"What's wrong, Elara? Why are you shaking?"
, Damon asked, voice mild.
Elara trembled, her heart throbbed from her encounter with Adrian, and Damon's presence only
added to the ache in her heart and the chaos in her mind.
She was lost in thoughts that she didn't even hear Damon's question. He moved close to her,
his sharp eyes observing like a criminal under trial. She braced herself for his usual coldness,
derogatory remarks, mocking gestures that pierced her like a needle. But instead, he touched
her arm gently, pulling her close, caressing her face.
"What happened?" He questioned, voice softer than usual.
It felt like his cold and controlling charisma disappeared in her second. His concerned tone
made her even more restless than his controlling nature.
For a moment, she felt safe in his arms. A feeling she had never known before , but she quickly
pulled away, folding her arms and avoiding his gaze.
"I'm fine"
, she lied, her voice stiff and controlled.
She couldn't afford to let her secret get exposed. She couldn't let Damon win. She needed to
get things sorted out with Adrian.
As a result of being nervous and perturbed by his presence, Elara attempted to leave. But
Damon grabbed her gently by her arm and stopped her from leaving.
"You're not fine, Elara I can see it on your face"
, he said with a tone that bore unusual softness.
"You're scared of something. What is it?"
Her breath skipped a beat. The last thing she needed was Damon opening up old wounds that
spent years trying to hide. But there was this constant thought on her mind.
"Why is Damon suddenly showing concern for me? Why the sudden change of attitude?" She
kept wondering.
"Did he see Adrian?" She thought again.
She turned away, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I told you that I'm fine. Don't you get that? And stop prying into my business"
. She muttered.
"It
doesn't concern you "
, she added sharply.
He moved close to her.
"Everything about you is my business. Understand that"
, his words were
sharp but beneath it contained mystery.
"You don't always have to be fierce with me. Just know
that... No one has the right to hurt you except me"
.
Elara hissed. She didn't find comfort or care in his words but a dangerous desire of protection
incorporated with possession.
"It's enough, Damon. You feel like control fixes everything. But it doesn't...
" She paused, trying
to steady her voice.
"In fact, it destroys. And I don't want your protection. You don't own me"
.
"I can't take care of myself"
, she added, giving him a harsh stare.
For a moment, silence stretched between them, the air, thick with tension and mystery. He shot
piercing stares at her, unpredictable, obsessive, and toxic. It was somewhere between his
desire to tame her and something he couldn't understand.
Suddenly, her phone rang. The shrill sound of her phone cut through the silence. Damon's sharp
eyes darted to the phone but he couldn't see the caller.
Elara's heart raced when she saw that it was an unknown caller. Her throat tightened. With a
growing panic, she lifted the phone and answered the call.
"I'm not done with you, darling"
, the caller muttered slyly, over the phone then ended the call.
A cold chill ran down Elara's spine. Her heart beat like a frantic drum. She knew that voice.
Adrian. The voice that made her heart race, that brought fear to her.
"Who called you?" Damon asked, his tone cold and commanding.
Elara's eyes widened, she bit her lower lip.
"Uhm.... It's a wrong number"
, she lied, switching off her phone. Damon's gaze grew intense. It
felt as though he could see right throw her lie.
Another silence enveloped them, unsettling and suspenseful. Elara began to feel nervous.
"Uhm.. I have some work to attend to"
, she said, voice clipped trying to avoid Damon's piercing
eyes. She turned and rushed back to her office without waiting for his reply.
Hours passed by quickly. Elara tried to get rid of her thoughts of Adrian by occupying herself
with paperwork but that proved abortive.
The last word of Adrian still lingered in her head.
"I'm not done with you, darling'
She felt suffocated and she reached for a glass of water. Afterwards she continued working.
"Oh God! It's 8.p.m already?" She said, realization dawning on her.
She quickly rounded off, grabbed her bag and walked out of the office. Her heels clicked on the
marble floor. Most of the other offices were empty. Every one had left.
"Atleast, some silence"
, she muttered to herself.
She pushed the large glass doors open. Her heart thundered as she beheld a black car that
wasn't hers parked outside with its headlights on. She tilted her head towards the driver's seat.
And to her amazement…
It was Damon Blackwood. He emerged out of the car.
Elena's heart skipped.
"What? He still hasn't left?" She muttered, voice laced with confusion.
Damon walked towards her, his steps precise and calculative.
"You worked late. That's rich"
, he
said softly, voice dripped with concern.
"It's nothing new. I can handle myself"
.
He moved towards the car and opened the passenger door.
"I'll drop you home"
.
She held her bag tightly.
"It's not necessary. I can take care of myself"
.
"That's not your choice to make. I've made a decision"
, Damon replied sharply with a faint smirk.
Elara had no choice. She was still haunted by Adrian. Now she was stuck. Either she entered
the car with Damon or went home alone with the fear of Adrian still haunting her. Either way,
danger loomed.
The drive to Elara's house was quiet as both of them sat without uttering a word.
"Why are you doing this?" Elara asked finally tearing the silence.
"What am I doing?"
"Don't act like you aren't aware"
, she said sharply.
"Why are you suddenly acting soft and
protective?"
Damon chuckled.
"I owe you no answers.
"
, he snapped.
That shut Elara up, and silence stretched once again between them until Damon arrived at her
house. She opened the door quickly, eager to leave his presence.
"Good night, Miss Monroe"
. Damon uttered, a sly smile playing on his lips. She ignored him and
went inside but she felt he was watching her and of a truth he was. He watched her till she
entered in.
After a warm shower, she laid on her bed, drained, but her mind kept racing; she couldn't
understand Damon's change of attitude. Damon Blackwood's softness was more dangerous
than his harshness. That, she dreaded.
"What does he want?" She muttered.
"Is he playing a game? And am I pawn in it?"
This is worse.