"You don't have to worry about that. I will take care of everything," he said, his voice laced with attitude.
Is that attitude really necessary right now?
He stepped forward, and I instinctively stepped back. He kept coming closer until my back hit the bed and I had nowhere left to go. He leaned in, his breath brushing my lips, and I froze, holding my breath.
We locked eyes for a few moments. Then his gaze dropped to my lips, and I saw him gulp. My heart raced. I quickly closed my eyes, afraid he would kiss me.
Instead, I heard him whisper, "Call me Damon."
My eyes shot open. He was so close, his lips near my ear. He straightened, turned to leave, but paused at the door.
"If you get bored, go to my study. There's a library full of books—something might catch your attention." He smiled faintly and left.
Only then did I let out the breath I was holding. The room suddenly felt hot, and sweat trickled down my neck. The same aroma from last night lingered in the air.
Was he in my room last night? If he was, where did he go when I turned on the light?
Before I could think further, Natasha walked in, smiling.
"Hey, I'm Natasha," she introduced herself warmly. "I'm Damon's cousin."
"Hi, I'm Emily," I replied awkwardly, unsure what else to say.
"Umm… can I show you around?" she asked politely.
"Yeah… sure."
From the morning itself, our conversation felt a little awkward. Still, we left the room together. In the living room, Ava and some maids were cleaning.
"Just a minute," Natasha said, rushing to them. She apologized for her earlier shouting. Ava smiled at me and shook her head knowingly. I smiled back.
Natasha was very talkative as we continued the house tour. To my surprise, she was nothing like I had assumed. In the morning, I thought she was arrogant and money-minded. But now, I realized she was kind and respectful.
We spent time at the pool, with a maid quietly following us everywhere. Natasha showed me her room and proudly displayed her paintings.
When we stopped near a closed door, she whispered, "This is my brother's room. He doesn't allow anyone inside."
"That's okay… no problem," I said gently.
"Library?" she asked next.
"Not now. If I go there, I won't move for hours—and you'll get bored of me." I laughed.
"Haha, you caught me," she admitted. "I'm not into books. Let's go to the garden."
We went outside, where some maids were watering the plants. Natasha and I joined them. Suddenly, she splashed water at me.
"Hey!" I squealed, drenched. I retaliated, spraying her back.
Soon we were both soaked, laughing and playing like kids. Afterward, we returned to our rooms to bathe again.
Later, I went to check on Natasha and found her already asleep. The maid who had followed us stood beside me. Natasha looked peaceful, like a child without worries. I tugged her bedsheet closer, smiled, and left quietly.
Back in my room, I skimmed through the file Damon gave me earlier. Bored, I decided to check on Natasha again—still sleeping. Finally, I asked the maid to show me Damon's study. She led me there and left.
Damon's POV
After my bath, I heard Natasha yelling downstairs. I came out of the bathroom in a robe. As I was about to call her up, I heard Emily asking, "Who are you, and why are you shouting at them?"
Natasha marched toward Emily, but I quickly stopped her.
"Natasha… upstairs… now!" I commanded. My eyes shifted to Emily, who was staring right back at me.
Without breaking eye contact, I said, "Ava, get breakfast ready. I'll be there in ten minutes," and went back to dress.
Later, in the study, Natasha was throwing tantrums at Alex over my marriage. I calmed her down, explaining everything before she burst out in front of Emily.
As we were leaving, I called, "Natasha."
She turned.
"Today, stay here. Observe Emily. And give this to one of the maids." I handed her a tiny button camera.
At breakfast, Emily sat beside me. While eating, I handed her the same file from yesterday.
"Have a look at this file. Tomorrow, we have a press conference to attend."
She froze, staring at the file.
"Do you have anything to say?" I asked.
"I'll stay here. I won't do anything stupid again. Can't you attend the press conference alone?" she pleaded.
I almost smiled. Lily, my ex, was always desperate to appear before the media. But Emily… she dreaded it.
"We both have to attend," I told her calmly. "We're announcing our marriage and the reception party."
Her jaw nearly dropped. I finished breakfast and was about to leave with Alex when she called, "Excuse me, Mr. Roy."
Mr. Roy? I chuckled. Turning back, I saw her hesitate.
"I have something to say… privately," she whispered.
I nodded and followed her to her room. The fragrance inside matched her hair—just like I'd noticed last night.
"You promised to tell Noah the truth if I married you. Can you tell him now?" she asked.
I frowned. Why is that so important to her now? Oh wait… I forced her into this marriage.
"Yeah, sure. But only after the press conference," I replied.
She nodded but pressed further. "Most of my friends know about Noah and me. What if reporters reach them—or him—after the announcement?"
She really cared about this. Almost too much.
"You don't have to worry. I'll take care of everything," I assured her.
I stepped closer. She stepped back. Again and again, until she hit the bed. I leaned down, hovering over her, and saw her close her eyes tightly.
I watched her lips but instead whispered, "Call me Damon."
She opened her eyes, startled. Straightening up, I turned to leave but added, "If you get bored, visit my study. There's a library full of books—something might catch your attention."
I recalled how carefully she had packed an old book the other day.
When I stepped outside, Natasha and Alex were watching me. "Do what I asked," I reminded Natasha before leaving with Alex.
In the car, I loosened my tie, frustrated. She had such an effect on me, it made me hard to breathe. Alex chuckled knowingly.
"Shut up," I muttered, half-smiling.
At the office, Ava called to confirm Natasha had followed my instructions. I checked my phone, watching Emily and Natasha on the hidden feed. They looked at paintings, played in the garden, even splashed each other with water. Emily's wet clothes clung to her curves. My chest tightened—I stopped the video before I lost control.
Later, Alex brought me a file. "Reporters didn't know who gave them the picture. But with their help, an artist made a sketch."
"Where is it?" I demanded.
"It'll be here in ten minutes—with details."
Soon, HR delivered the file. The culprit was one of my villa's guards. By the time we returned home, he had already been caught and locked in the secret basement.
Alex and I entered. I had my gun ready, but before I could ask questions, the guard slipped something into his mouth. Within seconds, he was dead.
I slammed my gun to the ground in fury. "Check all footage—from the villa, the party, my father's house, and my uncle's. I want everything."
Exhausted, I went upstairs and saw Emily asking a maid to show her the study. My anger melted. Just seeing her calmed me, the same way Maria once did.
I slipped into the study through a secret door and watched her for an hour as she searched for a book. Finally, I stepped closer, caging her between my arms on the shelf.
"This book. Have a look at it," I said. She jumped at my voice.
Emily's POV
I was lost among the rows of books when a voice startled me.
"This book. Have a look at it."
I turned and froze. Damon stood so close, his arms on either side of me, trapping me.
"You… what are you doing here? Didn't you leave for the office?" I stammered.
He smirked. "Do you know you've been searching for almost an hour?"
"That's because… there are so many books. I… I didn't know where to start," I muttered, looking away.
But I felt his gaze fixed on me—on my lips.
The memory of last night rushed back.
"Did you… come to my room last night?" I blurted suddenly.
He stepped back, dropping his hands from the shelf.
His reaction said it all.
He was in my room last night.