Damian sat in his study, staring out the large window that overlooked the sprawling estate. His mind was heavy, thoughts of Aurora and the mess his life had become swirling in his head. The soft hum of his phone vibrating on the desk pulled him from his thoughts.
He grabbed it, glancing at the screen before answering. It was one of his senior business partners, Marco.
“What is it?” Damian said, his voice cold.
“Damian!” Marco’s cheerful tone grated on his nerves. “We’ve got news. The board members are arriving in town next week. They want a proper welcome.”
Damian’s grip on the phone tightened. “I’m not in the mood for parties, Marco,” he said sharply. “Find someone else to entertain them.”
Marco chuckled lightly, unfazed by Damian’s tone. “You know it’s not that simple, Damian. These are important people. They expect something grand, something memorable. It’s good for business, you know that.”
“I said I’m not in the mood,” Damian repeated, his voice lower now, a warning.
But Marco wasn’t giving up. “Damian, listen to me,” he said seriously. “If you don’t handle this, it’ll look bad. These people are watching you. A simple dinner won’t cut it. They want a party, and they’re asking for… entertainment.”
Damian frowned. “Entertainment?”
“Yes,” Marco said. “Brothel girls. You know, something to keep the night exciting. Just think about it. They’ll expect it.”
Damian let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Fine,” he said after a long pause. “I’ll arrange it. But this better be worth it, Marco.”
“It will be,” Marco assured him. “Trust me.”
After the call ended, Damian sat back in his , his jaw tight. The last thing he wanted was to host a party, especially now. But he knew Marco was right. Business came first.
He pressed the intercom on his desk, calling for the head maid. Moments later, she entered, her posture straight and professional.
“Sir,” she said, bowing slightly.
“We’re hosting a party,” Damian said bluntly. “Prepare the house. I want everything spotless. Arrange for the cooks to prepare a variety of meals-no mistakes.”
“Yes, sir,” the maid replied.
“And find entertainment,” he added, his tone sharp. “Marco’s people requested… brothel girls for the evening.”
The maid’s face remained neutral, though her eyes flickered with discomfort. “Understood, sir,” she said before leaving the room quickly.
As the maids and staff bustled about the house, preparing for the grand event, Luna worked quietly in the kitchen. She was arranging trays of fruits when she saw Damian walk past the doorway. Her heart raced.
She hesitated for a moment, her hands trembling slightly. Then, taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the hallway and bowed low.
“Sir,” she said softly, her voice filled with respect.
Damian stopped, turning to look at her. His sharp eyes softened slightly when they landed on her. “What is it, Luna?” he asked, his tone surprisingly calm.
“I was wondering…” she began, her hands clasped in front of her. “If I may have a moment of your time.”
Damian raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “You want to speak to me?”
“Yes, sir,” Luna said, nodding quickly. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
For a moment, Luna thought he would dismiss her. She expected him to wave her off, to tell her he was too busy. But instead, he nodded.
“Speak,” he said simply.
Luna’s heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her voice steady. “It’s about Miss Aurora,” she said, glancing down at the floor. “I know it’s not my place to ask, but… I’d like to visit her. If you’ll allow it.”
Damian’s expression didn’t change. He stared at her for a long moment, his silence making her stomach twist with nerves.
Finally, he spoke. “Why do you want to visit her?”
Luna lifted her gaze slightly, meeting his eyes. “Because she means a lot to me,” she said honestly. “Miss Aurora has always been kind to me. She’s like a sister. I just want to see her, to make sure she’s okay.”
Damian’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes studying her carefully. Then, to her surprise, he smiled-a warm, genuine smile that softened his entire face.
“Once the party is over,” he said, his voice quiet but kind, “I’ll take you to see her.”
Luna’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. “Really?” she whispered, her voice filled with hope.
“Yes,” Damian said with a small nod. “But until then, focus on your work. I want everything perfect for tonight.”
“Thank you, sir,” Luna said, bowing deeply. “Thank you so much.”
As Luna returned to the kitchen, her chest felt lighter. She couldn’t believe Damian had agreed. She hadn’t expected him to say yes, let alone smile at her.
Meanwhile, Damian walked down the hallway, his mind briefly drifting to Aurora. The thought of her lying in that hospital bed made his chest tighten. But he pushed the feeling aside. There was work to do.
Unbeknownst to him, Lina was watching from the shadows, her eyes narrowing as she saw the brief interaction between Damian and Luna. Her lips curled into a sly smile as she turned and walked away.
“Perfect,” she murmured to herself. “Everything is falling into place.”