Chapter 49
Worth The Risk?
Elena
My heart thudded erratically as I followed behind Damien and got into the car. I sure hoped I was doing the right thing, I thought, staring out the window.
"It's so pretty," Lily's eyes were bright like fireflies as she stared around at the sleek interior of the car. I didn't have any reaction, I'd expect nothing less from the CEO of a company.
"Yes," Damien smiled, his eyes reaching mine but he didn't say a word. He put the car in drive and slowly reversed, before driving out of the parking lot.
I glanced at Jenna's car that I'd left parked in the corner, silently wondering how many tickets it'd accumulate by the time I was back.
Damien drove on in silence, the air filled with unspoken thoughts. I silently noted his tensed expression that he'd hidden very well, something was up.
"So…" I broke the silence, keeping my gaze focused straight ahead. "What's going on?"
"Not here Elena," Damien didn't glance in my direction, his gaze also fixed ahead. Lily was gleefully fiddling with some small toys she'd found hanging from the rearview mirror.
'Not here? Then where?' I wondered, frustration biting at me. I hated not having things under my control, and not knowing what was going on made me feel out of control.
Damien paid no heed to my worsening expression and he drove on, heading into the city.
He slowed down and drove into a parking lot about half an hour later. My expression became worse when I read the signpost.
'Craving Delicacies Pavilion'
What were we doing here? Of all places to come to, Damien just had to pick a restaurant. I made grumbling noises in my throat and I stepped out of the car with Lily in my arms, she was half asleep from the long drive.
"Come on in," Damien led the way, walking in with confidence. The interior of the restaurant was elegant, with dim warm lights that illuminated the surroundings.
To my surprise the restaurant was empty, but Damien didn't look surprised, he continued walking deeper inside, heading towards a door.
'To follow or not to follow?' The thought lingered in my mind for a split second and I hesitated. Everything just felt off, but the thought of Damien's text moved me.
I could take risks with anything but I couldn't take risks with Lily, I'd hear what he had to say first I decided internally, moving forward to follow him.
Damien led me down a flight of stairs before leading me into a brightly lit office. My heart skipped a beat when I caught sight of a huge towering man who was already waiting in the office.
"Were we followed Priest?" Damien asked, taking a seat behind the desk.
"No," the man called Priest shook his head, "No tails."
"What's going on?" I asked, my heart fluttering with alarm as I glanced between the two of them.
"It's—" Damien paused for a moment before he glanced at Priest. He took the cue and walked out, closing the door behind him, I slowly released the breath I'd been holding. The man was too frightening.
"What exactly is going on?" I asked, trying hard to keep my voice from trembling. "What happened?" It could not be clearer to me that something had happened, and it had to do with me.
Damien's expression was blank and he remained silent for a moment, carefully choosing his words.
"You're being targeted by someone. I managed to intercept the person before he got to you…" Damien paused, the air in the room suddenly still.
"As for the reason or person behind this and their intentions… I haven't found out yet."
"What!" Damien's words set off an explosion in my head and for a moment all I could do was stare. Someone was after me? Damien couldn't find out who it was.
My mind went blank for a moment and I felt like I'd been lowered into a cold cell.
"No," I shook my head, waves of panic crashing into me "It can't be possible, it can't!" My voice was barely above a whisper.
Damien frowned, "I'm sorry Elena," he sighed. "But it's the truth, Priest here intervened or else—" Damien trailed off and I shivered violently, I didn't dare imagine the consequences.
But who could be behind this? I wondered, thoughts swirling in my mind. I didn't think I was important to anyone to warrant such an action so I was puzzled.
"I've decided," Damien's words cut through my thoughts. "I'll make arrangements for your safety until I can resolve all this," his eyes held mine squarely.
I swallowed, my heart fluttering with emotions. I couldn't even arrange my thoughts. The thought of being secretly followed weighed heavily on my mind, I couldn't even form any solutions in my head.
What was I going to do? What could I even do about it? I smiled bitterly.
"I—" I opened my mouth to speak but tears flooded my eyes and streamed down my face. I couldn't help but feel so helpless and insecure.
My body was shaking with sobs when I felt two arms cover me, offering support and I could perceive the scent of Damien's warm cologne.
"You don't need to worry about anything," he whispered, his words reassuring me. "I'll take care of everything. Just… trust me."
Trust? Could I really trust Damien? That was the million-dollar question.
But looking into his clear eyes I found my doubts wavering, I could trust him. It wasn't a thought, just a gut feeling.
But if I didn't trust him, what other choice did I have? I secretly smiled bitterly. I would be helpless, it was okay if it was just me alone but I had to think of Lily.
Jenna's question suddenly echoed in my head; "What do you want to do now, Elena?... You've been home for days, what's your plan?"
Plan? What plan? I shook my head, silently leaning into Damien's arms.
Could I take the risk? The risk that Damien could keep us safe? But even as I asked myself the question I knew, I didn't have a choice.