"Watch out, Andrew," she said sharply, stopping in the doorway.
He raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "Sweetheart, I don't have to. I know who is supporting me , and it will never be you."
Chloe laughed in disbelief, "You're obsessed with her… just like Damon, You think you're succeeding, but she will destroy both of you."
Andrew leaned forward without rushing. "Let her attempt it."
Chloe's eyes became smaller, "You'll be sorry for treating me like I'm unimportant."
He chuckled, "You were unimportant."
That hurt her deeply, She turned quickly and left, slamming the door loudly.
Andrew's smile disappeared slowly. Underneath it, a strong feeling grew. Not fear. Desire. The type he only felt when Kareen was close. And he wasn't going to waste this chance again.
The fancy dinner was loud but proper, just fancy enough to be professional, just enough wine to loosen people up.
Kareen arrived like the final part of a great song, late, gorgeous, and quiet. A dark velvet dress fit her tightly, and her eyes couldn't be read under her soft curls. She didn't say hello, and he didn't go to her. But they noticed each other. Every moment.
He saw her smiling at producers, nodding politely at interns, and holding a glass that she barely drank from. She was glowing, but also, completely unavailable.
Until the room became empty.
They both were waiting for the elevator. No words were spoken. Just the soft sound of breathing and a strong feeling building up.
The doors opened. She went in first.
Andrew followed.
They stood next to each other. No noise. No one else.
Until they looked at each other.
Like a string breaking, they both moved at the same time. Lips pressed together, hands grabbed clothing, and bodies crashed together as if they'd been waiting for years instead of days. Her mouth opened under his, soft and eager, her fingers tangled in his jacket. He made a low sound as he pushed her against the wall, one hand sliding under her hip.
There was no doubt, just passion.
She leaned into him, one leg wrapping a little around his calf. His lips moved to her neck, to her collarbone, and she gasped as he whispered her name.
It was out of control, desperate, and so wrong that it felt good.
Just before the doors closed all the way, he looked up without thinking… and stopped moving.
Across the lobby, Damon stood still.
Watching.
His face couldn't be read.
His body was stiff.
His eyes were focused on what was happening inside the elevator.
And then the doors closed.
Andrew didn't say anything. Kareen hadn't seen him. And he wasn't going to tell her.
Three days went by.
Andrew had tried to forget the image of Damon watching him, but it stayed with him like smoke.
And then, late one night, it happened again.
He was leaving a long meeting when Kareen rounded a corner and ran right into him, She gasped a little, His heart skipped a beat.
The hall had no one in it. It was quiet. It felt charged.
She looked up at him with her lips slightly open. He didn't say anything because he didn't need to. Her eyes showed everything.
He pushed the button for the elevator. She let him do it.
The doors opened up. They walked inside.
And this time, there was no waiting.
As soon as the doors closed, he touched her hand—gently, a little unsure, but she didn't move it away. She leaned into his touch, and then into him.
Their lips met once more. This time it was slower and more intense. There was less excitement and more longing.
His hand held her face as hers went under his jacket, her fingers gripping his shirt.
He kissed her as if he needed to remember exactly how her mouth felt. She kissed him as if she was trying to ignore everything else.
Their bodies moved like they had done this many times before, not awkward, not fast. Just very eager.
He quietly said her name as his lips touched her ear.
She sighed against him, her breathing unsteady, and her hands held him like something hidden.
And then the elevator made a sound.
They stopped kissing.
The doors opened up.
And Damon was standing in that exact spot.
This time, Kareen saw him, too.
She stopped moving.
Andrew turned all the way around, his heart beating fast.
Damon didn't budge at all.
He didn't say a word.
He simply remained in place. His hands were balled tightly at his sides. He stared intently at the two of them with intense focus. Something menacing moved within his look, a silent, icy anger.
A gradual build-up.
Chloe moved closer behind him, wearing her usual smug expression.
"Oh… this is interesting," she said smoothly. "You two really aren't worried about who sees you, are you?"
Andrew moved ahead, not bothered by her. "Are you still around?"
She crossed her arms. "I have a lot to tell you, honey. Do you want everyone here to know what you've been doing?"
Andrew chuckled. "Go ahead, Chloe. Let everyone hear how upset you are."
Chloe's eyes became small slits. "There will be a time when you regret making me angry."
He smiled calmly. "Nobody trusts anything you say. Especially not Damon."
Chloe sighed in annoyance, but he was already walking by her.
And what about Damon?
Still unmoving
Still observing
His eyes showed something that finally, quietly, became too much…
Rage.