Chapter 20 A night on the billionaire’s bed
THIRD PERSON’S POV.
They both knew one of them had to break the silence or make the first move. Serena’s heart swelled with anticipation; she hoped this would be the moment that shifted everything between them. The kind of moment you don’t realize is important until you’re already living in it.
Damian almost broke his resolve.
Almost.
But then years of rejection flashed like lightning behind his eyes. All the times he’d cared too much, every time she’d left him standing alone. Instinct snapped his guard back into place. He cleared his throat, voice low but guarded.
“I don’t think this soup is going to taste as good when it gets cold.”
The words landed like a quiet slap.
Serena blinked, disguising the sting. Her chest tightened, but she didn’t let it show.
“You’re right,” she said softly. “I’ll dish some out for you.”
She stood and walked toward the table where she had dropped the tray. Damian watched her, he tried not to but he did. The way she moved, the gentleness in her hands, the quiet disappointment she hid so well… it tugged at something he’d buried deep.
“You don’t have to,” he murmured.
“I want to.” She dished the soup into a bowl, forcing her smile steady. “Besides, you could use something warm.”
When she handed him the bowl, their fingers brushed. Not intentionally, but it sent tiny sparks jumping between them.
He took the bowl slowly, as if afraid touching her again would expose too much.
“Thank you,” he said. Quiet. Genuine. The kind of ‘thank you’ that meant more than soup.
She sat back beside him, not too close, not too far. The space between them felt like a living thing,charged, waiting.
Damian lifted the spoon, tasted the soup, and his eyes sparkled. “This is good,” he admitted.
Serena smiled. A small, private smile meant only for him. “I’m glad.”
Silence settled again, but this time it wasn’t heavy. It was tender. Thoughtful. Like two people quietly admitting they cared without saying the words.
He set the bowl down halfway, not because he was done, but because he was looking at her again.
“Serena…” he started.
Her heart leapt. “Hmm?”
He opened his mouth like he wanted to confess something,something real, something vulnerable but the words cut.
“Thank you for coming,” he said instead. “It… means more than you think.”
She exhaled slowly. “I know you’re used to doing everything alone,” she said. “But you don’t have to be alone all the time.”
His jaw tightened.
She reached up, touching his forehead again. “You’re still burning up… you should take a cold shower.”
Realizing how that sounded, Serena added quickly, “I’ll go downstairs to get water for your medication while you shower.”
“No,” he said too quickly. “Please stay.”
The smile that spread across her face was instant.
“Okay.”
Five minutes passed… and Damian still hadn’t moved.
“Hey,” she snapped her fingers, teasing. “You need to go take a cold shower.”
“I… can’t.” He kept his eyes down, embarrassed.
“What do you mean you can’t?”
He groaned. “I’ve never taken a cold shower in my life.”
Serena blinked at him, waiting for the punchline. It didn’t come. Then laughter burst out of her loud, warm, uncontrollable.
“Wait, what?” She doubled over laughing.
Damian looked annoyed but the smile in his eyes betrayed him. “Relax, it’s not that funny.”
“No, it’s definitely funny,” she wheezed. Then her face turned serious. “Is it… a medical condition?”
“What? No. I just don’t like them.”
“Awwn. You’re so adorable..”
The laughter started again.
Damian folded his hands across his chest, pouting like an actual child.
“Just go shower baby Damian. I promise the cold water won’t kill you.”
“Yeah, no. I’m not doing that.”
“So how will your fever go away?”
“I’ll just ride it out, like a proper man.” He slid under the bed covers again.
Serena rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath. Then she walked into the gigantic bathroom, of course it was gigantic,and turned on the faucet. She filled a small bowl with cold water, grabbed a towel, and returned.
“What are you doing?” Damian asked, eyeing the bowl.
“You are refusing to shower, so..this is the next best thing.”
She dipped the towel, wrung it out, and placed it gently on his forehead.
This was strange to Damian, no one had taken care of him like this in years, he felt oddly warm inside.
“What sort of music do you listen to?” He asked suddenly.He didn’t actually care what her playlists looked like, he just wanted her voice to keep filling the room.
“Why do you ask?” She laughed.
“I’m trying to expand my music taste.”
“You are not going to like my type of music.”
“Try me. I’m open to new things.”
“Okay, but no judging.”
“Cross my heart” he made a dramatic sign of the cross.
Serena snorted and connected her phone to the speaker. Soft, velvety notes filled the room “Focus” by H.E.R.
“This isn’t bad,” he said with a smile.
“Are you lying?”
“Absolutely. This song makes me want to sleep.”
They burst into laughter.
“But I’ll listen to it if you like it,” he murmured.
Serena’s eyes found his. Held his.
And for a long quiet moment… time drifted.
“Don’t leave tonight.” Damian finally said.
It wasn’t a demand, it was a silent plea. And she nodded her head before she could overthink it.
“I’ll stay.”
It wasn’t a command. It was a plea.
“I’ll stay,” she whispered before she could overthink it.
Later, when Damian finally drifted to sleep, Serena slipped into the bathroom to shower. She hissed at the thought of wearing jeans to bed—but then there was a soft knock on the door.
Her heart dropped.
She was naked.
She wrapped herself in a towel, breath hitching.
“Serena,” Damian’s voice came softly through the door. “I laid out a change of clothes for you on the bed. I’m going to check something downstairs. I’ll be back.”
Relief flooded her.
“Thank you,” she answered quietly.
When she stepped out, the room was empty. On the bed lay a pair of neatly folded joggers and a black shirt,his clothes.
Her stomach flipped. She lifted the shirt and inhaled deeply. It smelled like him. She slipped it on, shivering at how it felt like being held.
Soft music still played. Now it was “Snooze” by SZA, humming gently through the speakers.
She texted Trisha:
Serena: SLEEPING OVER AT DAMIAN’S.
Trisha: WOW GIRL YOU MOVE QUICK. GO GET THAT MAN.
Serena: LOL IT’S NOT LIKE THAT.
Trisha: SURE. CAN’T WAIT FOR THE TEA.
Serena: Goodnight, woman.
Then she checked her notifications.
Three missed calls from Clara.
One from Jonathan.
She smiled. The old Serena never slept out. They must be losing their minds.
A soft knock on the door.
“Come in” she yelled awkwardly, aware she was inviting Damian into his own room.
When he stepped inside and saw her wearing his clothes, he stopped in his tracks. His heartbeat doubled. She looked too good. Too soft. Too his.
He wanted to wrap his hands around her…. Amongst other things.
“Thanks for the clothes.” She said shyly.
He nodded, afraid if he spoke the desire in his voice would betray him.
He eyed the bed. The realization that he’d be sleeping right next to her hit him like a wave.
Serena climbed onto the bed. When she saw him still rooted in place, she asked,
“Are you coming to bed?”
“Uh….are you comfortable? If you are uncomfortable I can have one of the guest rooms prepared.
“Damian,” her voice was steady. “I’m here to take care of you. I’m not going to sleep in an entirely different room.” She sounded confident, sure.
He exhaled slowly, kicked off his shoes, and got into bed beside her. He turned toward her, every move deliberate.
“Serena.”
“Yeah?”
Giveon’s “Backup Plan” flowed through the speakers,slow, dreamy, intimate.
Damian swallowed hard. The question that had been clawing at him all night finally found its way to the surface.
“Why are you really here?”
Silence.
Serena’s breath caught.
Damian’s eyes searched hers.
And then….