Chapter 21 Chapter 21
Of course, Luna didn't believe his words. But it was the evidence that brought ultimate shock to her. The documents, the timings and the recordings. Everything pointed towards their close family friend. Vesperins.
They had planted their seeds in the business a long time ago.
"How could we have overlooked this?"
Katherine Vasperin, their youngest daughter, was a classmate and close friend of hers. Luna recalled having positive interactions with her.
When the downfall happened, Vasperins were the first ones to abandon them.
And when they recovered, they were the first ones to shake their hands.
And it was true. Luna double-checked the documents, the dates, and everything. It matched. Daimen had interceded at the critical juncture and saved her family.
Standing straight at a distance from her, Jack had been observing every flicker of emotion passing over her face.
"Now that you know he wasn't behind it, you should hold no resentment," Jack said, nonchalant with his words and actions. Adjusting his glasses, he looked away and locked his hands together behind his back. Standing straight, strict with his mannerisms. He appeared like someone who was brought up under strict discipline.
He was giving her space. Space to absorb the truth.
"Why do you care?" Luna asked all of a sudden.
"A smart question and an expected one. Because it would be easier for you to take the initiative now."
"Again, why do you care?" Luna was like a kitten who had her guard up against everyone in the world. She didn't believe that a man who worked under Daimen would do something for her that was in her interests.
Jack remained silent for a while. Then he looked at a distance. "Because I have been observing you. Since the start. Since the moment you had your first interaction with Mr Blackwell."
"Why?"
"As the CSO, it was my responsibility."
"And you developed soft feelings towards me just by observing me?" Luna scoffed. She wasn't buying that.
"I know it's hard for you to trust me, but the thing is, you have no choice but to trust me."
"That's not a good enough reason."
Jack sighed, his shoulders slumped. For once, his inflexible demeanour was broken, and there was a trace of humanity that peeked through it. He took off his glasses and looked into her eyes. He let the emotions and genuineness speak, "I have a sister who is your age. I'm not from a powerful family. I come from a humble background. Ariana Steverson, if that clicks a bell."
Suddenly, Luna recalled a timid girl from her college. She shared a resemblance with Jack and wore an even thicker pair of spectacles. "No way..." Because Ariana was a scholarship student in a school meant for the elite, she often suffered backlash. Isolation and bullying.
Luna had, a few times, extended a helping hand in her direction.
It was nothing to her. Nothing she would think much about.
But for Ariana, the gesture was big enough to glorify Luna in front of her brother.
"Coincidence? I don't believe in coincidences, Ms Hart." Jack smiled as he observed Luna's eyes brightening up at the recognition. A flurry of memories regarding Ariana flooded her mind, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words. "But I do believe in fate."
Of course, Luna was sceptical, but she yearned for a connection stemming from the outside world that would exist in the guarded estate. It was like a big, beautiful prison. Even if she befriended someone, their connection would start here, inside. It would be related to her new identity, Daimen's mistress.
It would have nothing to do with her past self, the carefree Lulu who offended people left and right. Who liked to party. Who had big plans for the future?
But with Jake, she found a connection that existed prior to the events that locked her fate.
She revealed a smile, letting down her guard. "Fate, you say? Fine. For once, I would believe such an absurd thing."
Jack put back his glasses. A moment of silence lingered. "Now for your next step, let me be your guide."
...
Luna walked towards the study with determined steps. The luxurious carpets underneath her feet that led to the dark, polished walnut door muted the sounds of her steps.
As she approached the gate, Harlan stood in attendance outside.
"Ms Hart, what brings you here?" He revealed a hint of surprise.
"I want to talk to Daimen regarding something."
Harlan looked surprised. "Well, wait for a moment. Let me inform Mr Blackwell. He doesn't like being disturbed when he is in the study."
He bowed politely and knocked at the door twice. A deep 'come in' came from inside. Harlan opened the door and entered. After a moment, he came back and informed Luna. "Ms Hart, you can proceed."
'It feels like I'm in some highly formal office setting. It doesn't feel like a home at all.'
Anyway, she proceeded. The door was left ajar for her. So she didn't seek permission to step inside.
On a chair that sat in the centre like a throne with luxurious leather and a high backrest, Daimen was wearing a pair of spectacles on his eyes. His eyes were scanning the crisp papers of some limited edition book. He looked refined, like a highly educated
"Take a seat." He said without looking up.
Luna took a chair opposite him. After a pause of silence stretched between them, he closed the book with a soft thud and looked at her.
"What brings you here?" His voice had a touch of softness. Softness that surprised Luna.
Damien features held a striking balance of sharpness and calm: a strong jaw shadowed by the hint of an evening stubble, cheekbones cut with clean precision, and a straight nose that gave his profile a sculpted, aristocratic elegance. A few loose strands of hair had slipped from his usually neat, professionally styled look, falling slightly over his forehead in a way that softened him, adding an unexpectedly disarming charm.
"Lulu?"
Luna blinked, breaking out of the stupor brought upon her by his overwhelming handsomeness.
Her heart thumped as he took the liberty to call her by her nickname, 'Lulu'
How did he know?
Of course, he would have dug out everything regarding her. Her past, her life and the name with which her loved ones addressed her.
She felt her boundaries were overstepped. They weren't familiar. How could he casually call her 'Lulu'? However, she gulped down the dissatisfaction and reminded herself of the objective with which she had arrived today.
The initiative.
She must not offend him.
"I came to ask for your permission for something." She started with caution. He was the king here. She played his game. She had to follow his rules.
"Something?" Daimen's interest was piqued.
'Start with small things.' She remembered Jack's words.
"Would you allow?"
"That depends on what you are willing to give up for that 'something'" Daimen placed his elbows on his knees and looked intently into her eyes. His handsome face lit up with a thought-provoking smile.
They were going to have a very interesting conversation tonight.