I needed to make a decision quickly, but my brain was not working properly. The stress of my current situation was making my head hurt.
My stomach also growled at that exact moment, reminding me that I had not eaten in about 24 hours or even more. My energy levels were at an all-time low.
Damian let out a sigh as he looked at me before he grabbed me.
I braced myself to get handled roughly, but contrary to my belief, Damian did not treat me harshly.
Rather, he pulled me up gently and supported me out. And when it looked like my legs were about to give up due to lack of energy, he pulled me into his arms and picked me up.
For a brief moment, his eyes lingered on my face — not with pity, but with something conflicted, as if seeing me this weak bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
"Make sure you clear this place up. Looking at the low-life running this place leaves my mouth with a sour taste."
Damian’s voice was cold when he addressed his subordinates. I wanted to take a look at what was happening as well, but Damian pushed my head back down.
He looked as surprised at his actions as I was. But he did not give me an explanation for his actions.
His hand hesitated on the back of my head, as if realizing too late how instinctive the gesture had been.
Once we reached his car, Damian threw my body on the back seat, and the seat bounced under my weight. Before I could get comfortable, he entered inside as well.
His car was one of the rich models that were made for luxury and security. It must have cost Damian a few hundred dollars. And yet, for such a costly car, it was not practical.
It barely had any room for two people to sit comfortably, and my arm kept brushing up against Damian’s own.
Every time our arms touched, his breath would hitch — barely noticeable, but not accidental.
He must have been getting annoyed by our constant touching as well because he kept rubbing his arm, and his fist also kept clenching and unclenching.
His jaw tightened, like he was irritated not at me, but at himself.
I bided my time, and once I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be immediately thrown out of the car, I decided to speak up.
"Why did you buy me? What do you want from me? If you intend to use me, then you are out of luck. But if you give me some time, then I can find a way to repay you."
Damian’s brow raised as he heard my offer.
His gaze dipped to my lips for a fraction of a second before he forced it back up, expression sharpening.
"You want to pay me back? How do you expect to earn 500 million on your own? Are you going to sell your body? Won’t that be an insult to me after I spent money to buy you? Just take my gratitude and forget about repayment."
It was easy for Damian to say these words. He was not the one who was burdened with debt.
The businesswoman inside me cringed at the thought of owing anyone anything. So I wanted to pay Damian back, if only for the sake of my pride.
"I am not going to sell myself. Nor will I do anything illegal and get caught for it. Or, would you rather have me do something for you? I am sure my face will come in handy..."
I was not ignorant. This new body had the same face as my old one, and there were many people who would show interest in me. If I or someone else used my face in the right way, then they could get a lot of advantage.
That was why I offered for Damian to make use of me.
But he only frowned as he looked at me with a complex expression. I could not read his expression until the end.
His fingers curled slightly against the seat, as if restraining himself from reaching toward me.
Damian opened his mouth, and I looked in anticipation, wanting to know what he would say.
But when he did speak up, he did not tell me what I wanted to hear.
"Don’t be ridiculous. Just because you have Jenna Harvour’s face does not mean you are her. It will be better for you to let go of your ridiculous thoughts and instead focus on living an honest life. If you are still unsure, then I will even give you a job to help repay your debt to me."
That offer was more than generous, and anyone other than me would have jumped at that chance.
However, that offer only annoyed me more than I expected. I could see my chance to have my revenge slipping away.
’No way! Damian is my only way to get back at my family. If I don’t make use of him, then who knows how many years it will take me to even reach my family?’
Damian was not only a way into high society for me, but he was also protection. Without someone backing me up, I would be crushed before I even got anywhere close to my previous life.
Unfortunately, I could not bring any of that up before Damian drove me to a coffee shop. He opened the door for me to get out and even extended his hand toward me.
"This is the place you can work at until you are ready to move on with your life. Come, I will introduce you to the staff in here."
Damian told me as he led me inside the store.
A dozen or so eyes immediately turned to look at me and Damian. I could read anger, annoyance, shock, jealousy, and so much more as Damian walked me inside. Our hands were still glued together, and I tugged at our connection unconsciously.
Damian tightened his grip for a heartbeat, as if unwilling to let go, before he forced himself to release me.
That brought Damian’s attention to our clasped hands as well, and he coughed to hide his embarrassment before he quickly let my hand go.
"Manager, this is Jenna Lorance, and she will be working here starting today. Make sure you treat her right and keep her safe."
Damian ordered the female manager, and the manager gave Damian a love-struck smile.
"Of course, boss. I will do whatever you tell me."
Then she turned to look at me, and her expression melted into one of annoyance and jealousy.
Damian either did not notice or did not care. He turned to pat my head before he pulled back.
His hand paused a second longer than necessary on my hair, his gaze softening before he shut it down again.
"Take care of yourself and work hard. I will keep an eye on you, so don’t worry about debt collectors coming after you. I shall take my leave now."
Damian told me before he left me in the den filled with vultures.
"So, you are our new hire? Then why don’t we get you started from the bottom? I am sure there is a lot you need to learn here."
The manager told me, and one look around the shop told me that I had no friends here.