Preparations

Elena had woken up earlier than she planned too, she felt too restless to stay in bed. The house was quiet, All she could hear was the faint rustling of leaves outside. Slipping out of bed, she decided to take a walk around the house, something she had never really done before. It was a large, beautiful house, and she felt a little odd that she hadn't yet explored it.

As she wandered through the hallways and rooms, she found herself at the back of the house, where she stumbled upon a hidden gem—a beautiful garden. The sight of it took her breath away. It was a small, peaceful space, filled with the most beautiful flowers, neatly trimmed hedges, and a stone path leading to a wooden bench. The garden felt like a secret world, tucked away from the rest of the house.

Elena walked along the path, her fingers brushing against the soft petals of the flowers as she admired them and how delicate they were. The air was fresh, carrying the lovely fragrance of the garden's flowers. She made her way to the bench and sat down, letting the peaceful atmosphere envelop her.

She lost track of time as she sat there, taking in the peaceful atmosphere of the garden. It was only when she heard a soft rustle behind her that she realized she wasn't alone. Glancing up, she noticed Damien standing in the doorway of his study, watching her. He hadn't made a sound, just quietly observing her as she admired the garden. For a moment, their eyes met, but neither of them spoke. They just stared at each other not saying anything ,not breaking eye contact, Damien only broke of their staring competition when he smiled at her.

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Elena stood up and made her way back into the house. Damien didn't say anything, simply following her back inside. They made their way to the dining room, where breakfast was waiting for them.

As they sat down to breakfast, the morning sunlight showing gently through the windows. Elena couldn't help but feel more at ease ,the peaceful walk in the garden and the little time she had spent there had put her mind at ease . She glanced at Damien, who was already sipping his coffee, his demeanor calm and collected as always.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Damien set his cup down and looked at her with a small smile. "I've arranged for the makeup artist and hairstylist to come a bit earlier today," he said casually. "They'll help you get ready for the party. We'll start preparing on time so that we can make an entrance. 

Elena nodded, feeling a mixture of gratitude and nervousness. "Thank you, Damien. You've thought of everything ,As always.

"It's nothing," he replied with a slight shrug, though his eyes lingered on her, a hint of warmth in his gaze. "I want tonight to go smoothly for you."

As they continued eating, Damien suddenly asked, "Elena, do you have any aunts or uncles? Family can be... complicated, but sometimes there's someone who stands out."

Elena paused, his question catching her off guard. She wasn't used to talking about her family, especially not with Damien. "I have an aunt," she said softly. "She was my mother's sister. But she moved away a long time ago. I haven't heard from her in years."

Damien nodded, sensing her hesitation. "It's good to have someone to remember, even if they're far away."

Elena appreciated the way he didn't press further. Their conversation flowed into lighter topics as they finished their meal, and Alena found herself more at ease as the day unfolded.

As the time drew nearer for the party, Elena went to her room to get ready. The makeup artist and hairstylist arrived, and the room buzzed with quiet activity as they worked on her hair and makeup. Damien appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame as he watched them transform her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

"A bit nervous," she admitted, her gaze meeting his in the mirror.

"You'll be fine," Damien reassured her, stepping into the room. He moved closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Remember, I'll be with you tonight. There's nothing to worry about."

His words had a calming effect on her. "Thank you, Damien."

When she was finally ready, dressed in the stunning light blue crystal dress they had picked out the day before, Elena felt a surge of confidence, though it was tinged with anxiety. She walked downstairs to find Damien waiting for her, looking dashing in his suit. He smiled at her, his eyes filled with admiration.

"You look beautiful," he said softly, offering his arm to her.

Together, they left the house, the evening air cool against their skin as they stepped into the waiting car. The ride to her stepsister's birthday party was quiet, with Elena lost in her thoughts. The closer they got to the venue, the more her nerves began to return.

When the car finally pulled up to the entrance, Elena hesitated, her anxiety flaring up as she imagined all the eyes that would be on them as they walked in. She could feel herself freezing up, forgetting how to take the next step.

Sensing her distress, Damien turned to her and gently took her hand in his. "It's okay, Elena," he said softly. "Everything will be fine. I'm right here with you. Just breathe."

His reassuring words and the warmth of his hand in hers gave her the strength she needed. Elena took a deep breath, nodded, and allowed Damien to guide her out of the car. Together, they walked towards the entrance, her anxiety slowly easing as they moved forward together