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Chapter 5 - Before Dinner

Damian

The silence between us was electric.

Elle stood across the room, her hand resting on the back of the couch like she needed it to stay upright. Her eyes met mine. Steady. Daring me to blink first. For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then my phone buzzed.

I didn't look away until the name flashed across the screen. Uncle Harrison.

A sigh slipped through my nose as I hit answer.

"Yes, sir."

"Are you and your fiancée not showing up for dinner anymore?" His voice carried that clipped impatience only he could perfect.

"We're about to leave," I said, trying to sound polite. "You know women... they take their time with these things."

"Well, you'd better hurry before the food gets cold," he snapped.

"I said we're coming," I cut in, the edge in my voice making it clear the conversation was over.

I ended the call before he could continue. For a long second, I stared at the dark screen, then slipped the phone back into my pocket. The irritation lingered, but when I looked up, Elle was still watching me. Her expression hadn't changed. No fear. Just quiet curiosity, the kind that crawled under the skin.

"You heard that, didn't you?" I asked.

She tilted her head slightly. "You don't exactly whisper. We all heard that."

"Then you know what happens when someone talks about things they shouldn't."

Her lips curved, the faintest hint of mockery. "Oh, please. You act like your life's that interesting."

That made me stop. Not because she was wrong but because she said it like she'd read me.

I let the silence stretch, then turned toward Camila, who was standing by the hallway pretending to be invisible.

"Didn't you tell her I was coming?"

Camila swallowed, eyes darting between us. "I did, sir. But she's… not exactly the obedient type."

Elle gave a soft, amused snort behind me, like she agreed with that description more than she should've.

"That much is clear."

My gaze drifted back to Elle. She stood there, arms folded, trouble wrapped in calm but I had zero time for it.

"Then let's not waste more of it," I said finally, adjusting my cuff. "We're leaving."

Camila shifted her weight from one foot to the other, clearly wishing she could disappear into the wall. Elle, on the other hand, looked far too calm for someone who was ready to join me.

"Maybe if you stopped barking orders, people would actually listen," she said, crossing her arms.

The corner of my mouth twitched. "I don't bark."

She tilted her head. "You growl, then. Same difference."

Camila's breath caught somewhere between a gasp and a laugh, quickly turning into a cough when my eyes found hers. "I—uh, should probably… finish what I was doing " she stammered, already half gone before I could reply.

Good. One less witness to whatever this was turning into.

Once the room quieted, Elle pushed off the couch, straightening. "You can save the intimidation act, Damian. I'm not easily scared."

"No, you're not. That's what worries me."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, catching the shift in my tone. I hadn't meant to say it like that, not like an admission. But she unnerved me. She moved closer, stopping a few feet away. "So, what happens now? You drag me to your family's dinner and pretend we're some fairytale couple?"

I slipped my hands into my pockets. "Pretend, yes. Fairytale, no."

She rolled her eyes. "You're charming, in a mildly threatening way."

"And you're reckless," I said. "But I suppose we both have our flaws."

Something flickered between us; humor maybe, or mutual curiosity before she looked away, shaking her head. "You really don't like people saying no to you, do you?"

"Depends who's saying it."

For a moment, she just stared at me. No comeback, no glare. Just… thought. Then she sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Fine. I'll go. But only because I like good food and because..."

She looked up, watching for my reaction, as if testing whether she'd pushed too far. "...you'll be volunteering with me at Arkos's care home this weekend."

Volunteering. A word that didn't belong anywhere near my schedule or life but I let it slide.

I nodded once, trying to ignore the small, unexpected satisfaction that came with her agreement.

She went back inside to get ready.

For a second, I just stood there watching the soft sway of her hair as she disappeared down the hall.

"Please be down in five minutes," I said finally, forcing my tone back to neutral.

"Ten," she countered, voice trailing behind her as her door clicked shut.

A faint smile tugged at my mouth before I could stop it. "Of course," I muttered, more to myself than to her. Then I turned, the weight of silence following me out.

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