𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 ✔️

#25

Aesira

'I can't.'

That message replayed in my brain all day. I could practically hear it in his voice. That deep, brooding, seductive voice. Ringing in my head nonstop.

I flipped my head over and drew my fingers along my hair, letting the bumps smoothen out so I could put it into a ponytail. Flipping my hair back over, I looked in the mirror and tilted my head to the side analyzing myself. The skirt hung loose and right above my knees while the white button-up that was tucked into the skirt was spacious and looked oversized.

"I am so glad they changed these uniforms" Athena brushed her clothes down and appeared in the view of the mirror. I smiled at her in a kind manner and turned around. "You ready?" she asked me.

I replied with a nod and followed her out the door. I looked around the vacant hallway and sighed in solace, I was glad that Pablo was not standing at the end of the hallway watching our door. He hadn't been around lately which I was getting glad about. But I also knew that if he wasn't there that someone would be watching through the cameras. I was never truly alone.

I and Athena walked in silence towards the elevator and I subconsciously wrapped my arms around myself. "You look beautiful" she nudged my shoulder before walking inside. I grinned sheepishly at her. I wish I would just believe her. I felt bad that her words felt like they were going through one ear and out the other.

We were twins, yes but we looked different in every way but our hair and eye colour. She'd always been considered the nicer and the prettier one out of the two of us. She was also clueless about her beauty. I was always in awe of her though.

"So are you" I retorted, she flipped her hair jokingly and laughed. I rolled my eyes at her and fled from the elevator but immediately stopped when I came face to face with Damon.

'I cant'

The words rang in my head once again. I completely stopped functioning and my heartbeat intensified. I stared at Damon unsure of what to do or say.

The moment his eyes landed on mine his pink lips turned upwards. He didn't let himself fully smile but the small twitch made my stomach flutter. "Aesira" he uttered, his eyes moved to Athena and he nodded his head at her. "And Athena"

"Hi Mr. Perez, how are you?" Athena questioned politely, I kept my mouth shut not daring to say a word.

"My days turning up-" he glanced at me shortly before turning his attention back onto Athena. "And you? How are the both of you today?" he stuck both of his hands into the pockets of his trousers and adjusted his posture. I took this time to idolize him. His black dress pants were perfectly smooth not one wrinkle, just like his white shirt. Does he ever wear any colour?

"We are amazing...right Aesira?" why does he have to be so stunning his features were perfect and he was flawless.

"Aesira"

Athena was so kind to him, she was oblivious to what he really did, or what he was capable of. I hated the fact that I was the only one who knew.

"Aesira?"

My eyes caught onto his moving lips which snapped me back into focus, "sorry what?" I asked him as to be started to smirk knowingly.

"Mr. Perez just asked ever so kindly how we were doing" she gritted with her eyes wide. I parted my lips uncertain of what to reply with. "I said we were doing amazing-right?..." I snapped my head to Damon's amused one. He was enjoying this situation.

"Yes, amazing" I agreed to Athena's words.

"Amazing huh?" Damon raised his perfectly shaped eyebrows at me questioning my words. I nodded confidently and tried playing cool. He replied with the same gesture. His tongue drew across his bottom lip and brought it in between his teeth. My attention kept getting drawn to those perfect lips. Did he do that on purpose?

"Oh my, you must be waiting for the elevator" Athena positioned her hand on her mouth and grabbed my arm with her free one. Her grip was tight but not tight enough to hurt me. I was now getting tugged away from the metal doors and to an open space in the middle of the lobby.

Damon deliberately turned his body towards us again changing his stance so his arms were across his chest that now my attention laid on his forearms. "No. It is completely ok. I'm not going up anymore"

Anymore?

"Why not?" I asked abruptly without thinking, I let my inquisitiveness take the better of me. He must have a reason. It surely wouldn't be because of us..because of me. Ridiculous.

"Because I do not desire to anymore" I narrowed my eyes at his awful response.

"Well then what do you desire" I was intrigued to know the answer but something in me knew that I was going to get anything but one. Well not now at least.

"An answer so simple yet very complicated" he pulled out the word 'very' and I felt a sting of violation. Was it directed towards me? Damon's eyes didn't leave mine not once. Those fierce yet serious canary eyes stuck to mine like concrete.

"Well, we won't prude into your business. Because it is your business" Athena nudged my body slightly and I huffed in annoyance. They both were directing their words straight towards me coyly instead of just coming right out and saying what they wanted to.

"Um- I'll meet you in there I have to speak with Da- Mr. Perez about something-" I placed my hand over Athena's hand that gripped my arm.   "work-related don't worry" I continued when I saw her hesitation. She eventually let go and walked into the casino.

Once her figure disappeared I turned back to the egotistical man in front of me. "What's your game?" I asked him another question. "Why am I even asking you, you never actually answer" I scoffed thinking out loud.

He remained silent. I grew more aggravated and bothered. His eyes looked me over shamelessly I wanted to punch the stupid grin that started to form. My arms once again went around my body without thinking and his smile completely disappeared.

"Why do you always do that?" Damon's voice became hard, the softness leaving not one trace.

"Do what?"

"Cover your body like that." he noticed. "You are the most gorgeous girl ever" he took a step towards me tauntingly. My heart swarmed and pounded against my breastbone, I thought it would burst.

"How do you not know how beautiful you are?" his words came off as if he was asking himself. Like he was speaking out loud. I felt my cheeks warm uncontrollably.

"You shouldn't say things like that" I whispered and broke eye contact with him.

"I'm being honest, I would never lie to you, you know." his words came off so trusting but I couldn't help the thoughts in the back of my brain that told me he was lying. I couldn't trust a man like him. I didn't even trust regular men.

"I should get to work"

He nodded his head and didn't say anything more allowing me to leave. I did not move. "You're not leaving," he stated the obvious.

"Neither are you, don't you have...business to attend to?" I didn't know why I wanted him to leave first, I kept doing things for reasons I was unsure of.

"My business can wait... It doesn't start or end until I say so. Pros of being the boss" his voice now meshes with cockyness.

"Well, there's no reason to let it wait right?" Just turn around and leave first! He smirked down at me.

"No reason to let your work wait as well Ms. Frey, and being late right in front of your boss" he sucked in a breath of air. "Tsk tsk tsk" he was on the break of laughter.

"You're such an asshole do you know that?" I looked up at his tall figure, he radiated control and obstruction. Something I cursed myself for being drawn to it. For being drawn to him entirely. His whole essence.

"Bad language... Bad girl" his voice became low and sounded like it was coming from deep in his chest. "Get to work," he commanded me. I felt as if I was on a rollercoaster. My arms dropped from my body slowly and I turned around without any last words.

Fuck me.

He had more of an effect on me than I thought...than I'd like to admit.