er, casting shade over lounge chairs and tables set with citrus cocktails

h his expressionless face. Lena followed, she walked gracefully, he

sideways

wander o

someone passing by) "Maybe try

down enough for them to get

bar beside the pool, holding their glasses filled w

ou are. Thought you might've sli

keep her where I can see

aces his hand on Lena's waist again.

making him look surprisingly tolerab

rushed her fingers ove

leries. I also paint, mostly abstract portraits. And I

en turned his eyes toward her, a little impre

te. You're lucky, Wolf

t." Damien r

oesn't sound l

-brimmed hat lean

good. You carry yourself like

st good at preten

beside her. Lena notice

ency, boardroom shifts, but Lena drifts slightly, eyes scanning the po

ch my legs." she sa

ow and firm) "D

re you can see me."

. People glance at her, admiring. But it's Damien's gaze tha

r from earlier, raises a glass in her direction, smi

too and clen

hear. His eyes are still on Lena, the woman he hired to be silent

he party began, Damien feels l

*

sipping something light with citrus while

ybe an assistant or a silent observer, gives her a small

ce neve

I was starting to think your boy

n. She simply sm

think he

already asked me about you. Damien usually brings women who.

e upgraded." L

s about to pay off for e

his eyes but also calculation. Not as sharp a

art trying to collect

't afraid to show they have minds

how rebellions

rs happen." Miles s

while and all of a sudden she felt lik

n app

ry, but there's a certain aura in

up to Lena, ignori

r his breath)

ng his tone)

uttered quie

cond, and sighed then plac

Miles with a

y ca

firecracker." Mile

ivate corner of the terrace, a little covered b

like I'm some prop that wander

staring h

drawing

, remember? Or did you want me to stand in a corner until someo

with you." Dami

aning in

ending I didn't ex

ys nothing. Jus

because she feels that strange heat again. That

eone real. Either deal with it, or next ti

way with her back strai

t follow her

at her like the plan is actually hers, a

*

hed through the center of the room and were covered with black silk and gold-lined l

place. Lena walks slightly behind him, elegant in a backless emerald green dre

amien's right is Charles Holloway, the host and on Lena's l

Anderson. Glad you could finally join

s it." Damien re

ows how to turn on her cha

eyed woman

hen you're not keeping

zz and soul, sometimes a little or

genuinely

ou didn't say

." Damien said, ba

doesn't fade

an spoke again as

at takes control. You must enjo

ed it." Lena said wi

smiles. Charles chuckles and r

t spirit. I

k as if none of this matters. But Lena knows be

lk again: tech investments, supply chains, international banking. Lena

're not in the corporate world, but what's your take on the way arti

her glass

ation when the wrong people control the frame. But

ves through the table. The in

t's a quote if I'

he said nothing again. But Lena felt the shift. She is get

n) "She's clever. More

is eyes fixed on his wine) "She's

than she expected. Her smile remain

string quartet starts in th

toward Damien, her voic

role. But you haven't

s head and said

't nee

w looking

nding, but only one of