The penthouse was quiet except for the low hum of the city below. Vivian leaned closer on the sofa, her hand grazing Damien's chest, her warmth inviting him in a way that should have been comforting. He did try-he really did.
He kissed her back slowly, letting his hands wander, imagining for a moment that maybe, just maybe, he could push Elias from his mind. His body reacted, responding to Vivian's softness, to the curve of her neck beneath his lips.
But it didn't work. Every time her fingers traced his skin, every time her lips pressed against his, Damien saw Elias instead. The sharp glint of his eyes, the defiant curve of his mouth, the heat that had seared through him the day of their kiss.
He pulled back abruptly, breaking the kiss, startling her. "I... I need some air," he said, his voice tight, almost strained.
Vivian frowned, her eyes searching his, but she didn't press. Damien moved toward the balcony, the night air hitting him, cooling the fire that wasn't his to control. He leaned against the railing, fists gripping the metal as if it could anchor him.
"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" he muttered under his breath. "I know this is wrong. I have no right to feel like this. But... every time I try to push it away, it comes back and now... even her can't pull me out of it.
His chest tightened with frustration, his mind spinning with forbidden thoughts he didn't want to admit. The city lights blurred through his vision as he leaned back, closing his eyes, heart pounding with a mix of guilt, anger, and desire he couldn't shake.
He whispered to the empty night, "Why him? Why does he haunt me like this?"
Damien ran a hand through his hair, pacing the balcony for a moment longer before grabbing his phone. He scrolled through his contacts and dialed his best friend.
"Hey," he said when the line picked up, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Damien! Everything okay? You sound... tense," his friend's voice teased from the other end.
"I need to meet up. Tonight," Damien replied, tone sharp, no room for questions.
"Sure. Where?"
"Anywhere. Just... somewhere I can think," Damien muttered, cutting the call shortly after arranging the place.
He turned back toward the penthouse, his chest still tight, and found Vivian watching him with concern.
"Everything okay?" she asked softly, stepping closer.
Damien shook his head, forcing a tight smile. "Work stress... pressure from the board," he said, the words clipped, masking the real storm inside him.
Vivian nodded, accepting the answer, though a flicker of worry remained in her eyes. Damien leaned down, pressing a polite kiss to her temple. "I'll catch up with you later," he murmured, before turning and heading toward the door, leaving her with a quiet sigh and a question lingering in the air that she didn't voice.
*****
Damien arrived at the dimly lit lounge, sliding into a booth where his friend was already waiting. The hum of music and muted chatter around them did little to calm the storm inside him.
He sank into the seat, rubbing his face briefly. "I... I can't stop thinking about him," he admitted, voice low, almost bitter.
His friend leaned in, attentive. "Who?, the guy at your office?"
Damien nodded, jaw tight. "Ever since that damn kiss... it's like I can't breathe. I try to push it away, I try to focus on Vivian, on work, but nothing works. He's in my head-everywhere I look, every thought I have."
"You're frustrated," his friend said softly, letting Damien vent.
"Frustrated doesn't even cover it," Damien said, running a hand through his hair. "I... I don't even know why he affects me this way. He's just an employee. And yet..." He exhaled sharply, slamming a fist lightly on the table. "...I can't stop thinking about him. And that kiss-God, it haunts me. I can't pretend it didn't happen, but I can't act on it either. Not yet."
His friend studied him carefully. "Damien... you need to be careful. You can't just jump into anything with him while you're still involved with Vivian. You owe it to both of them and to yourself."
Damien's eyes darkened, a dangerous glint in them. "I know. Vivian and I... we need each other. For the empire, for appearances. It's all calculated, nothing emotional. I don't love her-never did but I can't rush this. I need Elias... and I need to figure out a way to have him without destroying what I and Vivian have built."
His friend nodded, giving him a slight, understanding smirk. "Then take your time. Handle your end with Vivian first, make sure the path is clear, or it'll all blow up in your face."
Damien exhaled slowly, gripping his glass, the tension in his shoulders not easing. "Clear path or not, I won't let him slip away."