100 Days to Save Villain CEO
Day 3
[Morning – Damian’s Penthouse]
Aria stands in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting her outfit—a sharp, elegant black dress.
She runs her hands nervously over the fabric, hoping today won’t be as stressful as yesterday.
Aria Marcelli
*Murmuring to herself*
Day 3. I can do this. Just keep it professional, keep Damian from blowing up, and... maybe don’t make a fool of yourself today.
She steps out of her room and makes her way to the kitchen, where Damian is once again sitting at the breakfast table, scrolling through emails.
Damian Blackwell
*Glancing up from his tablet* You're late again.
Aria Marcelli
*Smiling sheepishly* Morning, Mr. Blackwell. I, uh, didn’t sleep much last night.
She quickly makes coffee and hands it to Damian, her fingers brushing against his as he takes the cup.
Damian Blackwell
*Pausing briefly at the touch*
Damian Blackwell
*Eyes narrowing slightly* You seem distracted...?
Aria Marcelli
*heart skipping a beat*
Distracted? No, I’m... fine. Really.
Damian studies her for a moment longer than usual, his gaze unreadable.
Damian Blackwell
*Gruffly* Good. We can’t afford distractions right now.
Aria and Damian are riding the elevator up to the office in silence, the only sound being the soft hum of the machinery.
The air between them feels heavier than usual, and Lena can’t help but feel the tension building.
Aria Marcelli
*Thinking* Why does it feel so... awkward today? He’s just my boss. Focus, Aria. You need to stay focused.
Suddenly, the elevator jerks slightly, causing Aria to lose her balance.
Instinctively, she reaches out and grabs Damian’s arm.
Aria Marcelli
*Gasping* Oh!
Damian catches her effortlessly, his strong hands holding her steady.
Their faces are inches apart, and for a moment, the world seems to stop.
His eyes lock with hers, and Aria feels her pulse quicken.
Damian Blackwell
*Voice low* You should be more careful.
Aria Marcelli
*Pulls back*
Aria Marcelli
*Regaining her balance*
Aria Marcelli
*Laughing nervously* Right... careful. Got it.
Damian releases her, but for a moment, his hand lingers on her arm, as if he’s hesitant to let go.
The meeting starts, but Aria can’t shake the memory of their elevator encounter.
She tries to focus on the discussion, but every time Damian speaks, she finds herself glancing at him, feeling her heart race.
Lucas Blackwell
*Smirking* It seems our numbers are stabilizing, thanks to your last-minute changes, Damian.
Lucas Blackwell
But I’m sure we all know that stability doesn’t mean growth. We need more.
Damian Blackwell
*Firmly* Growth will come with time. For now, we’re focused on reinforcing our foundation.
Aria watches Damian handle the room with a mix of control and quiet intensity.
There’s something captivating about the way he speaks, how every word seems calculated, as if he’s always two steps ahead of everyone else.
Aria Marcelli
*Thinking* How did I never see this side of him when I read the novel? He’s so much more... human.
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