“Are you sure you’re not joining us?” I heard my Mom asking Aunt Emily for the last time.I was fixing my bag above the dining table when I eavesdropped on their not-so-quiet conversation.From my peripheral vision, I witnessed how Aunt Emily just nodded. She even tapped my Mom’s shoulder to assure her more.“Gia will surely take care of you,” my Aunt tried to comfort her one more time, and I saw how Mom went out the doorway, leaving us alone.I am so sure my Mom was also worried about us being left alone together. Because honestly speaking, this is the very first time I went out with her. We tried to visit a really few places when I was young, but it was all with Aunt, and I actually had no alone time with my own mother while growing up.So, it is not surprising that she’s just as anxious as me. But I can’t deny how I feel excited and paranoid at the same time. I don’t want to ruin her day, just like she usually tells me. I hope I won’t, though.When I finished arranging my things, I

“Your Mom told me she had fun there.”The very first thing I heard from Aunt Emily after she took out the breakfast I’ll be having on the table. It kind of made me smile a bit. Because even though I was not really able to try any of those rides and we both got stressed after she had a panic attack, it made me glad that she enjoyed it.I don’t care if it’s not because of she was with me. As long as I know she had fun there last day, it was more than enough for me to give myself a pat on my back.“Got stressed there, Gia?” she added while we started eating together since Mom is still tired from yesterday’s trip. We just let her rest for a while.Also, Mom doesn’t want to be with me in a meal. I couldn’t even remember when was the last time we ate together. Growing up, when I knew she was getting uncomfortable when I’m around, I used to tell them I was still full and that I’ll just eat at my workplace. And that was the very same setup until these days.The only time I could actually eat

His hand suddenly grabbed mine and I was halted from sauntering.“Can you just be mine tonight?”I have heard him whisper. I then looked at him and I saw how his eyes were profound and spangled. I didn’t know how to react at first. I was even shocked that I am also dazed for a moment as I was staring back at his face.“Please, Gia. Stay with me this night,” he even said with his rumbling voice.He was not smiling at all. I could not even understand what he’s feeling within him. He for sure is not trying to tease me or whatever.I don’t want to be shaken by him. I don’t want him to think that he’s special than any other man I sleep with on a daily basis. He’s just the same as them. There’s no difference at all. Even for a single bit.That’s the mere reason why I grasped his arm tightly and tried to take his hand off my frame. After looking at our hands, I then glared at him.“There are other ladies here, just offer that to them,” I firmly said and I turned my back against Damon and tri

The clamor of glasses clinking and jovial laughter filled the air of the bustling pub as I worked tirelessly behind the bar, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Damon's enigmatic presence lingered in my thoughts like a stubborn shadow, refusing to dissipate despite my best efforts to distract myself with the demands of my job.With deft movements, I poured drinks and exchanged banter with the patrons, all the while feeling Damon's piercing gaze etched into my memory. His unexpected visit earlier in the day had left me unsettled, stirring dormant emotions I had long tried to suppress.As the night wore on, I found myself stealing moments between orders to replay the encounter in my mind. His suave demeanor, the way his eyes seemed to hold secrets untold, and the magnetic pull I felt towards him—all of it consumed my thoughts like a relentless tempest.Amidst the chaos of the pub, my thoughts drifted back to the intimate conversation I had shared with Damon, our words are delic

DAMON’S POV The following morning found Damon seated at the head of the conference table in the sleek, modern boardroom of Il Cielo, his multinational corporation. His usually composed demeanor was marred by a furrowed brow and tense shoulders, the events of the previous night still weighing heavily on his mind. Around him, the atmosphere crackled with tension as his top executives and business partners gathered for the meeting. They exchanged polite nods and strained smiles, but Damon could sense the underlying currents of conflict simmering just beneath the surface. As the meeting progressed, Damon's stress levels soared with each passing minute. His business partners, renowned for their cutthroat tactics and ruthless ambition, were at odds over a crucial decision that could make or break Il Cielo's future. Damon listened in silence as they argued back and forth, their voices rising in intensity with each exchange. He felt a familiar sense of dread creeping over him, the weight o