The morning rush at Carrington Group was always chaotic, but Luna moved through the crowd with her usual grace.
Files in hand, coffee balanced in the other, she nodded to colleagues who greeted her.
Despite the long week, her presence carried an energy that settled those around her.
From the corner of the lobby, Damien Karsen watched.
He had arrived early, yet his attention lingered on Luna as she crossed the floor.
There was something about the way she carried herself, calm yet commanding, that drew his eye every time.
"Are you planning to stand there all day?" his colleague, Marcus, teased.
Damien smirked. "Maybe.
Watching her makes mornings bearable.
Marcus laughed. "You could just talk to her like a normal person, you know.
"I do talk to her," Damien replied. "Professionally.
"Right. Professionally," Marcus said, rolling his eyes.
"But we both know it is more than that.
Damien ignored the remark, straightening his tie before finally making his way toward Luna.
"Good morning," he said as he approached.
Luna looked up, smiling politely.
"Good morning, Damien. Early again?
"Habit," he replied. "Besides, I find mornings productive.
Jenna, walking beside Luna, arched her brow.
"Productive or just convenient timing?
Damien chuckled. "A bit of both, maybe.
Luna shook her head softly, amused. "Well, I hope the productivity pays off.
As they walked toward the elevators, Damien stayed near, his gaze steady but respectful.
He noticed the slight tension in her shoulders, the way she pressed her lips together as though deep in thought.
"You seem preoccupied," he said quietly.
"I am," Luna admitted. "It has been… unsettling around here lately.
"Because of Selina?
Luna's eyes flickered toward him. "You heard?
"Everyone has," Damien replied.
"Her sudden appearance, the way people whisper when her name comes up. It is hard not to notice.
"She unsettles me," Luna confessed. "There is something I cannot place.
Damien studied her expression carefully.
"I believe you. And if it matters, I think you are handling everything with remarkable composure.
She glanced at him, slightly surprised. "You do?
"Yes," he said firmly. "Most people would let the pressure show, but not you.
You keep this office steady, no matter what storm is brewing. That is not easy.
Luna was silent for a moment, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone.
Finally, she smiled faintly. "Thank you, Damien. That means more than you think.
Jenna, who had been listening closely, smirked. "Well, this is new. Compliments before coffee.
Damien grinned. "Is that against company policy?
"Not officially," Jenna teased. "But I might start a petition.
Luna shook her head, laughing softly as the elevator doors opened.
Inside the elevator, the silence between Luna and Damien felt different.
Not heavy, but charged.
He stood beside her, hands folded behind his back, yet his eyes drifted toward her reflection in the mirrored wall.
When they reached her floor, Luna stepped out first, Jenna following.
Damien walked beside them until they reached her office.
"Do you have a moment later?" Damien asked.
Luna paused at her door. "What for?
"I wanted to discuss some ideas I have for the new project Carrington is planning," he said.
"But only if you are free.
She considered it for a moment. "After lunch. My schedule is clearer then.
"Perfect," Damien said with a nod.
Once inside, Jenna leaned against the desk, smirking at Luna. "You know he admires you, right?
Luna raised a brow. "He respects me as a colleague.
"Respect is part of it," Jenna teased.
"But I have eyes. He looks at you like you are more than just a colleague.
Luna sighed, setting down her files.
"Jenna, please. The office is not the place for such talk.
"Fine," Jenna said with a playful grin.
"But do not tell me I did not warn you when he starts showing up with flowers instead of project notes.
Luna ignored her, though a faint blush colored her cheeks.
Later that afternoon, Luna sat across from Damien in the small conference room.
Papers spread between them, though their conversation wandered more than once away from numbers and charts.
"Do you ever feel like this place is more than just a company?" Damien asked suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Luna tilted her head.
"Like there is something beneath the surface.
Secrets, currents we do not see, but feel," Damien explained.
Luna's heart skipped.
"Yes. Lately I feel it more than ever.
He leaned closer, his voice lower.
"Then maybe we are not imagining it.
Maybe there is truth waiting to be uncovered.
She met his gaze, searching his eyes.
"You really believe that?
"I do," he said simply.
"And I believe you will be the one to uncover it. You have the instincts, Luna.
You notice things others overlook. That is what I admire most about you.
Her breath caught slightly. She wanted to brush it off, but the way he said it left no room for jest.
"Admire?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Damien replied without hesitation.
"Your strength, your insight, the way you carry the weight of this place without breaking.
People rely on you, and you never let them down. That is rare.
For a moment, Luna was quiet, unsure how to respond. Finally, she offered a small, genuine smile.
"You give me too much credit.
"No," Damien said. "I do not give you enough.
The meeting continued, but the air between them had shifted.
Luna could feel his admiration like a steady warmth, unspoken yet undeniable.
When the day ended, she gathered her things and walked toward the elevator.
Damien was waiting near the doors.
"Heading out?" he asked.
"Yes," she said.
"Allow me to walk you to your car," he offered.
She hesitated, then nodded. "Alright.
They stepped into the evening air together.
The city lights flickered, and the hum of traffic surrounded them.
Yet Luna felt an unusual calm.
Damien walked at her side, not too close, not too far, his presence steady and protective.
When they reached her car, she turned to him. "Thank you, Damien. For today.
"Anytime," he said with a soft smile.
"You should not have to carry everything alone.
Luna unlocked her car, her heart unsettled by his words in a way she could not fully explain.
She gave him one last glance before slipping inside.
As Damien watched her drive away, Marcus's earlier words returned to him.
Maybe he did admire her more than he admitted.
And maybe, just maybe, Luna had noticed.