TOO CLOSE.
Aurora's Pov
Morning came, with exhaustion written all over me.
I hadn't slept.
Not properly.
I stayed in my dad's room all night, watching him,I watched him breathe, it was slow and uneven and he was also groaning in pain.
"You're gonna be okay," I said to him, as I adjusted his blanket. "I've got you"
When he drifted to sleep,and I moved quietly around the apartment, I didn't want to risk waking him up. I Showered and Dressed simply, Nothing dramatic, just something presentable,I liked to look good, indoors or outdoors.
And I wasn't job hunting today.
Or at least, I hadn't planned to.
I just finished breakfast and was having breakfast, when my phone rang.
It was from an unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?" I said
"Aurora Lockwood," a woman said, her tone calm and professional.
"Huh" I said out of surprise I wasn't expecting any call and she knew my full name, maybe one of the companies I thought.
"This is Martha. I'm calling regarding a private office opportunity at stone and co international, You were recommended."
I was surprised.
"I didn't submit....."
"It's an informal meeting," she said, cutting me off. She was polite though.
"Just a conversation. Today, if possible."
I hesitated, glancing toward my father's room.
"What time?"
"Eleven. I've sent the address to your phone."
"Eleven that's..... Sudden" I said not knowing she already hung up.
"She didn't even let me finish speaking" I muttered to myself.
I stared at the screen for a moment.
Something about it felt… sudden.
But I needed a job.
I finally decided to go.
I hurried to my dresser to get something professional, thankfully I had one neatly ironed.
Damien's Pov
I was at the office early today.
I made coffee and scrolled through some files.
I finished with the files and stood by the window, put my hands in my pockets and watched the city below from the transparent wall.
The office was quiet, dark, and clean, just how I liked it.
My office didn't look like any regular one, I liked my things different.
I was going to be meeting Aurora today or maybe I hope I'd be meeting her today.
I had planned a meeting with her.
"She's here," Martha says, disrupting my alone time.
Oh she came I thought in my head
"let her in." I said without glancing at her.
Then the door opens.
And there she was.
Ohh that scent again.
Aurora's Pov
The room is quiet.
Too quiet.
I stepped inside, my heels clicking against the floor, my eyes kept wandering automatically, I had to observe the environment, I always do, dark walls, tall windows, minimal furniture.
You could tell power lives here. You can feel it.
Then I see him.
The stranger.
I blinked twice, I had to make sure I wasn't seeing things cause I didn't properly sleep.
But then it was him.
He was standing by the window,he looked tall, composed, he was dressed in a dark outfit that made him look sexy and dangerous.
our eyes met, and that made my stomach twitch.
What was this feeling?
I've never felt like this before, it was hard to name it, buh I'm certain it isn't fear.
"You," I said, trying to shake off my thoughts and sounding as composed as I could.
"You came." he said
"I had no idea it was you" I replied.
"Sit," he says calmly.
I hesitated for half a second and finally sat.
Damien's Pov
She doesn't fidget.
I noticed that about her.
I couldn't help but observe her, how she sat still,the way her hands were folded neatly on her lap.
She was more professional than I thought.
Her chin was up, you'd could tell she wasn't intimidated.
She wasn't adjusting her clothes, crossing and uncrossing her legs, like other girls would.
She even maintained eye contact.
"Who are you?" she says breaking the silence.
"you don't need to know" I said clearing my throat
"I don't wanna be in a meeting without knowing who I'm with." she replied
I stared at her and surprisingly she held my gaze longer than she should.
Aurora's Pov
Something about the way he looks at me feels… invasive.
Not physically but mentally.
Like he's paying attention in a way people usually don't.
"Why am I here?" I ask.
He steps closer, what is he doing, I thought in my head.
There was only a tiny space between us, my heart beat raced, and I suddenly became aware of things I shouldn't be thinking about. I started to think about his height, his voice, his smell, and the room started to feel hot.
"I'm offering you a job," he says, bringing me back.
I felt embarrassed, how could I think of him like that.
I let out a short laugh. "what job?
"You'll find out." he said
"That's not an answer."
"It is for me."
"I don't accept vague offers," I say firmly
He didn't move away.
But instead he came closer.
He's too close.
My pulse betrays me, thudding loud in my ears, and that only annoys me more.
I don't react like this.
What is he doing to me?
"You're tired," he says quietly.
I raise my eyebrows. "Huh?"
"You take care of your father," he continues. "You're carrying more than you should, don't you think."
"How do you know that?" I demand.
"I pay attention."
Who is this man?
I thought in my head.
I stood up and grabbed my bag, I didn't want to be there anymore
But I have to at least know his name.
"Who are you?" I asked again.
"Damien stone" he finally answered.
"Hmm" I muttered.
Even his name sounded sexy.
Damien's Pov.
She's affected.
I can see it
I see it in the way her jaw tightens, she refuses to step back as I step closer.
As I got closer, I could feel a type of way, I had only felt like this, years ago, and it was with my first love.
I can sense this getting dangerous, but I don't wanna pull back.
There's just this pull.
For a moment, the world narrows.
It was just us
Her scent lingers, soft, confident, dangerously inviting.
She breaks first, stands and reaches for her bag.
"Who are you?" she says.
"Damien stone," I reply.
"Hmm" she muttered.
"Alright Damien stone, I'm gonna go now" she said.
What audacity?
"You don't walk out on me" I said angrily
She let out a long laugh.
A laugh that calmed my face, the anger left instantly.
She's very beautiful, I thought to myself, I've never seen one laugh this heartily.
She really has something on me.
She pauses at the door.
"sorry to crush your ego" she says with a wink and walks out.
My heart skipped a bit.
I let out a short laugh without even realizing
Aurora's Pov
I step out of the office. And the hallway feels too bright, too loud
My heart is still racing, and I don't understand why.
Why am I affected this way?
Why does it feel like I've just walked away from something dangerous?
And someone how, deep down, I have a feeling this isn't over.