2025-01-07 04:46:34Damien stared at his blind date, Claire Harris, now comfortably seated on his couch. He wasn’t sure which was more exasperating, her unwelcome presence or her smugness. He counted to ten in his head so maybe it would be nothing but a dream.
Something about her rubbed him the wrong way, she was arrogant and downright disrespectful. His earlier experience with her told him all he should know about her. Thank goodness his eyes were opened to the kind of person she would be once they are married. “What are you doing here, Claire?” Damien asked, his tone as calm as he could muster. “I’m here for dinner,” she said nonchalantly, examining her manicured nails. “My mother is friends with yours. They thought it’d be lovely if we spent more time together.” “What?” She laughed airily, “oh don’t bother to be in the dark about this. I understand what’s going on perfectly and I am sorry about the water I threw on you. It was out of anger, a pretty woman such as myself shouldn’t be kept waiting for that long.” Damien pinched the bridge of his nose. “Claire, I think you’re misunderstanding something.” “Oh, I understand perfectly,” she interrupted, smirking. “You couldn’t keep your eyes off me earlier. It was love at first sight, wasn’t it? That’s why you showed up at the café, even if you were late.” Damien raised an eyebrow, stunned by her audacity. “That wasn’t love, I am sorry if you thought otherwise. I was late because I went to another table. It was a mistake on my part,” She waved his words away. “Details, Damien. Let’s focus on the future. If you want to date someone as stunning as me, you’ll need to step up. A luxury car would be a good start, maybe some high-end jewelry. I eat only in five star restaurants, and sleep in five star exotic hotels. I shop at the biggest brands and I refuse to be seen with someone who doesn’t match my standards.” Damien opened his mouth to say something extremely ridiculous but they got distracted when Damien’s mother entered the room, carrying a tray of drinks, her cheerful demeanor faltering as Claire continued her tirade. “Your apartment is so… quaint,” Claire said, glancing around with a sneer. “Honestly, Damien, your social standing doesn’t do you any favors. You are a lowly nurse and in charge of women for that matter, it’s nothing good. But I’m willing to overlook that for now if you give me everything I asked for. After all, who else could you possibly attract?” She gestured to herself with exaggerated flourish. Damien’s jaw tightened. “Claire, I’m not interested in you. I never was. And I won’t tolerate you insulting my family or making ridiculous demands.” Claire laughed mockingly. “Oh, please. A gynecology nurse? What kind of future can you offer anyone? You should be grateful someone like me is even willing to give you a chance.” “Then why are you?” “Isn’t it obvious? For some reason, our mothers want us together and I can see you have the promise, but only if you work hard. Maybe get a job at a high paying company so you could foot my bills and be a man.” Damien stood his ground, his voice steady. “You’re free to leave at any time. I don’t need someone who measures relationships by price tags or status.” “Those are the things a poor man would say.” Her hands flared about as she mocked him, “Oh no, love is a feeling, it should be given not bought.” She burst into laughter. Damien wasn’t impressed, “Are you done? You can go practice your charms on someone else. I was done the second you threw water at me.” Claire opened her mouth to retort, but the doorbell rang, cutting her off. “I’ll get it,” Damien said quickly, eager for a distraction. His mother fled the room to avoid more insults from Claire. He opened the door to reveal Evelyn Sterling, standing poised and elegant in a tailored coat. Beside her was a sharp-looking assistant holding a big box that had several gifts inside wrapped in gold paper. Claire gawked, her mouth hanging open as Evelyn stepped inside. The room seemed to shrink under her presence. “Good evening,” Evelyn said smoothly, her gaze still on Damien. “I hope I’m not interrupting.” Damien blinked in surprise. “Evelyn? What are you doing here?” “I came to find you,” she said boldly, her smile faltering a bit when she saw the woman beside him. She would guess this was his actual date, Evelyn fought not to wrinkle her nose in disgust. Her assistant stepped forward, placing the big box on the table. “This is for you. A small token of my gratitude for earlier.” Claire’s eyes darted between Evelyn and Damien, disbelief etched across her face. “Who is she?” she demanded, her voice shrill. Evelyn turned to her with a polite but cold smile. “I’m Evelyn Sterling. And you are?” Claire floundered for a response, her confidence visibly shaken by how bold Evelyn was. “I… I’m his date.” Evelyn arched a brow, her expression unreadable. “Interesting.” She turned back to Damien. “May we speak privately if you are free?” Damien nodded, glancing at the assistant, who gave him an encouraging smile. “Of course.” Claire’s jaw dropped open when Damien casually dismissed her like she was nothing. Damien led Evelyn out on the porch, “How did you find me?” Evelyn waved her hand dismissively, “I can find anyone. I hope I am not interrupting?” He shook his head, “no, not at all. What can I do for you?” “I know you said you didn’t want anything but I wasn’t raised that way. When someone does a good deed, they get rewarded.” Damien shook his head, “I am not interested in your gift, but thank you for the kind words. Evelyn nodded, still impressed and relieved to know he wasn’t pretending earlier. But he didn't know the best part yet.
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“Come,” Evelyn motioned to him, she knew with the right persuasion, he would accept the gifts. They walked back to the sitting room. Damien stood in the middle of his modest living room, frowning at the gifts sitting on his coffee table. Somehow, they had increased and now, the whole place looked like Santa vomited all over it. He also noted that Claire had left. The gifts alone looked expensive enough to feed him for a month. He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest as Evelyn’s assistant stood awkwardly near the door. “This is too much,” Damien said finally, “Take it back.” The assistant looked bewildered, her brow furrowing as if she hadn’t anticipated this reaction. “Mr. Sinclair, Miss Sterling wanted to express her gratitude for your assistance last week. She—” “I helped because it was convenient, not because I expected anything in return,” Damien interrupted. “I don’t want any gifts, especially not something that looks like it costs as much as my entire apartme
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Damien smiled when he registered the shock on Evelyn’s face when his question got to her ears. He thought nothing could shake her. Her eyes widened and she turned her back to him, probably to recollect her thoughts. He wanted to laugh. “Let’s get one thing clear,” Evelyn said, spinning to face him, her voice firm. “You are not to touch me until I decide I’ve fallen for you. Is that understood?” Damien tilted his head, his lips quirking up in a faint smile. “Crystal clear,” he said, his tone calm. His nonchalant attitude seemed to irk her more. Evelyn crossed her arms, glaring at him. “I mean it, Damien. No casual touches, no overstepping boundaries. You’ll respect my space.” “I said I understand,” Damien replied, leaning forward with his hands in his pocket, “Honestly, I have no problem waiting. It’s your call, wife.” Her lips tightened, her brow furrowing as though his agreement had taken the wind out of her sails. For reasons Evelyn couldn’t quite explain, his easy acc
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The drive to her grandfather’s estate was taking so long. Evelyn sat stiffly in the back seat, her fingers gripping the hem of her dress as she occasionally glanced at Damien. He was calm as ever, leaning back in his seat, his eyes focused on the rolling scenery outside. “Why did you agree to come?” she finally asked, it was ridiculous since she was the one who invited him but she didn’t think he would agree to it. He smirked faintly, not shifting his gaze from where he was staring at, “Why wouldn’t I? Your grandfather seems like an interesting man and I want to meet him. She pursed her lips, unsure if she should be grateful or annoyed by his casual demeanor. Most people quaked at the thought of meeting Richard Sterling, but Damien seemed utterly unfazed which bothered her for some reason. When they arrived at the sprawling estate, the butler greeted them and ushered them into the grand sitting room. Richard Sterling sat in his usual armchair by the fireplace, a cup of tea re
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Evelyn Sterling adjusted her silverware, her polished calm masking the irritation she felt inside. Across from her sat her three friends, Amelia, Vivian and Victoria each impeccably dressed and accompanied by their equally ostentatious husbands. Tonight’s dinner was meant to be a casual gathering, but Evelyn knew better. These dinners always devolved into competitions of who had the wealthiest, most accomplished husband. Tonight, however, the stakes felt higher; because this was the first time she’d be introducing Damien to her friends.Something she has been avoiding since she walked in there with him. Damien sat beside her, calm as always, his hands loosely folded on the table. His quiet confidence only made Evelyn more aware of the condescending glances being cast in his direction. “So, Evelyn,” Amelia began, her voice lilting with faux curiosity. “We’ve all been dying to know about your husband. You never even told us you got married, I can see why you hid it from us, so what d
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Damien on the other hand, there was no emergency in the hospital. He was on his way to meet a special client so he took a taxi to the airport where the person was waiting with a private plane.He adjusted his cufflinks as the private plane touched down smoothly on a secluded airstrip. The Ling family had gone to great lengths to arrange this meeting, and though Damien wasn’t one to indulge in frivolities, their request had piqued his interest. He stepped out of the plane and was greeted by an impeccably dressed butler, who bowed deeply."Mr. Cross," the butler said, "Thank you for coming on such short notice. The car is ready to take us to the Ling mansion."Damien nodded, "please, lead the way."The butler occasionally glanced nervously at Damien, as though gauging whether the man beside him could deliver the miracle he hoped for. When they arrived, Damien stepped out of the car and was momentarily taken aback. The mansion was breathtaking."Impressive," Damien murmured, more to him
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It was past midnight when Damien quietly slipped through the front door of the house. He stopped short when he saw Evelyn sitting on the couch, her legs tucked under her and a book in her lap. Their gazes met and she smiled. “You’re late,” she said gently, setting the book aside as she stood. “I know,” Damien replied. He dropped his bag near the door and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that.” “Are you tired?” She asked with concern written all over her face. “Completely,” he admitted with a faint smile. “It’s been a long day.” He left the rest of the details. Evelyn hesitated, biting her lip. There was so much she wanted to say, but the fatigue etched across his face made her pause. “You should get some rest.” He nodded. “Thanks for waiting up, Evelyn. Goodnight.” With that, he climbed the stairs to his room, his body swaying under the fatigue. Evelyn stood at the base of the stairs, watching him disappear into his room. She had been waiting for hours, re
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The taxi dropped Damien outside of the Ling estate. He stepped out of the car with his medical bag slung over one shoulder as he approached the butler waiting at the entrance.It’s been three days and he was right on time for his check up. They entered the mansion, and he was surprised that the once lifeless mansion was now had staff bustling about.It looked like the madam’s health worked with the energy in this house. “Mr. Cross,” the butler greeted him with a respectful bow. “Thank you for coming.” “How is Madam Ling doing?” Damien asked as they walked through the halls. “She’s improved remarkably,” the butler said with a smile. “She’s even been sitting up in bed and speaking more frequently. She specifically asked to speak with you after your check-up today.” Damien nodded, pleased to hear the news. “That’s good progress. Let’s see how she’s doing.” The butler led him to the madam’s room, where she was propped up against mountain of pillows. Her complexion still looked a litt
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The cafe hummed with quiet chatter and the soft hiss of an espresso machine. Evelyn Sterling sat by the window, her phone pressed to her ear. Her sleek white dress reflected the understated elegance expected of someone of her status. As the heiress to Sterling Enterprises, the nation’s largest conglomerate, Evelyn exuded an air of poise. Yet her expression darkened as she listened to her grandfather’s stern voice on the other end. “Evelyn, you know the rules. Only married individuals are eligible to inherit the family business. Our reputation and stability depend on it. If you cannot find a husband soon, you leave me no choice but to arrange a marriage for you.” Evelyn's grip on the phone tightened. She wanted to protest but held her tongue. The Sterling name carried power, but it also came with suffocating expectations. Damien Cross entered the café, scanning the tables. At 28, Damien's chiseled frame and confident stride was enough to turn heads. Unaware that his presence
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The taxi dropped Damien outside of the Ling estate. He stepped out of the car with his medical bag slung over one shoulder as he approached the butler waiting at the entrance.It’s been three days and he was right on time for his check up. They entered the mansion, and he was surprised that the once lifeless mansion was now had staff bustling about.It looked like the madam’s health worked with the energy in this house. “Mr. Cross,” the butler greeted him with a respectful bow. “Thank you for coming.” “How is Madam Ling doing?” Damien asked as they walked through the halls. “She’s improved remarkably,” the butler said with a smile. “She’s even been sitting up in bed and speaking more frequently. She specifically asked to speak with you after your check-up today.” Damien nodded, pleased to hear the news. “That’s good progress. Let’s see how she’s doing.” The butler led him to the madam’s room, where she was propped up against mountain of pillows. Her complexion still looked a litt
Chapter Nine
It was past midnight when Damien quietly slipped through the front door of the house. He stopped short when he saw Evelyn sitting on the couch, her legs tucked under her and a book in her lap. Their gazes met and she smiled. “You’re late,” she said gently, setting the book aside as she stood. “I know,” Damien replied. He dropped his bag near the door and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that.” “Are you tired?” She asked with concern written all over her face. “Completely,” he admitted with a faint smile. “It’s been a long day.” He left the rest of the details. Evelyn hesitated, biting her lip. There was so much she wanted to say, but the fatigue etched across his face made her pause. “You should get some rest.” He nodded. “Thanks for waiting up, Evelyn. Goodnight.” With that, he climbed the stairs to his room, his body swaying under the fatigue. Evelyn stood at the base of the stairs, watching him disappear into his room. She had been waiting for hours, re
Chapter Eight
Damien on the other hand, there was no emergency in the hospital. He was on his way to meet a special client so he took a taxi to the airport where the person was waiting with a private plane.He adjusted his cufflinks as the private plane touched down smoothly on a secluded airstrip. The Ling family had gone to great lengths to arrange this meeting, and though Damien wasn’t one to indulge in frivolities, their request had piqued his interest. He stepped out of the plane and was greeted by an impeccably dressed butler, who bowed deeply."Mr. Cross," the butler said, "Thank you for coming on such short notice. The car is ready to take us to the Ling mansion."Damien nodded, "please, lead the way."The butler occasionally glanced nervously at Damien, as though gauging whether the man beside him could deliver the miracle he hoped for. When they arrived, Damien stepped out of the car and was momentarily taken aback. The mansion was breathtaking."Impressive," Damien murmured, more to him
Chapter Seven
Evelyn Sterling adjusted her silverware, her polished calm masking the irritation she felt inside. Across from her sat her three friends, Amelia, Vivian and Victoria each impeccably dressed and accompanied by their equally ostentatious husbands. Tonight’s dinner was meant to be a casual gathering, but Evelyn knew better. These dinners always devolved into competitions of who had the wealthiest, most accomplished husband. Tonight, however, the stakes felt higher; because this was the first time she’d be introducing Damien to her friends.Something she has been avoiding since she walked in there with him. Damien sat beside her, calm as always, his hands loosely folded on the table. His quiet confidence only made Evelyn more aware of the condescending glances being cast in his direction. “So, Evelyn,” Amelia began, her voice lilting with faux curiosity. “We’ve all been dying to know about your husband. You never even told us you got married, I can see why you hid it from us, so what d
Chapter Six
The drive to her grandfather’s estate was taking so long. Evelyn sat stiffly in the back seat, her fingers gripping the hem of her dress as she occasionally glanced at Damien. He was calm as ever, leaning back in his seat, his eyes focused on the rolling scenery outside. “Why did you agree to come?” she finally asked, it was ridiculous since she was the one who invited him but she didn’t think he would agree to it. He smirked faintly, not shifting his gaze from where he was staring at, “Why wouldn’t I? Your grandfather seems like an interesting man and I want to meet him. She pursed her lips, unsure if she should be grateful or annoyed by his casual demeanor. Most people quaked at the thought of meeting Richard Sterling, but Damien seemed utterly unfazed which bothered her for some reason. When they arrived at the sprawling estate, the butler greeted them and ushered them into the grand sitting room. Richard Sterling sat in his usual armchair by the fireplace, a cup of tea re
Chapter five
Damien smiled when he registered the shock on Evelyn’s face when his question got to her ears. He thought nothing could shake her. Her eyes widened and she turned her back to him, probably to recollect her thoughts. He wanted to laugh. “Let’s get one thing clear,” Evelyn said, spinning to face him, her voice firm. “You are not to touch me until I decide I’ve fallen for you. Is that understood?” Damien tilted his head, his lips quirking up in a faint smile. “Crystal clear,” he said, his tone calm. His nonchalant attitude seemed to irk her more. Evelyn crossed her arms, glaring at him. “I mean it, Damien. No casual touches, no overstepping boundaries. You’ll respect my space.” “I said I understand,” Damien replied, leaning forward with his hands in his pocket, “Honestly, I have no problem waiting. It’s your call, wife.” Her lips tightened, her brow furrowing as though his agreement had taken the wind out of her sails. For reasons Evelyn couldn’t quite explain, his easy acc
Chapter four
“Come,” Evelyn motioned to him, she knew with the right persuasion, he would accept the gifts. They walked back to the sitting room. Damien stood in the middle of his modest living room, frowning at the gifts sitting on his coffee table. Somehow, they had increased and now, the whole place looked like Santa vomited all over it. He also noted that Claire had left. The gifts alone looked expensive enough to feed him for a month. He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest as Evelyn’s assistant stood awkwardly near the door. “This is too much,” Damien said finally, “Take it back.” The assistant looked bewildered, her brow furrowing as if she hadn’t anticipated this reaction. “Mr. Sinclair, Miss Sterling wanted to express her gratitude for your assistance last week. She—” “I helped because it was convenient, not because I expected anything in return,” Damien interrupted. “I don’t want any gifts, especially not something that looks like it costs as much as my entire apartme
Chapter three
Damien stared at his blind date, Claire Harris, now comfortably seated on his couch. He wasn’t sure which was more exasperating, her unwelcome presence or her smugness. He counted to ten in his head so maybe it would be nothing but a dream. Something about her rubbed him the wrong way, she was arrogant and downright disrespectful. His earlier experience with her told him all he should know about her. Thank goodness his eyes were opened to the kind of person she would be once they are married. “What are you doing here, Claire?” Damien asked, his tone as calm as he could muster. “I’m here for dinner,” she said nonchalantly, examining her manicured nails. “My mother is friends with yours. They thought it’d be lovely if we spent more time together.” “What?” She laughed airily, “oh don’t bother to be in the dark about this. I understand what’s going on perfectly and I am sorry about the water I threw on you. It was out of anger, a pretty woman such as myself shouldn’t be ke
Chapter Two
Red with embarrassment at being misdirected, Damien searched the cafe once again for his actual date. Damien’s steps slowed as he approached the correct table, where a woman in a sleek red dress tapped her manicured nails impatiently against the wooden surface. She looked up, her sharp features set in an expression of annoyance. “You’re late,” she snapped, folding her arms. Damien forced a smile. “Apologies. I had a mix-up earlier—” She didn’t let him finish. “Typical. You can’t even show up on time, and they expect me to give you a chance? Let me guess, another emergency at your little clinic?” Damien’s jaw tightened, but he remained calm. “I work at a hospital. And yes, my job can be demanding.” The woman scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “A gynecology nurse. What kind of man does that? Honestly, this is ridiculous. My parents must be out of their minds.” “Yes, I am sure it is beneath you but I love my job. Can we get on with the date now, please?” The wo
