Chapter 5

Damn it!

WHAT A MESS!

Melissa, sensing the weight of Olivia's emotion rushed to explain, desperation lacing her words.

"No, Miss Hamilton. it's a misunderstanding! I'm in no way involved in with Ashford. We are just—"

But before Melissa could finish speaking, Damien's restraining arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

The sudden closeness sent a shiver down Melissa's spine.

A flush of embarrassment coloured her cheeks as she realized the physical evidence of Damien's desire pressing against her backside.

They stood together, facing Olivia, their bodies almost melding into one.

Damien shit a cold look at Olivia. "Have you seen enough?"

Olivia pursed her lips. "Well, aren't you touchy? Fine, I won't disturb you any longer. Carry on. Although, I suggest you take this party to a hotel room. Too many prying eyes here."

Olivia shot Melissa a look of jealousy before she turned and walked away.

The car closed once again.

"Urgh!" Melissa fumed, her anger mounting.

She elbowed Damien in the ribs.

The man let out a muted groan.

Finally breaking free from his grasp, Melissa swiftly took a step back, unable to hold her frustration. "You jerk! Are you done taking advantage of me?"

Her face was flushed crimson from both anger and embarrassment.

However, this time, this man hasn't said a word.

She raised her head, glaring at Damien.

Under the bright light, she could see his face clearly.

Melissa gasped.

The man before her bore a striking resemblance to her five-year-old-son, with his strong jawline, sharp eyebrows, deep-set eyes, impossibly long eyelashes, straight nose and even lips of the same shape.

Most important was the man's eye colour, a unique blend of stormy grey and vibrant blue, just like her son's.

Melissa knew that on a sunny day, there'd be flecks of silver dancing with the azure hues.

Jason was like a miniature version of this man.

A wave of guilt and confusion washed over Melissa.

Could it be?...

No, not impossible.

After a brief moment of shock, Melissa suddenly snapped out of it, avoiding looking at Damien.

This was no time to dwell on the man's incredibly good-looking face.

She quickly turned around and hurried away to the exit of banquet hall, only to bump into Olivia again.

Olivia folded her arms. "Well, well, if it isn't Mr Ashford's mysterious date in the lounge."

Melissa, undeterred by Olivia's disdainful tone, stood her ground. "I need to set things straight. There's nothing going on between me and Mr Ashford. In fact, I don't even know the man."

Olivia's sardonic smile widened. "Is that so? And why should I believe a word you say?"

Melissa eyes narrowed, her voice laced with defiance. "Believe what you want. It doesn't change the truth. And maybe I shouldn't have tried to explain myself to you. After all, it's not as if you're Mr Ashford's girlfriend or anything."

Olivia's face flushed with humiliation. "At least I have a shot!"

She leaned closer, her voice dripping with contempt. "As for you, hoping to be with Damien Ashford? Please, darling. Look at you. Twenty dollars t-shirt, worn out jeans, no makeup, no jewellery. You don't belong here, and you don't stand a chance."

Melissa gazed remained steady, her tone calm but firm. "I couldn't care less about your opinion, Miss Hamilton. Perhaps you should focus on honing your skills instead of criticising a stranger's wardrobe."

Olivia's face flushed more. "I don't need advice from strangers like you." She said with a huff.

Melissa shrugged and turned on her heels.

* * *

As Damien stepped out of the luxurious lounge, he scanned the crowded banquet hall, his eyes searched for a glimpse of Melissa.

But she was nowhere to be found.

Frustration well up inside him as he realised she'd slipped away.

Just as he was about to give up, Olivia approached him with a copy smile.

She leaned closer, her voice a low whisper. "Damien, I'm sorry for earlier. It was rude of me to intrude. Can we forget about it?"

Damien barely spared her a glance, his focus still on finding Melissa. "I'm not interested in your apologies."

Olivia tilted her head, studying him curiously. "Looking for that woman, are you? Well, she already left. Maybe she's more your type?"

Damien's eyes narrowed, his patience waning. "What I do or who I associate with is none of your business."

Olivia's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and amusement. She smiled, stepping closer, her perfume filling the air.

But instead of the alluring effect she hoped to produce, it made Damien's nose crinkle in distaste.

Unfortunately, Olivia was oblivious to his reaction.

She purred next to his ear, her voice dripping with implication.

"Damien, why don't we continue our conversation in my suite upstairs? I'm sure we can find other ways to entertain each other tonight."

Damien's thoughts were elsewhere, his mind still captivated by Melissa's face and her intoxicating scent.

He quickly stepped back, creating some distance between them.

His voice held a warning edge. "Olivia, if you ever dare to insinuate something like that again, I assure you, you'll be blacklisted from the showbiz industry."

A wave of panic washed over Olivia's face, her arrogance faltering.

Damien turned away without another word, striding purposefully through the banquet hall.

His assistant, Jordan Lane, approached, holding out a tablet. "Sir, I've gathered some information on the woman from the lounge. Her name is Melissa Walker, twenty-six years old, recently joined BuzzFeed.

Damien took the tablet, scanning the details briefly.

Melissa's face stared back at him, igniting a spark of curiosity within him.

He could sense there was more to her than met the eye.

Leaning against the glass wall of the banquet hall, Damien glazed out into the night, lost in thought.

His mind replayed their brief encounter, the fiery exchange between them.

His curiosity now piqued, he can't help but want to dig in deeper to find out what's so unique about her.

* * *