Bella spent the next day doing everything she could to maintain her composure. Damien Wolfe's presence was a constant, lurking thought at the back of her mind—his intense gaze, the unexpected softness in his words, and the charged moments between them that seemed to multiply with every encounter. It was a dangerous game they were playing, one she wasn't even sure had rules.
When the workday ended, Bella took extra time to get ready for the evening's meeting at Van der West's estate. She chose a sleek black dress, elegant but understated. It hugged her curves without being provocative—a perfect balance for a professional event. She finished with a touch of makeup and pulled her hair into a low chignon. As she stared at her reflection, a flicker of doubt surfaced. What was she doing? Was this just business, or had things already spiraled beyond that?
A knock on her apartment door pulled her from her thoughts. She opened it to find Damien standing there, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that highlighted his broad shoulders and commanding presence. His dark gaze swept over her, lingering just a second too long.
"You look perfect," Damien said, his voice low.
Bella's breath hitched, but she forced a polite smile. "Thank you. Shall we go?"
Damien gave a curt nod, and they made their way down to the waiting car.
The drive to Van der West's estate was filled with silence, thick with unspoken tension. Bella stared out the window, watching the city of Gaborone slip away, replaced by quiet, upscale neighborhoods.
"Van der West likes to test people," Damien said suddenly, breaking the silence. "He'll push your boundaries just to see how you react."
Bella turned to him, curious. "Why? What's he trying to achieve?"
Damien gave a small, humorless smile. "Control. He enjoys knowing what makes people tick."
Bella folded her arms. "So what do I do if he pushes me?"
Damien's gaze flicked to her, intense and unwavering. "You push back."
Bella nodded, filing away the advice. Whatever this evening held, she would be ready.
When they arrived at Van der West's estate, the same butler greeted them at the door and led them into a grand sitting room, where Van der West waited with a glass of whiskey in hand.
"Mr. Wolfe," Van der West said warmly, though his eyes held a glint of mischief. "And Ms. Gray. A pleasure to see you again."
"Thank you for having us," Bella replied, keeping her tone polite but guarded.
Van der West gestured to a pair of leather chairs. "Please, sit. Let's get comfortable before we discuss business."
Bella and Damien sat down, and almost immediately, Van der West launched into a stream of seemingly harmless questions—about Bella's background, her work, even her personal interests. She answered carefully, giving enough to seem polite but not enough to reveal too much.
"You're quite poised, Ms. Gray," Van der West said, swirling his whiskey. "I imagine working with Damien has been… an interesting experience."
Bella smiled, her expression neutral. "It's been challenging, but rewarding."
Van der West chuckled. "Ah, that sounds exactly like Damien." He turned to Damien, a sly grin spreading across his face. "You've picked quite the assistant, Wolfe."
Damien gave a subtle nod, his expression unreadable. "Bella is exceptional at what she does."
Bella's heart skipped a beat at the rare compliment, though she kept her face composed.
Van der West leaned forward, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "Tell me, Ms. Gray, do you always follow orders without question?"
Bella's pulse quickened. There it is—the test.
She met Van der West's gaze head-on. "I follow orders when they make sense," she said smoothly. "But I don't hesitate to ask questions when necessary."
Van der West chuckled, clearly entertained. "Spoken like someone who knows her worth."
Damien's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. Bella wasn't sure if it was pride or approval, but whatever it was, it sent a strange warmth through her chest.
The conversation shifted toward business, and Bella sat quietly, taking notes as Damien and Van der West discussed the finer points of the deal. She admired the way Damien handled the negotiations—calm, calculated, never giving more than was necessary. It was clear that Damien knew how to play the game, and he played it well.
After about an hour, the conversation began to wind down. Van der West stood, signaling the end of the meeting.
"This has been most enjoyable," Van der West said with a smile. "I look forward to finalizing our agreement."
"As do I," Damien replied, shaking the man's hand.
Van der West turned to Bella. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Gray. I suspect you'll go far in this business."
Bella smiled politely. "Thank you, Mr. Van der West. I appreciate that."
On the drive back to the city, Bella leaned her head against the car window, exhaustion creeping in. But beneath the tiredness was a strange sense of accomplishment. She had held her own tonight, not just as an assistant but as someone capable of navigating high-stakes negotiations.
"You did well," Damien said quietly beside her.
Bella turned to him, surprised by the softness in his voice. "Thank you."
Damien's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to the road ahead. "You're going to make an impact here, Bella."
The words were simple, but they carried weight—more than she had expected.
Bella's heart swelled with pride, but it also ached with something more—something dangerous and unspoken.
Back at her apartment, Bella changed into comfortable clothes and collapsed onto the couch, hoping to unwind. But the moment she closed her eyes, memories of the evening flooded her mind—Van der West's sly grin, Damien's lingering gaze, the strange tension that seemed to wrap around them like an invisible thread.
Bella groaned, running a hand through her hair. What was she doing? She needed to draw a line, set boundaries before things got out of hand. But the truth was, she wasn't sure if that was even possible anymore.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was a message from Damien:
Good work tonight. Get some rest. We have a lot to do tomorrow.
Bella stared at the message, her heart pounding in her chest. The words were professional enough, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath them—something unsaid, something waiting to be acknowledged.
With a sigh, Bella set the phone aside and closed her eyes. She needed sleep—desperately. But as she drifted off, one thought lingered in her mind:
What happens when the line between business and desire disappears entirely?