chapter 7

The days following the successful presentation passed in a whirlwind of follow-ups and new projects. Sophia was riding high on the client’s approval, feeling as if she had finally proven herself at Evergreen. But with that success came a renewed pressure—especially from Damian. His expectations had only grown, and he had started assigning her more responsibilities, keeping her on her toes.

Despite the exhaustion that seemed to be a constant companion, Sophia couldn’t help but notice how Damian’s attitude toward her had shifted. His criticisms, while still sharp, lacked the cutting edge they once had. He was… almost respectful. And though that should have felt like progress, it also made things more complicated.

There were moments, fleeting but undeniable, where the walls he had so carefully constructed around himself seemed to falter. She had seen it in his eyes—something soft, something vulnerable. And she couldn’t seem to shake the nagging feeling that she was being pulled into a world she didn’t fully understand.

It was late one evening when the breaking point came. The office was nearly empty, the low hum of the air conditioning the only sound as Sophia sat hunched over her laptop, reviewing the latest campaign drafts. She was tired—bone-deep tired—but there was still so much to do.

Damian had left earlier, but she knew he’d be back soon. He had a habit of checking in on her progress late at night, and she had become accustomed to his unpredictable presence.

As she typed, she heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching. Her heart gave a little flutter, but she quickly dismissed the sensation. Damian was just her boss—nothing more, nothing less.

When he entered the room, she didn’t look up immediately.

“You’re still here,” he said, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and something else.

Sophia looked up then, meeting his gaze. His usual stoic expression was in place, but there was something in his eyes that made her pause.

“Yeah,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I’m just finishing up.”

Damian’s gaze softened for a brief moment, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

Sophia raised an eyebrow. “And you’re one to talk?”

Damian’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I didn’t ask you to overextend yourself.”

Sophia felt a flare of irritation rise in her chest. “I’m not overextending myself. I’m doing my job.”

There was a tense silence before Damian spoke again. “You’ve been working nonstop for days. At some point, you’re going to burn out.”

Sophia bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. The concern in his voice was so out of place that it threw her off guard. She had always known Damian as a driven, relentless figure—someone who demanded perfection from others, and especially from himself. But this side of him was... different.

“I’m fine,” she said, brushing it off. “I can handle it.”

But Damian wasn’t convinced. He stepped closer to her desk, his gaze lingering on the work in front of her. “You’re only human, Sophia.”

The use of her first name sent a shiver through her, and for a moment, everything else seemed to disappear. She could feel the weight of his words, of his gaze, like a tangible presence in the room.

“I don’t need you to worry about me, Mr. Westwood,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.

Damian’s expression darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. “I’m not worrying about you, Miss Allen. I’m… looking out for you.”

The words hit her harder than she expected. There was something in his tone—something raw—that made her heart skip a beat. But before she could process it, he stepped back, clearing his throat.

“Get some rest,” he said, his usual icy mask slipping back into place. “Tomorrow’s going to be another busy day.”

Sophia nodded, trying to regain her composure. “I’ll be fine.”

As Damian turned to leave, she watched him for a long moment, something stirring inside her. She wasn’t sure if it was the growing attraction she felt toward him or the realization that, despite his cold exterior, Damian cared in his own way. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that she was beginning to unravel him.

The next day, Sophia arrived early as usual, determined to make progress on the latest project. The office was quiet when she stepped inside, and she was surprised to see Damian already there, staring out the window.

She hesitated for a moment before walking over to him. “I didn’t expect you to be here so early.”

Damian turned slightly, his eyes meeting hers. “I don’t sleep much.”

Sophia frowned, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. “You need rest.”

Damian’s lips twitched, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he motioned toward the conference room. “Let’s get to work.”

The day passed in a blur of meetings, presentations, and adjustments. But through it all, Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different between her and Damian. There were more small moments—more subtle gestures—that made her question everything she thought she knew about him.

And as much as she tried to resist it, she was beginning to feel a pull toward him, one she couldn’t ignore.

That evening, as Sophia sat in her apartment, she found herself thinking about the conversation with Damian, about the way his voice had softened when he spoke to her, and how his concern had been so genuine, despite his usual coldness.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. Her feelings for him were becoming more complicated by the day. Damian was a man of contradictions—both distant and caring, strong yet vulnerable. And she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him, even though she knew it was dangerous.

As the days passed, Sophia found herself at a crossroads. She couldn’t deny the chemistry between them, but she also couldn’t ignore the walls Damian had built around himself. It was clear he was struggling with something, but what that was, she couldn’t say.

But one thing was certain: she was no longer just working for him—she was starting to care about him.

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