Damien sat in his sleek office, the city lights twinkling beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The evening had settled in, and yet his mind was nowhere near ready to rest. It wasn't the business deals that were weighing on him—the new expansion projects, the upcoming financial projections, or even the new acquisitions he had to manage for Lu Group. No, tonight, it was something far more personal.
It was Liyana.
The engagement.
He could barely focus on his phone as he stared at the text message from her.
"I'm sorry, Damien. I won't be able to meet you tonight. There's still too much to finish here. I'll make it up to you soon."
The words hit him harder than he'd anticipated. He had wanted to talk to her, to figure out exactly where they stood with this whole engagement mess. He couldn't ignore the way the rumors had been spinning out of control, how their families had gotten so wrapped up in it, and how everyone was waiting for a confirmation from them both. He knew this wasn't something they could keep quiet about, especially with the pressure mounting from both sides.
But Liyana… she was always so composed. So controlled. He couldn't help but admire that about her. She was like a force of nature—a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and made sure the world around her saw that strength. But that didn't mean he was going to sit back and let this engagement fizzle out before it even began.
Damien gripped his phone, his mind racing as he thought about their last conversation. She had said she wanted to focus on her business. He respected that—hell, he admired her dedication—but something gnawed at him. He couldn't stop seeing her as more than just the CEO of Celeste. She was more than that. She was a woman, his woman, even if she hadn't fully realized it yet.
He had to get answers. He had to meet her, talk to her, clear the air. They both knew they couldn't ignore what was happening between them. He didn't want another woman in her place—hell, he couldn't even imagine it. His mind flashed to the countless moments he had spent around her. The way she looked at him when they talked, the subtle tension that had always hung between them. It was undeniable. She felt it too.
He typed out a message to her, this time with more determination.
"We need to talk about the engagement party. When can we meet? This can't keep going on like this."
As soon as he hit send, he leaned back in his chair, fingers running through his dark hair. It was then that a thought crossed his mind. Maybe she'd been avoiding him because she wasn't ready to face the truth of their situation. She was always so strong, so guarded, but he could see through that. He knew her, perhaps better than she knew herself.
The reply came almost immediately, and Damien's stomach dropped when he saw her words.
"I'm going to pull an all-nighter here at the office. I have a lot to get through."
Damien let out a frustrated sigh, the tension in his chest tightening. There was no stopping her. Liyana was relentless. He admired that, too, but tonight, he needed her to stop. He needed her to face the reality of their engagement, of their future.
He texted her again.
"Where are you? When will you be leaving the office?"
A few moments passed before her response came through.
"I'll be here for a while longer. It's going to be a late one."
Damien's jaw tightened. He couldn't let her do this alone—not tonight, not when the weight of everything between them was so damn heavy. His mind was set.
His gaze flickered to the clock. He had a few hours before it was too late. He knew she wouldn't turn him away if he showed up. She never had before, and tonight, he wouldn't let her.
Without another thought, he grabbed his coat and his keys. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. He was going to go to her, see her again, and maybe—just maybe—he would be able to talk her into facing what was inevitable. What they both needed.
He made a call to the restaurant, ordering her favorite meal. The rich aroma of truffle oil, perfectly seared steak, and delicate desserts would be waiting for them when he arrived. He wasn't about to show up empty-handed, not when he was about to confront everything between them.
The car ride was quick, the city lights blurring past as his thoughts spiraled back to Liyana. What would she say? Would she push him away again, or would she finally face the reality of their engagement? He couldn't predict her next move, but he knew one thing for sure.
He couldn't wait any longer.
By the time he arrived at the Celeste building, it was late. He parked the car, took the takeout bags from the passenger seat, and made his way to the entrance. His mind was focused, but there was a flutter of uncertainty deep in his chest.
Tonight, everything could change.
He stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for Liyana's floor.
The door slid closed with a soft chime, and Damien took a breath, preparing himself for whatever came next. He would finally confront Liyana—and whether she was ready or not, they would face this engagement, this connection, and whatever future awaited them.
As the elevator rose, he couldn't help but think that, in the end, it was just the two of them, and nothing could stand in the way of that.