chapter 6

The following week, the campaign was in full swing. Damian was ever-present, scrutinizing every detail with a critical eye, but Sophia had begun to find a rhythm. Despite the pressure, she thrived under his scrutiny, determined to prove herself capable of handling whatever he threw her way.

The office was bustling with activity, as everyone worked to meet the looming deadlines. Yet, amidst the frantic pace, there was an undeniable shift in the dynamic between Sophia and Damian. He still maintained his distance, but she noticed small changes—a softer tone when he addressed her, a hint of approval when she delivered work on time.

It was during one of their strategy meetings that she felt the full weight of it. Damian had asked her to present her latest research on market trends. As she spoke, she felt the intensity of his gaze, a quiet focus that sent a shiver down her spine. She finished her presentation, and the room fell silent as everyone awaited Damian’s judgment.

His eyes met hers. “You’ve done well,” he said, and there was no mistaking the faint praise in his voice.

Sophia blinked, momentarily stunned. “Thank you, Mr. Westwood.”

Damian’s lips twitched. “No need to be so formal. We’re colleagues, Miss Allen.”

Sophia didn’t miss the subtle change in the way he addressed her, and her heart fluttered despite herself. She cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. “Understood.”

The meeting continued, but her mind kept returning to his words. They were the closest thing to approval she had received from him—and it felt like a victory.

That evening, as Sophia was gathering her things to leave, she found herself face-to-face with Damian once again. He was standing by the elevator, looking unusually… hesitant.

“Miss Allen,” he said, his tone much softer than usual. “I need you to finalize the client presentation for tomorrow. Can you do that?”

Sophia nodded, surprised by the request. “Of course, I’ll get it to you first thing in the morning.”

There was an awkward pause before Damian spoke again, his gaze flicking away as if he didn’t quite know how to continue. “I’ll… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight,” she replied, watching him walk away with the same guarded, impassive expression he always wore.

But something lingered in the air, a crack in his armor, one that she could almost touch if she dared.

The next morning, Sophia arrived early to finish the presentation. As she worked, her thoughts were occupied with the subtle changes in her interactions with Damian. He was still distant, but there was something different—an unspoken understanding between them, as if they were both on the same uncharted path but reluctant to take the first step.

As she finalized the details, she couldn’t help but feel a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they were beginning to build something—however fragile it might be.

The day of the client presentation arrived, and the team was ready. The room was filled with tension as everyone prepared to present to one of their most important clients. Damian, as usual, was the last to arrive, striding into the room with his customary air of command.

Sophia was surprised to find herself assigned to the front alongside him. Usually, he would handle the bulk of the presentation, but today he seemed to trust her enough to take the lead.

Her pulse quickened as she spoke, but as the presentation progressed, she felt Damian’s steady gaze on her, unwavering, like a silent anchor. She powered through the data, her voice confident, even as her mind raced with nerves.

When the presentation was over, the client asked a few questions, and Damian fielded them with ease. But it was the way he looked at Sophia afterward that caught her attention.

“Well done, Miss Allen,” he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat, but she managed to nod. “Thank you, Mr. Westwood.”

As they walked out of the conference room together, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of camaraderie. They had worked together seamlessly—at least, that’s how it felt in the moment.

That evening, Sophia found herself in the lounge, staring out the window, lost in thought. The day had been a success, but something still gnawed at her. Damian’s approval, the rare moments when his walls seemed to crack, only made her more curious about him. She wanted to know the man beneath the CEO façade, the one who hid his emotions behind sharp words and calculated decisions.

“Working late again?” Trisha’s voice broke her reverie, and Sophia turned to find her friend leaning against the doorframe.

“Just thinking,” Sophia replied, forcing a smile.

Trisha raised an eyebrow. “About Damian?”

Sophia didn’t respond immediately, unsure of how to answer. The idea of thinking about Damian—of wanting to understand him more—was unsettling, but it was also undeniable.

“I guess so,” she admitted, her voice quiet.

“You know, if I were you, I’d be careful,” Trisha said, her tone more serious now. “Damian doesn’t let people in. He’s got a lot of baggage, and he’s not the type to open up easily. Don’t let him drag you into his world unless you’re prepared for the consequences.”

Sophia swallowed, her gaze fixed on the city lights outside. “I don’t know what’s going on, Trish. But I can’t help but feel like there’s more to him. More than he’s willing to show.”

Trisha sighed. “Just make sure you’re not getting in over your head.”

Sophia didn’t respond, but her mind was racing. She had always prided herself on being independent, on keeping her emotions in check. But Damian was different—he was a puzzle she couldn’t seem to solve, a mystery that both terrified and intrigued her.

And for the first time, she wasn’t sure which part of him she was more drawn to.

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