Chapter 25 Damien

Chapter 25 Damien
I meant every single word I said to Ella.
That kiss… God, that kiss  was not something I would ever regret. If anything, it branded itself into my memory, replaying over and over like some film that refused to stop. Every time I closed my eyes, I could still feel her lips on mine, the softness, the shiver that ran down her spine when I held her.

But wanting her… wanting us… terrified me.
I needed time , not to reconsider her, but to get my own damn head straight.

Today, I had promised my mum I would visit. Yesterday I spent half the night dragging Camille’s drunk ass back home. She and Sophia bonded faster than I expected, like chaos recognizing chaos. I caught myself smiling, thinking about it. Camille had always been a loner, guarded, withdrawn. Seeing her laugh with Sophia felt like witnessing a miracle.

The road stretched endlessly ahead of me, the drive felt longer than usual,  probably because my head was crammed with thoughts of Ella.

Ella.

My hands unconsciously tightened around the steering wheel.

When the familiar white metal gate of my mum’s house finally appeared, I exhaled slowly, the kind of release that sinks into your bones. I rolled to a stop, the gravel crunching beneath my tires, the scent of pine and wet earth filling the air from the sprinklers.

I tapped the remote.
The massive gate illuminated with soft lights, sensors blinking like tiny stars against the evening sky. The motor hummed, smooth and low, and the gate slid open silent and effortlessly.

I didn’t even stop ,  just drove in, letting the sense of home wrap around me like a warm blanket. It was a welcome distraction.
When the gate clicked shut behind me, it felt final, as if the world outside no longer mattered.

Camille was already waiting at the entrance, bouncing on her toes like an impatient child. The second I stepped out of the car, she flung herself into me, squeezing so tight I nearly choked.

“You still haven't told me the details of your date,” she whined.

I rolled my eyes and nudged her away.

“Why are you so grumpy?” she added, She was practically glued to my side.

I ignored the question. Because if I opened my mouth, I might actually start talking about Ella and that was dangerous.

Inside, the scent of home-cooked food hit me immediately,  warm, familiar and comforting. My mother pulled me into a hug.

“You came just in time for dinner,” she said, gesturing to the dining table.

We settled into our seats.
Throughout the meal, Camille kept staring at me like she was interrogating a criminal.

“Camille dear,” my mother said, raising a brow, “why are you glaring at your brother as if he stole something?”

Camille looked at me, debate flickering in her eyes. Then her lips curved into a slow, wicked smile.

Great. I knew that look.
That look meant she was about to ruin my peace.

“He has a girlfriend,” Camille announced dramatically. “They went on a date but he won’t tell me what exactly happened.”

“Camille,” I warned, my voice low, almost a growl.

She ignored it, laughing like the menace she was.

“Well, that’s not something you hear every day,” my mother said, genuinely intrigued.

“Tell me more, Damien.” She leaned in, smiling expectantly.

I glared at Camille.
“If you’re so excited, why don’t you tell her?”

“With pleasure.”

She clasped her hands like she’d been waiting her whole life for this.

“She’s very beautiful — scrape that, she’s dazzling. Long shining black hair, the most beautiful honey eyes I’ve seen. She works as a waitress at a café downtown. She has a best friend Sophia. Sophia is a darling. Ella is introverted while Sophia is the loud one, they balance each other. They’re both students at Havenbrook.”

My mother looked  impressed. Completely immersed in the story. 

“So,” she said gently, eyes sliding back to me. “What happened on the date?”

I shrugged. Not trusting myself to say anything without smiling like an idiot as I remembered the kiss.

“I bet Damien is too chicken to actually ask her out,” Camille teased. “I think the date went very well, that’s why he's grumpy.”

I stared at her.
How the hell did she know?

“They actually kissed,” she added with a smug laugh.

“What? How did you know?”

“Sophia called me. We made a bet with Alex and we won,” she said proudly. “I wanted to hear it from you too.”

My mother turned to me, eyes warm and full of something I rarely saw,  hope.

“Why aren’t you both dating yet? From what your sister said, I’m sure you both are interested in each other.”

My jaw tightened.
I wasn’t mad at her.
I was mad at myself , at the constant war between my heart and my head.

As if sensing my turmoil, my mother softened her voice.

“You deserve to love and be loved, Damien. And I’m glad to know you have someone in your heart.” She said as she held my hands. She dropped the topic.

Dinner ended not long after.

Camille dragged me outside to the pool area. The night breeze brushed across our skin as we lounged on the poolside chairs. The starless sky reflected on the surface of the water, dark and glittering with moving ripples.

“I thought we talked about this before…” Camille started.

“I’m not in the mood to talk about anything,” I cut in.

“I didn’t know I had a coward as a brother.”

I ignored her.

“Coward,” she repeated, louder, leaning closer.

“What’s your point?”

“I bet you've lost interest in her. After kissing her, you decided to quit.”

“Quit?” I snapped, fury flaring hot in my chest.

“I’m addicted. I want her close to me around the clock, every day. I want to do more than just kiss her. It’s like she possessed me, I can't stop thinking about her.”

The words came out raw. Truthful.
Painful.

“I just don’t think I’m worthy of her.”

“You? Unworthy of her?” Camille scoffed. “She would be the lucky one to have you.”

“That kiss made everything feel so real.” I rubbed the back of my neck, frustration eating at me.

“How would you feel seeing her laugh with another person?” she asked.

Instantly, my mind flashed to Ella sitting across from Edward.
Laughing.
Smiling at someone who wasn’t me.

My fists clenched. Jealousy tore through me like wildfire.

“It’s better to try,” Camille continued softly. “It’s just a relationship. It doesn’t always end in marriage.”

“Ours will,” I said through clenched teeth, certain in a way that terrified me.

“Then stop being a coward and get your girl.” She said excitedly.

And that was it.
The final switch snapped inside me.

“Yeah. You’re right. Thanks, sis,” I said, jumping up.

I sprinted toward the house, the decision already made.
I ordered a ride with shaking hands and typed the message before I could overthink it.

“I have something really important to tell you. Then I clicked send.

The cab arrived within minutes. As it sped through the night, my heart pounded against my ribs. My pulse felt like thunder in my ears. Every streetlight we passed seemed to blur into streaks of white and yellow.

I couldn’t think of anything else but Ella.

When the cab stopped in front of her building, I exhaled shakily.

But the moment I reached her door, adrenaline surged.

I didn’t just knock.
I banged.

Seconds later, Ella opened the door, her eyes wide and startled , lips parted like she was about to speak.

I didn’t let her.

I grabbed her waist and pulled her into me, crashing my mouth onto hers.
The kiss wasn’t gentle. I wasn't hesitant. It was urgent, full of everything I’d been holding back.

She kissed me back with the same fire, hands sliding into my hair.
My control snapped.

She deepened the kiss, and I melted  into her,  feeling her warmth, her breath,
and  her heartbeat.

When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathing hard, foreheads touching.

“I want you so bad,” I whispered into her ear.

She tensed, cheeks flushed.

And I felt it, the desire pressing hard against the fabric of my jeans.

She looked up at me, wide-eyed, breath shaky, lips swollen from our kiss.

God, I was losing myself in her. 
She looked so breathtaking under the night sky.