13. Chapter Thirteen
Tonight was such a priceless moment, and I didn’t want it to end. Nothing and no one has ever made me feel like this before.
When Damien looked at me, his eyes pulled at my soul. It was a pull I could not resist.
As we shared a kiss, my body sent vibrations to the nerves all over it.
I shivered, a reflex of my body temperature, which had just gone up or a premonition. I did not know which. I struggled to keep my feet still as they shook uncontrollably as I tried to sit still and not ruin the moment.
We stayed in that position, savoring the bursts of flavors on each other’s lips for an infinite number of minutes.
Suddenly, it felt like both our heads received a signal, prompting us to pull away from each other. There was now a gap between us that neither of us attempted to bridge.
“I’m sorry, Lea. I’m so sorry. Controlling these overwhelming feelings is a challenge when I’m with you. Forever, I desire to hold you in my arms while also wanting you to be in an excellent place emotionally. I don’t want you to feel like I am taking advantage of your vulnerable moment. I will never do that to you. What I feel for you is beyond pity or anything of that sort.” He says without looking up.
“I know, Damien, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness regarding my feelings. We both want the same thing, it’s obvious. We want each other. I hope our bond goes beyond this phase of my life.”
“That’s also something I don’t want, Lea. I love you. Even when we were younger, I always loved you. I just didn’t think you saw me as more than ‘Kelvin’s best friend.’ Coupled with the guys that flocked around you, I wasn’t sure of your feelings.”
If only he knew I had loved him since my teenage days. My feelings for him remained unparalleled despite the passing years and other relationships.
However, he was the topic of every girl’s lips back in high school and even in our neighborhood. Although I don’t recall him paying heed to any girl, they all showered him with their attention.
“You’ve always been more than my brother’s best friend to me. Even during my college days, when I tried dating some other guys, it just made little sense to be with anyone else.” I assure him.
“Oh, Lea, I always want you to be genuinely happy,” he says to me, his face adorned with the most engulfing smile.
I smiled back at him as we held hands and just enjoyed the loud sounds of our hearts beating in a synchronized rhythm, even in the night’s silence.
Loving someone and being in love are two distinct yet similar features. Love means constant thoughts of that person all day and night.
I am convinced that I am in love with Damien and his gesture to let me heal leaves an impressionable mark of his thoughtfulness in my heart.
We say goodbye for the night as we expect a day of work tomorrow.
I head over to my place, but not without watching him drive into his driveway and glimpsing him walking into his place.
The solitude in my living room makes me recount the lovely moments we shared today, from the bowling alley to Frizzes and our conversations over burgers and milkshakes.
While reminiscing about my exciting day with Damien, I stored my takeout box in the refrigerator because I was content with the round of food we enjoyed at the restaurant.
Before sleeping, I quickly shower and wonder if he is doing the same.
Lying in bed, ready to sleep, I realized no sad thoughts had crossed my mind all day.
***
The morning light filters through my blinds, casting a warm glow across my room.
I stretch, my mind still half in a dream, replaying fragments of last night’s adventure with Damien.
Bowling had been an absolute blast, a perfect blend of laughter, playful competition, and those unexpectedly deep conversations while we grabbed a bite at Frizzes.
My phone buzzes, pulling me back into the present. It’s Damien.
“Morning, Lea. How about I give you a ride to work today?” His voice is cheerful, a stark contrast to the groggy state I find myself in.
I hesitate, the edge of the blanket clutched in my fingers.
“I don’t know, Damien. I’m happy to drive myself to work, and it’s not a big deal.”
“But we’re engaged, remember?” he teases, the word ‘engaged’ feeling like a costume we’ve both agreed to wear.
“We’ve got to act like it, at least in front of our colleagues. It’ll be fun, I promise.” He continues.
I can’t help but laugh. The absurdity of our fake engagement scheme washes over me anew.
“Alright, you’ve convinced me. But only because we’re ‘engaged,’” I air quote, even though he can’t see me.
“Perfect. I’ll be ready in about thirty minutes. Don’t be late for our first commute together as a faux fiancé couple,” he quips before hanging up.
I scramble to get ready, choosing my outfit more carefully than usual, mindful of the charade Damien and I are embarking on. I pair my cream blouse with black pants and a pair of black heels.
As I brush my hair, my reflection seems to smirk back at me as if it’s in on the joke.
True to his word, Damien was at my door in thirty minutes, ringing my doorbell once outside my door.
I grab my bag, check my appearance one last time, and head out.
He was already heading to his car in his driveway. As I approach him, he graciously opens the passenger door for me.
“You look amazing.”
“Thanks,” I mutter as I get into the car.
Damien’s car is now a familiar sight, and he greets me with a contagious smile and a grin that reaches his eyes.
“Ready for our first official day going into work together as an engaged couple?” he asks, his tone laced with humor.
I roll my eyes but can’t suppress my smile.
“As I’ll ever be. However, let’s not go overboard. I don’t think I can handle pretending to plan a wedding on top of everything else.”
We engage in simple conversation and laughter during the drive to work.
We both realized that no one had asked us about how he proposed or why I was not wearing an engagement ring.
Damien proposes a fictional, elaborate, and romantic story for his proposal that could never happen in reality. We throw around ideas, each more ridiculous than the last, until we’re both laughing so hard that tears are streaming down our faces.
As we pull into the parking lot at work, I realize I’m looking forward to the day ahead. The thought of navigating our fake engagement, of sharing secret smiles and inside jokes with Damien, fills me with a warm sense of anticipation.
My fears of being judged as having CEO privileges slipped my mind for a moment.
We step out of the car, and Damien playfully grabs my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.
It feels natural, right even for a moment, and I squeeze his hand back.
“Are you ready?” He asks.
“I’m still apprehensive about being judged, but I’m excited about my role as your executive assistant. So I will say yes, I’m ready!”
We walk into the building together, our laughter echoing in the empty hallway.
Today, I think, won’t be just another day at the office.
I have Damien pretending to be my fiancé, and he is also my boss.
And who knows? Perhaps a part of me wishes our engagement was real.
But for now, I’m content to play the part, to explore this unexpected chapter of our story, wherever it may lead.
The morning at the office buzzes with the usual blend of sounds: keyboards clacking, phones ringing, and the occasional laughter from the hallway.
Today feels different, though. No Samantha. I miss her warmth and soothing presence. I hope I can speak to her soon.
Lunchtime arrives, and true to our “engaged” roles, Damien and I find ourselves together again.
The charade has woven itself into our daily routine, blurring lines in an exhilarating and disconcerting way.
We choose to go to the cafeteria for lunch, ensuring our performance garners the intended audience.
As we eat, our conversation veers from work to personal, then circles back to the fa?ade we’ve maintained.
In these moments, between bites of sandwich and sips of coffee, I catch glimpses of the Damien I’ve always known beyond the boss, beyond the fake fiancé.
He’s thoughtful, funny, and more complex than I’d initially given him credit for.
“Do you enjoy working here at Selware?”
“I love it here. Even with all the judging eyes.” I roll my eyes.
“Relax, this whole engagement thing will be over soon,” he attempts to reassure me. “We should watch a movie tonight at my place,” he suggests a casual invitation that feels anything but casual.
“That sounds wonderful. Do we watch the movie after dinner?”
“The plan is that I cook, we eat, and then watch a movie.”
“Yes.” I agree.
The prospect of another evening spent in his company is both comforting and thrilling.
Our lunch concludes with a firm plan for the evening. Together, we stroll back to the office, our steps in perfect harmony.
As the day winds down, anticipation for the evening ahead grows.
The office empties, and Damien and I remain in the quiet aftermath of a bustling day.
We exchange glances, an unspoken acknowledgement of the shift between us. What started as a ruse has evolved, and the lines between pretense and reality seem to blur.
We leave together, the office behind us, the evening ahead full of possibilities. The movie night, a simple plan, feels like a promise, a momentary escape from our assumed roles.
As we make our way home, I can’t help but wonder about our connection, about the genuine affection that seems to have taken root amidst the pretense.
Tonight, we seek solace in each other’s presence, a break from our daily routines.
While the city lights glide past the car window, I find solace in embracing the sheer beauty of this moment, relishing in his company and eagerly awaiting the mystery that the night holds in store for us.