After a moment of silence, Damien finally spoke. “Let me change your bandage now,” he said gently. Though he was savoring the moment with her, her health remained his top priority, and he couldn’t let it slip his mind.Eva pouted, letting go of him with a hint of disappointment at his response. She couldn’t argue and allowed Damien to change her bandage carefully."Since we're done, let's head outside," she finally said once he finished. But before she could get up, Damien scooped her up effortlessly in a bridal carry."Hey! What are you doing?" Eva exclaimed, caught off guard by the sudden gesture."You’re not walking on your own," he replied firmly, his expression calm and unyielding as he made his way to the door."I have my own legs, and they work just fine! I’ve been walking around all day," she protested, even as she instinctively leaned into his embrace.“You’re at home now. You don’t need to walk when I’m here. I’ll carry you until you’re fully healed,” Damien responded, his t
*******The next morning, the air hung heavy with humidity. Eva was roused from sleep by the persistent ringing of her phone. It was Trix, and her tone was surprisingly softer than it had been the day before."Eva, I just arrived at your house, but only your assistant is there." Trix said. She has gotten Eva's current home address from Gwen but unfortunately she met Olivia there."I’ve moved," Eva replied flatly. Of course, she had given Olivia the key to her apartment before she left to California and since she heard Olivia was currently looking for a place because of the incident that happened."I came to tell you something important," Trix began, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "After HB Industry announced you would be appearing at the corporate event, your fans are in an uproar. They’re arguing fiercely among themselves. They say if you attend this event, it means you’re endorsing unreliable products. They’re threatening to abandon you if you go through with it."Eva re
Christine stormed into Director Rick’s office, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Without knocking, she pushed the door open with enough force to make it bang against the wall. The sudden force made Rick look up from his desk, his expression turning sour.“Christine,” he said coldly, setting down his pen. “I wasn’t expecting you. To what do I owe this surprise visit?”She strode to his desk, her anger barely contained. “Don’t play dumb with me, Director Rick. I just signed a contract with these companies, and now all my other deals are being revoked. I want an explanation, and I want it now.” Christine demanded.He was one of the directors at HB Industry, tasked with overseeing most of the models working in collaboration with the company. Beyond his professional role, he maintained a close friendship with President Adolf of BTG Industry, a connection that often allowed Christine to leverage favors from him. It was through his influence that Trix was appointed as Ev
As Director Rick read the magazine offers, he hesitated. But before he could act decisively, Christine intercepted.“We agreed not to accept any work for her, didn’t we? Are you ignoring what I said?” Christine snapped, her voice dripping with entitlement. She had also taken a glimpse of what is written in the file from where she was standing.Trix smirked inwardly at Christine’s audacity. It was almost amusing how she acted as if she already owned this company.Director Rick sighed, he wanted to shut her up but he knew things wouldn’t end well for him because she had Mark Johnson backing. So he tried calming down and tried to placate her. Unbeknownst to Christine, Trix had already switched sides, reporting every move back to Eva. When Trix relayed both Christine and Director Rick's plan to use her as a shield, Eva’s response was swift.“Reject the offer. Tell them I’m not feeling well if that so-called Director Rick asked about me,” she instructed, her tone calm yet firm.Trix nodde
After ending the call, Eva placed her phone on the small garden table and picked up the watering can again, intent on tending to the roses that had flourished under her care. But before she could continue, Damien’s strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into his chest.“You’re not going to escape that easily,” he murmured, his voice a deep rumble in her ear.Eva turned slightly, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “Escape? I didn’t know I was being held captive.”Damien tilted her chin up with his hand, his dark eyes locking onto hers. Without another word, he lowered his head and captured her lips with a passion that stole her breath away. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a declaration, intense and consuming.Eva sighed into him, letting the watering-can slip from her fingers and thud softly onto the lush grass below. Twisting in his arms, she wrapped hers around his neck, pressing herself closer as she returned his kiss with equal fervor. The garden seemed to fade int
Eva stood, smoothing her dress with deliberate grace. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. Feel free to send any legitimate offers my way—ones that aren’t tainted by ulterior motives.”As she turned to leave, Rick called after her, his voice laced with frustration. “This isn’t over, Eva. You’re making enemies you can’t afford to have.”Eva paused at the door, glancing over her shoulder with a calm, confident smile. “Director Rick, I’ve faced far worse than this. If you want to play games, just remember—I always play to win.”With that, she exited the office, leaving Rick stewing in his defeat. Eva knew the battle wasn’t over, but she was ready for whatever came next. After all, she wasn’t just surviving in this industry—she was thriving on her own terms.—---The next day, HB Industry and the event organizers issued statements, instructing the public on how to obtain tickets to see Eva at the upcoming event.As soon as the announcements went live, the backlash followed almost
Upon entering the house, Eva immediately noticed Damien already home. His tall, imposing figure was stretched out on the sofa, his right arm resting across his eyes to shield himself from the bright lights. Eva smiled softly, her presence unnoticed at first. She quietly approached him and sat beside him, gently running her fingers across the sharp angles of his face."Why aren’t you in bed?" she asked, her voice tender."The company you're endorsing tomorrow," Damien began, his tone serious, "Cross Enterprise’s legal team has already sent them a letter, suing for fraud. The news should be spreading tomorrow afternoon."Eva rested her head against his chest as she replied, "It’s fine. I'll only be appearing in the morning."Although she didn’t elaborate further, Damien seemed to sense what she was planning. He understood that her actions tomorrow would have consequences, and the client wouldn't let her off easily. Hence, Cross Enterprise, a company that rarely involved itself with such
------------------The venue for the event was modest, with the main hall accommodating roughly 200 seats. Despite its size, Eva knew that the real audience extended far beyond the people present. Countless eyes would be watching her through live streams, hoping to see her stumble while endorsing this low-tier brand. They were eager to find ammunition for gossip and ridicule. But Eva smirked inwardly—they were in for a rude awakening.After a spirited introduction from the host and a reassuring nod from Trix, Eva stepped onto the stage. The spotlight bathed her in a warm glow, and though it had been a while since she stood in such a position, her confidence remained unwavering. She paused for a moment, letting the silence settle as she adjusted to the glaring lights and curious gazes.The host, an energetic man eager to hype the event, grinned widely. "Ladies and gentlemen, our dazzling Eva is here! Doesn’t she have the most enchanting presence? Let’s give her a warm welcome!"He hand
Eva stepped out of Kai’s office and made her way to Gwen’s. The polished corridors of Elite Entertainment seemed quieter than usual, but Eva’s mind was far from the ambiance around her. When she entered Gwen’s office, she found both Gwen and Trix waiting for her. The moment Gwen spotted her, she stood with her arms crossed, her expression simmering with frustration.“This is outrageous,” Gwen started without preamble. “Trix just told me everything. What does Mr. Carl think he’s doing? Pairing you with Christine? Is he out of his mind?”Eva closed the door behind her and approached the seating area, her calm demeanor in stark contrast to Gwen’s fiery tone. Trix sat on the couch, her face a mix of concern and uncertainty.“It’s not ideal,” Trix admitted, “but Mr. Carl is thinking from a business perspective. He believes Eva’s influence can salvage Christine’s reputation. That’s the only reason he’s doing this.”Gwen let out a sharp laugh, incredulous. “And we’re supposed to let Eva clea
Meanwhile Eva was busy panicking in her room. Every dress in her closet was stunning, crafted from the finest materials, yet none of them fit her properly! She hadn't gotten any sensible dress for the banquet when she went to the mall. There wasn’t enough time to reach out to a designer for a custom dress that fit her current size. She called the best tailors she knew, but all of them were fully booked. It wasn’t hard to figure out why—the socialites attending the banquet had monopolized their schedules.Eva considered skipping the event altogether but quickly dismissed the thought. Her grandpa Smith would never allow it. Letting out a frustrated groan, she collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling in defeat.Suddenly her phone vibrated against the table, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen. Trix.She picked up, her voice composed despite the knot forming in her stomach. “Trix. What’s the news?”Trix hesitated briefly before speaking, her voice laced with concern. “E
Kai leaned back in his sleek office chair, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Elite Entertainment’s Miami headquarters. His phone buzzed, and the name “Mr. Carl” flashed across the screen. Sighing, he answered the call, already bracing himself for what was to come.“Kai speaking,” he said curtly.“Good afternoon, Mr. Breaker,” Came Mr. Carl’s smooth and measured voice. “I appreciate you taking my call. I wanted to discuss a matter concerning Evangeline.”Kai’s posture straightened slightly, his instincts immediately alert. “What about her?”“Well,” Mr. Carl began, his tone calculated, “as you’re aware, Christine Carter has been facing some challenges following her recent scandal. While BTG industry has done its best to contain the fallout, her reputation has not fully recovered. This has raised concerns for us at HB Industry, given her collaboration contract with us.”Kai’s eyes narrowed. He said nothing, letting Mr. Carl dig his own grave.“To address this,” M
---The next morning, the media was ablaze with photos of their romantic outing. Paparazzi had captured them at the amusement park, painting them as the ultimate power couple. In every image, Damien’s protective nature was evident—his arm firmly around Eva, his gaze never straying far from her.The headlines praised their chemistry, their undeniable connection. While most media outlets dared not mention Eva’s past, a few foolishly brought up her previous engagement to Mark and unearthed unflattering photos from years ago.Damien was swift in his retaliation. The companies responsible were swiftly dismantled, their employees blacklisted, and the malicious articles erased from existence. His actions sent a clear message: any attack on Eva would be met with swift and merciless consequences.Unaware of the media frenzy, Eva woke up to a flood of messages. Most were from her estranged family, whose sudden interest in her life only deepened her disdain.[Mistress]: Ungrateful child! Why did
Her words seemed to shatter the last of his control. Damien’s movements became more deliberate, his hands exploring her body with a confidence that left her breathless. She felt the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of her dress, and when his lips found the sensitive spot at the base of her throat, a soft moan escaped her.The tension between them built with every touch, every kiss, until it was almost unbearable. Damien’s hands found the straps of her dress, and he slid them down her shoulders, his lips following the path they left behind. She felt vulnerable yet safe under his gaze, the intensity in his eyes making her feel like the most precious thing in the world.Just as they reached the point of no return, the shrill sound of Damien’s phone shattered the moment. He froze, his forehead resting against hers as he let out a frustrated groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, his voice filled with irritation.Eva couldn’t help but laugh softly, her cheeks flushed a
She trembled at his words, their certainty sending a ripple through her. He spoke with such confidence, so assured that she would stay by his side for the rest of their lives, and to her surprise, she found comfort in it. There was something deeply reassuring about his unwavering resolve, about knowing he was the kind of man who would cross oceans and move mountains to keep her close—even if it meant chasing her to the ends of the earth just to bring her back."I never intended to run," she whispered, her voice soft but resolute. Her words made his heart race. He tightened his arms around her, unwilling to let go.Eva remained nestled against Damien’s chest, her breath steadying as his strong arms cocooned her in warmth. For a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them in the magical ambiance he had created. The distant hum of the city and the lingering scent of roses faded into the background, replaced by the quiet, steady rhythm of his heartbeat
Okay, now remove your hands."Eva hesitated for a moment before doing as Damien instructed. When she opened her eyes, confusion flickered across her face. Darkness engulfed her entirely, so thick she could barely make out his silhouette ahead of her."What's going on—"Her words faltered as Damien pressed a button. In an instant, the oppressive darkness was replaced with a breathtaking display of shimmering lights.The scenery before her was magical, like something out of a dream. Majestic archways adorned with twinkling lights stretched as far as her eyes could see. Each arch was intricately designed with delicate white metalwork, interwoven with clusters of vibrant flowers. Fairy lights danced across the vivid blooms, their colors blending into a mesmerizing spectrum. String lights cascaded above them, adding to the enchantment.Her gaze drifted downward, and her breath caught. The ground was a carpet of roses—red, white, and pink—arranged in a heart-shaped pattern so intricate it s
Suspicious, Eva pulled out her phone and opened the camera. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the glaring red marks on her neck—two perfectly visible hickeys."You!" she gasped, smacking Damien’s arm as he burst into laughter."You… you…!" she stammered, completely flustered. Her thoughts raced in a whirlwind of panic. ‘Oh my goodness! Has it been there this whole time? Is that why people kept staring at me?!’"It’s not funny!" she scolded, now using her purse to hit him, much to the amusement of his bodyguards."If it makes you feel better, you can leave some on me too," Damien teased, winking playfully. She retaliated by swatting at him repeatedly, but he was far too amused by her adorable expression to take her seriously. The mere thought of her leaving a mark on him filled him with excitement, his eyes glinting with anticipation and unspoken hopes."You wish!" she snapped, instantly crushing his hopes, though his smirk only deepened."Careful what you wish for," he murmured,
After the haunted house, Eva eagerly dragged Damien from one ride to another—towering roller coasters, spinning swings, and even a few kiddie rides. For her sake, Damien endured the sweltering heat and the endless lines. He’d thought a regular FastPass was fine, but Eva insisted they live like “normal” people for the day.He glanced at her flushed cheeks and noticed her eyes drooping slightly from the heat. With a sharp flick of his wrist, his bodyguards stepped forward. One handed him a hat while the other awaited further instructions."Get iced drinks," Damien ordered, placing the hat gently on Eva’s head.Her curious eyes peeked up at him, and she began to speak, but he cut her off with a sigh. "You're overexerting yourself, silly." Pulling out a pristine handkerchief, he wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead with surprising tenderness."But it’s so much fun…" Eva mumbled, reaching for his arm. To her dismay, he dodged her touch at first, only to surprise her by intertwi