Chapter 27 "A Salty Surprise in the Morning"

**Elena narrating.**

Each day, I felt more alone in this mansion. Damon was always busy with his problems, and being around him was difficult as it often led to arguments. It's not that we hated each other, but Damon could be so infuriating. He entered my life in such an unexpected way that sometimes I can't believe it. It was a constant battle between love and hate; I wanted him close, but at the same time, I wished he would stay away.

I went to the clinic every day, and it was hard to look at Marcos. He always seemed angry with me, suspicious... I can't explain it.

After my shower, I put on my robe, removed the towel from my hair, and combed it. I wore a green dress with some white details that I bought the day we went shopping. I applied my favorite Carolina Herrera perfume and slipped on some slippers.

Descending the stairs, I noticed Damon following me. He was relentless, unable to stay away from me for even a minute. Did he like me? No, of course not.

"Of course not, Elena. He only married you because of the contract. He's selfish and only cares about his own interests. He must have plenty of silicone-enhanced, beautiful women chasing after him. You were just a convenience." My subconscious warned me.

And it was all true. I was nothing more than a regular-looking doctor. Average, maybe. Those women who surrounded Damon were glamorous, and I felt so out of place during that party. They all had enormous breasts, big butts, and then there was just me - well, just me, with a mediocre appearance, a normal body, nothing extraordinary. But I had been considered beautiful by some men.

I was planning to make lasagna for dinner. I loved that dish; I used to make it when I lived in my own house, though I didn't need to make much since it was just me. I felt lonely there, but now, here, things were not much different, as Damon and I rarely had much to say to each other. The kitchen was spacious and beautiful; I had never seen such a kitchen. Damon was indeed a millionaire. It was all too much for me.

As I started making the lasagna, he followed me around, observing every move I made. It made me terribly nervous, and his gaze left me feeling defenseless and unable to explain why. It was as if he was devouring every inch of my body with his eyes.

I won't lie; when Damon tried to kiss me, a part of me wanted to give in to that kiss. His lips were perfectly shaped, and his eyes... oh, I didn't even need to mention his eyes. But at the same time, he could be so irritating. I didn't like to be dominated, and Damon was the possessive type who believed the world, women, and everyone should bow down to him like a little dog.

He told me a bit about his mother and how this food brought back memories of her. I felt sorry for him. Perhaps his behavior was shaped by the loss he experienced. I, on the other hand, never lost my parents. How could I miss something I never had? They abandoned me like garbage, for reasons I'll never know.

When Damon tested me, I understood immediately that he was doubting me, that he didn't trust me, or almost anyone else. I hope he stops being this way someday. It made me feel terrible that he doubted me, and I felt a mix of anger and sadness. I didn't even want to be near him anymore.

I removed my plate and the other dishes from the table. I couldn't even look at him. I was so angry at that jerk.

"Are you going to stay like this?" he asked.

"Leave me alone, Damon," I said dryly and went upstairs. "If you don't trust me, then there's no point in talking to me either."

He didn't say anything more, just went to the bedroom to take a shower, where he stayed for hours. With a pervert like him, who knows what he was up to. Ugh, I don't even want to think about it. Or maybe, who knows? I've seen him only in his underwear, and I can confirm that wasn't a bad sight.

I had to sleep in the same bed as him, great. This idiot loved to torment me, and there are other rooms in this house, but he insisted I stay in this one with him.

I placed pillows between my side of the bed and his. I didn't want any of Damon's fingers anywhere near me. I get this way when I'm angry. I wanted to avoid him holding me again, like he had done before.

Damon left the bathroom wearing only a pair of sleep shorts. Water droplets fell from his abdomen. I couldn't resist stealing a glance. He looked at me, and I looked away.

"What's all this?" he asked, referring to the pillow barrier.

"Just protection from you," I replied.

He looked at me and shrugged. He didn't stop me from placing the pillows on the bed; he just put his iPad on to charge, lay on his side of the bed, and didn't

look at me anymore. Fine, better that way.

I lay down. Tomorrow I would go to the clinic early; I had work to do. My life didn't stop just because I married a guy from a dangerous gang. Imagine if it hadn't ended. I thought.

I fell asleep, but in the middle of the night, I woke up entangled with Damon. He had pulled me into his arms. I could have moved away, but I chose not to. I stayed there and pretended not to notice; it was so comfortable. He smelled like a woody men's cologne, and his stubble rubbed against my face. I ended up falling asleep right there.

Morning came, and I saw the sun rising through the window, accompanied by birds singing. I checked the alarm clock, and it was six in the morning.

I noticed once again that I was in Damon's arms. I was angry with myself for not realizing I had slept in his embrace, or not remembering that I stayed there and fell asleep again around two in the morning.

How irritating.

If that was how it was, Damon would pay for it. I got up, put on my robe, slipped on my slippers, and headed quietly to the kitchen, ensuring Damon wouldn't hear my footsteps. I was going to play a little trick on him. He wanted things this way, right? Well, he was going to get it.

I made breakfast and salted the part that he would eat. I wanted to mess with him.

Though, taking away his self-control was sometimes hard.

I had my breakfast quietly, trying to suppress my laughter. I don't think he noticed.

When he took the first bite and drank his coffee, he rushed to the water filter as if he had eaten chili pepper.

I couldn't help it; I burst out laughing. It was impossible to contain myself. Damon continued drinking water like a camel, and I almost choked from laughing.

"You... traitor," he said with anger in his eyes.

I got up from the table, left my dishes in the sink, and continued to laugh as I left the room. I couldn't hold it in.

Damon pulled me towards him, pinning me against the wall. His chest pressed against mine, his breath heavy, and his face almost touching mine. I was nervous.

"Don't provoke me, Elena," he said firmly.

"What are you going to do?"

"I can do so many things to you." He brought his lips close to mine, as if he was going to kiss me, and for a moment, I thought he would. Then, he let go and stepped back.

Damn it, he got me all wet... I won't say where, that irritating and attractive man, argh!

I headed to the bathroom, using one downstairs just to avoid running into him upstairs.

Since I washed my hair yesterday, today, I left it loose.

I grabbed my purse, documents, and phone. I would leave my notebook at home; I wouldn't need it today. I'd use the computer in my office.

I was still annoyed that even after everything, I woke up in his arms like that pervert. So, I went straight to work, while Damon locked himself in his office.

I went to the driver he assigned to me. Everywhere I went, this lackey reported to Damon. It's amazing how this guy treated me like his top priority.

He didn't say anything or see me off; he didn't even insist on taking me.

The whole way to the clinic, I kept thinking about everything that had happened so suddenly in my life.****