The ride home felt longer than usual. Streetlights slipped past the windows, casting fleeting shadows across my face as i sat quietly, my mind tangled in a thousand thoughts.
Damien's scent still clung faintly to my clothes, mingling with the soft night breeze. His fingers on my waist, the desperate way he'd kissed me—it all replayed in my mind like a secret film only i could see.
I remembered the way his breath quickened against my skin, the way he held me so close as if afraid i might vanish if he let go. Part of me shivered with leftover desire. Another part felt a hollow ache of doubt.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
> Damien: "Text me when you get home safe. I miss you already."
I stared at the screen, thumbs hovering above the keyboard. I wanted to answer. I wanted to let myself drown in the warm glow of his words.
But a memory flashed—his laughter when his brother insulted me over the phone. The way he sometimes shifted cold and distant when his brother appeared.
I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. I sent him a message.
> Elena: "I'm home now. Goodnight."
Almost immediately, another message popped up:
> Damien: "Goodnight, princess. Next time, I'm not letting you escape so easily."
I felt heat rush to my cheeks, equal parts flattered and apprehensive.
---The next day arrived with a bleary dawn, gray clouds dragging themselves across the sky. I lay on the bed, scrolling through old photos of myself and Damien. His arm around my waist, both of us laughing, caught mid-smile.
How did something so beautiful feel so complicated?
My phone rang. Damien's name lit up the screen. I hesitated, thumb trembling over the green button before finally answering.
"Hey, baby," he said, voice low and husky. "Did you dream of me?"
I had to forced a small laugh. "You wish."
Damien chuckled. "Don't pretend. I know you did."
I tried to keep it playful, but his voice held that note of possessiveness that sometimes thrilled me—and sometimes made my skin crawl.
"I want to see you again," Damien said. "This weekend. I can't wait any longer."
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Okay…" i said softly. "We'll see."
There was a pause. Then his tone shifted, sharp and sudden:
"You sounded weird. Are you talking to someone else?"
"No!" I blurted out, caught off guard. "Damien, stop it."
But he was already laughing again, as if it was all a joke.
"Relax, princess. I'm just messing with you. Anyway… I gotta go. I'll call you tonight."
And just like that, the call ended, leaving me staring at my phone, my pulse racing.
---
Later that day, i met up with Stella at a quiet café.
"Girl, why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Stella demanded as she stirred her iced coffee.
I let out a shaky sigh. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore. Damien's… he's sweet, but he switches up so fast. And sometimes I feel like… like I'm not enough for him."
Stella leaned closer. "You are more than enough. Don't let any man confuse you."
"I keep thinking maybe he'll change," I whispered. "But I'm scared I'm fooling myself."
"You have to decide how much of your heart you're willing to gamble," Stella said gently. "Because guys like Damien… they'll take all of it if you let them."
I bit my lip, my thoughts spiraling. I wished i could switch off my feelings like a light.
But deep inside, i knew it wasn't that simple.
And as i sat there, i couldn't help wondering:
What if Damien was the biggest mistake i was ever going to make… and the one i couldn't walk away from?