Chapter 002

The Lady in Red Dress

Damian's POV

I leaned back, still unsteady against the bedpost, loosening the tie that felt like a noose around my neck. Tonight, from my planning, was supposed to be another huge celebration of success, but instead, it felt like an endless and meaningless loop of empty congratulations and cheap whiskey.

Just when I decided to finally close my eyes, hoping for a moment of peace, the door creaked open, interrupting me.

"Room service?" I asked lazily, not bothering to turn around to see for myself, as all my thoughts wasn't organized.

There came no answer.

I sat up, frowning, my body still unsteady. "Hello?"

The sound of a close hesitant footsteps reached my ears. I turned and froze at the sight before me. I saw a gorgeous woman standing in the doorway, wide eyed like a deer caught in headlights, with no escape route.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice sharp but coarse.

Her hand gripped firmly on the doorframe, and she seemed ready to bolt any minute. "I... I think I'm in the wrong room."

My eyes narrowed at her response. She wasn't in anyway dressed like hotel staff. Her dress clung like a second skin to her like she had been running, and her messy hair , but beautiful hair framed a face that was both stunning and alarmingly panicked.

"Wrong room?" I repeated, still trying to figure out what was happening.

"Yes," she replied quickly, but her feet didn't take any step out.

Something about her aura didn't quite add up to me. People, from my experiences, didn't just wander into my suite unless they had a reason for that.

"Come in," I said, leaning forward and anticipating her.

"No, I should go be going..."

Her attempt to backpedal failed woefully when she tripped over the edge of the rug. Instinct kicked in with no warning. I lunged forward and immediately caught her gorgeous body in my arms before she hit the ground.

She gasped as our bodies made contact, her hands gripping my arms for balance. Her eyes held mine Passionately, and for a moment, neither of us dared moved.

"Careful," I finally said softly. "You could've hurt yourself in the process."

"Let me go now, please..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

But her hands in contrast to her words, didn't leave my arms, and something in her expression begged me to hold on, even tightly to her.

"You're shaking," I said. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing serious," she replied, too quickly.

"Liar," I muttered to her hearing.

"I really need to go," she said again, but her voice was weaker this time.

"Then why aren't you leaving as you said?"

She opened her mouth to answer me, but no words failed her. Instead, I watched as her gaze dropped to the floor, as if she had on her, a burden too heavy to name.

"What's your name?" I finally asked.

"Why do you care that much?" she shot back, a spark of defiance surrounding her face.

"Because you missed your way, and currently standing in my hotel room, looking like the world just ended," I said simply.

For a second, she hesitated, maybe not knowing what to say. "Amara," she finally said.

Amara. It suited her kind of woman.

"Amara," I deliberately repeated, tasting the name in my mouth. "I'm Damian."

"I should go this minute," she whispered again, and still, this time again, she didn't move.

I stepped closer to her, ensuring to close the space between us. "Are you running away from something terrible?"

Her lips parted to narrate her story, but before she could answer, the air between us shifted, without warning, it became charged and replaced by raw emotion. I don't know who moved first, maybe it was her, maybe I took the liberty of moving first, but suddenly, I found her lips on mine.

It wasn't a sweet kind of kiss. It was very desperate, messy, like she was putting her all, trying to escape whatever demons haunted her.

"Wait," she breathed, suddenly pulling back slightly. Her hands made their way to rest on my chest, but they didn't push me away.

"We can stop if you don't want it," I said, though the heat between us made it hard to mean what I just said.

Her eyes weakly searched mine, as if looking for an answer I couldn't give her. Then she leaned over and kissed me again, harder this time, and I knew we were crossing a line that couldn't be undone.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The morning sunlight streamed mercilessly through the curtains. I groaned in pleasure, dragging a hand across my face. My head pounded continously like a drumbeat, and my body felt heavy.

Turning over, as usual, I expected to see the same occurrence of emptiness of my bed. Instead, I saw her beside me.

Amara.

She sat face down on the edge of the bed, clutching the sheet like her life depended on it to her chest. Her hair was a total mess, and her shoulders trembled for reasons I know not as if she was on the verge of breaking.

"Morning," I said, my voice rough from the alcohol that I took.

She flinched like a puppet at the sound, her gaze darting immediately toward the closed door.

"Relax," I said. "I have no intention of biting you."

"This was a huge mistake," she muttered, more to herself than to me.

I sat up beside her, carefully studying her. "Was it?"

"Yes," she snapped furiously, finally turning to face me. Her eyes had turned red, and guilt was written all over her face that it almost broke me.

Before I had the chance to say anything else, she scrambled to her feet, gathering her dress from the floor. "I shouldn't have been here in the first place. This never happened, okay?"

"Amara, wait..."

But she was already at the door, her hand turning the doorknob, opening it. She didn't look back, and when the door finally slammed shut, it left an unsettling silence in its wake.

I stared unbelievably at the empty space where she had been, her name still lingering on my lips.

Amara.

Who exactly was she? And why on it does it feel like she just took a piece of me alongside with her?

Chapter 003

Scandal Unleashed

Amara's POV

I barely made it through the polished lobby without breaking down. My heels clicked loudly against the marble floors as I forced myself to be in control of just one thing; walk at a normal recognized pace. People stared weirdly, their curious eyes following the obvious tear in my dress and my messy hair. I didn't care what was going on in their minds.

I forcefully with the remaining strength in me, pushed through the revolving doors and stepped into the cool morning air. The street as usual was buzzing with life, like my absence never mattered, taxis honking, pedestrians rushing past, but as for me, all I had was the feeling of someone underwater, drowning in my own thoughts.

What had I done now?

My phone buzzed repeatedly in my clutch. I fished it out to see the caller with shaky hands. It was from home, a text from our darling Sisi.

"Where are you? Mom's losing it this minute."

I groaned in frustration, my chest tightening at the thought of facing my horrible and loveless family. Sisi's text didn't come as a request, it was a command. She probably had something very dramatic all planned out for me, she always did at the slightest opportunity. And I won't disappoint, but always be the unwitting pawn, all the time.

I hailed a passing cab immediately, climbing in without a second thought. The ride to the Benson family home felt endless, and I never wanted it to end. Every second stretching into an eternity. My mind after wandering around, then returned to the night before, replaying the events of the night, each memory sharper than the last.

Damian. The heated kiss. The heat that followed. The regret afterward, trying to figure the way forward.

The house as expected was already alive with noise when I arrived. The moment I stepped into the foyer, my mother's sharp and harsh voice rang out from the living room.

"Where exactly have you been all night, Amara?" Caroline Benson, my mother snapped, her arms crossed like someone ready for a fight, and her perfectly styled hair gleaming under the chandelier. She looked ready like one that would devour me wholely.

"I..." My voice trailed, with no strength. "I needed sone air."

"Air?" Came Sisi's sharp voice, dripping fully with fake sweetness. She lounged dramatically on the sofa, her perfectly manicured nails annoyingly tapping against a wine glass. "Funny, because I could remember you disappeared during the engagement dinner."

My heart sank on hearing that. Of course she never ceased to notice every of my movement.

Victor stood quietly in the corner, his arms also folded and his jaw clenched but he never said a word. His disappointment in whatever I did was obvious, and it made my stomach churn greatly.

"I wasn't feeling too well," I managed to explain, but still avoiding his scorching eyes.

"You were not feeling well?" Sisi repeated, but standing up this time. Her voice rose very high, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "Or were you were somewhere feeling someone else?"

The room went dead silent like a graveyard.

"What exactly are you talking about now?" I asked, my voice not strong and barely above a whisper.

"Oh, don't even play dumb, darling sister," she hissed, immediately pulling out her phone. "I have strong proof of everything."

Before I could protest, she went ahead to tap her screen, and a video popped up, and started playing.

It was the grainy and of course we'll staged footage showed no other but me entering Damian's room. My heart stopped beating.

"This was taken nowhere but at the hotel last night," Sisi said, pacing the room like a predator circling its prey. "While we were all celebrating your engagement, you sneaked out, made yourself busy... by entertaining someone else."

"That's not exactly how it happened!" I protested, great panic rising in my chest, which would have given me a heart attack.

"Then explain it in your terms," Victor said coldly, finally speaking up. His eyes bore into me, filled with a mix of hurt and anger.

"I can't even explain how I ended up there!" I said, tears already crowding my eyes. "It's not exactly what it looks like, please."

Sisi smirked all through seeing that I could not defend myself, and clearly enjoying my humiliation. "Oh, it's exactly what it looks like in this video. You've succeeded in disgracing this family, Amara."

My mother's slap flew from nowhere, the sting spreading across my cheek. I gasped as I never expected it, my hand flying to my face as the room erupted in murmurs.

"How could you do this?" Caroline, my mother spat, her voice shaking with much fury. "After everything we've sacrificed for you in this family?"

"Mom, please," I begged, uncontrollable tears flooding my face. "I didn't even do anything wrong!"

"Enough this very minute!" Victor roared, silencing everyone. He looked at me with cold detachment, as if I was a stranger. "This engagement is finally over."

The words hit me hard, my knees threatening to give way.

"No," I whispered, but he was already out before I could reach him.

"Wait," a deep voice sliced through the dramatic chaos.

Everyone turned as Damian stormed the room. His presence was commanding, his sharp suit spotless despite the early hour.

"Who the hell are you young man?" Sisi snapped furiously, clearly taken aback.

"Damian Kane," he said rather calmly, his gaze darting around the room before it landed on me. "The man your sister spent the night with."

Gasps filled everywhere in the room. Even Sisi was stunned.

"I'm terribly sorry for the misunderstanding," Damian continued, his voice steady and authoritative. "Amara was placed in my room by mistake. Nothing funny or dramatic happened between us that she didn't consent to."

My cheeks burned as his words silenced everyone in the room. Why was he here, and doing this now?

Victor glared furiously at him. "And you expect me to believe your cooked up story?"

Damian shrugged like he never cared. "Believe whatever you would make you sleep well at night. But I take full responsibility for her disappearance and being in my room."

Sisi's mocking face turned in great rage, and she quickly excused herself dashing outside, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.

Damian turned to face me now, his eyes softening. "Are you okay?"

I nodded weakly, too overwhelmed to alter any word.

"Good then," he said. Then, turning back to the others, like a threat he added, "If anyone has an unsettled issue with Amara, they can take it up with me."

The room was silent as he took quick strips toward me, his hand affectionately brushing against mine in a silent gesture of reassurance.

For the very first time that morning and since my existence, I felt like I could finally breathe well. But I knew better, this was just the beginning of whatever my family would unleash.

Chapter 004

Tbd Offer

Amara's POV

The incredible silence that followed the moment Damian's exited was louder than the chaos that had preceded it. My family all turned and stared at me as though I had sprouted horns overnight, each gaze judgmental, especially from my mother, deadly curiosity from Sisi, and of course, indifference from Victor, who from his expression, looked like he was just waiting for an excuse to leave, my father was no exception, though his was unreadable.

I wanted to scream for them to believe me, to cry, to defend myself, but I was tired. So tired to do that, but leaving them to think whatever they want.

"Amara," mom finally decided to break the silence, her tone cold and sharp. "Do you in anyway realize what you've done? Do you know the extend of humiliation I just got right now in my house?"

I resisted back the great urge to say something reckless. Instead, I said, "Nothing bad happened, Mom."

"Nothing? Really" she repeated, her voice rising. "So that crazy man just stormed in here to play knight in shining armor with no reason? Do you take us as fools you can easily play?"

"Mom, I..."

"No!" She furiously cut me off, pointing a shaky finger at me. "You've succeeded in ruining everything! The Graham family with their reputation like this will never forgive us for this scandal. Do you have any idea of how much I've invested in making this engagement perfect the way it was last night?"

Of course, that's all it's all about. It has always been about appearances. My happiness or wellbeing never factored into her calculations.

Victor suddenly cleared his throat, drawing all attention back to him. "I think we're finally done here," he said flatly. "Amara, I'll waste no time in sending someone to collect the ring later."

My heart sank on hearing that, he turned and made his way out, his footsteps vibrating like a death knell. He didn't even care to look back.

"Victor!" my mother desperately called after him, but he didn't stop. She turned to face me, her face greatly contorted with rage. "You better find a way and fix this, Amara. I don't care how, but you will fix this and save me from this shame."

Before I could find my words and respond, Sisi let out a dramatic sigh, shaking her hair with exaggerated nonchalance. "Well, this is a beautiful mess, isn't it?"

"Stay out of this, Sisi," I lashed out with no control, my voice sharper than I intended.

"Why? It's not in any way my fault you made up your mind to have a scandalous little sleepover with a stranger," she said, sneering triumphantly. "Honestly, Amara, you're usually very plain and boring. But right now, all I can say is that; I'm impressed."

I glared at her with fire in my eyes, but she just shrugged like it was nothing and sauntered out of the room, her heels noisily clicking against the floor like a betrayal that she is.

I stormed out of the house, desperately in need of fresh air outside the one I shared with my family. The sun was not that high in the sky, but the radiation coming from it only helped in my headache becoming worse.

I didn't have a particular destination in mind, so I just walked, just to be away from them. My thoughts were already messed up by anger, shame, and confusion. How had everything fallen apart so quickly without me knowing it?

"Rough morning?"

The familiar voice startled me, and I spun around only to see Damian leaning casually against a luxurious sleek black car parked at the curb. He looked annoyingly too composed,l for someone that just added to my trouble this morning, his suit perfectly fitted, impeccable and his expression unreadable.

"What exactly are you doing here?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Making sure you're perfectly okay," he said simply.

"I can't remember asking for your help."

"No, you didn't, and I don't need to wait," he agreed, packing the car and walking toward me. "But I somehow figured you could use it anyway."

I opened my mouth to resort to whatever he was saying, but somehow, the right words refused to form, my throat going dry. Instead, I said, "Why then did you decide to lie on my behalf?"

"Lie?" His lips formed into an annoying small smile. "I didn't lie. I only told them nothing happened, which is what they wanted to hear, and that's how it happened."

"You know exactly what I mean."

He focused his gaze on me, studying me for a moment. "Let's just say I don't fancy bullies in my corner. And just a single visit, I could tell you had enough of them in that room."

I blinked, totally confused and caught off guard by the unexpected kindness in his words.

"Well, thanks, I guess that's what I should say," I muttered, looking away shyly.

"You're welcome any time," he said lightly. Then, after a pause, he added, "But I'm somehow curious though, why didn't you tell them the truth?"

"The truth you mean?" I laughed bitterly. "That I was drunk on my engagement night, then accidentally ended up in your room, and... what again? Fell asleep afterward?"

"That's exactly what happened that night, isn't it?"

"It doesn't matter anymore," I said, shaking my head. "People for reasons best known to them, see what they want to see."

Damian frowned, his brows furrowed in confusion, and it was clear he was trying to work out some puzzle from my life. "You're considering giving up too easily," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"You're giving them the privilege to direct the narrative. If you don't find a way and fight back, they'll make you the villain in your own story."

I laughed in a humorless manner. "And do you think I was supposed to do? March back in there and declare my innocence? It's obvious they've already made up their minds."

"Then, ensure to change their minds," he said, his tone very firm.

I stared weirdly at him, very frustrated and confused. "Why do you even care? You don't even know anything about me."

"Maybe, somehow, I like underdogs," he said with a smirk.

"Is this a joke to you?"

"Not at all," he said, his expression suddenly changing to serious. "In fact..." He paused, as if weighing the weight of his words carefully. "I think we good to help each other."

"Help each other?" I repeated, skeptical of whatever he was planning.

"I have my own reasons for requesting you stay in Lakeshore," he explained. "Reasons that while carefully analyzed, require a certain... image. And you? You seriously need someone to take the heat off you right now."

"What exactly are you suggesting now?"

"A kind of business partnership," he said smoothly. "You and me will go along easily. Pretend we're together, though it's going to be temporarily, of course. It'll definitely shut your family up, keep the gossip mill busy, and most importantly, buy us both some breathing room."

I stared at him still confused, my mind reeling. Was he really serious?

"And what then do you get out of this?" I asked suspicious of his intentions.

"A chance to quietly settle some ugly scores," he said cryptically without smiling.

I hesitated, my instincts in a way screaming at me to say yes that very minute. To do that and shut off my mother's rage, Victor's cold and unfriendly dismissal, and most importantly, Sisi's smug smile. But I sudden remembered I still have a life outside the grip of my family.

The air surrounding us was becoming thick with unspoken emotions, the kind that makes your pulse race for all the wrong reasons. Damian stood there, impossibly composed, his piercing gaze still fixed on me.

"I'll then make it simple," he said, his voice very low but still firm. "Marry me."

I blinked in confusion, certain I did misheard whatever he said. "What?"

"You heard me right," he replied smoothly, stepping closer. "It's going to be a win-win. You're already caught in this unimaginable mess, and I need a wife for strong reasons that don't concern you. We both all get what we want."

I let out a disbelieving laugh, shaking my head at him, and hoping he would tell me it was a joke. "Are you serious right now?"

"Dead serious."

His confidence was so demanding and commanding, the way he said it like it was a foregone conclusion. As if I would just fall at his feet because he snapped his fingers.

"Look," I said, trying to keep my voice somewhat steady as I was still shocked he could come up with such idea. "I don't know what kind of women you're interested in, but I'm not about to marry a man I barely know and never loved just to clean up some gossip."

"This isn't anything about love," he said bluntly. "It's solely about practicality now. You've seen everything about yourself, how your family treats you. Do you really have the thought they'll let this go? With me, you'll not only have protection, your status, your reputation will be upgraded and a way out of their control."

I crossed my arms, glaring hard at him speechlessly. "I don't need even remember telling you that I need rescuing, Damian."

"And yet, you're here drowning," he shot back, his gaze still unwavering.

His words hit a nerve, so hard that I almost bend, but I refused to let him see it. "If I'm drowning, I'll definitely learn to swim," I said, lifting my chin.

"Amara," he said, his voice softer now, almost in a coaxing tone. "You're beautiful and smart enough to know that life doesn't generously hand you second chances often. Think hard about it, a life with no more interfering from your mother, no more irrelevant petty jabs from your sister, and no more Victor. Just freedom all the way."

For a split second, I wavered at his preaching. The picture he painted suddenly was very tempting, but I couldn't ignore the cost.

"Freedom," I repeated, my voice sharp. "But not free, wth strings attached. You obviously don't want a wife, Damian. You only desire a chess piece to move around your board. I'm not interested in your offer."

Something surfaced in his eyes, maybe anger, or disbelief, maybe even real hurt. Whatever it was, he ensured to mask it quickly.

"Are you very sure?" he asked, his tone now becoming icy now. "Because once I turn and walk away, the offer is gone."

I stepped back, my resolve the same. "I'm very sure."

The silence that followed was unbelievable and deafening. Damian's jaw clenched, and I could see his hands curling into fists at his sides. He wasn't used to witnessing a lady reject him, or being told no, that much was clear.

"Good luck in your life, Amara," he said finally, his voice cutting. "You're going to need it very much."

With that, he turned and left, his retreating figure radiating everything fury.

I stood there, my heart pounding uncontrollably. A part of me wanted to call him back, to apologize, and ay least explain, but I never did. I couldn't do it, but I should have. Perhaps, he may be right by saying I would regret my decision, or I'm overthinking things, things that was meant to help me.