REWOVEN HEARTS

Chapter twenty two: The Test of time

The weeks that followed the coffee meeting seemed to pass in a blur for Nina. Every day, she went through the motions-attending meetings, working on projects, interacting with colleagues-but her mind was often elsewhere, pulled back to Damien and the subtle changes that had started creeping into their relationship. It was as if every time they spoke, something new was revealed: a glimmer of the man he had become and vulnerability he had once hidden so well.

But no matter how much she tried to push those feelings aside, the truth remained: the chemistry between them hadn't faded. In fact, it seemed to intensify, like a invisible thread that continued to tie them together. She could see it in the way his eyes followed her whenever they pass in the hallways, the way his smile seemed warmer, more genuine. There was no pretending anymore. He had changed. He was different. But was that enough to convince her to let him back to her life?

Nina had always prided herself of being independent, on standing on her on two feet after everything she had been through. She had worked so hard to build a life for herself-one that didn't rely on anyone else. So when Damien came back in the picture, it felt like seismic shift, threatening to unbalance the world she had carefully constructed. And yet, there was something inside her that yearned for the connection they had once shared, a part of her couldn't ignore the feelings that had never truly gone away.

She tried to bury it, focusing on her work, and the small victories she could achieve in her career. But when she found herself alone at night, her thoughts often wandered but to Damien, to the promise of something she hadn't allowed herself to believe in a long time.

Damien, for his part, was growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of their interaction. He could see the wall Nina had built round herself-strong and impenetrable-and it made him feel helpless at times. He wanted to reach out, to show her how much he was willing to do to make things right. But no matter how many times he proved his commitment at work, no matter how small gestures he made to show her his sincerity, it wasn't enough to break through her defenses.

Damien had always been a man of actions, a problem-solver by nature. But this... this wasn't something he could fix with a business deal or a well-timed speech. He had to show Nina, not tell her, that he was no longer the man who let her go without a fight. He had to prove that the feelings they once shared were worth fighting for.

And so, he waited. He watched as she walked through the office, focused and determined, seemingly impervious to his presence. Every smile he gave her, every attempt to make small talk, was met with polite but distance responses. He knew that she was holding back, and it only made more determined to win her over.

It was late one evening when the breaking point came. The office was nearly empty, save for a few employees finishing up their work. Damien had just wrapped up an important conference call when he decided to head downstairs to grad coffee. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but one question had been on repeat in his head for days: What do I need to do to show Nina that I'm serious?

As he exited the elevator on the ground floor, he spotted her in the lobby, her hand bent as he typed away on her phone. It was the first time in a while that they were alone and for a moment, Damien hesitated. He had never been one to shy away from confrontation, but with Nina, things were different. He wasn't just fighting for a promotion or a deal. He was fighting for her heart.

He took a deep breath and walked toward her, the soft echo of his footsteps on the marble floor signaling his approach. Nina didn't notice him right away. She was lost in her on world, probably checking emails or responding to messages. But when she finally looked up, their gazes locked, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to pause

"Nina," Damien said softly, his voice carrying a weight he hadn't intended. "I didn't expect to see you still here."

She looked at him, the corners of her lips tugging into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Late night?" she asked, her voice cool but unfriendly.

"Yeah," Damien replied, stepping closer. "Just finished a call. You're still working, huh?"

Nina shrugged. "You know how it is. Things to finish up." She glanced back down at her phone, as if to signal the end of the conversation. But Damien wasn't ready to let her go just yet.

"I've been thinking," he began, his voice quieter now. "About what you said last time. About needing time."

Nina froze for a second, his fingers still on the phone. She looked up at him again, uncertainty flashing in her eyes.

"You don't need to explain yourself," Damien continued, his tone softening. "I get it. You've been through a lot, and I wasn't exactly the best person when it came to us. But I'm not asking for you to forgive me right away. What I'm asking is... for a chance. A chance to prove that I'm serious. That I've changed. And that I'm here, for you."

Nina's breath hitched, her heart racing. Every word he spoke was like a crack in the walls she had built around herself. She wanted to believe him, to trust that this time would be different. But how could she? How could she risk opening herself up again?

She looked at him, her gaze piercing and full of emotions. "Damien, I can't just forget everything that happened. Yo can't just walk back into my life and expect me to forget the hurt."

Damien nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not asking you to forget. I'm asking for a chance to show you that am not the same person. That I want to build something with you. Something real."

For a moment, Nina remained silent, her mind whirlwind of emotions. She wanted to walk away, to leave the conversation at that, but something inside her stopped her. Something deep in her chest told her that this wasn't a fleeting moment. This was something worth considering, something worth fighting for.

"I don't know if I'm ready, Damien," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "I've spent so long protecting myself. I don't how to let you in again."

Damien's expression softened, and he reached out, gently placing a hand on hers. "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere, Nina. I'm here, whenever you're ready."

She stared at their joined hands, feeling the warmth of his touch. It was familiar, comforting and yet terrifying all at once. She knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, That the scars of their past wouldn't fade overnight. But maybe, just maybe, they would find a way forward-together.