Next morning.
Zara wasn't used to doubt.
She built her life on precision, measured decisions, sharp moves, and never letting emotions cloud the next play.
But after last night?... Everything felt like fog, messy and it's frustrating.
She sat at Damian's kitchen counter, wearing his oversized black shirt and nothing else, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands and a storm behind her eyes. she looks exhausted and the coffee wasn't the best option at that time but she needed it. she needed to stay active for the day.
sighing she went upstairs
---
Damian was dressed and on the phone, pacing by the window. His voice was sharp, clipped.
"Shut it down," he said. "All of it. I don't care what it costs. I want that photo erased from every corner of the goddamn internet."
she walked into the room, a meaningful distance away from the door when she heard him... Every single word... her brow's farrowed
What was he hiding? and why is he covering up traces?... she turned to leave obviously not in the mood to confront him...
---
When he ended the call, Damian looked at her... she was already halfway to the door.
"You shouldn't have gone to the docks alone," he said. Making her stop in her track's.
"You shouldn't have given me a reason to." she said back not turning to look at him.
He crossed his arms, tension in every line of his body. "I told you the truth."
"No," she said. "You told me your version of it." still not looking back at him
A pause.
Then Damian walked to her, and looked her dead in the eye.
"I've done things I'm not proud of, and I somewhat regret it " he said. "But, everything I've done was to protect what matters."
Zara averted her gaze. "And what's that exactly? let me even ask, do I matter to you?"
The question hanged in the air
He didn't answer.
And that hurt more than anything.
She left not saying anything else.
---
11:23 A.M. -Wolfe International Headquarters
The world didn't slow down just because her heart did.
She walked into the building dressed in full CEO armor, black suit, red heels, a mouth painted to kill. The elevator doors closed, and she inhaled like she was about to walk into war.
And in a way, she was.
Because as soon as she reached the top floor, Bridget was waiting for her in her office.
"ma'am" she said, wide-eyed. "Have you seen this?"
what's... before she could finish, Bridget shoved a tablet into her hands.
Zara stared at the screen. Shocked.
Headline:
~Zara Lancaster and Damian Wolfe: Strategic Partnership or Scandalous Affair?
A photo was attached:
Her and Damian from two nights ago, leaving the Conrad Benefit hand-in-hand, followed by the grainy security cam still of her at the Queens docks.
"Oh no" she muttered.
"Oh yes," Bridget said back. "Someone's feeding the press, and it's not us."
Zara's pulse thudded in her ears.
"This damages both brands," Bridget continued. "If investors get spooked, your merger could tank."
Zara snapped the tablet shut.
"I'll handle it."
Bridget raised a brow. "How? By throwing a press conference or throwing him under the bus?"
Zara walked past her. "Whichever one saves my company "I'm not going to let Damian's lies ruin my hard work. with that said she walked out the office.
---
Damian's Office.
She didn't knock. she stormed in looking furious.
He looked up as she barged in.
"You leaked the damned photo," are you that eager to ward me off from unveiling more secrets? she asked.
Damian tossed the file in his hands down. "If I wanted to burn "us", you to be precise I wouldn't do it that sloppily."
so?.. she raised a brow.
He didn't speak and that infuriated her more
"Someone's obviously coming for you," Zara said. "And now they're dragging me down with you."
Damian's jaw ticked. "I know."
She blinked. "Oh you do?"
He didn't respond just turned his screen around. A private message thread with an anonymous sender.
~Anonymous: One body isn't the only secret you've buried. Want to keep Zara out of it? Step down. Tonight. Publicly.
Zara stared at the message, blood going cold. obviously not expecting the turns of events.
"This isn't just blackmail," she whispered. Every trace of anger now gone. "It's personal."
Damian leaned back in his chair, dark eyes unreadable. "Someone's targeting us. Together."
She swallowed. "Then give them what they want. Step down. Clear your name,And pull me out of this mess".
"I'd rather burn the boardroom to the ground," he said. "And take them with me."
Her throat tightened. She knew her decision was selfish but still.
"Damian…"
He stood, walked to her, and rested his hands on her hips. "This doesn't end unless we end it. Together."
The way he said the "we" melted something inside her she didn't know was still frozen.
---
7:00 P.M. -The Gala
It was supposed to be a celebration.
Wolfe International was sponsoring the Midtown Innovation Fund's black-tie gala. Cameras. Donors. Rivals. Sharks in designer tuxedos all present.
Zara hadn't planned on going. She wasn't the type to show public affection. But showing up together was part of the contract.
And after this morning's headlines, the world would be watching her every move.. harder than ever.
She stepped out of the car in a red velvet dress that hugged her like a second skin bringing out her magnificent curve, the slit of the dress tore high up into her thighs making her look dangerously sexy. she hadn't planned on going doesn't mean she won't dress to kill... if she's going down she have to look sexy while doing it.
Damian stood beside the limo, he wore a black suit, the first two buttons of his inner undone, tie abandoned. making him look sinfully appealing to the eyes. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, the chaos faded. replaced with nothing but pure desire.
"Ready"?
"Yes"
With that he took her hands and they walked the red carpet together, flashes exploding around them like landmines.
"Smile," he murmured at her side.
She did.
But only because the world expected her to.