n. Aria's thoughts, as chaotic and jumbled as they were, seemed to echo within her own mind, but she couldn't escape them. The scent of his cologne stil

that ev

he could feel her heart beating in her throat, the quiet thud of her pulse the only sound she could

that was loud or flashy. No, it was understated-refined. Everything screamed money, but in a quiet, almost dangerous way. Dark wood paneling lined the walls, and soft

n there

d yet, some part of her couldn't stop being curious. Her breath was shallow

nder the soft lighting. Her pulse quickened as she approached, the anticipation thick in the air. Damia

tense, but there was something softer behind it, something that made her wonder if the man stand

room before him, he

, surrounded by shelves filled with books and artifacts from around the world. On the wall behind him hung a painting that was both beautiful and haunting-vivid re

grazing the smooth surface, as thoug

oice smooth as silk. "Ta

wore like a second skin. She sat down, the chair too comfortable, too soft for someone like her. She shifted uncomfortably, trying

hy you're here," he said fina

voice steadier than she felt. "I do

le. "I suppose I owe you an explanation.

p, meeting hi

Aria?" His question was s

ing it for a moment. "Fate?" She scoffed, the bitterness in her voice st

sponse. Then, with a quiet chuckle, he nodded. "I figured you'd say that. You s

of believing in things like fate," she sai

gh he understood her bitterness-perhaps even respected it. Damia

You think I'm just some rich businessman who's used to getting whatever he wants. You think that I

e had thought he was just playing a game, using his power to manipulate people in

hifting to the window, where the city stretched out bef

ge, but there was something vulnerab

me," she said, though her voi

g not entirely guarded. "I know enough to know that you're not like the others. You're not like th

ugh she was seen, really seen, for the first time in a long time. And yet, part of her hated the way it m

Damian," she said, the wor

nwavering. "And yet, here you are. Why? Because you're curious. Because you want

n stood up suddenly, walking over to the wi

think, in time, you will. And when that happens.

mix of frustration and confusion swirl in her chest. She didn't know why she was still here, di

could do was stay.