Serena
I stood there for a moment, still trying to understand what had just happened.
Vanessa Cortez. The name sounded eerily familiar but I couldn't quite grasp where I had heard it before, and the way Damien reacted made it feel like I wasn't wrong but how could he possibly know her? This is the first time I've seen her and it's likely it's his too.
To break the awkward silence, I turned to her and said, "You must be hungry after everything that happened. Please, stay for lunch. I want to thank you properly for helping me."
Vanessa gave a polite smile.
"That's very kind of you, but you don't have to—"
"No, really," I said, already walking toward the dining room.
"You saved me. It's the least I can do."
Before Vanessa could answer, Damien cut in sharply.
"There's no need for that, Serena. I'm sure Miss Vanessa Cortez here would prefer to be on her way."
I looked back at him, confused by his tone.
"It's just lunch, Damien. I'm not asking her to move in."
