Chapter 49 Don't make me fall for you

Chapter 49 Don't make me fall for you
Elena sat quietly on her bed, staring blankly at the floor, her mind still clouded by the memory of last night.

Her heart ached with confusion. Every time she thought she had figured out a way to be happy, her father would crash it completely.

A knock pulled her from her thoughts.

“Come in,” she murmured softly.

The door creaked open, and Caspian stepped inside, wearing his usual charming smile. “Good morning, sunshine,” he greeted lightly, walking over to her. “You look like you didn’t get much sleep. What were you doing all night? Counting stars?”

Elena forced a faint smile. “Something like that,” she replied quietly.

Caspian chuckled, sitting down beside her on her bed. “Well, you should rest more. You’ll need all that beauty sleep for today.”

“Today?” she frowned. “What’s today?”

“Oh, didn’t anyone tell you?” he said with mock surprise. “We’re going to the new construction field my parents are investing in, your father and mine think it’s a great chance for everyone to ‘bond.’” He exaggerated the word with air quotes, making her roll her eyes.

“That’s none of my concern,” she said, her tone firm. “I don’t have to go.”

Caspian’s grin even more. “I thought the same, honestly. But your father said you’d be coming along. And you know your father, he doesn't accept no for an answer.”

Her heart sank. Here we go... Again.

It was always him, always her father making decisions for her, using her presence as part of his games, his alliances, his business dreams.

Elena sighed and looked away. “Of course he did.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Caspian studied her quietly, noticing the way her eyes dimmed when she spoke of Victor. He hated seeing that look on her face, the helplessness she tried so hard to hide.

So he did what he always did best. He smiled.

“Hey,” he said gently, bumping her shoulder playfully. “Don’t look so down. It’s just a day out. I promise I’ll make it fun. You might even smile for real this time.”

Elena gave a small chuckle, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re impossible, Caspian.”

“I take that as a compliment.”

Then, with a teasing grin, he added, “But if you’re really that tired, I can stay here while you rest. I promise not to peek.”

Her eyes snapped to him instantly, and she frowned deeply. “That’s offensive.”

He raised both hands in surrender, laughing softly. “I’m joking, Elena. Joking. Don’t look like you’ll stab me.”

Her expression softened a little. “Just… don’t joke like that again.”

“Got it,” he said, still smiling, though his tone grew gentler. “I’ll leave you for now. I’ll see you downstairs later.”

He gave a short bow, always dramatic, before leaving her room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Elena waited until his footsteps faded down the hall before letting out a shaky breath. She felt suffocated, like every choice she made belonged to someone else.

Her gaze drifted toward the door across the corridor... Damien’s room.

She bit her lip. Part of her wanted to go to him, to find the comfort she had felt in his arms last night. But it was broad daylight, and the house was alive with people. She couldn’t risk it.

Just as she turned away, a knock came again.

“Who is it?” she asked, her voice soft but wary.

“It’s me,” came a low and familiar voice.

Her pulse quickened instantly. She rushed to open the door and there he was... Damien.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other. His expression was calm and unreadable as always, but his eyes, those eyes held something deeper, something she couldn’t ignore.

Before he could speak, Elena moved.

She closed the door behind him, turned, and pressed her lips to his.

The kiss was sudden, desperate, and full of unspoken emotion. For a heartbeat, Damien stood still, then, as if something inside him broke yet again for her, he responded. His hands gripped her waist, pulling her close, kissing her back with equal fire.

It was no longer soft or restrained. It was hunger, frustration, and longing, all colliding into one.

Elena gasped softly when his hand moved up her back, pressing her closer. Her fingers tangled in his hair as his mouth claimed hers again, harder this time.

They stumbled back, her body hitting the wall as he pinned her there. His breath was hot against her neck as he whispered her name — “Elena…” — half warning, half plea.

But she didn’t stop. She didn’t want to.

For once, she wanted to feel alive. Only he brings her alive. Only his bodyguard. Only Damien.

Her hands roamed up his chest desperately, and his lips traced a burning path down her jaw.

The fire between them was electric, wild, and intoxicating.

Before either of them realized it, they were in bed. Her shirt half undone, his breath ragged, and his control slipping.

“Damien…” she whispered, her voice pleading him not to stop.

However... that one word, her voice, her need, nearly broke him.

But he stopped.

He froze above her, his breath heavy. Then he shut his eyes and pulled back, frustration twisting his features.

Elena stared at him, disbelief and hurt flooding her expression.

“Why do you always stop?” she asked bitterly, sitting up and buttoning her shirt with trembling hands. “Why do you always pull away like this?”

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady himself. “Because…” he started, his voice rough, “if I don’t, I’ll lose control.”

Her eyes glistened. “Maybe that’s what I want.”

He shook his head. “No, Elena. You don’t understand.”

She looked away, her jaw trembling. “Then make me understand. I'm sick of everyone telling me that!”

Damien stepped back, forcing himself to breathe. Every nerve in his body screamed to go back to her, to finish what they started, but he couldn’t.

Finally, he said quietly, “Your father’s looking for you.”

Her heart dropped. The reality hit her all over again, duty, control, and obligation.

She stood, her face void of emotion. “Of course he is,” she whispered.

Damien reached for her wrist, his voice low. “Elena…”

She pulled away. “It’s fine. I’ll go.”

And with that, she walked past him and out the door, leaving Damien alone in the room, staring at the space she’d just vacated,  his hands clenched, and his heart burning.

He leaned against the wall, shutting his eyes.

What the hell was he doing?

Every touch, every kiss made it harder to remember why he was here... revenge.

But with her… everything blurred.

He whispered into the silence, “Don’t make me fall for you... Please.”