Ava stood in the center of her office, her eyes locked on the glowing screen of her laptop. The press was relentless. Articles, blog posts, social media, every outlet had taken their shot, and none of them seemed to be letting up.
Her phone buzzed again. Another notification.
"Damien Wolfe's fiancee, Ava Morgan, speaks out ,or doesn't she?"
"Public demands physical interview with Ava Morgan. What's the truth behind the engagement?"
Her stomach twisted.
She'd hoped for a bit of peace after the chaos of the restaurant, but instead, it had only escalated.
The phone rang, and her assistant's name flashed on the screen. Ava answered quickly.
"Ava, the PR team just called. They're pushing for a physical interview with you. The media's not going to stop until you speak."
Ava rubbed her temples. The pressure was suffocating. "I don't want to do this, Claire. I never asked for any of this."
"I know. But you know how it works. If you don't give them something, they'll keep coming after you."
Ava walked toward the window, her fingers grazing the glass. The city was bustling below, but up here, it felt like she was trapped in a cage. Every part of her screamed to walk away from the madness, but she couldn't. Not with everything on the line.
She heard a knock on the door, followed by a deep voice.
"Ava?"
She turned to find Damien standing in the doorway. His presence, as always, was commanding. His tailored suit and cold, calculated expression made it clear that he was in business mode. But there was something else in his eyes. Something she couldn't quite place. Or maybe to tired to name it.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to sound indifferent, though her pulse quickened.
"I came to see you," he said, stepping inside. "I thought we should talk."
Ava felt her chest tighten. She didn't know if she was ready for whatever he was about to say. "About what?"
"The press." He looked at her phone. "They're demanding a physical interview with you."
Ava snorted. "You don't get it. I'm not a damn accessory to this. I never signed up to be anyone's spectacle."
Damien's eyes softened, just for a moment. "You're not a spectacle, Ava. But this is the world we live in now. You know that."
She turned away, walking to the far side of the room, the frustration building. "I don't know what you want from me, Damien. I didn't ask for this life."
Damien's gaze didn't waver as he followed her. "I'm not asking for anything from you. But I won't let them tear you apart. I'll handle it. You don't have to speak to them."
Ava shook her head, still not meeting his eyes. "It's too late for that. The damage is already done."
He stepped closer, his voice steady. "I'm going to turn them down. No more interviews. No more public appearances ,unless you're ready. I'll protect you, Ava. But you need to trust me."
The words hit harder than she expected. She didn't want to trust him. She didn't even want to need him.
But the truth was, she did. And deep down, she knew it.
The silence stretched between them.
Finally, Damien broke it. "Look, I'm not here to pressure you. But I am here to offer something different."
Ava raised an eyebrow. "What are you offering?"
He glanced toward the door and then back at her. "Dinner. Tonight. You and me. No cameras. No expectations. Just... dinner."
She blinked. "You're serious?"
"I'm always serious." He gave her a small, unreadable smile. "Besides, you deserve a break from all this."
Ava looked down at her phone, the weight of the world still pressing on her chest. It felt like an impossible choice. But maybe... maybe she could step outside the chaos for just one night.
She sighed. "Fine. Dinner. But only because you're getting me out of here."
Damien's smile deepened. "I'll pick you up at seven."
***
Later that evening, Ava stood in front of her full-length mirror, adjusting her dress. She hadn't dressed up for anything in weeks, maybe months. But tonight felt different. It wasn't about impressing anyone; it was just about getting away... if only for a few hours.
The doorbell rang.
She opened it to find Damien standing in the hallway, a dark coat draped over his arm, a smile on his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes. The moment she stepped into his presence, the tension seemed to dissolve slightly. He was no longer the businessman from the meeting or the man who had dictated her life for the past few days. He was... something else. Something softer.
"Ready?" he asked, his tone low.
Ava nodded, her heart beating faster than she'd expected. "Let's go."
***
The car ride to the restaurant was quiet, the hum of the engine the only sound between them. The city passed by in a blur of lights and shadows. The world outside felt distant, like they were in their own bubble, isolated from everything else.
They arrived at a small, upscale Italian restaurant on the outskirts of the city, Luna's Cucina, a quiet spot known for its intimate atmosphere and stellar cuisine. As Damien opened the door for her, he gave her a glance.
"I thought we'd escape the noise for a little while."
She didn't say anything at first, but her lips twitched. "I think I'll let you have your mystery for tonight."
"Good." He smiled, a little more relaxed now. "I don't want you to think I'm always this serious."
"Noted," she replied, following him inside.
They were led to a corner table, far from prying eyes. The waiter took their orders, and for the first time in what felt like days, Ava let herself breathe. She wasn't thinking about the press, the scrutiny, or the endless noise outside. Just the calm of the room. The soft flicker of candlelight. Damien's presence, steady and still.
For once, the world seemed to pause. And for once, she didn't mind.