"Okay."

He went off and Merry had to hurry off the kitchen, kissing her sister and bestfriend goodbye.

When she got to BlackByte Cyber Systems and Technology, the reception was different than her first day there.

Everyone smiled at her.

Ah, she needed to check the news again.

The secretaries smiled directly at her. Some tried not to look jealous and typed furiously, checking her out.

The smiling secretary handed Merry over to an older, dark skinned, neatly dressed and fresh lady who gave a curt curtsy.

"Hello, ma'am. I am Sadeola Harvey. Call me Sade, please. I am ordered by Mr Damon Blackwell to lead you to Floor 70 where he resides. Follow me."

Merry smiled and followed Sadeola and when they got to the wide white corridor outside Damon's office, it took some time for Damon to authenticate their entrance.

Merry's heart was beating that she believed Sadeola would hear it.

Soon, Damon's office door slid open and Sadeola gave Merry one polite smile before Merry courageously went in and silently uncovered his lunch.

Merry carefully arranged what she brought and tried not to look at Damon who kept glancing at her face and typing codes.

She managed to look up and she met Damon's emotionless eyes.

He was checking her out.

"You eat before it gets cold." Merry said, stiffly and went to sit, immediately turning on her phone and watching a movie.

Damon obeyed her.

The news flew in again.

Her. At her restaurant.

She had never been this exposed in her life but she'd signed up for it.

"Damon, how did everyone know?"

He bit into a pancake and closed his eyes, savoring the taste. Merry frowned.

Was that how CEOs appreciated their cooks? She thought sarcastically.

He looked at her and their eyes met again.

"Do you want some?" He asked and Merry cursed softly, looking away.

"No. I want to know how things got out."

"We try to keep things secret but somehow, they just get out. That reminds me, you'll meet my.... THE BLACKWELLS tomorrow."

Merry noticed what he called HIS FAMILY.

"Of course, I'll love to see them. Afterall, they have a son in my care."

Damon looked at her, displeased somehow.

"Don't look at me like that. You need my help...."

"Don't say all that to me." He snapped.

"Don't snap at me. Accept it. You-need-help...."

He seethed, furiously.

"....And you need to relax and eat up or I'll pack up and leave."

His grip tightened around his fork. Merry was pleased to see him angry.

"Be quiet." He warned.

Merry rose and went to seat opposite him.

"What happened, Damon? Or.... What's happening?"

Silence.

"Damon, I apologize for making you uncomfortable but.... I'm curious."

"You're making me feel uncomfortable."

She reached to touch his arm and he moved back.

Merry's forehead creased.

"I don't know anything. You're annoying, yes. I hate you, sure. But.... I can't just get paid and you lose the.... DARE. We're on the same team. No matter.... the past thing. The contract expects you to be of a good conduct and meet certain conditions on the 25th of December. It believes I can help you.... You picked me. But, how can I help if I don't know what I'm dealing with?"

He licked his lip and relaxed a little bit.

"It's clear to see." He began, angry. "I hate people. So much. Maybe you can make me look.... kind-hearted."

"Oh...."

Silence.

He spoke, calmly now. Dangerously.

"And don't you ever mention the past to me. Ever again. I hate everything about it."

"I wouldn't want to because I hate you back.... Too much...."

"And you burrowed in my arms last night, moaning and fragile?"

Merry paused, tongue-tied. She looked for something to say but Damon beat her to it.

"I know. You were doing your job."

"I truly wish we'd never met, Damon. You're selfish and wicked."

Something like pain crossed his face as he looked at his plate but he smiled dryly and resumed eating.

Merry did not like how this ended but she was happy to have hit him. Maybe.

****

****

Merry was nervous about meeting his parents. She wanted to look her best at the family dinner.

Samantha was in her room, giving ideas, clapping, making noise as usual. They were excited and scared at the same time.

Soon, Merry wore a green turtleneck that hugged her breasts and dark blue jeans that shaped her hips and long legs. She wrapped a grey scarf around her neck and slipped on a matching coat.

At 12:00pm, Samantha squealed.

"Girl, we nailed it. Casual enough for his parents. Sexy enough to turn Damon on."

"Sam, you're scaring me."

"Or you're simply scared of meeting the Blackwells."

"Yes. That."

"Merry!" Nicki, her younger sister, yelled from the hallway. "Your date is here."

"Lower your voice, Nicki...." Merry hissed. "Dad is sleeping."

She grabbed her purse, wore her heels, and rushed out. Nicki's eyes widened.

"Merry... you look so fucking hot."

Merry only rolled her eyes and walked with Samantha behind her.

"You're swearing again, Nicki."

Nicki blushed. "Merry, I'm nineteen now. Don't dodge my compliment."

"Thanks, little chicken."

Nicki curtsied and ran to join Samantha, who was already peeping through the front window.

Merry took a deep breath, steadying her shaking hands.

"Just sex," she reminded herself. "Just business with the motherfucker."

Damon waited in a simple car to avoid attention, but her neighbors still stared hard.

She opened the back door. Damon sat stiffly, avoiding her eyes.

"Hi." She greeted.

"Hi."

"Scoot in."

"There's enough space."

She leaned in, irritated. "You don't want people to see you, do you?"

Immediately, he pressed himself against the far end like getting noticed was dangerous. Merry almost laughed.

The drive was quiet except for when Damon snapped at his driver.

Soft music. Heavy silence.

****

****

The mansion screamed luxury. Valets took their coats. A doorman led them in.

"Hold my hand," Merry said.

He hesitated, then grabbed it, muttering a curse.

"Make it make sense," she whispered.

"Don't confuse this," he warned.

"Then play your role."

He pulled her close, jaw tight.

They entered the dining room-perfect, cold.

The Blackwell family waited.

Merry swallowed and smiled. "Hi."

Damon's grandmother brightened. "Welcome. Sit."

A sharp voice cut through the room.

"Is that a fiancée or a maid?" Damon's father asked.

"A cook," Damon replied, irritated.

Merry touched his arm. He eased.

Silence stretched.

"I apologize for the rough entry," Merry said.

A blonde woman spoke, disdainfully. "We'll be the ones speaking."

"Shut up when it's my business, Tracy Donovan," Damon snapped at her.

Emily reached for his arm but Merry's hand was already there.

"Stop," Damon muttered. "I'm not a child."

Osbourne Blackwell studied Merry. "Your name?"

"Merry Steele, sir."

"And your place in society?"

Damon snapped. "Question me, not her."

Osbourne's voice stayed cold. "We protect this family. Moderate status is safer. For the press."

"Fuck the press."

Merry's hand rose again. Damon glanced at her. "Don't."

Tension thickened.

"Do you use TikTok?" Emily, Damon's sister asked sweetly, sounding like Lydia from Teen Wolf.

Before Merry could answer, a fist hit the table.

"Enough!" Michael Donovan, Damon's step-grandfather, said.

Osbourne straightened. "We want unity. Order. And Damon Blackwell and his... fiancée must keep BlackByte strong. But there are concerns."

Merry's chest tightened.

Osbourne's gaze pinned her. "You are here by exception. Keep the contract private. Follow instructions. Help.... Damon. You'll be well compensated. Ruin our name, and there will be consequences."

She opened her mouthto speak.

"Merry," Damon cut in. "Don't."

Her eyes met Naomi's. Naomi sent her a soft smile.

"This is corporate," Osbourne continued. "He resistedthe offer, but he has no choice but choose you. When did you meet?"

"Years ago," Merry said.

"And the relationship?"

"It was... casual."

Damon ate without tasting it.

Osbourne studied her, unconvinced. "Weren't you the-"

He stopped.

Merry looked at Naomi but Naomi was looking at Tracy in some kind of way.

"Never mind. You're welcome. Do your part."

He turned to the table. "Let's eat and disperse. Thomas, Tristan, Julian, and Martin are not here, and it's a shame. Damon, we need to talk."

Damon's stepgrandmother, stepmom, sister, and aunt sipped tea at the stone table.

Damon, Michael, and Osbourne were talking inside.

Naomi was trying to keep things lively, but Emily kept huffing, snapping, and using her phone.

"I love that you smell so nice also, Merrilyn...." Naomi was saying when Emily interrupted.

"She doesn't really like Damon, does she? Just money. Free sex."

Merry paused, glass to her lip.

"Excuse me?"

"Come on, you think I don't know you...?"

"What...?"

"I seriously do not like you. All you whores fawning over my brother."

"Emily!" Naomi exclaimed while Tracy rolled her eyes.

Surprisingly, Merry smiled and sipped her wine before staring Emily back down, eye to eye.

"I don't need your liking, Miss Blackwell and I do not know you. Keep it that way. Don't play with me."

Emily looked defeated but she quipped.

"Too hard to like all you ladies who sleep with my brother, isn't it?"

Merry narrowed her eyes and smiled softly.

"Sounds like a personal issue."

A car door clicked in the driveway.

"That must be Thomas and Jacqueline." Naomi said, tense.

Moments later, Thomas appeared with his wife on his arm, toddlers toddling ahead-one clutching a stuffed reindeer, the other dragging a blanket and a drawing.

"Hi, everyone!" Jacqueline called, radiant in a simple, stylish dress, her California-mom glow effortless.

The women rose, exchanging hugs like a practised ritual.

"You all look lovely," Jacqueline said. "The garden looks especially beautiful today."

Thomas shook Merry's hand and hugged the older women.

The toddlers bolted toward the flowerbeds.

"Derek! Rosa! Don't pick anything!" Jacqueline warned without turning.

Thomas checked his watch. "We won't stay long. I have a call soon."

"And I need to finish my chapter before five," Jacqueline added with a playful roll of her eyes. "Deadlines don't care about Christmas."

Naomi chuckled. "You're still writing?"

"Trying," Jacqueline said, smoothing her hair. "Stop for a day, and I lose rhythm completely."

Merry blinked.

"A good life makes it easier to write, not harder."

Thomas gestured toward the house. "Let's say hi to Damon before he pretends he didn't see us."

"I should join him," Merry said, picking up her wine and meeting Emily's swickedeyes.

Across the garden, the toddlers raced ahead. Damon sat on the patio, laptop open, absorbed in work. Merry curled beside him, watching, studying.

The twins pounced first.

"Hi, UNCLE DAMON! LOOK WHAT WE MADE!"

Damon caught one mid-jump, still focused.

"Easy. I'm working."

Rosa tugged his sleeve, showing a scribbled drawing. Damon gave a tight, amused smile.

Jacqueline swooped in, patting his back. He nodded, then hugged Thomas.

"Okay, okay-let's give him space."

Jacqueline moved the kids smoothly. Merry hid a smile behind her glass.

Jacqueline leaned toward her. "Mind if I borrow you for a minute before we leave?"

"Sure."

They stepped into a quieter corner, sunlight filtered through vines and fairy lights.

"You smell lovely," Jacqueline said, grinning. "Perfect for this weather. And Merry? Your name fits the season. Very on-brand."

Merry blushed. "Thank you."

"Don't mind Emily," Jacqueline added with a wave. "Her mouth outruns her sense most days. Sweetheart... somewhere."

Merry giggled. "Thanks for the tip."

Jacqueline rested against a pergola post. "Heads-up-Damon doesn't like everyone. Especially Naomi. Don't read into his cold shoulders. He's... particular."

Merry nodded. "I'm only here for business."

Jacqueline studied her. "I used to be Thomas' assistant. Stoic men... they bring out something in women-not attraction, just instinct, nurture, patience."

Merry absorbed it.

"So what's Damon's problem?" she asked quietly.

Jacqueline's eyes softened. "Only he can talk about that. I hope he opens up. Nobody knows. But, don't pity him."

Merry frowned. "Is he... sick?"

Before Jacqueline could answer, a sharp voice cut through the garden:

"Merry Steele."

She spun. Damon stood a few steps behind, hands in his pockets, jaw tight. Cold.

"We're leaving," he said. "Sorry, Jacqueline."

Jacqueline gave her a reassuring smile. "Go on. We'll catch up some other time."

They walked back toward the women. Merry thanked them politely.

Naomi Blackwell surprised her with a soft hug.

"Wish you wonderful times, dear."

Merry blinked, smiling awkwardly. "Thanks, ma'am."

Emily scooped up her purse. "Quick date with the girls-heading out." She almost hugged Merry, they both froze and jumped back mid-motion, then hissed. "Fuck you."

Merry rolled her eyes. "Sure."

Emily winked and hurried off.

Damon stood apart, flat, cold impatience written across his face.

Merry cat-walked toward him. Behind her, Jacqueline called the kids, who ran up, hugged his legs, and planted tiny kisses. Damon ruffled their hair, barely softening.

Thomas whistled, and they ran off.

Damon strode ahead into the house. Merry followed.

"Stop glaring at me like I'm not allowed to say goodbye. It's embarrassing!"

No answer.

He kept walking-up the stairs, through silent halls lined with gold, portraits and holiday wreaths.

Merry stopped halfway, fuming. "I'm not moving until you-"

Damon turned, reaching her in two quick strides.

Then, his mouth was on hers before she could speak again. Hard, deep, hungry. Her back hit the wall. His hands caged her hips and caressed her breasts.

Damon was beginning to let her round breasts out of her sweater and bending over, ready to suckle.

Footsteps echoed faintly from the lower floors. Workers. Voices.

Panicked, she tried to push him, fighting away from the kiss.

A familiar kiss that her body had begun to ache for.

"Damon-stop.... Someone will...."

"Do you want it here? " he murmured against her lips, "or in my room?"

"Damon-!"

He didn't wait.

He lifted her effortlessly and carried her into the nearest room, kicking the door shut behind them.

Her heart pounded.

He set her on the bed like she weighed nothing.

His eyes looked troubled.

"You should stay focused on your work only," he growled calmly.

Merry pushed him back and got to her feet but his hand went around her throat, sitting her back on the bed.

"You don't own me." She whispered.

His kiss was rough, and Merry reciprocated.

Pushing and pulling him at the same time letting him pleasure her, letting him grip her wildly.

Clothes peeled off their bodies and soon they were tangled on the soft bed.

Merry tried to focus. Tried to not see images of them in the past. Tangled.

Damon moved inside her.

Hard. Fast.

Emotionlessly.

It was a worried sex. One that seemed like an exciting escape for Damon Blackwell.

When Merry's neck arched in her state of maddening, approaching orgasm, he kissed her throat and she lost it.

Her fingers dug into his shoulder. His grip on her wrist instinctively tightened, pinning her.

"Damon! Oh my god, I'm coming." She cried softly.

"Stay! That's it, Steele. Come for me." He growled.

She did.

His hands, breath, heat, the bed creaking beneath too much emotion packed into too small a space.

When it was over, the silence was heavier than before.

Damon pulled away first.

Merry lay there, chest rising, eyes open, already understanding what this had been.

Not closeness.

Escape.

"We need to leave."