Chapter 10
DAMIEN
I barely slept that night. I kept replaying everything–Cia’s drunk ramblings, the way she clung to me like I was the only person in the world who could chase off her imaginary monster. And worst of all, the damn kiss. I kept seeing her face… soft, like she trusted me more than I deserved.
Who knew the woman I’d seen rule boardrooms with spreadsheets and confidence could look so… unguarded?
I should’ve been annoyed. Maybe even disgusted by the unprofessional behavior. But no–I’d caught myself smiling like an idiot.
When my alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., I dragged myself into the shower. Big meeting at six. No room for distractions.
I figured Cia wouldn’t make it. She’d probably be curled up regretting every choice that led to last night’s tequila moment.
So, imagine my surprise when a knock came at my door–and there she stood.
Peach dress. Neatly done hair. Lipstick subtle, heels sharp. Like nothing had happened.
“Good morning, Sir,” she said, voice polite. “I’m sorry about last night. I don’t remember everything, but judging by the way I woke up still wearing my work clothes and the fact that I have no memory of how I got to my room -I’m guessing I embarrassed myself. Or worse, you.”
I blinked. Was this the same woman who told me a monster was hiding in her hotel room?
“I just came to apologize… and let you know I’m ready for the meeting,” she added with a confident smile.
I stared at her. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You were three sheets to the wind last night. You shouldn’t even be able to speak without a headache.”
She shrugged like it was no big deal. “Yeah, well… fun fact–I’ve never had a hangover. I don’t know why. I can get tipsy sometimes, but the next morning? Nothing.”
“That’s not medically possible,” I muttered.
She smirked. “Guess I’m the exception to a lot of rules.”
I tried not to smile. She was dangerous. I needed to focus.
“Alright,” I said, grabbing my tablet and phone. “Let’s head out.”
9:50 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 10
We walked toward the elevator. Just as I reached for the button, my phone rang.
Diana.
I sighed and picked up. “Hello?”
Her voice was trembling. “Damien… something’s wrong.”
Immediately, I tensed. “What happened?”
“I… I’m outside your hotel,” she said between sobs. “I came to see you.”
I frowned. “What are you talking about? You didn’t tell me….”
“I was already in the city,” she cut in. “I tried to explain last night, but you brushed me off.”
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She sniffled. “Jeff wanted to see you. He’s been crying for days. I brought him yesterday to surprise both of you. This morning, I stopped to take a call near the hotel entrance and… and he disappeared.”
My blood ran cold. “What?”
“I can’t find him, Damien,” she cried. “He’s gone. He was just right there, and now he’s gone.”
I turned to Cia, who was looking at me with concern as I remembered something else. I lowered the phone and said tightly, “Grab the car keys and wait for me by the car.”
Then I brought the phone back to my ear. “Where exactly are you?”
“Just outside the hotel,” she whispered.
My heart thudded. “Don’t move. I’m coming now.”
1 didn’t wait for Cia to say anything else. As soon as she agreed to go back for my car keys, I took off, my pulse pounding louder than my footsteps. The morning sun had barely stretched across the pavement, but already the day was a mess.
And there she was.
Diana.
Standing outside the hotel in six–inch heels like she was on her way to a red carpet, not standing there wailing about a missing child. Her face was caked in makeup, her dress clung to her like a second skin, and yet the only thing I could see was how calm she looked for someone who’d supposedly lost our son.
“Where is he?” I barked.
She turned, mascara already streaked, lips trembling enough to look convincing. “I don’t know! I stopped to make a quick call, and when I turned around, he was gone. Damien, I swear, I only looked away for a second!”
“A second is all it takes!” I snapped, stepping closer. “You’re his mother. Your one job was to keep him safe. You
couldn’t even do that.”
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Chapter 10
Her lower lip quivered. “Please, this isn’t the time to blame me….”
“If anything happens to Jeff, Diana, I will never forgive you. Never.”
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We started by circling the hotel, all the way to the back, looking behind the dumpsters, in the lobby, every hallway we could access without causing a scene. All the while, I was practically dragging her behind me in those ridiculous shoes she wore. Who wears stilettos while babysitting a five–year–old?
After the third lap around the hotel lobby, it hit me: I needed help. Real help. Diana was crying too loudly now. I pulled out my phone and dialed.
“Cia,” I said, the moment she picked up.
“Sir?”
“I need your help. My son–he’s missing. Last seen outside the hotel. If we don’t find him in thirty minutes, I’ll have to alert the police.”
“Oh my God. Okay. Wait… you have a son?”
“Yeah,” I muttered. “I do. Protected him from the world, but yes. I’m sending you his photo. Look around and check every corner.”
“I’m on it,” she said.
I texted her Jeff’s picture and shoved the phone in my pocket.
“Damien!” Diana shrieked.
I turned around just in time to see her trip and go crashing to the ground. She let out a dramatic yelp that echoed through the lobby.
I rushed over. “Are you okay?”
She winced, clutching her ankle. “I think I twisted it. I can’t walk.”
Of course.
“You should’ve worn sneakers if you planned to chase your own damn child,” I muttered, half under my
breath.
Just then, my phone buzzed again. I snatched it up like a lifeline.
Cia.
“I think I found him,” she said quickly. “He looks exactly like the photo. He says his name is Jeff and we are waiting by your car.”
Relief washed over me like a crashing wave. My knees buckled slightly. “Let me talk to him.”
A moment later, I heard Jeff’s tiny voice through the speaker. “Daddy?”
Chapter 10
My throat tightened. “Buddy, are you okay?”
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“Yes. I was looking for your car, I thought you’d be inside it because mummy said you have a meeting very early this morning. But I couldn’t find your car and I got lost.”
“Stay with the nice lady. I’ll be there in a second.”
I hung up and turned to Diana, who was limping around like a wounded deer.
“Here. Take my room key. Go upstairs, lie down. I’ll send someone to check your ankle.”
“But what about Jeff?”
“Jeff’s staying with me. You can rest your foot and maybe your priorities while you’re at it. I don’t trust you to watch him when we’re in a city you barely know.”
Before she could protest, I flagged down a hotel staff member and gave instructions to escort Diana to my suite. She was still whining when I turned away.
Outside, I spotted them near the fountain.
Cia was crouched down beside Jeff, holding his hand, laughing as he explained something with wild hand gestures. She was radiant–her eyes lit up, her laughter genuine, and Jeff? He looked happier than I’d seen him in weeks.
I stopped in my tracks.
That image–them together, laughing, connected like they belonged in the same frame―froze me.
Jeff’s hair, a few shades darker than hers, caught the morning sun the same way hers did. Something about their profiles looked… aligned.
No. I was imagining things.
But damn, if that didn’t look like the picture–perfect family I’d never had.
For the first time, I let myself imagine it: waking up to her smile. Hearing their laughter in the morning. Not having to pretend that Diana and I made sense.
“If only…” I muttered.
But I didn’t finish the sentence. I just kept watching them–as if standing still for long enough could freeze time and let me live in the fantasy just a little longer.
