All Chapters of His to Consume : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Lena's POV Verena then redirected her look at Damien, elongating her lips in a faint smile. “And Damon, the pleasure is all mine, as always. You are in great company tonight,” she addressed him, albeit with an underlying tone that was slightly off.Damien tactfully avoided any further engagement by absorbing the atmosphere. “Vivian,” he turned to me and acknowledged. “I trust the night is treating you well.”“Oh, of course,” she retorted with an attitude while turning back to face me. “I must commend you for being here, Lena, with your… let’s say resources are severely limited. I can only imagine how difficult such levels must be for people like you.”There was an uncomfortable pinch on me, but I managed to keep my voice emotionless. “That’s why no one fears Mrs. Wells, because every challenge makes us better. I do believe that everyone present understands the significance of the grit and the will that goes into every worthwhile endeavor.”Verena raised her eyebrows slightly as a wid

Lena’s POV I inhaled deeply, managing to put my composure in place and exited the restroom prepared for the next course of action. Upon going back into the function, I took note that the tightness within my chest remained, but I couldn’t allow it to impede me. This night was meant to be a commemorative event, and I was not going to allow anyone to spoil it. As soon as I stepped outside the stall, I felt like taking a break. Everything was getting to me: the small talk, the awards, the particularly stressful moment with Verena. I looked around the room, searching for somewhere to regroup. I found a bar, hidden in the far corner of the hall. A glass of something would help, even if it was just to ease my jangled feelings. I proceeded to the bar, the drone of voices waning into an inaudible background. Upon arrival at the bar, I was acknowledged by the bartender with a slight inclination of his head, a warm smile adorning my face as he served me a glass of wine which he filled with re

Lena’s POV As Damien and I moved toward the door to exit, a voice that was directed towards us was heard from behind, causing us to halt. “Going already?” Grant’s tone was quite pleasant but some underlying tones that were unfriendly, almost provocative. I felt more strength in the clasp that Damien had on my hand as he turned around to reply to Grant but ignored his rudeness, saying, “Yes, Lena’s not feeling well,” he said in a very level tone. I looked down in order to avoid Grant, my heartbeat slightly elevating. I didn’t want to face him, I didn’t want the fidgety feeling he inspired in me to show. Grant did not talk for a few seconds and then turned in my direction. He looked at me like he was trying to decipher the expression on my face in silence. “However,” he finally broke the silence, his voice still kept that unnerving level, “I wish you a speedy recovery, Lena.” The way he addressed the matter left me with the feeling as though he understood precisely h

Lena’s POV I shook my head in an attempt to erase those thoughts. I wouldn’t let myself accept the fact that Grant affected me in any way, even now. I didn’t want to accept the fact that, after everything, he could still rattle my life this much. But it had been Damien who felt it, who watched it play out in me and that was what hurt the most. I never wanted to make him feel jealous or insecure about our bond. Yet somehow, everything went out of hand. I exhaled painfully and stretched my hand for my phone, my fingers just above Damien’s contact information. I missed him. I wanted to talk to him, reason with him, and most importantly, say I am sorry. But with every attempt I made to press the button, the image of how he looked, broken and angry with my actions, prevented me from moving forward. He had stared at me, as if I was a complete stranger standing before him. I never wanted to do any harm to him, but tonight, it was as if I had reopened every sore that we had worked so hard t

Lena’s POV I took a few moments to reign in my emotions, “What are you doing here?” He seemed to consider my question first, taking a glance back at Grant's office and then at me, “I have something for Grant”. “What did you tell him?” I asked, crossly. Damien breathed out with a tired expression and messily combed his hair sideways. “I warned him off from you,” he confessed. I was shocked. “Damien, you cannot do things like that.” “I can, and I did,” he cut in, almost shouting. “Lena, that man is… it’s that man that has been hurting you. It’s that man that has been making it impossible for you to let go. And now he is back, trying to crawl into your life again. I could not just be like that and watch.” I fixed him with a gaze that I felt deep in my chest, heart beating fast. ”You have no say in who is in my life and who isn’t,” I said, my voice quivering. “I’m trying to protect you,” Now he said it with a softer tone. “I never asked for your protection,” I retorted. He turne