Rival Offline (Anya Forger x Damian Desmond)

Chapter Thirty Two: Damian and Annalise

Damian sat across from the blonde girl, she didn't want to be there as badly as him, he could tell from the sad look on her face.

"I'm going to be completely honest with you Damian-sama" Annalise started, breaking the silence

"Yeah, You don't want this, I know, me neither, I'm trying to escape This arrangement, I made a huge mistake agreeing to his terms" he said 

Annalise blinked in surprise, then let out a small, relieved laugh. "Well, that was easy. I was expecting this whole formal dance around the issue, but I guess we're on the same page."

Damian sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Honestly, this is just another one of my father's plans to secure some political alliance. I want nothing to do with it."

Annalise nodded, her expression softening as she spoke. "My family's doing the same thing. It's not even about us, it's about maintaining their influence. But... I don't want my entire life to be dictated by someone else's chessboard."

Damian watched her carefully, realizing for the first time that she wasn't just another pawn in his father's game either. She had her own burdens, her own desires for freedom. "So, what's your plan?" he asked, curious.

"I'm... not sure yet," she admitted. "But I know I'm not going to sit by and let them control my life. I've got some time, and I'm looking at my options. University abroad, maybe? Anywhere that gets me out from under this... dynasty."

Damian felt a strange kinship with her. "I get it. I've been looking into scholarships myself. I don't need my father's money or influence anymore."

"That's wonderful, I hope you get into a good course," Annalise said, her voice steady. Then, after a brief pause, she took a deep breath. "I'll be honest with you, Damian... I was caught—with a woman, she means the world to me, but my family they do not understand our love. That's why I'm being forced into this arrangement."

Her words hung in the air, and she nervously searched his face, bracing for his reaction.

"And you want to be with her instead," Damian said, his tone surprisingly calm despite the tumult of emotions swirling inside him. "Don't worry, I'll make sure we both end up where we want."

Annalise looked at Damian, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and disbelief. She hadn't expected such an understanding response. "You mean it?" she asked, her voice softer now, the tension easing out of her shoulders. "You're really okay with this?"

Damian nodded, leaning forward slightly. "I'm not going to stand in the way of something you want, especially not when I'm being forced into this too. If there's someone you care about, you should be with her."

Annalise let out a small, shaky laugh. "I... I didn't expect you to be so chill about it. I thought you'd... I don't know, judge me."

"Why would I?" Damian said, his voice sincere. "You're just trying to live your life, like me. We both deserve to be with who we want, not trapped in something neither of us signed up for. I'll make sure this whole engagement is nothing but a formality, and we'll both find a way out."

Annalise smiled, a genuine one this time. "Thank you, Damian. Really. I wasn't sure if I'd ever meet someone in this world who would actually understand."

They spent the remaining "getting to know each other" marriage period scheming a way to escape this arrangement unscathed. Each meeting turned into a strategy session, filled with whispered plans and shared frustrations.

And so their engagement party had begun.

Damian smirked, glancing over at Annalise, who nodded excitedly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. It was a strange juxtaposition—his smirk was laced with mischief, while her enthusiasm was genuine.