The Way He Said It
Damien helped Lila open the door, offering his hand as she stepped out.
She couldn’t help but pause, taking in Silvano’s estate, the wide open grounds, the soft glow of the lights, the quiet elegance that surrounded them. The party was small and intimate. There were no tables or chairs, just clusters of people standing, talking, and laughing softly. The atmosphere was warm and easy, almost disarming.
“Do you like it?” Damien asked, watching the way her eyes seemed to soften as she looked around.
“Yeah,” Lila said, her lips curving faintly. “It’s so beautiful and simple.”
But Damien wasn’t looking at the view. His gaze remained on her face, steady and unreadable until he finally murmured, “You’re more beautiful, Lila.”
Her eyes flicked up to his, caught off guard by the weight in his voice. For a moment, neither of them looked away, something unspoken passed between them, something that felt too intimate, too dangerous.
Lila was the one who broke the spell, smiling as she whispered, “Let’s join the party.”
Before she could move, Damien drew her closer, brushing a slow, lingering kiss against the bridge of her nose.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked rapidly, refusing to let them fall.
As Damien drew back with a faint smile and started leading her toward the party, her mind drifted to earlier that afternoon, on their way home when she had asked if he would ever forgive her if she stabbed him one day.
He hadn’t flinched. Hadn’t even looked surprised.
He’d only said that if Lila ever found the courage to stab him, it would mean he deserved it and he would be happy to die by her hands.
The memory made her chest tighten. She had cried after that.
Because she knew then this wasn’t revenge anymore.
The plan had been simple: make him fall in love with her, then end his life. But now, the mere thought of it hurts. It hurt so much her heart ached every time she remembered why she’d come to him in the first place.
“I’m glad you could make it, Wolfe.”
Grace’s voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her abruptly back to the glittering lights and music of the party.
Lila tilted her head and quickly brushed away the tears threatening to fall, using her finger to wipe the corner of her eyes before looking at the woman standing before them.
The lady was dressed in a midnight-purple dress that hugged her curves and ended just above her knees. Her short bob was swept into an elegant French twist, and her makeup simple yet refined highlighted her delicate, oval-shaped face.
“Yeah,” Damien replied curtly, his tone clipped as he resumed walking without giving the woman another glance.
Lila, however, met the woman’s gaze and didn’t look away. Even as Damien’s hand remained clasped around hers, she held the woman’s stare until they passed.
Soon, Damien found a quiet corner, away from the swirl of laughter and music. He picked up two glasses of wine from a passing waiter and handed one to Lila. She accepted it but didn’t drink, her expression passionless as she slowly twirled the glass between her fingers.
“Are you okay?” Damien asked, watching her closely. “You don’t like the party? Should we go home?”
Lila lifted her head then, meeting his worried gaze. The genuine concern in his eyes made her chest tighten.
“Who was that girl?” she asked softly but directly.
Damien’s brows lifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
“Did I tell you this was a welcome party?” he asked, his tone light but measured.
Lila said nothing. She only stared at him, waiting.
He sighed quietly. “Okay… that girl was the reason we went to Abu Dhabi. She’s the daughter of the man who owns this estate. It’s her welcome party.”
“Then why was she smiling at you like that?” Lila asked, her voice steady but her grip on the glass tightened.
Damien gave a small shrug. “I don’t know, Lila.”
The silence that followed was taut, thick enough to feel.
Before either could say more, a booming voice broke through the music.
“Wolfe, my good boy!”
Lila’s gaze darted up as Silvano approached with an easy grin, flanked by two of his men. His presence commanded the space, his energy heavy and confident.
Damien straightened and inclined his head respectfully as Silvano clapped him on the back.
“I’m glad you could make it, Wolfe. Have you seen Grace? She’s been asking about you,” Silvano said, his tone carrying easy authority.
Damien’s gaze flicked briefly toward Lila, a silent hint that Silvano caught immediately and his grin widened.
“Oh, hello, young lady,” he greeted warmly.
Lila smiled politely and nodded. “Hello, sir,”
“Pardon my manners earlier,” Silvano added, his voice rich with charm.
“It’s all right,” Lila replied softly, her smile never wavering.
Silvano turned back to Damien, curiosity glinting in his eyes. “And who’s she?”
Damien didn’t hesitate. “The girl I love.”
The words landed like a sharp spark, certain, and disarming.
Silvano blinked, momentarily taken aback before a surprised laugh slipped out. “Ah, I see.” With an incredulous smile, he clasped Damien’s arm and led him a few steps away, their voices lowering as they spoke privately.
Left alone, Lila felt her pulse flutter. Heat rushed to her cheeks before she even realized it. The girl I love. The phrase echoed in her mind, leaving her dizzy. She raised a hand to her face, trying to hide the blush and momentarily forgetting she was supposed to be mad at him.
“Hello, pretty,” a smooth voice interrupted her daze.
Lila turned to find a young blond man in a fitted navy-blue suit standing before her, his smile charming and his gaze interested.
“Hi,” Lila greeted softly, her voice barely rising above the music.
“I’m sorry,” the young man said with an easy grin, stepping a little closer. “But what’s a young beauty like you doing at an event full of old men?”
Lila blinked, unsure how to respond before he continued smoothly, “I’m Brian. Came here on behalf of my father, he’s a cousin of Mr. Silvano. And you are?”
“Lila,” she replied politely.
But he wasn’t really listening. His gaze lingered too long, and Lila’s eyes began scanning the crowd, quietly searching for Damien.
“Oh, what a lovely name. Lila,” Brian repeated with a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Has anyone ever told you you’re beautiful?”
Lila gave a faint, awkward smile, but he pressed on.
“So, who are you here with? Your uncle? Your dad?” he asked, curiosity laced with something condescending.
Lila’s expression cooled instantly, her posture straightening. “Neither,” she said simply.
Brian chuckled, unbothered. “Forgive me, Lila. I just can’t imagine you being here with your man, considering your age group doesn’t exactly fit in here.”
The words hit harder than she expected, slicing through her composure. Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out. The flicker of hurt in her autumn-colored eyes gave her away before she could mask it.