𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 ☏︎

𝟐𝟑 | 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘

NEVAEH

We walk into the building, joining the line of other entrepreneurs and CEOs to tick our name off and enter by the guard at the entrance. Once we get through, we're shown to our seats and we make our way over.

Heads turn as we walk through many tables and people. I feel Damien's hand on the small of my back, guiding me to our seats and when we get there, he pulls my seat out for me. That's odd.

I stand there, eyeing him suspiciously before I sit down at the round table. We're the first ones here, as other people at our table haven't yet arrived. I take the time to look around and get a proper look at the venue.

There are fancy chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling and light beams on the walls, the wide projector screen displaying the logo of my dad's company with Mason Bachelor. The tables are covered in a black tablecloth, and there was a minibar in the far corner of the room. Nice.

I haven't been able to get the kiss out of my mind. Especially the one in the elevator.

He thinks I look perfect.

"You good?" Damien asks, and I nod, giving him a small, tight-lipped smile and looking away immediately when my heart flutters.

Just then, a few businessmen came to sit at our table, and not long after a businesswoman followed after. I smiled at them in greeting. The lady smiled back, the first businessman wasn't looking and the oddly attractive one winked at me.

I try my hardest to keep my face neutral after that unwarranted flirty wink, but when I look over to Damien think he saw it.

A few minutes go by and the microphone sounds, gathering all our attention. When I turn my head to look at the stage, I feel a hand on my thigh. I look up to Damien's face yet his gaze is focused on the man in front of me. The man stares back at him with indifference, and Damien's jaw ticks.

The man's eyes drift back to mine, and I immediately look away from him and back to the stage. At this point, Damien begins to slowly rub circles on my thigh, and I put a hand over his, squeezing it. Looking at him again, his eyes are now focused below the table, where our hands are.

They stay like that for a while until the speech ends, and they serve us food. A simple steak with a side of asparagus had my stomach grumbling. As soon as everybody was served, I pick up my knife and fork, digging into my food.

"So... What company do you own?" The man asks someone. Damien I suppose. I continue to eat until he says something again. "I'm asking you, pretty lady."

I look up at him but before I can say anything, Damien answers for me. "She works for my company, actually. DTech Studios." The glint in the guy's eyes disappears as soon as Damien opens his big mouth, his mood immediately going sour.

"Do we have a problem?" The businessman says to him, a faint line appearing between his thick brows, obviously trying to make Damien back down.

"Do we?" Damien replies sharply, and I reach for his hand under the table to calm him down. His dark eyes snap to mine, immediately softening when he sees me.

I take a bite of my steak with my free hand as the table goes silent again. "Ah. The typical boss and assistant affair. I'm not surprised." The man suddenly lets out, causing me to temporarily choke on my food. "Don't be shocked. It's like you want the whole world to know. Holding hands under the table?"

"I hope you know your daughter turned 16 yesterday." Damien says casually, and the man draws his eyebrows in confused. "You should focus on getting her a gift, rather than hitting on businesswomen at event when your family are struggling in their home country." The man couldn't help but show his surprise on his face.