Damien stared at me in complete silence for a few seconds before letting out a heavy sigh as he slowly turned his wheelchair toward the doors.
“Come on.”
I scrambled up from the armchair, hurrying around the desk to grab the handles of his wheelchair.
I guided the chair out of the study and pulled the door shut behind us.
As we neared the entrance, we passed the same maid from earlier.
Damien tilted his head slightly in her direction.
“Tell the kitchen to serve dinner.”
She instantly lowered her head, bowing respectfully.
“Right away, Young Master.”
Inside the dining room, I rolled Damien’s chair up to the head of the table, before taking the seat right across from him.
He leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.
“Is there a specific reason you wanted to eat with me?”
”Huh?
No,” I blinked, resting my chin on my hands.
“Why?”
”…You didn’t strike me as someone who would go out of their way to do this.”
It made sense.
Eliana’s bitter insecurity from being constantly bullied by her family had always made her lash out at everyone around her, and Damien had been her main target simply because of his disability.
I rubbed the back of my neck, letting out an awkward chuckle.
“Well, I guess nearly dying changes a person’s perspective on things, you know?”
Before he could even respond, the doors opened and servants filed in carrying silver trays and setting down plates lined with seared steak, roasted garlic vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes.
Picking up my fork, I cut off a piece of meat.
“So, I have an audition tomorrow.”
Damien paused, his fork hovering above his plate.
“An audition?”
”Yep.”
”What kind?”
I took another bite, chewing quickly.
“A commercial shoot for Mireille Beauty.
I doubt you’ve heard of them—they aren’t really popular among old men.”
Damien’s fork clinked against his plate.
“Old?”
”What?”
”Did you just call me old?” He leaned forward, a dangerous glint flashing through his eyes.
“Would you like me to show you just how young I am?”
I waved my hands frantically in front of my face.
Slip of the tongue!
I meant to say young, handsome men!”
Damien let out a low “Hmph!” and adjusted his cuffs.
“That’s better.”
A sudden laugh burst out of me, but I choked mid-giggle, breaking into a fit of violent coughing.
Damien reached across the small space between us, pushing a tall glass of ice water toward my hand.
“Here.
Drink.”
I downed the glass, taking a deep breath to settle my throat.
“Thanks.
Anyway, the audition is at 10 AM.
Since we’re pretty far out from the city center, do you mind dropping me off, or…”
“I have early morning meetings tomorrow,” Damien cut in smoothly.
“However, I will arrange a driver for you.
I will also have a talent manager accompany you.”
I blinked in surprise.
“A manager?
I don’t need one of those.”
”You do,” Damien said, cutting into his steak.
“The entertainment industry is ruthless.
You need someone experienced so you don’t get taken advantage of.”
Ruthless?
I almost snorted.
I had spent seventeen exhausting years navigating that exact industry in my past life.
But I kept my thoughts to myself, simply shrugging.
“Alright, if you insist.”
Dinner wrapped up shortly after, and we both returned to our bedroom.
I slid onto my side of the massive king-sized bed, sitting awkwardly on the edge, feeling heat flush straight to my ears.
[Dear Host, if you do not relax, you will look exhausted for your audition tomorrow.]
Easy for you to say!
I’ve never shared a bed with a man before!
I snapped my head around as Damien pulled up to the mattress.
need help getting up?”
Damien shook his head, using his upper body to smoothly maneuver himself off the seat and onto the bed.
“No.
And you can relax—I’m not going to bite, unless you want me to.”
My face flushed hotter, and I whipped around to glare at him.
“I am relaxed!
Completely relaxed!”
Damien let out a sigh, closing his eyes as he rested his head against the pillow.
“Just go to sleep, Eliana.”
I stared at him for a few seconds before finally shutting my eyes and letting sleep take over.
When I opened my eyes the next morning, Damien was long gone and the space beside me was empty and cold.
I glanced at the clock on the wall, it was already 8:00 AM.
I scrambled out of bed, heading straight into the adjoining bathroom to take a quick shower.
It wasn’t until I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around myself that I realized a minor flaw in my plan: I didn’t own a single piece of clothing in this house.
Wrapping a white bathrobe tightly around my waist, I cracked the bedroom door open to peek outside.
Luckily, a maid was already walking down the hallway carrying a large, ribboned box.
She startled slightly when she saw me peeking out, then hurried her steps, holding the box out with both hands.
“Good morning, Mrs.
Blackwood.
The Young Master asked me to deliver these to you.
He mentioned that if it is not to your liking, he will provide a card for your personal shopping later today.”
“I see…Thank you.” I said carefully taking the box from her.
She offered a polite bow and stepped back down the hall.
I closed the door, carried the box over to the bed, and pulled off the lid.
A soft gasp escaped my mouth as I saw what was inside the box.
The box was packed with high-end designer labels and couture outfits.
After searching through the fabrics, I pulled out a white off-the-shoulder mini dress.
It was stylish without being overly flashy.
I pulled it on, accentuating my waist with a wide black leather belt, and paired it with black thigh-high boots and then picked up a small white leather handbag.
After touching up my hair and checking my reflection for the umpteenth time in the mirror, I grabbed my bag and walked out.
Down in the main foyer, Butler Thomas stood waiting near the entrance.
He bowed respectfully as I approached.
“Good morning, Young Madam.
The car and driver are already waiting outside, but there is someone you must meet first.”
I paused, raising an eyebrow.
“Who?”