Chapter 46 - Everything sparkled, except for the dull ache in my chest

**Lisa**

“You can't;t fool me. I know what you did. Everyone knows what you did to get this job.”

I stared at her for a moment, taking in what she had just said. Then, very quietly, I exhaled and looked in the mirror, checking her makeup as if she had endless time.

"That's funny," I remarked softly while dabbing on some powder. "To think I took you seriously. How would an absolute stranger know what I did to earn this project"

The grin on the woman's face wavered.

I turned around and gave her a charming smile. But really, I'm flattered that you find my work so amazing that you had to carry out extensive research on me. It really does mean a lot. I lowered my voice and took a step closer. "Now, pardon me, I have to return to work."

Head held high, heels clicking on the tile, I swept past her until she abruptly burst into my way, screaming, “You’re shameless. You slept with him. I know you spread your legs for him to—”

The woman hardly finished speaking before my palm made a clean, pleasurable slap across her cheek. I had heard enough. With the exception of the faint echo of the hit, the bathroom fell silent. Her eyes widened as she gasped. "Did you just—"

I cocked my head to the side, amused. "Oh, I did." My voice was dangerously calm as I stepped forward. "And I'll do worse if you ever open your mouth and talk to me disrespectfully like that again."

The woman's smirk returned as she recovered swiftly. "You know, touched a nerve? I suppose the truth hurts.”

Lisa shook her head and gave a little dark laugh. "Sweetheart, your pride is the only thing that hurts right now. I lowered her voice and leaned closer. "And perhaps your cheek."

Despite clenching her jaw, the woman remained silent. Satisfied with her silence, “Excuse me, I have an event to run. Some of us have real jobs outside from reading gossip headlines—something you obviously wouldn't understand. With my palm still tingling from the slap and heart racing, I left the bathroom. I could hardly hear the buzz of the event around her. All I wanted to do was breathe.

I made my way past the waiters and their champagne trays and guests engaged in animated conversation, until I came to a peaceful corridor that separated me from the commotion.

I pressed a palm to her chest and leaned against the wall, finally alone.

*Why did that affect me so strongly?*

Damon's annoying ability to be both helpful and cryptic at the same time, unpleasant clientele, difficult deadlines, and pressure were all things U had experienced before, but this? It felt different.

The charge. The woman had spoken as if my efforts meant absolutely nothing. As if I didn't deserve to be here.

I tipped my head back against the cool surface behind and let out a sharp exhale.

*Why am I allowing this to even affect me?*

“Why do I still feel as though a small crack has appeared inside of me?”

I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn't notice Damon coming until his voice broke the silence.

“There you are.”

I  turned to see him standing a few feet away, keeping a close eye on me with his hands in his pockets.

"Are you okay?" he said, taking a step forward.

A Big! Fat! No! was at the top of my tongue but the words were stuck in my mouth.

How would I explain that I was offended by the way he introduced me, as ‘just’ his Project Manager and nothing else? 

Instead, I crossed my arms and scoffed, saying, "Some girl in the bathroom just accused me of sleeping my way into this job." 

Damon's entire expression changed, his normally composed demeanor hardened into something sharp and deadly. 

"Who?" 

I rolled my eyes. 

“It doesn't matter.”

“I need to know, Lisa.”

“I already took care of it.”

"How?" He asked.

"I slapped her." Damon blinked in shock , taking it in and then he laughed devilishly.  

"You slapped her?" 

I shrugged. "Well, she asked for it.” 

He dragged a hand down his face, half incredulous, half amused. "Guess feisty Lisa took over.”

“You can say that.” I added proudly.

As he observed me more intently, his laughter subsided. "Is there something else on your mind?”

I opened her mouth, but once more, I was unable to speak. I just shook my head and whispered, "It's nothing."

Damon didn't push, but he didn't seem persuaded either. He let out a sigh and stepped forward, his voice lowered. “For the record, she's lucky that I wasn't anywhere within your radar. I won't have been as cool headed as you were.”

“Did you hear the part where I slapped her? There was nothing cool about that. It was very hot.

Damon leaned against the wall beside me, his voice dropping into that smooth, coaxing tone he always used when he was up to something. “Forget her,” he said. “She’s not worth your energy.”  

I felt a little lighter for the first time since leaving the restroom.

I let out a breath I didn't even release I was holding, rolling my shoulders in a bid to shake off the entire encounter. “I know.” I said, “It’s just—ugh.”  

The night wrapped up beautifully. Guests left the gala satisfied, compliments were tossed in my direction, and not a single tragedy.

As we watched the last of the attendees move out, Damon drew close. "Well done, Lisa. You did it"

“No, Damon,” I said with a bright smile, “We did it."

He bumped my arm with his. “Lucky for you, I have a plan to get your mind off what happened earlier and reward you for today's success.”  

I gave him a side-eye. “Should I be concerned?”  

He grinned. “Probably. But you’ll love it.”