Elena descended the grand staircase quietly, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
She was already dressed—an elegant black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, her hair pinned up just the way Damian liked.
The butler was waiting below, standing with perfect posture. "Madam," he said with a polite bow. "The car is ready."
She nodded, clutching her purse. The butler led her outside. The black car gleamed in the driveway, sleek and intimidating, just like the man who owned it.
He opened the door for her, and Elena stepped in—only to freeze the moment she saw who was sitting inside.
Damian.
His expression unreadable. He didn't say a word. Just one look from him made her heart skip a beat. His presence filled the car—calm, powerful, dangerous.
"I… I didn't know you'd be going too," she managed to say, her voice soft and uncertain.
He didn't respond. The door closed behind her, the car began to move, and silence fell heavy between them.
She could feel his gaze, even when she tried not to look. Her fingers fidgeted in her lap, her pulse racing.
After a long stretch of quiet, she spoke again, her tone shy but sincere.
"Um… thank you," she whispered, eyes down. "For letting me see my aunt, Damian."
The sound of his name from her lips drew a faint smirk from him. He turned his head slightly, his voice low and dangerous as he leaned close—so close that she could feel his breath against her ear.
"Anything for my cupcake," he murmured.
The words sent a shiver down her spine. Her breath caught. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably, and heat rushed to her cheeks.
She dared not look at him, afraid he'd see just how much his words affected her.
For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. That single whisper held more power than any command he'd ever given her.
She turned toward the window, pretending to look outside, but all she could think about was the man beside her—the man she was bound to, body and heart.
Her heart fluttered wildly. She wanted to believe that behind that cold mask, Damian felt something too.
That maybe, just maybe, she was more than a beautiful playtoy in his dangerous world.
The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand Volkov mansion.
Damian stepped out first, tall and perfectly composed. Then he turned, extending a hand toward her. His touch was firm, his eyes unreadable. She placed her hand in his, letting him help her down, her heart fluttering from the brief contact.
They had barely begun walking toward the massive front doors when the sound of another engine filled the air.
A sleek silver car pulled up beside them. Elena turned, her eyes widening in surprise.
The woman stepped out, elegant as ever in a cream dress.
Aunt?" she gasped.
The moment Elena saw her, she couldn't hold herself back. She ran to her aunt and threw her arms around her.
"I didn't know you were coming!" she exclaimed, her voice bright with surprise and joy.
Maria hugged her tightly. "Me too, my darling. I didn't know you'd be here either." Her gaze shifted past Elena to the tall figure standing near the steps.
Her expression changed slightly when her eyes landed on Damian. "You came with him?" she asked softly, almost cautiously.
Damian's cold, dark eyes met hers for the briefest second—then he turned away, hands sliding casually into his pockets, ignoring their questioning looks as he strode inside the mansion.
Before Elena could reply, the heavy mansion doors opened again, and Tatiana came rushing out, her face glowing with excitement.
"Aunt Maria!" she squealed, throwing her arms around her.
Maria smiled warmly, hugging her back. "Tatiana, my dear."
"I told you I'd arrange dinner here," Tatiana said, eyes sparkling with pride, "so you could meet my aunt and grandfather. Please, come in!"
Elena followed them inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor as they entered the grand hall.
As they reached the dining room.
Irina walked to then smiling. "You must be Maria," she said with a soft, knowing smile. "I'm Irina Volkov—Damian's mother, and Tatiana's favorite aunt."
Tatiana laughed lightly. "She's right," she said, and Irina chuckled with her.
Damian was already there, sitting beside Grandfather. Their conversation stopped when they noticed the ladies.
"Hello," he greeted with a polite nod, his deep voice smooth but intimidating. "We've heard a lot about you."
Maria smiled politely, though her hands were neatly folded on her lap. "All good things, I hope."
"Of course," he replied, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Tatiana leaned forward, her eyes dancing with mischief. "I arranged this dinner," she said playfully, "because I know soon we'll be in-laws."
Grandfather Volkov chuckled under his breath, Irina laughed softly, and Tatiana grinned with satisfaction.
But Damian didn't even look up from his glass of wine. His expression stayed cold, unreadable.
Maria blinked, looking confused, while Elena froze, her cheeks burning.
"T-Tatiana jokes a lot," Elena stammered quickly, forcing a nervous smile.
Maria turned her gaze toward her niece, eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion, but she said nothing. Damian finally looked up—his dark eyes locking on Elena's.
The corner of his mouth twitched, almost a smirk, as if he enjoyed watching her squirm.
They sat for dinner. Elena sat beside Damian.
Minutes later, Damian's hand went slowly under the table to Elena's thigh, she almost choked as she felt his hands on her thighs.
She looked at him giving him a stop it sign as his fingers tried moving to her panties but he ignored her.
Elena tried to hold his wrist when he reached her panties, he slid his fingers in. It became ticklish and she was at the verge of loosing it.
She let out a weird sound and everyone turned to look at her.
"Are you okay my dear?" Irina asked.
Elena smiled as she replied. "I'm fine".
Damian smiled as he sipped his wine with his left hands, his right hands still in her.
She was sweating and surprised at how her body actually wanted him to touch her more.
"Stop thinking of crazy things Elena and get this monster's hand out of your panties" she thought to herself.
Elena pushed his hands out of her, she stood up immediately, all eyes on her. "I want to use the restroom" she said and walked away.
Damian still looked at her direction then he stood up too. "I will go check up on her" he said.