The Stammering Business Partner

Naomi sighed as the driver steered her car through the familiar gates of Damon’s estate. She has been dreading this all morning, she wasn't ready to talk to Damon, not after the conversation they had in his office.

She still couldn't believe that he wouldn't tell her what his relationship with Amanda was! Were they…really sleeping together?

She exhaled as the driver pulled over in the garage and the door was pulled open by one of the guards by the front door.

She would have to face him sooner or later.

Patrick met her in the foyer, a polite smile on his face.

"Good evening, Ms Naomi. Mr. Damon is in the study."

"Good evening, Patrick," Naomi replied simply, walking right past him.

She didn't pause, didn't ask about Damon. All she wanted was to put some distance between herself and that man.

She didn't spare a glance to the closed study door. She simply walked past, her heels clicking on the marble floor, heading for the grand staircase.

She was halfway up the second flight of stairs when her phone vibrated in her hand. She glanced at the phone screen, it was an unknown number.

Naomi hesitates, her thumb hovering over the answer button. Every instinct screamed to ignore it, to throw the phone into the nearest bin.

But she responded, placing the phone on her ears gently.

"Hello? I was worried I wouldn't be able to reach you all day."

Naomi felt her stomach clench at the sound of Amanda’s voice at the other end. She sits her eyes briefly, she should have ignored that call…

“Amanda.” Naomi said simply. She had blocked her on everything but it seems her cousin got a new line just so she could reach her.

"Just wanted to let you know I got home safe and sound the other day. And to thank you again for being such a gentleman."

Naomi frowned, what exactly is Amanda playing at?

“What?” Naomi said, unable to hold back the anger in her.

"Oh, my goodness! My apologies, Naomi! I must have dialed your number by mistake! I meant to call Damon's.”

Naomi’s blood ran cold. The nerve of this bloody witch!

“Ypu made a mistake dialling my number?” Naomi asked, realising just how absurd her lame excuses sounded.

“Yes. Sincere mistake, my bad. I was just so eager to thank Damon you know. He's an absolute gentleman , I must say.” Amanda offered. “That ride was just what I needed to….relieve stress..” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Naomi stopped dead on the stairs, her back to the study door. What was she trying to imply? Naomi clenched her fist, struggling to keep her voice calm and steady.

“Relieve stress?”

Amanda gasped. “Did I say that out loud? Oops! My bad.”

Naomi chuckled, there's no limit to this woman's audacity is there?!

“I just wanted to tell Damon thank you, that's all. Don't overthink it.”

Without a word, Naomi turned and walked back down. She marched directly to the study door, pushing it open without knocking.

“Really? You can tell him yourself.” Naomi said.

Damon looked up from his desk, his eyes scanning her in confusion. He expected her to avoid him, not after insinuating that something was going on between him and Amanda.

“What is it?” He asked calmly.

Naomi extended the phone to him, her hand steady despite the tremor in her voice.

"Amanda called. She says she meant to call you. She wanted to thank you for the ride the other day and for helping her relieve stress..."

Damon's eyes narrowed, relieve stress? What the hell is that supposed to mean?

He took the phone from her, his fingers brushing hers, sending a jolt through her. He pressed the phone to his ear.

"Amanda? Why are you calling?" He asked as he pressed the speaker button.

He placed the phone on the table, his eyes meeting Naomi's. She stared right back at him, surprise evident in them.

"D-Damon? Oh! I… I just called Naomi by mistake. I was just thanking you the other day, you know, for the ride. I just got home, and…" Amanda’s voice trailed off, her earlier confidence replaced by a sudden stammer.

"For the ride?" Damon repeated, his eyes still fixed on Naomi across the room.

"Y..yes! You offered me a ride because my driver was indisposed? I- I wanted to thank you for that.." Amanda stammered and it seemed to get worse with each word she managed to mutter.

Damon leaned back on his seat. “What did you mean by stress relief? Why are you implying something else?”

“N-no! I- I meant that I was relieved- because you solved my problem.” She said, a nervous laugh escaping her.

“Because I gave you a ride and you didn't have to worry about a driver.” Damon adds.

Amanda stammered again. "Y-yes! Exactly! Well, I… I should go. I just wanted to say thanks. Bye!"

The line clicked dead.

Naomi stared at the phone on Damon's desk, then at his impassive face. The relief that flooded her was immense, almost overwhelming.

Amanda was a witch. A manipulative witch. She should have known what she was playing at from the very start. She should have seen through her bullshit.

“I can't believe her!” Naomi chuckled nervously. “I mean, when she called and started implying something, I thought maybe..”

“Maybe what?” Dakon demanded.

Naomi sighed, her arms wrapped around her shoulders. She couldn't even stare at him in the face.

“I've seen the tabloids. That's why I came back.”

Damon leans back in his seat, his eyes still fixed on her. “ You really can't tell me apart from Jordan can you?”

Naomi paused! Of course! The pictures on the tabloids looked like Damon when he was younger, even the recent ones. But Damon was older now, his features more mature and less childish, how could she have missed that?

“Well..” Naomi folded her arms, refusing to back down. “You can't blame me, can you? I didn't know you had a brother. I know nothing about your family either.”

“Jordan is all you need to know.” He said simply.

Naomi nodded slowly, she could understand. Sje didnt talking abput her family, neither would she want anyone to force her to.

Damon's eyes scans her in silence,not sure what just happened was enough of an explanation.

"Amanda called the office to discuss business. Her driver had a flat tire, and she needed a ride across town. It was a courtesy. Nothing more."

His eyes searched hers. Even though he hid it well, he wanted more than anything for her to believe him.

Naomi felt a smile touch her lips. She took a step closer to the desk, tilting her head.

"Are you… falling for me now, Damon?" she teased, her voice soft, playful, a stark contrast to their usual formal interactions.

Damon froze, is he?

"Just a few weeks ago, you wanted me out of your life entirely. Now you're explaining yourself, putting calls on speaker so I can hear your… business partner stammer."

A flicker of panic crossed Damon’s features. He straightened, his attention returning back to his reports.

"Don't be ridiculous, Naomi. This is about clarity. I don't appreciate wrong conceptions about me."

Naomi leaned in close, her perfume filling his nostrils. Damon stiffened but his eyes remained glued to his papers.

“Or you don't want me to have wrong conceptions about you.”

Damon sighed. “Don't you have reports or something to get to, Ms Naomi?” He managed.

She simply smiled. "Right. Since you already gave me 'Clarity', I should leave you alone now." She turned, heading for the door.

“Should I make you a pie?” She asked.

“Do whatever you want.” He muttered, holding back the little dance in his bones. He's finally going to get that good pie! Damn it, it's been days now!

"Goodnight, Damon."

She left the study, leaving Damon all alone. He leaned back on his seat, a smile on his face.

Goodness it feels so good to have his little annoying wife back again..