Chapter Ten

“Aria”. 

Damian's voice echoed with the warmth of his thunder. 

I turned, relief flooding me. 

He stood across the garden, his eyes fixed on Tyler. 

My gratitude was unmatched. 

I heard Damian saying "Get up!" as he stood. 

Tyler raised his hands. "Just hanging on." What's next? 

The presence of Damian was unremarkable. "You're not welcome here.". Not near her. Not in this city.”. 

Tyler smirked. “Wow. Do they have a commanding presence? 

Low and dangerous, Damian's voice was heard as he said: "You don’t want to test me. 

Tyler's gaze widened to look at me, and then towards Damian. "This won't endure.". Girls like her? They break. And when she does”. 

The speed at which Damian moved was almost non-existent to me. 

Tyler was grabbed by the collar and slammed against the garden wall. He continued. 

She was broke,' said Damian growling. "And she is standing." What did they mean? 

I was positioned behind him, with my breath trapped between my mouth and my heart. 

"Leave, then depart," Damian pleaded. "Before I forget that I'm wearing a suit.". 

Tyler appeared shaken for the first time. 

He removed his shirt and left, muttering something unfamiliar to me. 

Upon his departure, Damian's eyes softened and he looked at me. 

“Are you okay?”. 

Nodding amidst my discomfort. 

He caressed my face. "I should have stayed with you.". 

I said no. At the right time, you came." What happened? Why? 

He didn't speak. I was pulled into his arms by him. 

I allowed myself to feel secure for a moment.’ 

But I had a feeling at the core that this wasn't finished. 

My past was brought to her by his mother. The extent of her game was beyond our expectations. 

Next time, I may not be able to stand. However... 

Aria. 

Upon returning to my car, I was filled with discomfort and began to tremble. 

With my hands in my lap and fingers firmly planted, Damian was constantly staring at me from behind the wheel, as if I were about to collapse. 

His voice lowered as soon as he finally said, "Say something.". 

I had no idea what to say.'". I could still see Tyler's grin. To this day, I'm hearing his voice in my mind. 

More importantly, I observed Damian's effortless movement of Tyler against the wall. 

He'd been terrifying. And perfect. 

“I'm sorry,” I finally whispered. 

"What's the reason for your apology," Damian scowled. 

I brought all of this into your life, because. 

My mess... my past.”. 

His sudden acceleration caused the car to be pulled over to one side by him. 

Then he looked back at me. 

He responded negatively, saying "No thanks.". 

Aria, it's clear that you have a positive past. It's painful. And it wasn't your fault.”. 

Tears soaked up my eyes. “Nevertheless, it'll be fatal to everything.". Your mom's already”. 

I'm not concerned about my mom.". 

It's your legacy, that'd you say? 

Your company. Your name.”. 

“I care about you more.”. 

He smacked me with his words.' Warm and heavy. 

"Ariana, I know you're not the girl I picked up,” he declared. 

With you. All of it.”. 

I gazed at him, and it felt like a crack in my heart. 

I wanted to believe it. 

I intended to have the confidence that I could fit in with him. 

“I'm scared,” I said. 

He reached out and grabbed me.". He had a warm, steady palm. "Let's secure you.". 

I nodded, just once. That was my current limit of what I could do. 

Once again he put the brakes on and we drove in silence. Silence is inconsequential—just not enough with words.' 

After reaching his penthouse, I followed him in and felt like my feet had barely touched the ground. It was a beautiful day. 

Upon entering, he immediately turned towards me. “Please don’t disturb me this evening.”. 

“I thought I already was.”. 

A smile formed on his lips as he said, "I mean, stay.". In my room. My bed.”. 

My heart skipped. 

I don’t want anything,’ he added. 

Make sure you feel safe.”. 

I hesitated... but then nodded. 

The feeling of being safe was unparalleled when I was near him. 

He gave me a soft T-shirt from his drawer and turned away as I changed. It was so nice of him. I looked at my reflection.’ The. Although I was engulfed by his shirt, I didn't care. Why? 

Upon reaching the bed, I entered. 

After a second thought, Damian joined me and maintained his support. 

I said softly, "You can do without restraint.". 

That was all it took. 

His arms embraced me, pulling me towards his chest with warmth and strength that caused me to melt without any indication. 

He kissed me on the head. "Slumber, please," asked him. 

I stayed awake with closed eyes, but my alarm was still off. 

Not because I was scared. 

All of his qualities were within my grasp. His chest against my back. His breath on my neck. He had his hand on my waist.'... 

Moved me slightly, and his grip became. 

“Sorry,” I whispered. 

He shed softly. “Keep going forward, don't worry about what comes next.” She continued. 

My cheeks flamed. 

But I didn't stop moving. 

“Aria,” he warned, voice husky. 

With my lips touching his cheek, I turned to face him. “Don't be me.”. 

There was no movement from him. His mouth collided with mine, hungry and deep in my thoughts. 

Then he moved his hand under the shirt to my waist and touched my naked skin with his fingers.? Then, I gasped and he continued the kissing, which was more intense. 

I kissed him, in need of more.’ The. I Need him. 

He rolled me gently beneath him, breaking the kiss before saying, "Stop making eye contact.". 

But I didn't. 

I didn't want him to experience it. Why? 

His lips ran down my neck and every part of my body that made contact with his collarbone. 

My breath came faster. My heart beat wild. 

Upon coming face to face with me, I felt secure. 

Wanted. 

Whole. 

Then, we were tangled together, our hearts still beating. 

Despite being scared, he asked me to brush my face with my hair. 

"I said no," she replied. "Not at all.". 

Slow and steady, he kissed me once more. It was a deep kiss. 

I had never felt like I could stand up to anything in the future and for the first time since. 

But that peace didn't last. 

The next morning, I was awoken by the sound of Damian's phone buzzing. Why? 

He answered quietly, too quietly. 

He sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulders stiff.' 

“What's it?” I asked. 

He didn't look at me. 

Instead of something else, he said two words that made my stomach water. 

“She knows.”.