CHAPTER 14

Falling Apart

Damian’s POV

I stared at the message on my phone until it got hard for me to see.

“Did you think I wouldn’t follow? Your time is ticking.”

I read it again, my hands shaking. My stomach was already turning even though I wasn't fully awake yet. The bed beside me was still warm where Eliot had been.

But he was nowhere to be found. I stood up and rushed out of the room. I checked the hallway. Nothing. The lobby. Still nothing. His name was no longer on the guest log. His number wasn't going through. It went straight to voicemail.

He just disappeared. Like leaving after a night with a hookup. No goodbye or text message. It was just me and the thought that someone was watching. Someone who wanted me to feel this way.

I made my way back to the room. The room was eerie silent now. And here was my phone with the kind of message that made me gasp for air.

“Did you think I wouldn’t follow? Your time is ticking.”

Who was this person? What exactly does he want from me?

The question kept playing over and over in my head all morning. It repeated as I stood in front of the mirror and tied my perfect silk tie.

It played over and over as I shook hands with strangers, smiled like nothing was wrong, and said lines I had practiced a hundred times.

But none of that mattered. Because someone was somewhere watching all my movement

Eliot was nowhere to be found.

As I stood in front of a glass wall at a Vale International press event, I pretended like I had everything under control, even though there was a storm brewing inside me. The crystal lights in the Vale International ballroom made the room shine.

I looked great in my suit. My smile was timed, as I stood up straight.

But my head? It was a mess.

People walked around the hall with drinks in their hands, wearing suits and high heels that were smooth on the marble. I jumped every time someone laughed. Every time someone looked my way, I imagined they knew.

I felt like the picture had already leaked. And it seemed like every camera was on me, waiting for me to make a mistake.

When the cameras went off. People smiled widely even though not all the smiles were genuine. Waiters walked through the crowd like shadows.

The event was the company's yearly show for partners, investors, and the press. One of the best nights ever.

But I couldn't concentrate. Everyone felt like a threat. Every look was sharp. Every laugh that came from behind a wine glass sounded like they were talking about me.

“Mr. Vale.” A voice called behind my back, jolting me out of my thoughts.

I turned quickly and found a woman smiling brightly at me. She put her hand on my sleeve and said, "Lovely event. Everything looks great."

I smiled but didn't reach my ears. “Thank you. That's what we want.”

She drifted off into the crowd, and I didn’t even remember who she was or her name.

I moved to the window to get some fresh air.

Outside, the skyline sparkled like a painting, and I wished I could walk through it. Just disappear into the thin air and change who I was.

But I couldn’t. Not with Maxwell watching.

He stood by the bar, charming a Forbes reporter with that calculated warmth of his. The kind he saved for people he needed.

He looked around the room.

And his eyes landed on me. They were sharp and hard to read so I quickly turned away.

I was slipping and he knew it.

Before I could regain myself, someone tapped me at the small of my back. I tensed up, and all of my muscles froze.

Then I turned—

Eliot.

My heart pounded. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

He looked like he always did—cool, polished, and completely at ease. But his tie was loosened just enough to look defiant. He smiled softly, as if he knew what I was going to say.

“I see you survived the morning,” he said plainly as if he hadn't done anything wrong.

"You left with a word," I said in a whisper, trying not to sound like I had been broadening on it since the sun came up.

"I had to,” he remarked, his voice carrying no remorse.

"You should have told me.” I snapped but quickly composed myself.

He gave a shrug. “I thought it would be more exciting that way.”

I stared at him. Part of me was furious about what he did, while the other part wanted to touch him badly.

“I woke up to an empty bed and a threat on my phone,” I muttered. "That's not a good way to start the day."

Eliot leaned in a little. His voice dropped just low enough for me to hear.

"I thought the kiss marks and the way your hair was messed up would make you feel close to me even when I wasn't there."

My throat tightened, my face turned red. "Don't flirt."

“Why not?” he asked. “It’s safer than saying I missed you.”

My heart raced that I could hear it thumping in my ears..

We were surrounded by powerful people, crystal glasses, and expectations. What if they heard what he just said.

And all I wanted was to hold his face in my hands and ask him why he ran away. But I couldn't.

“I’m tearing apart,” I admitted.

That playful look was still in his eyes as he slowly looked at me over. Yeah. The way you look says it all.”

We stood close to each other—too close. Anyone watching might’ve thought we were discussing merger terms. But everything under the surface said otherwise.

His finger lightly touched mine for a moment. When he touched me, a shiver ran down my spine, my skin tingling.

"Your dad is staring,” Eliot said in a whisper.

"I know."

"Does he always watch this closely?"

"Not really."

Eliot laughed. "I guess our short night together made you want to be with me even more."

“Eliot." I cautioned.

He smiled and moved back. “Relax. I'm only here for the champagne, not to hurt my feelings."

Maxwell started to move across the room.

I tensed up. Eliot followed my gaze and nodded.

“Here comes your shadow,” he said. “Try not to look like we were talking about how great last night was..”

“Shut up.”

“You shut up,” he whispered back, smirking as he vanished into the crowd.

Maxwell stopped in front of me and looked at me with his sharp eyes.

His voice was rough and low as he said, "You've been distant."

"I've been busy,” I answered plainly.

He glanced around, then back at me. “Busy losing focus.”

"I haven't."

"You've been looking off all night,” he added.

"I'm fine."

"You're losing it,” he said, his voice sharp. “Follow me.”

He waited until we were at the edge of the terrace, away from listening ears.

It was colder outside than I thought it would be. I was glad for it. It would give me a shock that makes me feel stable again.

“You think I don’t see it?” Maxwell said. “The way you drift off during meetings? The way you look when you think no one’s watching?”

I stayed silent, my head hanging low.

"End it no matter what," he said. "Before the end you."

I raised up my head and looked into his eyes. "And what exactly do you think that is?"

He didn’t blink. “That’s the problem—I don’t know. And I don't want to know. Just end it.”

He adjusted his cufflinks to show that he was done talking.

Then he dropped the bombshell.

“I’ve hired a private investigator,” he said blankly.

I went cold. "What?"

“You heard me right.” He replied. “I did that to protect the family name.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re spying on me?”

He cocked his head. I’m protecting us. Don’t give them anything to find.”

My mouth dried out. His eyes spoke louder than his words. It was obvious he knew something. Not everything. But enough to start digging.

And if he kept digging… He would find out about Eliot and me. The hotel and everything I have kept from him.