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chapter 26
Last Updated:
2025-03-21 08:25:59
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The chef and The charmer chapter 27
Evelyn povI crossed my arms and stared at Damian like he’d grown a second head.“No. Absolutely not.”Damian sighed, leaning back against the sleek leather chair in his office. The city skyline stretched out behind him through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a glittering reminder of just how far removed his world was from mine.“Evelyn, be reasonable,” he said, voice smooth and measured, like he was trying to close a business deal.“Reasonable?” I scoffed. “You just asked me to pretend to be your girlfriend How is that reasonable?”The door behind me clicked open, and Chris strolled in, holding two cups of coffee. He paused mid-step, eyes darting between us.“Uh, did I miss something?” Chris asked, handing me a cup.“Damian just proposed,” I said flatly.Chris choked on his coffee. “What?”“A fake proposal,” I clarified. “He wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend. For money.”Chris leaned against the bookshelf, arms folded, his gaze steady on me. “Look, I know Damian can come off a li
Last Updated : 2025-03-22The chef and The charmer chapter 28
I folded my arms and stared at Damian across the polished surface of his mahogany desk. “I changed my mind. I can’t do this.”Damian sighed, rubbing his temple like I was giving him the worst headache of his life. “Evelyn, we already agreed.”“No, you assumed. I panicked and said yes, but I’ve had time to think. It’s insane. Lying to your entire family? Pretending to be your girlfriend? There have to be other ways to get your mother off your back.”Chris, perched on the windowsill with his arms crossed, chimed in. “ trust me Eve we tried to come up with a different idea this is the only way.Damian’s gaze was steady. “It’s a business arrangement. We lay out clear terms, follow them, and part ways when the time comes. It’s simple.”I scoffed. “Simple? Right.”Damian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Let me be clear. My mother is relentless. If she believes I’m in a serious relationship, she’ll stop trying to arrange dinners with every socialite in the city. You help me,
Last Updated : 2025-03-22The chef and The charmer chapter 29
I stared at the half-packed suitcase on my bed, arms crossed and heart heavy. Clothes lay in uneven piles, half-folded, half-forgotten. The apartment felt eerily quiet, the usual hum of the city outside barely penetrating the walls. My sanctuary, my tiny corner of the world, was about to become a memory.I sighed and grabbed another blouse from the drawer, stuffing it into the suitcase with less care than it deserved. “I still think this is a terrible idea.”“Noted,” Damian said from the doorway, his arms folded neatly across his chest. He leaned against the frame, the picture of casual elegance in his dark suit. “But if we’re going to convince people we’re madly in love, we can’t exactly live separate lives.”I shot him a look. “I meant the part where I uproot everything and move into your penthouse.”“Details,” Damian replied smoothly. “It’s only temporary.”I zipped the suitcase shut and sat on the edge of the bed, glancing around the room. It wasn’t much — mismatched furniture, bo
Last Updated : 2025-03-23The chef and The charmer chapter 30
“Damian.” The voice was smooth, calculated.I turned to see a woman gliding toward us, her sleek black dress hugging every curve. Her blonde hair fell in perfect waves over one shoulder, and her red lips curled into a sharp smile.“Lillian,” Damian greeted, his tone neutral.Her eyes slid to me, assessing. “And who is this?”“Evelyn,” I said, forcing a polite smile. “His girlfriend.”Lillian’s brow lifted ever so slightly. Girlfriend? How surprising. Damian usually prefers his relationships… less permanent.”The implication wasn’t lost on me.“We can’t all stay in the past, Lillian,” Damian said smoothly.She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course. Well, it was lovely to meet you, Evelyn. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”With that, she drifted away, leaving a trail of expensive perfume in her wake.I turned to Damian. “Ex?”“no more like a fling.”“She hates me.”“She hates everyone. Don’t take it personally.”Easy for him to say.The rest of the night passed in a blur.
Last Updated : 2025-03-24The chef and The charmer chapter 31
Damien povThe first rays of dawn barely painted the sky when my eyes snapped open. The penthouse was silent, save for the faint hum of the city below. For the first time in a long while, the weight of responsibility tugged me out of bed. After a year of avoiding everything, I was finally going back to work.The cold water hit my face like a slap, jolting me fully awake. I stared at my reflection, watching droplets slide down my face, catching on the faint scar on my temple — a souvenir from the accident. I barely recognized myself. Shaving, dressing, each motion felt mechanical. The tailored suit clung to my frame, the crispness of the fabric unfamiliar after months of living in loungewear. Still, the weight of it settled something in me. Damien Blackstone was back.As I sipped my coffee, I pulled out my phone and dialed Chris.“Well, well, look who finally remembered how to use a phone,” Chris teased.I smirked. “Don’t start. I need backup today. You in?”Chris sighed. “You sure you
Last Updated : 2025-03-25The chef and The charmer chapter 32
Damien povI slipped into my car, the engine rumbling to life as I pulled out onto the main-slicked road. The meeting with the board of directors had ended over an hour ago, but their words still echoed in my head. The weight of the discussions pressed against my mind, but it wasn’t what made my chest tighten. That honor belonged to my mother. Her call had been cold and clipped, each syllable sharp as glass. She was back from France — when the hell had that happened? Of course, she didn’t bother to tell me. She never does. Everything with her is calculated. Controlled. Just like that house. Cold. Silent. Full of secrets.The drive to the family mansion stretched longer than I remembered. It stood like a ghost against the darkened sky, perched on its remote estate where the elite of New York hid behind their wealth. As the wrought iron gates creaked open tall and imposing, my tires crunched over the gravel driveway. I hadn’t set foot here since my father’s funeral.The mansion looms in
Last Updated : 2025-03-26The chef and The charmer chapter 33
Evelyn povThe scent of garlic and rosemary filled the kitchen as I stirred the pot, the warm aroma wrapping around me like a familiar embrace. The rhythmic chop of my knife against the cutting board echoed in the quiet space, a soothing sound after a long day of writing recipes and buy groceries.I glanced at the small folded note resting against the spice rack, the one Damien had left for me this morning. Just a simple, lazy scrawl of” heading to work “. Don’t burn the kitchen down while I’m gone. - D.” . A smile tugged at my lips before I shook my head, tucking the note into the pages of my recipe book.The front door creaked open, followed by the sound of keys dropping onto the console table. Heavy footsteps. A sigh.Damien.I kept my focus on the cutting board, but my ears picked up every small movement—the rustle of fabric as he loosened his tie, the low exhale of exhaustion. The air in the room shifted slightly, like it always did when he entered.“What’s for dinner?” His voice
Last Updated : 2025-03-27The chef and The charmer chapter 34
The grand dining hall of Damian’s mother’s estate was as imposing as the woman herself. Crystal chandeliers cast an almost blinding glow over the long mahogany table, which was set with fine china and polished silverware. I smoothed down my white satin dress, feigning composure while internally bracing myself for the battle ahead.Damian’s mother sat at the head of the table, a perfect picture of cold elegance. Her eyes flickered to me, sharp and assessing, as if she were dissecting my very existence. I forced a polite smile, knowing she could see right through it.“So, Evelyn,” she began, her voice silky but laced with an unmistakable edge. “Tell me, where are you from?”“Cold Spring,” I replied evenly, keeping my tone polite but distant.Her perfectly arched brow lifted slightly. “Cold Spring? And your family? What do they do?”“Just regular civilians,” I said, holding my posture firm. “Nothing extravagant.”She hummed, taking a slow sip of her wine. “Interesting.” Her gaze lingered
Last Updated : 2025-03-28
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The chef and The charmer chapter 75
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
The chef and The charmer chapter 74
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,
The chef and The charmer chapter 73
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
The chef and The charmer chapter 72
(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
The chef and The charmer chapter 71
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
The chef and The charmer chapter 70
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
The chef and The charmer chapter 69
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
The chef and The charmer chapter 68
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
The chef and The charmer chapter 67
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
