Damian's POV
I didn't expect to see Serena.
Not now, not like this.
She stood near the glass railing of the company's ground floor lounge, her eyes trailing me like a shadow as I walked toward the elevator. Her arms folded across her chest, that signature smirk playing on her lips-the one she always wore when she was about to start trouble.
"You really downgraded," she said as I passed, her voice coated in sugar but sharp like a knife.
I turned slowly to face her. "What do you want, Serena?"
Her heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she stepped closer, her eyes flickering with something between bitterness and curiosity.
"I saw the way you were looking at her," she said. "The way you smiled at her like she's the only woman in the world. You never looked at me that way."
"Because you were never her," I said calmly.
Her jaw tightened, but she quickly masked it with a laugh. "You're seriously falling for your secretary?"
"She's not just a secretary," I snapped, stepping forward. "And if you're here to stir chaos, I suggest you leave."
She laughed again, a low, mocking sound. "Damian Knight, the man who used to see love as a weakness, now risking his career for a girl who-what? Types his schedules and makes him coffee?"
"I love her," I said quietly but firmly.
Serena's expression faltered. She wasn't expecting that.
I continued, "I loved you too, once. But you turned love into a game, something to manipulate. You wanted control. You wanted power. Amara doesn't play games. She doesn't have to try to be real-she just is."
There was a long pause.
Serena looked away briefly, then back at me. "Enjoy it while it lasts," she whispered coldly. "Because the media won't let it go. You know that, right?"
"I'm not hiding anymore," I replied. "And if she stands by me, I'll protect her from everything-including you."
She blinked, but there was no apology in her gaze, only the sting of defeat she refused to accept.
Then, with one last glance, Serena turned on her heels and walked away, her departure just as dramatic as her entrance.
But I didn't follow.
Because I wasn't looking back anymore.
I was moving forward-with Amara.
Amara's POV
I woke up with a smile tugging at my lips, the kind I couldn't hold back even if I tried. The memories from last night played over and over in my head like a favorite movie. The way Damian looked at me. The way he held me close. And the kiss...
A soft blush spread across my cheeks just thinking about it.
I shook my head and dragged myself out of bed, determined not to let my imagination take over. But no matter how much I tried, my heart fluttered like a schoolgirl with a crush.
It wasn't just a crush though. It was something more.
Damian and I had already talked things out. The awkwardness, the confusion-it was behind us now. He made it clear how he felt. And even though I hadn't given a final answer yet, we both knew the direction things were heading.
After a quick shower and breakfast, I dressed in a simple, fitted blouse and high-waisted slacks. I kept my makeup soft and my hair pinned up neatly, but nothing could hide the glow on my face. I looked... happy.
When I arrived at the office, I headed straight to my desk. I was just settling in, powering up my system, when I saw her.
Serena.
Tall. Stunning. Impeccably dressed in a wine-red bodycon dress and heels that clicked with every step she took. She strutted out of Damian's office like she still belonged there. Her lips curled into a smug smile when our eyes met.
What was she doing here?
Before I could even process it, Eric appeared, walking down the hallway with a cup of coffee in hand-probably on his way to drop it off at Damian's desk.
But Serena intercepted him.
"Oh, I'll take that," she said smoothly, her voice sweet but laced with something sharp. Without waiting for a reply, she took the cup from Eric and turned toward me.
The office fell unusually silent. Heads turned. Whispers followed her every step.
She walked gracefully toward my desk, her heels clicking like a warning. Then, standing directly in front of me, she smiled again.
"For you," she said, holding out the coffee.
I was confused but polite. My hand reached for the cup.
And that's when it happened.
Serena tilted the cup, deliberately spilling the hot coffee down the front of my blouse.
A gasp escaped me as I stumbled back, the liquid soaking into the fabric.
"Oh! I'm so sorry," she said in mock concern, eyes wide with fake innocence. And then, as if to rub salt into the wound, she leaned in and gave me a hug. "This is just the beginning," she whispered into my ear, her smile never fading.
I froze, stunned, heart pounding-not from the heat of the coffee, but from the sheer audacity of what she had done.
Before I could react, we both heard the sound of a door opening.
Damian.
He hadn't planned to step out, but the noise clearly caught his attention. And the moment his eyes landed on me-soaked blouse, stunned expression-his entire demeanor changed.
"Amara?" he said, rushing toward me.
Serena turned, playing the role of the concerned guest. "Ohh, I'm so sorry," she said sweetly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "It was an accident. I didn't see her hand..."
But Damian wasn't listening to her.
His eyes were locked on me. Furious. Protective. And something else-something dangerously close to fear.
Without a word, he placed a hand around my shoulder and led me away from the curious stares of the staff.
"To my office," he muttered under his breath.
And just like that, I found myself walking beside him, leaving a very smug-looking Serena behind.
But she wasn't finished.
And I had a feeling-neither were we.
Damian's POV
I closed the door behind us, jaw clenched, hands itching to slam something-or someone.
Serena.
I should have never let her into the building, let alone my office. I didn't invite her here. She just showed up, thinking she could slide back into my life like nothing had changed.
But everything had changed.
I turned to Amara, who stood in the middle of my office, her blouse soaked in coffee, her arms slightly crossed over her chest. Her cheeks were flushed, but not from embarrassment-from holding it all in.
"Are you okay?" I asked, walking toward her slowly. "Did it burn?"
She shook her head. "It's fine. Just a little hot." Her voice was soft, controlled. But I could hear the tremble beneath it.
I reached out and gently touched her arm. "I'm sorry."
She looked up at me, surprised. "You're apologizing?"
"I brought her into your space. I should've handled this differently. She had no right to come near you, let alone do what she just did." I exhaled, trying to control the storm brewing in my chest. "That wasn't an accident, Amara. I saw her face."
"She made it clear," Amara murmured. "She said it herself-'this is just the beginning.'"
I swallowed hard, guilt pressing into my throat. "She's trying to stir things up. She's used to getting her way. But I promise you, she's not going to win."
Amara's lips parted like she wanted to say something but hesitated.
"What?" I pressed.
She finally spoke, voice quiet but firm. "I'm not scared of her, Damian. And I'm not going to back away because your ex decided to make a scene."
Pride swelled in my chest. This woman-my woman-wasn't fragile. She didn't need me to fight her battles, but damn, I still wanted to.
"She's not part of my life anymore," I said slowly. "Whatever I had with Serena, it ended for a reason. I loved her once, or at least I thought I did, but... she was never kind. She was controlling. She didn't care about anyone but herself."
"And you think she'll walk away quietly?" Amara asked.
"No," I admitted. "But I won't let her hurt you, or come between us. You're not just someone I'm seeing, Amara. You're the person I want to be with. For real."
Her expression softened, eyes holding mine.
"I know," she whispered.
And in that moment, I realized just how deep I'd fallen for her. I didn't just want to protect her-I wanted to build a future with her. Without secrets. Without drama. Just us.
"Let me get you a clean shirt," I said. "Or do you want to go home and change? I can take you."
She looked down at her blouse and nodded. "I think I'll go change. I don't want to give anyone else in this office a show."
I chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Too late. You already stole all their attention."
Her cheeks colored again. "Damian..."
But before she could say more, there was a knock at the door.
My jaw tightened. "Stay here."
I walked to the door and opened it just a little.
It was Eric.
"I just got word from security," he said, glancing nervously at the closed space behind me. "Serena just left the building."
I nodded once. "Make sure she doesn't come back. Ever."
Eric hesitated. "Understood."
I shut the door and turned back to Amara, who was already collecting her things.
As we walked out of the office together, shoulder to shoulder, I knew this wasn't over.
But I also knew one thing for sure-Serena may have declared war, but I had something far stronger on my side.
Amara.