Unspoken Tension

Jessica wasn't used to luxury.

Yet here she was, sitting in Damien's private office, a space that reeked of wealth, power, and something far more dangerous beneath the surface.

She fidgeted slightly as he leaned back in his chair, studying her in that unreadable way of his.

"I have a request," Damien finally said.

Jessica blinked. "A request?"

"I need you to attend a gala with me."

Silence.

Jessica stared at him. "I...I don't understand."

Damien's fingers tapped against the desk. "You will."

Jessica hesitated. "Isn't this something you'd usually ask an actual employee? A secretary? Or..."

"I want you," he said simply.

Jessica's breath hitched.

Something about the way he said it...calm, final, leaving no room for debate sent an unfamiliar heat down her spine.

"I don't even own a dress for that kind of event," she tried, grasping for an excuse.

Damien didn't blink. "That's already taken care of."

Jessica's stomach flipped. "You bought me a dress?"

"Consider it an investment," he said coolly. "Since you saved my life."

Jessica's fingers curled into her lap. She didn't like the way he put it as if he had to repay her.

But before she could protest, the door swung open.

"Ah, so this is the woman who's got our dear Damien acting out of character."

A smooth voice.

Jessica turned and found herself looking at a strikingly handsome man.

Samuel.

Dark brown hair, mischievous hazel eyes, and an easy, confident smile.

Damien shot him a look. "You're interrupting."

Samuel ignored him and strolled in, hands in his pockets.

"I had to see it with my own eyes." His gaze flicked to Jessica. "You must be the mystery woman."

Jessica frowned. "Mystery woman?"

Samuel smirked. "Do you have any idea how rare it is for Damien to spend time with someone who isn't a business partner or an enemy?"

Jessica's lips parted slightly, but she didn't know how to respond.

Damien exhaled. "Sam. Get out."

Samuel grinned. "Not before I give my input." He turned back to Jessica. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Jessica straightened. "Ready for what?"

Samuel tilted his head. "Being in Damien's world."

Damien's jaw clenched slightly, but Jessica noticed he didn't deny it.

Something about that sent a shiver down her spine.

"I'll be fine," she said, trying to sound confident.

Samuel chuckled. "Interesting."

Damien shot him another glare. "Leave."

Samuel raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. But I'm just saying..." He glanced at Jessica once more before smirking at Damien. "She's trouble."

Then, with a wink, he strolled out.

Jessica let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Damien's gaze lingered on her for a long moment before he finally spoke.

"I'll have someone deliver the dress."

And just like that, the conversation was over.

Later that evening, Jessica stared at the box in front of her.

It sat neatly on her small, worn-out table, starkly out of place in her modest apartment.

She hesitated before slowly untying the ribbon.

The moment she pulled back the lid, her breath caught.

Inside was a gown, deep sapphire blue, with delicate silver embroidery that shimmered like stars.

The fabric felt impossibly soft beneath her fingertips, and she knew without a doubt, this dress cost more than her rent.

Her stomach twisted.

She shouldn't accept this.

And yet…

A part of her wanted to know what it would feel like to step into Damien's world.

Even if it was just for one night.

The gala was held at one of the city's most exclusive venues.

The moment Jessica stepped inside, she felt eyes on her.

Not because she was out of place, but because the man standing beside her was Damien Theduson, CEO of the Theduson's empire.

He looked… different tonight.

Still powerful. Still unreadable. But there was something almost dangerously elegant about him in a tuxedo, his usually sharp presence toned down just enough to blend in.

"You clean up well," she murmured.

Damien turned to her, his blue eyes unreadable. "I could say the same for you."

Jessica felt heat rise to her cheeks.

Before she could respond, a woman approached them, tall, poised, and stunning.

"Damien," she purred. "It's been a while."

Jessica instantly felt out of place.

Damien, however, simply nodded. "Margot."

The woman's eyes flickered to Jessica. "And this is…?"

Before Jessica could introduce herself, Damien did it for her.

"She's with me."

Something about the way he said it sent a strange shiver down her spine.

Margot raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, enjoy the evening."

As she walked away, Jessica exhaled.

"You didn't tell her my name."

Damien picked a glass of wine from a passing waiter's tray. He took a sip of his drink, as he asked. "Would it have mattered?"

Jessica frowned. "It would have to me."

Damien studied her for a long moment before finally speaking.

"You're different."

Jessica's brows furrowed. "What?"

He tilted his head slightly. "Most people in this room..." His gaze flickered across the sea of wealthy, powerful guests. "...are here for something. A deal. A connection. An advantage."

Jessica swallowed. "And what am I here for?"

Damien's lips curved slightly not quite a smirk, but close.

"I'm still figuring that out."

Jessica's heartbeat quickened.

Before she could respond, Samuel appeared beside them, accompanied by a stunning brunette, holding a glass of whiskey.

"Well," he drawled, glancing between them. "This is entertaining. By the way, you look gorgeous in that dress, Jess." He placed a kiss on the back of his hand as a greeting gesture.

"Uhm, thank y..."

"It's Jessica to you." Damien cut in before Jessica could finish.

"Oh, come on, bro. How can you be this petty with me your best friend." Samuel said.

Damien shot him a look.

"Fine. I get it." Sam gave up arguing. He slid his left hand across the brunette's waist as he excused himself.

Jessica exhaled. She turned to Damien."Do you always have to make things awkward?"

Damien smirked. "Oh, sweetheart, if you think this is awkward, you haven't seen anything yet."

Damien's piercing gaze meets hers. For a moment, she became flustered as the gaze seemed to strip her of her clothes.

However, she wasn't paying attention to that feeling anymore.

Because something in Damien's eyes had shifted.

Not in an obvious way. But she could feel it.

Something unspoken.

Something she wasn't sure she was ready to understand.

Yet.