e to throw it across the jet. The stone was elegant, flawless, and undoubtedly expensi

lance, absorbed in his tablet as if they weren't flyin

this and given herself three months to endure it, r

" Damien remarked

im a glare. "I

. "You do when yo

hing her fingers from the ar

s piercing grey eyes locking

," she c

r do you enjoy watching your name

cheek. "Why is this man always

moment that their 'engagement' leaked,

flooded social media. Some praised the match, calling them Hollywood's ultimate powe

least, and going to Paris was th

fficial public appearance as a couple. It was the kind of elite affair where the world's most powerful pe

Fine," she said, lifting her chin. "But if we're doi

sed an eye

no over-the-top theatrics. We

hing unreadable. "And if I d

rules. He always had. If he decided that a grand public displ

e, refusing to back

but after a tense pause, he

her was very unsettling. It was as if he was waiting for her

d into light, with cameras flashing, reporters shouting, and

nt because this time, she wasn't just Celeste Laurent, an award-w

forced. He exuded effortless control as he led her onto the red carpet, hi

ulders. She had to remember that she was a

They paused at the entrance of the grand ballroom, a sea of power player

the world we

n murmured in her ear. "We

, but she resisted the urge

en light over the glittering affair. Music played soft

lk of the city," a

Moreau, French actress, model,

r years ago with Damien, it was brief

ainted lips curved into a knowing

ien greeted, h

expression laced with amusement. "You're

d coolly. "It

hat a woman like you would settle down with someone lik

ks. She was baiting her. Tryin

ad played thi

ding along his lapel in an effortless display

t Celeste felt the sub

r hand to his lips, pressing a slow

action of a second before she la

ng a trail of perfume and

ly withdrawing her hand.

red with something u

elf on the dance floor, Damien's

soft melody of the orchestra dro

teady, but she was hyper-

Vanessa well,

ed. "I've dea

. "I don't

n every step. Each step was dangerous. It was too easy to fa

"How long do we ha

ed slightly on her waist

llenge." she thought as she stared into his stor

se. Something that terrified her, and for a momen

e. That beneath the cold calculations and

out before, i