Damien's arms were warm around her, his scent familiar, but the weight in his voice lingered long after the hug ended.
Ayla pulled back slightly, offering a faint smile. "Come inside. You must be tired from the flight."
He followed her through the gate, his footsteps measured, his eyes scanning everything like he was cataloging details. Inside, the house was dim, the only light spilling from the hallway lamp. Ayla shut the door behind them, wishing the tension outside had stayed there.
"Did you eat?" she asked, trying for casual.
"On the plane." His tone was light enough, but there was something deliberate in the way he spoke, each word weighed before it left his mouth.
She moved to the kitchen, pouring him a glass of water, needing the moment to steady herself. She could feel his gaze on her even from the other room.
"You've been out late," he said finally, leaning against the doorway. "Long dinner?"
She kept her back to him, her fingers tightening around the glass. "We… talked for a while. Lost track of time."
Damien hummed, the sound low and unreadable. "You and Leon must have had a lot to catch up on."
Her heart skipped. "I told you, my dad—"
"Yes. Your dad." He stepped closer, the faintest smile on his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes. "And here I was thinking you hated blind arrangements."
Ayla turned to hand him the water, forcing her voice steady. "I didn't say I liked it. I just… didn't want to be rude."
He accepted the glass but didn't drink right away, watching her over the rim. "Politeness is good. But I hope you remember there are certain… boundaries, Ayla."
The way he said her name made it sound like both a warning and a reminder.
She gave a small nod, unsure if it was to end the conversation or to keep the peace.
Damien finally took a sip, then set the glass down. "It's late. Let's get some rest."
But as they moved toward the stairs, Ayla could feel it — he wasn't letting this go. He was just waiting for the right moment to press harder.
Across Town — Leon's POV
Leon's hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary as the city lights blurred past. His jaw was still locked from the encounter, the image of Damien's smug face replaying over and over.
He'd expected Damien to be away for days — maybe a week — not standing at Ayla's gate, acting like he owned the world. Acting like he owned her.
Leon forced himself to ease his grip, flexing his fingers. He didn't want to imagine the conversation happening inside that house right now, but he knew Damien well enough to be sure of one thing — he wouldn't make Ayla's life easy after tonight.
The thought of her enduring Damien's suspicion made his chest tighten. She'd lied to protect them, he could see that. And while he appreciated it, it also fueled something else — resolve.
They had spent the evening laughing, sharing memories and moments that reminded him of the girl she used to be before all this. He wasn't ready to give that up, not when he could see the walls she'd built starting to crack.
Damien's little power plays didn't scare him. If anything, they made him more certain.
Leon's lips curved into a faint smile — not the friendly kind. "Boundaries," he muttered to himself, almost scoffing. Damien could draw all the lines he wanted. Leon had never been good at following rules, especially when it came to Ayla.
And if Damien thought tonight was the last time he'd see them together, he was in for a surprise.