Chapter 125 125
“Mr. Julien sent this over for you, Jacqueline. He’d like you to accompany him to a fundraiser tonight.” Hélène announced gently, holding up the dress while Jacqueline sat curled near the window.
“Hélène… I’m not feeling very well.” Jacqueline replied in a soft voice, almost apologetic.
The older woman’s expression melted with affection. “I know, sweetheart. I’ll try to speak with sir.”
She turned to leave, but Jacqueline stopped her.
“Wait, Hélène. I’ll go.” She pushed herself to her feet.
“Are you certain? I can try to make him understand that you’re unwell.”
“It’s alright.” Jacqueline forced a small smile before heading into the bathroom to shower.
When she emerged dressed, the transformation was undeniable. The gown Julien had sent was a deep burgundy, rich and elegant. It hugged her figure perfectly, tracing every curve with subtle sophistication. The fabric covered her completely except for her bare shoulders, the strapless cut leaving her collarbones exposed in quiet allure.
She brushed her hair until it fell in soft waves down her back and applied only the lightest touch of makeup. Nothing dramatic. Just enough.
She looked beautiful.
With a quiet sigh, she stepped out. Julien was already waiting in the hall. The moment he saw her, a pleased smile crossed his face. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the exit. She followed silently.
“This event is very important,” Julien said once they were seated in the back of the car, the city lights blurring past as they sped toward the venue. “Many influential people will be there. Do you know what it’s about?”
“What is it about?” she asked softly.
“I’m hosting it with two other well-known figures,” he explained. “Women today are facing so many hardships single mothers working two or three jobs just to survive. Victims of abuse, rape, domestic violence. This fundraiser is for them. All the proceeds will go toward building shelters, providing free education, and creating job opportunities.”
Jacqueline listened carefully and nodded. Whatever else could be said about Julien, he was doing something meaningful.
They arrived at the grand venue, and the driver hurried to open her door. Julien came around to her side, and she slipped her hand through his arm. Together they walked inside.
Camera flashes burst around them. Jacqueline smiled brightly, poised and graceful, as people approached to greet Julien. He introduced her to friends, business associates, men with polished smiles and firm handshakes. She remained at his side, polite and composed.
After some time and two glasses of juice she felt the need to use the restroom. Excusing herself, she slipped away.
But instead of returning to the hall afterward, she found herself drawn elsewhere.
She stepped into the elevator and pressed a button almost absentmindedly. When the doors opened, she walked out and climbed a short flight of stairs until she finally reached the rooftop.
The moment she stepped outside, a genuine smile lit her face. The cool night wind brushed against her skin, lifting strands of her hair, easing something tight inside her chest.
She walked farther onto the roof and gazed out at the city sprawled beneath her glittering lights stretching endlessly into the distance. It was breathtaking.
“You’re so smart, Jacq,” she murmured to herself, pleased with her discovery of this quiet refuge.
Tilting her head back, she looked at the sky. Stars shimmered against the velvet darkness, and a delicate crescent moon hung suspended like a secret.
She was lost in the beauty of it all until she felt it.
A gaze.
Her heart stumbled. She slowly turned to her right.
And froze.
Cold green eyes locked onto hers.
Her breath hitched painfully in her throat. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, stunned.
Was he truly standing there… or was she imagining it?
She glanced around quickly. The rooftop was empty except for them.
Swallowing hard, she tore her gaze away and forced herself to look back at the stars, pretending indifference.
He was dressed in a black tuxedo, sharp and impeccably tailored, transforming his usual rugged aura into that of a dangerously handsome gentleman. How had she not noticed him earlier? Had he been here the entire time?
Should she leave?
Questions swarmed her mind, trapping her in their chaos.
Then she sensed movement.
A large figure came to stand beside her.
She didn’t need to look.
His cologne gave him away.
She hadn’t been near him in days had deliberately avoided sitting next to him in class. Yet now, as his familiar scent wrapped around her, something fluttered wildly in her stomach.
Without a word, she prepared to leave. But as if he sensed her retreat, he spoke.
“Jacqueline.”
Her name rolled from his lips in that deep, rough voice.
She stopped.
“About that day… I’m sorry. What you said triggered me.” His tone was calm. Controlled.
She blinked down at her hands.
Wow.
The great Damien Ruiz… apologizing?
If anyone heard this, it would be headline news.
Still, he had frightened her.
“It’s okay,” she murmured, turning as if to walk away. She should at least pretend to be upset.
She stepped into the elevator. The doors began sliding shut
but a polished black shoe blocked them.
The doors slid open again, and Damien stepped inside.
From the faint tightness in his jaw, she could tell he genuinely regretted scaring her that day.
He stood beside her as the doors closed once more. Jacqueline pressed the ground-floor button. Silence stretched between them.
Then
The lights flickered.
Jacqueline let out a small, horrified squeal, her hand flying to cover her mouth.
The lights returned for barely a second
and then everything went completely dark.
Pitch black.
Her back hit the wall as she pressed herself against it, squeezing her eyes shut even though it made no difference. She tried to breathe normally.
But it was so dark.
She could see nothing.
No matter how desperately she tried to stay calm, it all shattered when the elevator gave a slight, unnatural shake as if the ground itself had trembled.
A strangled sound escaped her.
She slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees tightly to her chest. Inhale. Exhale.
Inhale
Her lungs burned, starved for air, but her mind refused to cooperate. The darkness suffocated her. She was terrified of it.
“Jacq?”
His voice came from above her.
Then she felt movement as he crouched down beside her.
“Hey… it’s okay. Breathe.”
But the words barely registered.
Large, calloused hands grasped her shoulders and gently pulled her closer.
“Breathe, Jacq. Just breathe. Take it slow. You’re fine. I’m here. Breathe…” Damien whispered near her ear, his deep voice steady and grounding in the suffocating dark.