The night had started well enough.
Sienna sat on the edge of Ryan's bed, one leg crossed over the other as she watched him try to knot a tie.
He muttered a curse under his breath as his face tightened in frustration.
She shook her head. "You're hopeless."
"I don't see you offering to help." He grunted.
Sienna pushed herself off the bed, strutting barefoot across the room. She plucked his wrist from his neck and expertly knotted the tie.
"There, now you won't look like a mess in front of all the rich folks we're about to dine with tonight.
Ryan snorted. "Right, because you're not one of them."
"Oh, I am, but at least I'm fun."
Sienna was already dressed in a deep emerald silk gown that clung to her curves, she did one final check in the mirror before slipping into her heels.
Ryan watched her as she painted her lips. "You're going all out tonight."
"Well it has been a while since we did this, don't you think?"
He hummed, running his hand through his damp hair still slightly tousled from the shower.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're trying to impress someone."
He reached for the necklace on the dresser, his fingers brushing over the diamonds before clasping it around her neck.
Sienna turned around and she whispered in his ear. "You think you know me so well."
"Better than anyone."
She chucked, lifting his chin with her slim fingers. "Then you should know that I hate waiting, let's go."
Ryan's expression changed to that of disappointment.
He didn't want to go to the Lucent Royale, he wasn't willing to take that risk.
But he couldn't say no to Sienna, he didn't even have a choice to say no.
They left his apartment stepping into the night with confidence, as they proceeded to make their way to the restaurant.
_____
At the restaurant, Chloe found herself loosening up a little, maybe it was the wine or the much-needed break from work, but she let her guard down.
"I didn't see you at the auction tonight," Damien said, breaking the silence between them.
"I didn't feel up for it," she coughed. "But I'm certain my team handled it well."
"Mhmmm, but I'm sure you're doing better now?" He asked.
"Yes, I am. Thanks for asking."
"So tell me about yourself, Chloe." He smiled sheepishly.
Chloe hesitated, patting her lips with a napkin.
"What do you mean?"
Damien stretched his hand as he leaned forward toward her face.
"Hold on," he said as she jerked back.
His fingers lightly brushed the edge of her lips.
"Lipstick" he raised his brow as he showed her the red stain on his finger.
"Now, what I mean is, why is a smart one like you still working under the iron fist of her father?"
Chloe didn't say a word, working with her father hadn't been easy but she wasn't about to share her daddy issues with him.
"My father's fists are perfectly fine. And I'm happy where I am." She said taking a slow sip of her drink but the glass was empty.
Damien nudged toward the waiter, signalling him for a refill."
"I've told you, Bennett, you're not that good of a liar."
_____
Outside the restaurant, Ryan and Sienna pulled up. Ryan felt it—a twinge of unease curling in his stomach. He should have suggested a different place. Lucent Royale wasn't just high-end, it was surrounded by everything Damien.
Still, he said nothing as he parked the car and got down, he walked to the other end and opened the door for Sienna.
As they approached the entrance, the doorman, dressed in a crisp black suit, halted them with a polite yet firm nod.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we're not accepting walk-ins tonight."
Sienna frowned, pulling out her phone. "Walk-in? I made a reservation a day ago."
"I understand, ma'am, but unfortunately, all reservations for this evening have been cancelled."
Ryan shifted beside her. "No notice?"
"My sincerest apologies. We assumed everyone was informed. You may have missed it."
Sienna's eyes narrowed. "That's ridiculous…People are dining inside. Are you telling me they all own this damn restaurant?"
The man hesitated then nodded. "Excuse me for a minute."
Sienna turned to Ryan, "What the hell?" She snapped.
As he walked in, Ryan exhaled sharply. "Maybe we should just -"
Before he could finish, another man emerged from the entrance.
He gave a light nod and he spoke.
"Apologies for the inconvenience," the man said smoothly, "This is a private gathering, I'm afraid I can't let you in."
The moment Ryan heard his voice his entire body tensed. It was him. The voice from the call.
The one that had warned him to stay away from Chloe. He couldn't forget it, how it was cold and stern.
His pulse quickened but he kept his expression plain.
Ethan noticed it and gave him a slow smirk.
Sienna on the other hand was livid.
"And who the hell are you?"
Ethan turned to her, but he didn't blink. "The man telling you to kindly turn around.
Ryan gritted his teeth. This was bad. Very bad.
He grabbed Sienna's wrist. "Let's go."
"What?" She whipped around. "Are you kidding me? This is -"
"Sienna," his voice was low but firm. "Let's go."
She huffed but followed him angrily, muttering under her breath.
As they reached the car, she glanced back one last time and froze.
Through the large, glass-panelled windows, nestled in the golden ambience of the restaurant, sat a familiar silhouette.
She squinted her eyes to get a better view and when she did, her expression darkened.
Chloe. She sat inside, smiling as she was being poured a drink.
Sienna's irritation sharpened into something lethal.
She barely noticed Ryan's grip tightening on her wrist as her eyes focused on the man sitting across from Chloe.
Tall. Dark-haired. Saying things she couldn't place. Who was he?
Something inside her snapped. "Oh hell no."
She pulled her hand away from Ryan as she charged toward the restaurant.
_____
Inside the restaurant, Damien swirled his wine lazily, the glow of the chandelier lights reflecting in the deep red liquid.
Across from him, Chloe sat stiffly, trying to ignore the weight of his gaze.
The air between them was charged, a slow dance of unspoken tension.
Damien noticed a shift in the environment before his fingers paused against the glass, he turned to his side as he looked toward the entrance.
Chloe noticed the change in his expression.
"Is everything alright?" She asked tilting her head.
Before Damien could respond. The door barged open with a loud bang.
A voice sharp and loud cut through the silence between them. "Well, isn't this cozy?"
Chloe turned her head sharply. The sight of the woman standing by the entrance sent a cold wave down her spine.
Sienna.
Chloe's fingers curled around the edge of the table. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Sienna let out a small scoff, stepping further into the restaurant with an air of entitlement. "I can ask you the same thing," she said before her eyes shifted to the man seated across from Chloe.
"Oh, Chloe. Dining with the enemy now, are we?" She asked.
Damien's sharp eyes met hers. Then, in a calm but cutting tone, he asked, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
Sienna's lips curled, her stance unwavering. "You might not, but I certainly know you."
Chloe exhaled, already knowing where this was heading. "Sienna, stop, it's not what you think."
"Oh, don't 'Sienna' me," her sister cut in sharply, eyes narrowing. "You really have no shame, do you?"
A flash of irritation passed through Damien's face. He set his glass down, leaning forward slightly.
"I suggest you lower your tone," he said smoothly, though there was nothing soft about the underlying warning. "I don't tolerate disruptions in my space. Leave before you regret staying."
Sienna's jaw tensed. For a second, a hint of something crossed her eyes —hesitation, maybe even fear. But she masked it quickly, straightening her shoulders.
"And what? Am I supposed to be scared of you?"
"That would be wise." Damien said, barely entertained.
Chloe's breath hung at the cold certainty in his tone.
Sienna scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You think you can just intimidate me and I'll run off? Please."
She turned back to Chloe, grabbing her shoulder. "You ruined my night do you know that?"
In a flash, Damien's hand shot out, his fingers wrapping around Sienna's arm in an iron grip.
Sienna sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes widening.
"Enough," Damien said, his voice dipping into something dangerous.
At that moment, another presence entered the restaurant.
"Sienna. Let's go." Ryan said unaware of the scene she had started.
His voice was firm, but his face—when he turned and locked eyes with Damien—was a mask of shock.
For the first time in years, they were face-to-face.
And yet, Damien's expression remained indifferent.
"Well, this must be the boyfriend," Damien murmured, letting go of Sienna as he leaned back into his seat. His tone was mocking. "I suggest you take her out of here before I do it for you. Leave. Now."
Ryan hesitated for a fraction of a second, his mind reeling, but he knew better than to push. Slowly, he reached for Sienna, gripping her wrist and pulling her toward the exit.
Sienna struggled, glaring at Chloe one last time. But as Damien's gaze remained on her, cold and unwavering, she finally surrendered and let Ryan drag her away.
As they exited, Chloe exhaled, only then realizing her hands were trembling slightly. She looked down and there was wine, red as blood, splashed across her dress.
During the chaos, Sienna had knocked over her glass.
Before she could react, Damien reached for a napkin, handing it to her without a word.
She hesitated, glancing at him.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer now.
She swallowed and nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Damien didn't look convinced, but he leaned forward slightly, dabbing a lingering droplet of wine from her shoulders.
At the entrance, Ryan paused just before stepping out.
He looked back inside.
And what he saw sent a strange feeling curling in his gut.
Damien, tending to Chloe.
Why? How? What were they doing together? Why didn't he react when he saw him?
He let go of Sienna as soon as they got far away.
And inside, Damien's lips curved slightly as he met Chloe's worn-out eyes.
"I'm sorry about this, let's get you home Chloe."
As they headed toward the car that brought her, Chloe stopped in her tracks and she shot him a hard glare.
"This changes nothing, Damien. But thank you for the apology and the dinner."
She got into the car leaving Damien bewildered.
Ethan stepped out from the shadows.
He stood beside Damien silently.
Waiting for him to say the first words.
"I'm going to end him," Damien said sternly.
As he turned and walked into the darkness.
Ryan had just broken the last straw and it was time for him to act.