Chapter 32 Chapter 32
'And, I don't think I should be here.' Regret consumed her as soon as she entered. Countless faces turned, and she found herself at the centre of numerous pairs of eyes.
Suddenly stripped of her confidence and determination, her steps halted.
Until Daimon beckoned. "Come on."
'Please don't make me sit on your lap like last time, She silently prayed inside her head as she made her way to the centre.
Humidity wrapped around Luna instantly — warm, heavy, intimate. The scent of chlorine mixed with polished stone and something darker… cedarwood, maybe. The indoor pool stretched before her like a sheet of liquid sapphire, its surface perfectly still, reflecting the ceiling’s recessed golden lights.
As her steps reached the end, Daimen hard shot up, grabbing onto her arm and pulling her down. Thankfully, this time she landed beside him instead of landing upon his lap.
'Of course, I wanted to find him when he was free. It's just that he is never free.' Even at home, from dinner to casual free time at some place, his time was always booked. It was rare to find him solo. Now that Luna had realised how busy his routine was, she learnt that he must have cleared a lot of appointments for the date when he spent time with her alone.
"Mr Blackwall, might we continue the discussion over the construction project?" A well-dressed man in formal attire appeared hasty.
"We might not," Daimen replied as his face turned towards Luna. His eyes falling down to her lips, lingering momentarily before he adjusted her proeperly besides him, creating a distance that gave her the breathing space.
"Mr Blackwell?" Another man who seemed to be the arbiter interjected.
"Silence, Jackson, don't you see we have such a precious lady in our company."
'Precious lady', Luna's heart fluttered upon these words. Within the company of such important men, he still deemed her worthy of his time. He never rejected her. She never had to turn away empty-handed from his-
She mentally slapped herself to regain her footing.
Focu Luna focus.
You can't let yourself develop a soft spot for him.
A soft spot for such a handsome man would be a recipe for disaster.
"Isn't it the same lady who graced us with her presence during the dinner meeting?" Jackson smiled at Luna. A smile that hid something more than just a polite gesture. A deep meaning.
'So his name was Jackson.' Luna made a mental note.
He was the man who had looked at her in a bad way.
"What is it that brings you here?" Daimen ignored Jackson and was acutely focused on Luna. Making her feel like she was the centre of the universe.
"Well, there is this issue. My friend has been applying to Johns Iv Hopkins University, and today's the last date for the application. I didn't want to send the application without informing you."
"Informing?" Daimen raised an eyebrow as the arm around her waist tightened.
"I mean, asking you. Asking for your permission."
That answer seemed to please him as his hold on her loosened somewhat. Luna mentally sighed in relief. Thankfully, she was a fast learner who was getting quicker in learning what his buttons were.
"We will have a discussion about it tonight."
"But-"
He placed a finger over her lips, unafraid of the intimate nature of the action in front of everyone. Daimen, she knew, was unafraid of laying his claim over her in front of everyone. It's others who would have to lower their eyes or look away. It wasn't his problem.
And for some strange reason, she found it very attractive.
"No buts. Meet me in my room at eleven." He said. Then leaned in to whisper something only she could hear. "We'll have a thorough discussion over it."
Her eyes widened.
It seemed he had anticipated her intentions to join the university and seek him out for 'permission', and he had already planned what he wanted in return.
And whatever it was, it wasn't something small.
Luna was released from his hold. She excused herself and made her way outside. While she was going down the hallway, she stumbled across someone.
"This must be the 'precious' lady." The man named Jackson stopped her in her tracks by directly coming in front of her. With a nefarious smile, he introduced himself. "I'm Jackson, Jackson Ashford. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ms Hart."
Luna's heart spiked. Daimen wasn't a good man. He was powerful but notorious. But at least he meant her no harm. The men around him were bound to be bad and powerful, and they would mean her harm.
She calmed herself as she caught sight of the camera. At least she was under watch. He wouldn't be stupid enough to hurt her.
She forced herself to smile, but she refused to accept his hand. She crossed her arms and returned the greeting. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr Jackson."
At this, Jackson broke into laughter.