A Pleasant Afternoon

Logan's gaze flickered over the gathering before settling on Damien, whose sight made his jaw tense slightly. "You seem to be enjoying yourself, Damien."

Damien didn't look up immediately. He took his time setting down his teacup and then exhaled in exaggerated satisfaction. He then turned, meeting Logan's gaze. "Well, if it isn't Logan," he smirked. "I should say I am surprised that you are here, I didn't think you would have the time to show up with all the important things you do."

Logan's jaw tightened. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Damien exhaled a soft laugh as he shook his head. "Yes, I imagine you would have preferred that." His voice was light but edged at the same time. He leaned back in his seat, drumming his fingers lazily against the armrest. "Tell me, how does it feel, walking in and finding me here? Must be frustrating."

Logan's eyes darkened but he said nothing.

Helen quickly intervened after sensing the tension. "Now, boys," she said smoothly. "Let's not ruin the afternoon."

Damien ignored her completely. Instead his gaze flickered to Angella.

She had schooled her features into neutrality but Damien wasn't fooled. He had caught that slight hesitation when Logan arrived. The way her shoulders stiffened, her fingers curled slightly against her lap, he had noticed them all. 

It wasn't fear but something deeper. She was uncomfortable and Damien hated it.

His smirk softened into something more deliberate as he smoothly turned back to Logan. 

"I was just having the most delightful conversation with Angella." He reached for her hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Did you know she is surprisingly difficult to impress?"

Logan's gaze flickered toward their hands. Though his expression was unreadable, Damien caught the slight tightening of his posture.

Angella blinked, startled by the sudden gesture but when she glanced at Damien there was no hint of teasing or flirting in his smirk. It was just something quiet and intentional, maybe a rescue.

This made the weight in her chest loosen just slightly.

Sensing her hesitation, Damien only pressed further. He lifted her hand and brushed a slow exaggerated kiss against her knuckles with his eyes locked on Logan's the entire time.

And as he had expected, Logan's expression hardened.

Helen set her teacup down with a soft clink with a hint of amusement in her expression. 

Millie just kept watching with a smile. It was evident that she was enjoying Damien's public display of affection towards her daughter more than she should. 

Before Logan could speak, a voice broke through the tension.

"Damien," Rose Anderson, Damien's stepmother, called him out with a smile as she approached him. "This is a rare occasion." When her gaze drifted toward his hand which was still loosely holding Angella's. "And, I see, good company."

"Well, I wanted to enjoy some tea," Damien answered as he walked towards Rose to greet her. 

Angella felt heat rise to her cheeks but before she could say anything, Damien added. "But the tea isn't the only thing worth staying for."

Rose laughed softly, shaking her head. "I never thought I would see the day," she mused. "But I can't say I mind. In fact, I quite like what I am seeing."

Damien rolled his eyes and took his seat beside Angella again. 

Logan, on the other hand, looked like he had just swallowed something bitter. But before anyone could speak, another figure joined them.

"Mr. Anderson," a voice greeted smoothly. "I did not expect to see you here."

Damien turned. "Mr. Reedner." He extended a hand for a firm shake.

Richard Reedner was a well-known businessman, a name that carried weight in their circles. His latest project had started a new collaboration with the Anderson Company.

"Mr. Reedner, it's nice meeting you," Logan remarked but Reedner ignored him completely.

Logan's expression barely flickered,but Damien didn't miss the way his jaw clenched.

"It's always a pleasure to run into you," Damien said smoothly. "Especially on such an interesting afternoon." He glanced at Angella as his smirk deepened.

Reedner followed his gaze and his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Indeed and who might this be?"

Damien's grip on Angella's hand tightened slightly before he smoothly introduced her. "Angella Becker," he said. "And my company for the afternoon."

Reedner nodded politely. "A pleasure, Miss Becker."

Helen watched with veiled irritation. Her fingers tightened around her teacup but before she could speak, Damien continued. "And of course, you remember my mother."

Helen's fingers stilled.

Rose blinked surprised before a slow smile spread across her face. "It's been some time, Mr. Reedner," she greeted warmly.

Reedner smiled back. "Indeed, Mrs. Anderson."

Helen's lips pressed into a thin line. She was clearly displeased with the way Damien was behaving, 

Damien on the other hand was utterly satisfied as he engaged himself in a conversation.

...