull away.

“You are safe now, baby girl,” I said softly, my voice full of love and promise. “I’m not going to let you go again. I love you, Elara. Not because it’s easy, but because you have become the most important person in my life.”

She looked out the window, tears still falling silently, but she squeezed my hand just a little. That small squeeze gave me hope. The road back to my penthouse felt shorter than ever because she was finally sitting beside me again.

I would do whatever it took to make her believe in us. I would be patient, I would be gentle, and I would show her every single day that my love for her was real and deep.

She was mine. And I was hers.