self. She was raised to be confident, to handle pressure

d to be precise. Strategic. Flawless.

e told herself she was ready. That she had worked too hard to question herself no

ed worse or so she thought. Yet, as the hours drew close a t

the chaos of her world, where she could breathe and think. Tonight, the soft hum

glasses and whisper behind jewelled masks of courtesy. The ones who frequented it weren't there for

. She exhaled slowly, wrapping her arms around herself as a chill breeze swept through h

t. The night went slowly and she w

__

to live in. But some nights it felt like prison. Too many thoughts. Too much silence. So he came here. The Au

e, the weight of expectations pressing in. Tonight, he had pla

e night he noticed something familiar - some

quared, chin lifted. He noticed her dress, how it clung to her curves like a second sk

weight of something unseen. Damien smirked, his head tilting slightly, amusement flashing in his eyes. He chuckled

er thoughts to notice w

et like this, we ended up sh

an the ground open up and swallow me already?" She knew who t

shame. I was rather enjoying the view.

im, his sharp suit, the effortless confidence in the way he stood. She h

ing, at this point, her words failed her. She swallo

er arm. Damien ran his hand through his hair, sighi

d you're here anyway," she said in a low a

w calm she was even though he could tell she

is that?"

ten in his demeanour. "Because places like this are me

ep forward, slow

ons. Just space to think." She bit her lower lip, a strange weight set

his fingers finding a loose strand of her hair, He twir

about me, Chloe?" His ton

aths quickened as she held his gaze, pressing her

his smirk deepened as he leaned in just enough for her

ighly of yoursel

, reading every unspoken thought. "Tell me Chloe..

a mistake," she said, her voice quieter

in. "Shame," he said. "Didn't seem like one to me." Silence stretched

was different this time. Less teasing, more cautious. "I have to ask

taken aback.

d. "For doing it

ed by his blunt tone. "

ressed. "Good point.

a. She rubbed her palms together, taking in

speaking again. "Complicated? That'

d glare. "I don't." He said smoothly, I'm just curiou

et me guess....you pretend

lanation." "No, you don't." He leaned in slightly, l

tell him that she was hurt and pretending was the only way ou

around herself as she shivered. The night was becoming unbearab

esture caught her off guard. The warmth of his body lingered in the fabric. And for a brief secon

t him startled.

sharply, his voice r

t back, but instead, she found herself imm

iling at the thought of his generosity.

osing her next words. "You keep using

on how to respond "Darling, som

r eyes. "That's

enough for her to feel his warmth despite the cold. "And yet, It's

n his name. In a fit of frustration, she yanked the jacket off her should

n unreadable as if her reaction amused h

ainst her bare skin, but she refused to shiver, refused to let him see how much he affected her. She co

on, Chloe."

he night air prickled at her skin. The words echoed in her mind

urfaced - the mysterious phone call. The low, knowing voice that had sent a shi

with that infuriating gaze. But he was gone. Her eyes darted the entire rooftop, scanni

s realization settled over her. Before she could t

ding behind her. He held out something. A neatly folded jacke

c was warm. His warmth. She staggered, gripping the jac

e'd still left a piece of himself b