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Evelyn povThe evening stretches on, the air thick with the scent of roasted herbs and aged wine. I step outside onto the balcony, hoping to steal a moment of fresh air away from the crowded room. The cool breeze brushes against my skin, offering a fleeting sense of relief—until I catch the faint glow of a cigarette ember in the shadows.Damian Blackstone leans against the railing, half-hidden by the dim light, smoke curling lazily from between his fingers. I freeze, not realizing anyone else was out here.“Sorry… I didn’t know—”He glances at me, one brow lifting in that effortlessly arrogant way of his. “You don’t have to apologize. Balcony’s big enough for both of us.”I hesitate. The polite thing to do would be to leave—but something about the way he’s watching me makes my feet stay rooted. Still, I force myself to turn back toward the door. My hand grips the handle, ready to disappear—but it doesn’t budge.Locked.A low chuckle rumbles behind me. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a
The taxi weaved through Manhattan’s endless motion, the city alive with flashing billboards, honking horns, and pedestrians moving with purpose. Skyscrapers stretched toward the sky, their glass surfaces reflecting the golden hues of the morning sun. I exhaled slowly, my fingers tightening around my bag strap.Damian’s penthouse was in one of the most exclusive high-rises, and as the taxi pulled up to the entrance, I took a steadying breath before stepping out. Inside, the lobby was all marble and glass, the kind of place where money wasn’t just spent—it was displayed.The front desk receptionist, a blonde woman with sharp eyes, barely spared me a glance before giving me a once-over, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Can I help you?” she asked, skepticism lacing her tone.“I’m here for Damian Blackstone,” I said evenly.Her brows lifted. “And you are?”“Evelyn Carter. His private chef.”She didn’t bother hiding her doubt, eyes flicking to my simple black blouse and jeans. I sighed,
The early morning light spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Damian Blackstone’s penthouse, casting a soft glow over the sleek, modern kitchen. I roll up the sleeves of my crisp white chef’s jacket, inhaling the stillness of the morning before the inevitable chaos that will come with working for a man like him. The marble counter tops gleam, untouched, the high-end appliances silent. It’s a kitchen built for show, not for use, and it’s clear that no one has bothered to cook in here before me.I step toward the massive double-door refrigerator and pull it open, taking stock of the groceries delivered yesterday. Everything remains exactly where I left it—pristine vegetables still wrapped in their packaging, farm-fresh eggs untouched, smoked salmon sealed in its sleek black casing. My fingers brush over a loaf of sourdough bread, its golden crust slightly crisp to the touch. Good. At least I won’t have to deal with stale bread this morning.Grabbing what I need, I set the ingre
The door clicked shut behind me, the sound echoing in the silence. My bag slid from my shoulder, landing with a soft thud on the floor. I stood there, just for a moment, letting the weight of the day sink in. My feet ached. My head throbbed. Every muscle felt stretched too thin, like a wire about to snap.I moved toward the kitchen, each step heavier than the last. The apartment was dark, quiet. A stark contrast to the glossy, oversize penthouse I’d spent the day in. I reached for the glass on the counter, filled it from the tap, and took a long drink. The water was cool, grounding. I leaned against the counter, staring at the blank wall.My mind wouldn’t stop. I could still hear the low hum of Damien Blackstone’s voice, smooth and taunting, wrapping around me like smoke. His smirk. The way his eyes flicked toward me, catching every stumble, every awkward breath I took. I squeezed my eyes shut.The flashback hit hard.The kitchen at the penthouse was pristine, every surface gleaming u
Damien Blackstone wasn’t himself that evening. I knew it the moment he stepped through the grand oak doors of Blackstone Manor, his presence lacking the usual energy that filled the house when he arrived. The soft click of his shoes against the marble floor echoed through the quiet entryway, each step measured and heavy. There was no laughter tonight, no playful hum under his breath, and most noticeably, no woman clinging to his arm, eyes wide with wonder at the house and the man who owned it.I was in the kitchen, carefully slicing herbs for the evening’s meal when I heard the door. As usual, I wiped my hands on my apron and made my way to greet him. Damien was a man of routine — and part of that routine was exchanging a few teasing words with me before retreating to his quarters or entertaining his guests. But tonight felt different.When I saw him, I almost didn’t recognize him. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as if he’d run his hands through it one too many times. His norma
The sun slipped through the massive windows, bathing the penthouse in a golden haze. The sizzle of bacon filled the silence, a steady rhythm against the quiet morning. I cracked an egg into the bowl, the yolk breaking cleanly as I whisked, the motion methodical. The place felt too still. Peaceful. I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.Damien sauntered in, barefoot and half-dressed, with that insufferable smirk plastered across his face. His shirt hung open at the collar, dark hair tousled like he’d just rolled out of bed — which he probably had. The Damien from Saturday night, the one who’d shown a flicker of vulnerability, had vanished. Now, he was back to his usual self: playful, careless, and maddeningly charming.“Morning, Chef. Miss me?” His voice slid over the words like honey.I didn’t bother looking up. “Like a migraine.”Damien chuckled and poured himself a coffee, leaning against the counter to watch me. I could feel his gaze on me, heavy and expectant, but I kept my focus on
The kitchen was a disaster zone. Flour dusted the countertops, mixing bowls were piled in the sink, and the faint smell of burnt sugar lingered in the air. I stood in the middle of it all, phone in hand, heart pounding as I stared at the empty flour container. Of course. Of course, I’d run out of the one thing I needed most.I scrolled through my usual delivery apps, but everything was closed. Midnight baking experiments had their risks, and tonight I’d lost the gamble. I let out a frustrated sigh, slamming the cupboard shut harder than necessary. “I decided to bake some cookies since Damien seems to love them so much. Apparently, he has quite the sweet tooth.“Problem?” Damian’s voice drifted in from the living room.I turned to see him leaning in the doorway, cigarette dangling from his lips, one brow arched in amusement. He wore that usual air of casual disinterest, like nothing ever really got to him.“Delivery mishap. I’m out of ingredients.” I rubbed my temples, trying to will a
Damien povthe morning sun, a pale sliver in the eastern sky, struggled to pierce through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse. I stood on the balcony, the chill of the early morning air biting through my skin. The distant hum of traffic drifted upward, a soft undercurrent beneath the city’s awakening pulse — a stark contrast to the silence within these walls.I sipped my coffee, the bitter taste a welcome counterpoint to the unsettling calm that had settled over me. Sleep had evaded me, and a sense of unease, vague and undefined, gnawed at the edges of my thoughts as I entered and stood in the living room, still nursing my black coffee that matched my mood. I’d been up since dawn, restless and preoccupied, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.Perhaps it was her. EvelynThe thought lingered in my mind, uninvited yet insistent. I’d hired her for her culinary skills—and those were undeniable. Her food was exquisite, and each dish was crafted with precision and a touch of artistry th
evelyn povThe moment the elevator doors slid open, Damian didn’t wait. His hand found mine as he pulled me into the penthouse, the quiet click of the doors sealing us away from the world behind.The gala was hours behind us, but the emotions were still raw. The confrontation, the tension, the way I had stood my ground—and the way he had protected me and, All of it lingered between us like a spark begging to be lit.As soon as the door shut, he turned and kissed me.There was no pretense. No slow buildup.Just lips on lips, deep and consuming. His hands found my waist, guiding me backward until my back met the wall. He kissed like he needed to feel alive again—like I was the only thing anchoring him to the ground.I gasped softly as his mouth moved along my jawline, and my fingers tangled in his dark hair. Damian’s breath was warm and uneven, his words muttered against my skin.“You have no idea what tonight did to me.”His hands slid down to my hips, pulling me closer, and I smiled a
evelyn povDamian and I eventually reached the center of the room, where a small gathering of powerful figures stood, engaging in animated conversation. But I felt the heat of Eric’s gaze on me before I saw him move.And then, it happened.Eric’s eyes locked onto mine, and everything around me seemed to blur into a hazy, distant noise. My heart stopped for a beat, my breath caught in my throat.“You’re here,” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief as he approached us, completely disregarding the woman on his arm.Damian stepped in front of me, his posture protective but calm, a silent warning in his stance. “She doesn’t owe you anything, Eric,” he said, his tone even but firm.Eric shot Damian a look of disdain but didn’t say anything to him. Instead, his gaze stayed locked on me. “I thought I might get a word with you. You know, for old time’s sake.”I resisted the urge to recoil at the way he said it. His smile was still that charming one, the one that had once made my heart race,
evelyn povThe city lights shimmered through the tinted glass as the Rolls-Royce Phantom glided through Manhattan’s evening traffic. Rain had left the roads slick, reflecting bursts of gold, red, and sapphire from traffic signals and store signs. Inside the car, the world outside barely touched them. There was only the hush of leather seats, the faint hum of tires, and the palpable energy between us.Damian’s hand rested on my thigh, warm and grounding. He hadn’t spoken in a few minutes, just looked at me like he was memorizing everything—my curls cascading over my shoulders, the sheen on my collarbone, the curve of my lips still stained with his kiss from earlier.Then, as if unable to hold it in any longer, he turned slightly in his seat.“I have something for you.”I blinked, my heart hiccupping. “What is it?”He reached into the inner pocket of his tailored jacket and pulled out a small velvet box.My breath caught.He opened it slowly, revealing a ring so intricate it almost didn
(Evelyn’s POV)If someone had told me a few months ago that I would be wrapped up in a whirlwind with Damian Blackwell—the Damian Blackwell—I would’ve laughed them out of the room. Yet here we were. Caught in a strange kind of bubble, floating somewhere between reality and something that felt too good to be real.After that night with Eric, after the investigation plans and the rush of tension, something shifted between us. It was subtle, but it was there, threading through our days like silk ribbons. A look that lasted too long. A brush of fingers that lingered. A softness in Damian’s voice when he said my name.The next morning, I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and cinnamon. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming.Then I walked into the kitchen and found Damian standing there—shirtless, wearing only a pair of soft gray sweatpants, his hair deliciously messy, stirring something in a pan like he’d done it a hundred times.He turned when he heard me, a boyish grin stretching acro
Damian stepped forward, his presence imposing as always. “I’m warning you, Eric. You don’t want to go down this path.”after I stood up then and walk toward Damien and now am face to face with Eric, my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn’t going to let Eric—my ex, the man who had betrayed me with my best friend—control the narrative of my life anymore. He didn’t get to decide what people knew about me, what I owed anyone. And certainly not after everything I had fought through to get here.“Damian, stop,” I said, my voice steady despite the rising tension. “I’ll handle this.”Damian looked at me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I could see the conflict in his eyes—he wanted to protect me, but I knew this was something I had to face on my own. After everything I had been through, after all the ways I had been silenced, this was my fight now. And I was done being passive.“Eric,” I called out, stepping toward the door, my voice firm. “You’re not going to tell my story. I’m going
Evelyn povThe penthouse felt quieter tonight, the dim light from the chandelier casting soft shadows on the sleek walls. The city buzzed below, but up here, it felt like a world apart—one that was just mine and Damian’s. The kind of space where, for once, everything else could fade away. The soft clinking of glasses, the hum of the stove, and the sizzle of food in the pan were the only sounds filling the room, and even they felt like they were part of a private rhythm we’d only just begun to understand.I moved in a fluid motion as I sautéed the vegetables in olive oil, a simple but comforting dish that had come to be my way of showing Damian I cared. After everything that had happened, after the tension and misunderstandings, there was something about cooking for him that made me feel like I could finally breathe again. It was the first time in so long that I didn’t feel like I was just pretending to be something I wasn’t. Cooking for Damian was different. It was honest, like the fo
Evelyn povThe restaurant was one of those places you don’t find unless someone wants you to. Tucked between rows of elite boutiques and imported wine bars, it was all low lighting, pressed linens, and whispering waiters. I should’ve felt proud. Accomplished, even. Instead, my skin buzzed with an unease I couldn’t quite name.Damian had surprised me at the mentorship kitchen that evening, walking in like he belonged in every room—even the ones meant for me. I didn’t mind, not really. At first, I thought he came to support me. But over dinner, I started to wonder if he came to stake a claim.He’d been quiet since we sat down. Not in the way people are when they’re tired or content. It was the kind of silence that hangs off every movement. His eyes darted between me and my phone, lingered too long on my wrist where Chef Marcellus had also my complimented bracelet and of my dishes. Pride lingered in his gaze, but so did something sharper.I tried to laugh it off. “You’re quiet tonight. D
POV: Evelyn They say healing comes in waves. Mine came in chaos—cryptic messages, my ex boyfriend lies, and a man I never meant to fall for.It started with a trap. Damian and I, cornered by secrets and shadows, devised a plan to catch the ghost who had been haunting me—“E.”Even now, the memory makes my chest tighten. We whispered code words in hushed voices, mapped out decoy routes, and layered truth with just enough fiction to bait someone clever enough to stay hidden for weeks I remember how shaky my hands felt as I tied my shoelaces the morning it all began. I remember the taste of fear on my tongue, bitter and stubborn.I never expected the enemy to come from my past… from Cold Spring, where I’d spent my life trying to be invisible. E was someone I barely remembered—a former coworker from the diner. She always had something in her eyes when she looked at me. Envy, maybe. Or hatred. Maybe both. Apparently, I’d shined too quietly for her liking.just few days before we caught her
Damien povThe morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Montgomery estate, casting a golden hue over the manicured gardens. I stood on the balcony, my gaze fixed on the figure below. Evelyn was in the garden, her hands gently tending to the roses, her movements deliberate yet distant.I watched as she paused, her shoulders slumping slightly, a silent sigh escaping her lips. The weight of recent events was evident in her posture. The anonymous notes, the public scrutiny, and the complexities of our arrangement were taking a toll on her.Descending the staircase, I made my way to the garden. The scent of blooming flowers greeted me, a stark contrast to the tension that lingered in the air.“Evelyn,” I called softly.She turned, her eyes meeting mine. There was a vulnerability in her gaze that I hadn’t seen before.“I thought some time in the garden might help clear my mind,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.I nodded, stepping closer. “It’s a beautiful morning.”Sh