A lovers stone

Morning arrived with yet another task—a public display of affection for the ever-watchful media.

Serena, as always, looked effortlessly radiant, her siren charm making her glow under the soft morning light. She was dressed elegantly, her sunglasses perched on her nose as she sipped her morning coffee on the balcony. Meanwhile, Damian stood by the window, already scowling at the idea of playing the devoted husband.

"We have to walk hand in hand," Serena announced casually, setting her cup down.

Damian turned his sharp gaze toward her. "No."

She raised a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "It's for the media. They need to see how much we're enjoying our honeymoon."

"I don't see why we need to put on a show," he muttered, rubbing his temple in frustration. "Isn't our presence here enough?"

Serena smirked, standing up and walking toward him. "Oh, come now, dear husband—holding my hand won't kill you." She reached out, wiggling her fingers playfully.

Damian stared at her hand as if it were a trap. "I'd rather face a hundred board meetings than do this."

Serena let out a dramatic sigh. "What a tragedy. The infamous Damian is afraid of a little hand-holding."

His jaw ticked. "I'm not afraid."

"Then prove it."

Before he could argue further, Serena boldly took his hand, lacing their fingers together. She tilted her head at him, her smirk widening. "See? That wasn't so bad."

Damian clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to yank his hand away. He could already imagine the flashing cameras, the headlines painting them as the perfect couple. The thought alone irritated him.

Serena, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying his discomfort. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "You might as well get used to it. We have to make it believable."

Damian exhaled sharply. "Let's get this over with."

As they stepped out into the public eye, the cameras immediately turned toward them. Reporters murmured in excitement, and passersby gawked at the power couple. Damian kept his expression neutral, but Serena? She played her role flawlessly—smiling, leaning into him just enough to make it look natural.

The world saw a husband and wife deeply in love.

Only they knew the truth.

Walking side by side, Damian and Serena made their way through the lavish streets of Dubai, their every move shadowed by an army of bodyguards. Their presence alone commanded attention, but neither of them seemed fazed by the lingering gazes.

Serena, dressed in effortless elegance, walked with an air of disinterest. Damian, as always, remained stoic, barely tolerating the charade of their so-called honeymoon.

To break the monotony, they decided to visit one of the most luxurious malls in the city.

Inside, the jewelry store gleamed with wealth—rows upon rows of rare gems displayed behind glass cases, each piece crafted for those who sought power through possessions. The sales associates, trained to cater to the elite, immediately recognized the infamous couple and hurried to attend to them.

Serena's eyes drifted over the glittering displays with little interest, her fingers trailing over emeralds, sapphires, and blood-red rubies. None of them caught her attention.

Until she saw it.

A simple black diamond.

It looked unassuming compared to the other extravagant pieces, its surface dark and mysterious. But as she leaned in closer, she noticed something—deep within the diamond, a delicate pattern shimmered, resembling a tail curling within its depths, as if something unseen was reaching out to her.

An odd sensation tugged at her chest, an almost magnetic pull drawing her toward it.

"I'll take this one," she said, her voice smooth yet firm.

The employee's eyes widened in surprise before they broke into a delighted smile. "An excellent choice, ma'am. That is one of the rarest pieces in the world."

Serena raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

The employee nodded eagerly. "It may appear simple, but under the moonlight, it glows with an ethereal sheen. Legend says it was crafted by a merchant who fell in love with a mysterious being—not quite human, not quite mortal. It is said that whenever the diamond shines, it reveals the depth of his love."

Serena's fingers curled around the gem as a strange feeling settled in her chest.

Damian, who had been observing silently, finally spoke. "A love story trapped in a stone," he mused, his voice laced with dry amusement. "How poetic."

Serena smirked, lifting the diamond towards the light. "Some things are meant to be admired, not understood."

For a brief moment, the diamond seemed to flicker in her grasp, as if responding to her touch.

And for the first time in a long while, Serena wondered—was it truly just a story? Or was there something more to this piece of history now resting in her palm?